Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2025-09-07
Bulletin Contents
Schedule of Services
Special Services
Stewardship News
You are invited
News & Events
Assembly of Bishops News
Saints and Feasts
Gospel and Epistle Readings

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Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • 408.605.0621
  • Street Address:

  • 9th and Lincoln

  • Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
  • Mailing Address:

  • PO Box 5808

  • Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93921

Contact Information

Priest: Father Ion Coman


[email protected] | 408.605.0621

Services Schedule

 

Weekend services: the weekend schedule is fixed for most of the year. The services take place in Carmel-by-the-Sea, at All Saints Church, lower level, 9th and Lincoln.

Saturdays: 5:00pm Vespers

Sundays:   8:30am Matins

                   9:45am Liturgy

Week-day services: during the week we may celebrate the major feast days of the Church either in Carmel or in Salinas. Please check the calendar! The schedule pattern is:

Wednesdays:  6:00pm Paraklesis

Eve of feasts: 6:00pm Vespers

Feast days:    8:30am Matins

                       9:45am Liturgy

Past Bulletins


Schedule of Services

Note: Our services are posted on Zoom unless specified otherwise.   

Friday, September 5
    7pm Journey to Fullness for Explorers - Beginning of a new cycle (Zoom)
Saturday, September 6
    5pm Vespers
Sunday, September 7
    8:30am Matins
    9:45am Liturgy
    11:15am Evangelism Season Kickoff
    12:30pm Beginning of the Sunday School year
    12:30pm Catechism Class
    6pm Vespers
Monday, September 8 Nativity of the Theotokos
    8:00am Matins
    6pm Vespers + Blessing of the Five Loaves + Liturgy
Tuesday, September 9 Saints Joachim & Anna
    8:00am Matins
    9am Food Bank Distribution - Community Service
    7pm Parish Council Meeting
Wednesday, September 10
    9:30am Book Forum (Zoom)
    6pm Paraklesis
    7pm Enduring Love - Marriage Class
Friday, September 12
    6pm Season of Evangelism prayer services: Canon of Saint Photini
    7pm Journey to Fullness for Explorers
Saturday, September 13 
    5pm Vespers
Sunday, September 14 Exaltation of the Holy Cross
    8:00am Matins
    9:00am Baptism
   10:00 am Liturgy
   12:30pm Catechism Class

Zoom with video here.  For more information, go to  //www.stjohn-monterey.org/parish-calendar

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Special Services

The Memorial Service this Sunday will be offered for the servants of God:

  • Kent (Michael) Mitchell (5 years), uncle of Mike Kanalakis and a long time benefactor of our community.
  • Leda Dzwonczyk (11 years), Christine Dzwonczyk's aunt.
  • Helen Saites (2 years), mother of Vasiliki Saites.
  • Sophie Britton (1 year), mother of Michael Georgariou.

May their memory be eternal!

 

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You are invited

 
Saint John's
Second Evangelism Season
Kickoff
Sunday, September 7, after Liturgy
 
The Evangelism Season is the time of the year when we dedicate two months to the more focused effort of prayer for the ones missing God in their lives. Just like last year, we will be collecting their names from those attending the liturgy on September 7 and 14. Here is what we will do:
  • We will turn to this year's intercessor, Saint Photini (the Samaritan woman whom Jesus met at the well). We'll bring her icon in the middle of the church and we will learn about her life and why she was an extraordinary evangelist.
  • You will write down on prayer cards the first names of those (non-Orthodox) for whom we should be praying.
  • Our team will collect these prayer cards, scan them, and return them to you.
  • You will be praying for the people on your prayer card every day, through September and October.
  • We will pray together the Paraklesis to Saint Photini on Friday evenings for the two months.

Then, we will thank the Good Lord for blessing our effort. Glory be to Him, our Lord and God!

Living the Gospel
 
+   +   +
 
Miriam's Baptism
Sunday, September 14, before Liturgy
 
We are all to participate and pray at Miriam's baptism that will take place on Sunday, September 14. Please see the schedule of services above for the modified flow that Sunday. 
 
Living the Gospel, Community
 
 
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News & Events

NEW - TONIGHT: JOURNEY TO FUlLNESS TO BEGIN A NEW CYCLE

A Ministry led by Edward Mar

This 16-session class is offered to exploreres of Orthodoxy, a great opportunity to learn how the Orthodox Church sees herself. We will follow the brief lectures of Father Barnabas Powell and we will have the chance to discuss the material and to share personal experiences for each of the topics. The class will be run by Edward, who himself attended it as a student not too long ago...

Friday, September 5, 7pm

Journey to Fullness

Session 1: Is This trip really Necessary?

The class will meet online via Zoom.

Education


NEW: CHILDREN'S EDUCATION PROGRAM TO BEGIN SEPTEMBER 7

A Ministry led by Presbytera Ana

The Orthodox Montessori Spiritual Formation Program will re-open for the new school year with its first meeting on Sunday, September 7, after the Agape Meal. The program is open to children ages 3-6 years. Please contact Presbytera Ana for more information.

Education


MARRIAGE CLASS

A ministry led by Ali Castañeda

We will dive in the material by looking at God's desin for marriage.  The targeted audience ranges from young adults to couples who have been married for decades. The classes will take place right after the Wednesday Paraklesis service from 6:45pm. They are also an opportunity to build community.

See the bookstore for the required textbook ($30).

About the leader: Ali is a licensed marriage and family therapist, working in the field for 5 years. He holds a bachelors degree in psychology, a masters degree in counselingand advanced training with couples. Ali was received into the Orthodox Church in 2024. He and his wife Marissa are married since 2022 and they are expecting their first child this year.

#6: Children and parenting

and 

#7: Roles and Responsabilities

Wednesday, September 10, 6:45pm (after Paraklesis)

Outline:

1. God's Design for Marriage
2. Love and Expectations
3. Friendship and Goals
4. Communication and Conflict
5. Sex and Romance
6. Children and parenting
7. Roles and responsibilities
8. Finances
9. Spiritual Life
10. Enduring to the End

Living the Gospel, Community


WELCOMING AND HOSPITALITY: SERVING THIS SUNDAY

A Ministry led by Miriam Aguilar

Thank you for your effort and participation in bringing a dish to share for our Agape Meal. If you cannot participate when it is your turn, kindly make other arrangements for someone to cover for you and let your team leader know.

Sunday, September 7
   Parish Council Representative: Dr. Michael Bachik
   Greeter: Miriam Aguilar
   Agape Meal: ORANGE TEAM - Thank you to Melanie, Miriam, Marissa, and Irene.

Sunday, September 14
   Parish Council Representative: Thimi Saites
   Greeter:  Nadia Zajicek
   Agape Meal: PINK TEAM - Thank you to Nadia, Maria, Rania, and Christine D

Community


OUTREACH MINISTRIES - LADIE'S I-HELP

Ministries led by Despina Hatton

LADIES I-HELP: 

  • Tuesday, October 7 Cooking: 4pm. Dinner with the ladies: 5:30pm.
  • Thursday, October 30. Cooking: 4pm. Dinner with the ladies: 5:30pm

FOOD BANK:

  • Tuesday, September, 9.  9:00 -10:30am @St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Seaside.

Community


ADULT SUNDAY EDUCATION/ CATECHISM

A Ministry led by Father Ion

The class will meet after the Agape meal in Saint Nektarios chapel. 

Living the Gospel

 


BOOK FORUM

A Ministry led by Kathy Shaw

We continue to meet on Wednesdays, from 9:30am and we are now reading Everyday Saints and Other Stories, by Archmandrite Tikhon (Shrevkunov). It can be purchased HERE.

 Education, Community


ONLINE RESOURCES

Most of our services and some ministry meetings are available online. Zoom with video here. Liturgical texts at Ages Initiatives here.


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Saints and Feasts

September 07

Sunday before Holy Cross

September 07

The Forefeast of the Nativity of the Theotokos

September 08

The Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary

According to the ancient tradition of the Church, the Theotokos was born of barren and aged parents, Joachim and Anna, about the year 16 or 17 before the birth of Christ. Joachim was descended from the royal line of David, of the tribe of Judah. Anna was of the priestly tribe of Levi, a daughter of the priest Matthan and Mary, his wife.

September 09

The Holy & Righteous Ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna

Today, the day following the Nativity of the most holy Theotokos, we celebrate the synaxis of Saints Joachim and Anna, honouring them as her parents.

September 11

Euphrosynos the Cook

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Second Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Mark 16:1-8

When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Salome, bought spices, so that they might go and anoint Jesus. And very early on the first day of the week they went to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?" And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back - it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, "Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, He is not here; see the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples and Peter that He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see Him, as He told you." And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had come upon them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal 2nd Mode. Psalm 27.9,1.
O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 6:11-18.

Brethren, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.

Gospel Reading

Sunday before Holy Cross
The Reading is from John 3:13-17

The Lord said, "No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him."

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