New Church Doors: Blessing and Ribbon Cutting
Save the Date: March 4, 2018
Join us on Sunday, March 4, 2018, after the Divine Liturgy for the blessing of the new front doors of the Church and the ribbon-cutting ceremony. We would like to express our deepest gratitude to the Philoptochos Ladies of St. Spyridon for their substantial donation.    
Father's message
My Beloved Friends and Parishioners of the Saint Spyridon family,
Today the Orthodox Church is keeping the great feast of the Triumph of Orthodoxy. It is not the triumph of the Orthodox over other people, of our Church over another church. It is the triumph of the spirit of truth within the community, the triumph of God in the midst of His people.
Join us, during your spiritual journey towards Pascha, for the weekday services, the Lenten Conference Series, and our Lenten project.
With Christ’s love,
Fr. Nicolas   
Aγαπημένοι φίλοι και ενορίτες της οικογένειας του Αγίου Σπυρίδωνα,
Σήμερα η Ορθόδοξη Εκκλησία γιορτάζει τη μεγάλη γιορτή του θριάμβου της Ορθοδοξίας. Δεν είναι ο θρίαμβος των Ορθοδόξων έναντι άλλων ανθρώπων ή άλλων Εκκλησιών. Είναι ο θρίαμβος του πνεύματος της αλήθειας μέσα στην κοινωνία, ο θρίαμβος του Θεού μέσο του ανθρώπου.
Ελάτε μαζί μας, κατά τη διάρκεια του πνευματικού ταξιδιού σας προς το Πάσχα, για τις Προηγιασμένες της εβδομάδας, για τη σειρά συναντήσεων αλλά και για το κοινοτικό μας έργο- προσφορά  κατά την διάρκεια της Σαρακοστής για την Διεθνή  Χριστιανική Κοινότητα.
Με εν Χριστό αγάπη,
Π. Νικόλαος
Hymns of the Day
Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal First Mode
Let us worship the Word, O ye faithful, praising Him that with the Father and the Spirit is co-beginningless God, Who was born of a pure Virgin that we all be saved; for He was pleased to mount the Cross in the flesh that He assumed, accepting thus to endure death. And by His glorious rising, He also willed to resurrect the dead. Τὸν συνάναρχον Λόγον Πατρὶ καὶ Πνεύματι, τὸν ἐκ Παρθένου τεχθέντα εἰς σωτηρίαν ἡμῶν, ἀνυμνήσωμεν πιστοὶ καὶ προσκυνήσωμεν, ὅτι ηὐδόκησε σαρκί, ἀνελθεῖν ἐν τῷ σταυρῷ, καὶ θάνατον ὑπομεῖναι, καὶ ἐγεῖραι τοὺς τεθνεῶτας, ἐν τῇ ἐνδόξῳ Ἀναστάσει αὐτοῦ.
Apolytikion for Sun. of Orthodoxy in the Second Mode
We worship Thine immaculate icon, O Good One, asking the forgiveness of our failings, O Christ our God; for of Thine own will Thou wast well-pleased to ascend the Cross in the flesh, that Thou mightest deliver from slavery to the enemy those whom Thou hadst fashioned. Wherefore, we cry to Thee thankfully: Thou didst fill all things with joy, O our Saviour, when Thou camest to save the world. Τὴν ἄχραντον Εἰκόνα σου προσκυνοῦμεν Ἀγαθέ, αἰτούμενοι συγχώρησιν τῶν πταισμάτων ἡμῶν, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός· βουλήσει γὰρ ηὐδόκησας σαρκὶ ἀνελθεῖν ἐν τῷ Σταυρῷ, ἵνα ῥύσῃ οὓς ἔπλασας ἐκ τῆς δουλείας τοῦ ἐχθροῦ· ὅθεν εὐχαρίστως βοῶμέν σοι· Χαρᾶς ἐπλήρωσας τὰ πάντα, ὁ Σωτὴρ ἡμῶν, παραγενόμενος εἰς τὸ σῶσαι τὸν Κόσμον.
Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Fourth Mode
To you, Theotokos, invincible Defender, having been delivered from peril, I, your city, dedicate the victory festival as a thank offering. In your irresistible might, keep me safe from all trials, that I may call out to you: "Hail, unwedded bride!" Τὴ ὑπερμάχω στρατηγῶ τὰ νικητήρια, ὡς λυτρωθεῖσα τῶν δεινῶν εὐχαριστήρια, ἀναγράφω σοὶ ἡ Πόλις σου Θεοτόκε, Ἀλλ' ὡς ἔχουσα τὸ κράτος ἀπροσμάχητον, ἐκ παντοίων μὲ κινδύνων ἐλευθέρωσον, ἵνα κράζω σοί, Χαῖρε νύμφη ἀνύμφευτε.
Matins Gospel Reading
Fifth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:13-35
At that time, two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, "What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?" And they stood still looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?" And he said to them, "What things?" And they said to him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body; and they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said; but him they did not see." And he said to them, "O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He appeared to be going further, but they constrained him, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized him; and he vanished out of their sight. They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures?" And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them, who said, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.
Fifth Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 24:13-35
Καὶ ἰδοὺ δύο ἐξ αὐτῶν ἦσαν πορευόμενοι ἐν αὐτῇ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ εἰς κώμην ἀπέχουσαν σταδίους ἑξήκοντα ἀπὸ ῾Ιερουσαλήμ, ᾗ ὄνομα ᾿Εμμαούς. καὶ αὐτοὶ ὡμίλουν πρὸς ἀλλήλους περὶ πάντων τῶν συμβεβηκότων τούτων. καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ ὁμιλεῖν αὐτοὺς καὶ συζητεῖν καὶ αὐτὸς ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ἐγγίσας συνεπορεύετο αὐτοῖς· οἱ δὲ ὀφθαλμοὶ αὐτῶν ἐκρατοῦντο τοῦ μὴ ἐπιγνῶναι αὐτόν.εἶπε δὲ πρὸς αὐτούς· τίνες οἱ λόγοι οὗτοι οὓς ἀντιβάλλετε πρὸς ἀλλήλους περιπατοῦντες καί ἐστε σκυθρωποί; ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ εἷς, ᾧ ὄνομα Κλεόπας, εἶπε πρὸς αὐτόν· σὺ μόνος παροικεῖς ἐν ῾Ιερουσαλὴμ καὶ οὐκ ἔγνως τὰ γενόμενα ἐν αὐτῇ ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ταύταις; καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· ποῖα; οἱ δὲ εἶπον αὐτῷ· τὰ περὶ ᾿Ιησοῦ τοῦ Ναζωραίου, ὃς ἐγένετο ἀνὴρ προφήτης δυνατὸς ἐν ἔργῳ καὶ λόγῳ ἐναντίον τοῦ Θεοῦ καὶ παντὸς τοῦ λαοῦ, ὅπως τε παρέδωκαν αὐτὸν οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς καὶ οἱ ἄρχοντες ἡμῶν εἰς κρῖμα θανάτου καὶ ἐσταύρωσαν αὐτόν. ἡμεῖς δὲ ἠλπίζομεν ὅτι αὐτός ἐστιν ὁ μέλλων λυτροῦσθαι τὸν ᾿Ισραήλ· ἀλλά γε σὺν πᾶσι τούτοις τρίτην ταύτην ἡμέραν ἄγει σήμερον ἀφ᾿ οὗ ταῦτα ἐγένετο. ἀλλὰ καὶ γυναῖκές τινες ἐξ ἡμῶν ἐξέστησαν ἡμᾶς γενόμεναι ὄρθριαι ἐπὶ τὸ μνημεῖον, καὶ μὴ εὑροῦσαι τὸ σῶμα αὐτοῦ ἦλθον λέγουσαι καὶ ὀπτασίαν ἀγγέλων ἑωρακέναι, οἳ λέγουσιν αὐτὸν ζῆν. καὶ ἀπῆλθόν τινες τῶν σὺν ἡμῖν ἐπὶ τὸ μνημεῖον, καὶ εὗρον οὕτω καθὼς καὶ αἱ γυναῖκες εἶπον, αὐτὸν δὲ οὐκ εἶδον. καὶ αὐτὸς εἶπε πρὸς αὐτούς· ὦ ἀνόητοι καὶ βραδεῖς τῇ καρδίᾳ τοῦ πιστεύειν ἐπὶ πᾶσιν οἷς ἐλάλησαν οἱ προφῆται! οὐχὶ ταῦτα ἔδει παθεῖν τὸν Χριστὸν καὶ εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὴν δόξαν αὐτοῦ; καὶ ἀρξάμενος ἀπὸ Μωϋσέως καὶ ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν προφητῶν διηρμήνευεν αὐτοῖς ἐν πάσαις ταῖς γραφαῖς τὰ περὶ ἑαυτοῦ. Καὶ ἤγγισαν εἰς τὴν κώμην οὗ ἐπορεύοντο, καὶ αὐτὸς προσεποιεῖτο πορρωτέρω πορεύεσθαι· καὶ παρεβιάσαντο αὐτὸν λέγοντες· μεῖνον μεθ᾿ ἡμῶν, ὅτι πρὸς ἑσπέραν ἐστὶ καὶ κέκλικεν ἡ ἡμέρα. καὶ εἰσῆλθε τοῦ μεῖναι σὺν αὐτοῖς. καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ κατακλιθῆναι αὐτὸν μετ᾿ αὐτῶν λαβὼν τὸν ἄρτον εὐλόγησε, καὶ κλάσας ἐπεδίδου αὐτοῖς. αὐτῶν δὲ διηνοίχθησαν οἱ ὀφθαλμοί, καὶ ἐπέγνωσαν αὐτόν· καὶ αὐτὸς ἄφαντος ἐγένετο ἀπ᾿ αὐτῶν. καὶ εἶπον πρὸς ἀλλήλους· οὐχὶ ἡ καρδία ἡμῶν καιομένη ἦν ἐν ἡμῖν, ὡς ἐλάλει ἡμῖν ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ καὶ ὡς διήνοιγεν ἡμῖν τὰς γραφάς; Καὶ ἀναστάντες αὐτῇ τῇ ὥρᾳ ὑπέστρεψαν εἰς ῾Ιερουσαλήμ, καὶ εὗρον συνηθροισμένους τοὺς ἕνδεκα καὶ τοὺς σὺν αὐτοῖς, λέγοντας ὅτι ἠγέρθη ὁ Κύριος ὄντως καὶ ὤφθη Σίμωνι. καὶ αὐτοὶ ἐξηγοῦντο τὰ ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ καὶ ὡς ἐγνώσθη αὐτοῖς ἐν τῇ κλάσει τοῦ ἄρτου.
 Epistle Reading
Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Daniel 3.26,27.
Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers.
Verse: For you are just in all you have done.
the reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 11:24-26, 32-40.
Brethren, by faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets -- who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign enemies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated -- of whom the world was not worthy -- wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
Προκείμενον. Fourth Mode. Δανιήλ 3.26-27.
Εὐλογητὸς εἶ, Κύριε, ὁ Θεὸς τῶν Πατέρων ἡμῶν.
Στίχ. Ὅτι δίκαιος εἶ ἐπὶ πᾶσιν, οἷς ἐποίησας ἡμῖν.
τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 11:24-26, 32-40.
Ἀδελφοί, πίστει Μωϋσῆς μέγας γενόμενος ἠρνήσατο λέγεσθαι υἱὸς θυγατρὸς Φαραώ, μᾶλλον ἑλόμενος συγκακουχεῖσθαι τῷ λαῷ τοῦ θεοῦ ἢ πρόσκαιρον ἔχειν ἁμαρτίας ἀπόλαυσιν· μείζονα πλοῦτον ἡγησάμενος τῶν Αἰγύπτου θησαυρῶν τὸν ὀνειδισμὸν τοῦ Χριστοῦ· ἀπέβλεπεν γὰρ εἰς τὴν μισθαποδοσίαν. Καὶ τί ἔτι λέγω; Ἐπιλείψει γὰρ με διηγούμενον ὁ χρόνος περὶ Γεδεών, Βαράκ τε καὶ Σαμψών καὶ Ἰεφθάε, Δαυίδ τε καὶ Σαμουὴλ καὶ τῶν προφητῶν· οἳ διὰ πίστεως κατηγωνίσαντο βασιλείας, εἰργάσαντο δικαιοσύνην, ἐπέτυχον ἐπαγγελιῶν, ἔφραξαν στόματα λεόντων, ἔσβεσαν δύναμιν πυρός, ἔφυγον στόματα μαχαίρας, ἐνεδυναμώθησαν ἀπὸ ἀσθενείας, ἐγενήθησαν ἰσχυροὶ ἐν πολέμῳ, παρεμβολὰς ἔκλιναν ἀλλοτρίων. Ἔλαβον γυναῖκες ἐξ ἀναστάσεως τοὺς νεκροὺς αὐτῶν· ἄλλοι δὲ ἐτυμπανίσθησαν, οὐ προσδεξάμενοι τὴν ἀπολύτρωσιν, ἵνα κρείττονος ἀναστάσεως τύχωσιν· ἕτεροι δὲ ἐμπαιγμῶν καὶ μαστίγων πεῖραν ἔλαβον, ἔτι δὲ δεσμῶν καὶ φυλακῆς· ἐλιθάσθησαν, ἐπρίσθησαν, ἐπειράσθησαν, ἐν φόνῳ μαχαίρας ἀπέθανον· περιῆλθον ἐν μηλωταῖς, ἐν αἰγείοις δέρμασιν, ὑστερούμενοι, θλιβόμενοι, κακουχούμενοι - ὧν οὐκ ἦν ἄξιος ὁ κόσμος - ἐν ἐρημίαις πλανώμενοι καὶ ὄρεσιν καὶ σπηλαίοις καὶ ταῖς ὀπαῖς τῆς γῆς. Καὶ οὗτοι πάντες, μαρτυρηθέντες διὰ τῆς πίστεως, οὐκ ἐκομίσαντο τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν, τοῦ θεοῦ περὶ ἡμῶν κρεῖττόν τι προβλεψαμένου, ἵνα μὴ χωρὶς ἡμῶν τελειωθῶσιν.
 Liturgical Gospel Reading
Sunday of Orthodoxy
The Reading is from John 1:43-51
At that time, Jesus decided to go to Galilee. And he found Philip and said to him, "Follow me." Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael, and he said to him, "We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" Jesus answered him, "Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these." And he said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man."
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 1:44-52
Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἠθέλησεν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ἐξελθεῖν εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν· καὶ εὑρίσκει Φίλιππον καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· ἀκολούθει μοι. ἦν δὲ ὁ Φίλιππος ἀπὸ Βηθσαϊδά, ἐκ τῆς πόλεως ᾿Ανδρέου καὶ Πέτρου. εὑρίσκει Φίλιππος τὸν Ναθαναὴλ καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· ὃν ἔγραψε Μωϋσῆς ἐν τῷ νόμῳ καὶ οἱ προφῆται, εὑρήκαμεν, ᾿Ιησοῦν τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ᾿Ιωσὴφ τὸν ἀπὸ Ναζαρέτ. καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Ναθαναήλ· ἐκ Ναζαρὲτ δύναταί τι ἀγαθὸν εἶναι; λέγει αὐτῷ Φίλιππος· ἔρχου καὶ ἴδε. εἶδεν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς τὸν Ναθαναὴλ ἐρχόμενον πρὸς αὐτὸν καὶ λέγει περὶ αὐτοῦ· ἴδε ἀληθῶς ᾿Ισραηλίτης, ἐν ᾧ δόλος οὐκ ἔστι. λέγει αὐτῷ Ναθαναήλ· πόθεν με γινώσκεις; ἀπεκρίθη ᾿Ιησοῦς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· πρὸ τοῦ σε Φίλιππον φωνῆσαι, ὄντα ὑπὸ τὴν συκῆν εἶδόν σε. ἀπεκρίθη Ναθαναὴλ καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· ῥαββί, σὺ εἶ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ, σὺ εἶ ὁ βασιλεὺς τοῦ ᾿Ισραήλ. ἀπεκρίθη ᾿Ιησοῦς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· ὅτι εἶπόν σοι, εἶδόν σε ὑποκάτω τῆς συκῆς, πιστεύεις; μείζω τούτων ὄψει. καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· ἀμὴν ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, ἀπ᾽ ἄρτι ὄψεσθε τὸν οὐρανὸν ἀνεῳγότα, καὶ τοὺς ἀγγέλους τοῦ Θεοῦ ἀναβαίνοντας καὶ καταβαίνοντας ἐπὶ τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου
Lenten Conference Series
Schedule of Services
  Friday, February 23,
 1st Akathist to the Theotokos,
 7 pm

 Saturday, February 24,
 3rd Saturday of the Souls, 
Orthros 9 a.m.; Divine Liturgy 10.15 a.m.

    Sunday, February 25,
 Sunday of Orthodoxy,
  Orthros 9 a.m.; Divine Liturgy 10.15 a.m.

 Wednesday, February 28,
 Presanctified Liturgy,
 7 pm (Conference Series)
Memorial - Trisagion
Evanthia Patsalos  - Trisagion

Saturdays of the Souls - Feb 24
On Saturday, February 10, 17, 24, special services will be conducted and special prayers will be offered for all departed brothers and sisters in the Lord. “Kolyva” can be prepared and brought to Church together with the name of the deceased. To order Kolyva plates or to give names to the priest, please call the Church office. Please plan to attend the liturgies and give the names of your departed loved ones to Father Nicolas so that he may commemorate them during the Memorial Service. When these days appear, we know that we are approaching the Great Lent in preparation for Easter. The prayers for the dead benefit those who pray for the departed. They remind us that now is the time for moral development and improvement for faith, repentance, and love.
Please bring your slip with the names to church before the liturgy.   
         Saturday of the Souls
ΨΥΧΟΣΑΒΒΑΤΑ—Η Ορθόδοξος Εκκλησία μας, μας διδάσκει ότι υπάρχει στενός δεσμός μεταξύ των ζώντων και των κεκοιμημένων η τεθνεώτων. Ο δεσμός αυτός είναι ο δεσμός της προσευχής, και η Εκκλησία μας παροτρύνει να προσευχώμεθα τακτικά δια τας ψυχάς των κεκοιμημένων συγγενών και φύλων. Ως εκ τούτου, η Αγία μας Ορθόδοξος Εκκλησία έχει ορίσει ορισμένα Σάββατα του έτους ως Σάββατα των Ψύχων η ΨΥΧΟΣΑΒΒΑΤΑ! Ενθυμηθείτε τους προσφιλείς κεκοιμημένους της οικογενείας σας κατά τα ερχόμενα Ψυχοσάββατα.
Κόλυβα μπορείτε να παραγγείλετε στο γραφείο της Εκκλησίας. Παρακαλώ φέρτε τη λίστα με τα ονόματα των αγαπημένων σας πριν την έναρξη της Θείας Λειτουργίας.
THE IMPORTANCE OF FASTING AND ITS OBSERVANCE TODAY
Η ΣΠΟΥΔΑΙΟΤΗΣ ΤΗΣ ΝΗΣΤΕΙΑΣ ΚΑΙ Η ΤΗΡΗΣΙΣ ΑΥΤΗΣ ΣΗΜΕΡΟΝ (Holy and Great Council 2016)
"Fasting is a divine commandment (Gen 2:16-17). According to Basil the Great, fasting is as old as humanity itself; it was prescribed in paradise (On Fasting, 1, 3. PG 31, 168A). It is a great spiritual endeavor and the foremost expression of the Orthodox ascetic ideal. The Orthodox Church, in strict conformity with the apostolic precepts, the synodal canons, and the patristic tradition as a whole, has always proclaimed the great significance of fasting for our spiritual life and salvation. The annual liturgical cycle reflects the entire patristic teaching on fasting, the teaching on constant and unceasing watchfulness of the human person, and our participation in spiritual struggles. Accordingly, the Triodion praises fasting as grace that is full of light, as an invincible weapon, the beginning of spiritual struggles, the perfect path of virtues, the nourishment for the soul, the source of all wisdom, life imperishable, an imitation of the angelic life, the mother of all good things and virtues. (…) "As a spiritual endeavor, the true fast is inseparable from unceasing prayer and genuine repentance. Repentance without fasting is fruitless (Basil the Great, On Fasting 1, 3. PG 31, 168A), as fasting without merciful deeds is dead, especially nowadays when the unequal and unjust distribution of goods deprives entire nations of their daily bread. (…) "Abstinence from certain foods during the fast and temperance, not only with regard to what to eat but also how much to eat, constitutes a visible aspect of this spiritual endeavor. “In the literal sense, fasting is abstinence from food, but food makes us neither more nor less righteous. However, in the spiritual sense, it is clear that, as life comes from food for each of us and the lack of food is a symbol of death, so it is necessary that we fast from worldly things, in order that we might die to the world and after this, having partaken of the divine nourishment, live in God” (Clement of Alexandria, From the Prophetic Eclogae. PG 9, 704D-705A). Therefore, the true fast affects the entire life in Christ of the faithful and is crowned by their participation in divine worship, particularly in the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist."
Ἡ νηστεία εἶναι θεία ἐντολή (Γεν. β’, 16-17). Κατά τόν Μ. Βασίλειον, «συνηλικιῶτίς ἐστι τῆς ἀνθρωπότητος· νηστεία γάρ ἐν τῷ παραδείσῳ ἐνομοθετήθη» (Περί νηστείας, 1, 3. PG 31, 168A). Εἶναι μέγα πνευματικόν ἀγώνισμα καί ἡ κατ’ ἐξοχήν ἔκφρασις τοῦ ἀσκητικοῦ ἰδεώδους τῆς Ὀρθοδοξίας. Ἡ Ὀρθόδοξος Ἐκκλησία ἀπαρεγκλίτως στοιχοῦσα εἴς τε τά ἀποστολικά θεσπίσματα καί τούς συνοδικούς κανόνας καί εἰς τήν καθ’ ὅλου πατερικήν παράδοσιν, διεκήρυξε πάντοτε τήν ὑψίστην ἀξίαν τῆς νηστείας διά τόν πνευματικόν βίον τοῦ ἀνθρώπου καί τήν σωτηρίαν αὐτοῦ. Εἰς τόν κύκλον τῆς λατρείας τοῦ ἐνιαυτοῦ τοῦ Κυρίου προβάλλεται ἡ ὅλη περί τῆς νηστείας πατερική παράδοσις καί διδασκαλία διά τήν συνεχῆ καί ἀδιάπτωτον ἐγρήγορσιν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου καί τήν ἐπίδοσιν αὐτοῦ εἰς τούς πνευματικούς ἀγῶνας. Διό καί ὑμνεῖται εἰς τό Τριῴδιον ὡς χάρις πολύφωτος, ὡς ὅπλον ἀκαταμάχητον, ὡς πνευματικῶν ἀγώνων ἀρχή, ὡς καλλίστη τρίβος ἀρετῶν, ὡς τροφή ψυχῆς, ὡς πηγή φιλοσοφίας ἁπάσης, ὡς ἀφθάρτου διαγωγῆς καί ἰσαγγέλου πολιτείας τό μίμημα, ὡς μήτηρ τῶν ἀγαθῶν ἁπάντων καί πασῶν τῶν ἀρετῶν.
Ἡ ἀληθής νηστεία, ὡς πνευματικόν ἀγώνισμα, συνδέεται πρός τήν ἀδιάλειπτον προσευχήν καί τήν εἰλικρινῆ μετάνοιαν. «Μετάνοια χωρὶς νηστείας ἀργή» (Μ. Βασιλείου, Περί νηστείας 1, 3. PG 31, 168A), ὡς ἐπίσης καί νηστεία ἄνευ ἔργων εὐποιΐας εἶναι νεκρά, ἰδίᾳ δέ κατά τήν σύγχρονον ἐποχήν, καθ’ ἥν ἡ ἄνισος καί ἄδικος κατανομή τῶν ἀγαθῶν στερεῖ καί αὐτοῦ τοῦ ἐπιουσίου ἄρτου ὁλοκλήρους λαούς.
Ἡ κατά τήν νηστείαν ἀποχή ἔκ τινων καθωρισμένων τροφῶν καί ἡ κατ’ αὐτήν ὀλιγάρκεια, οὐ μόνον κατά τό εἶδος, ἀλλά καί κατά τήν ποσότητα τῶν μεταλαμβανομένων τροφῶν, ἀποτελοῦν τό αἰσθητόν στοιχεῖον τοῦ πνευματικοῦ ἀγωνίσματος. «Ἡ νηστεία ἀποχὴ τροφῆς ἐστι κατὰ τὸ σημαινόμενον. Τροφὴ δὲ οὐδὲν δικαιοτέρους ἡμᾶς ἢ ἀδικωτέρους ἀπεργάζεται· κατὰ δὲ τὸ μυστικὸν δηλοῖ ὅτι, ὥσπερ τοῖς καθ’ ἕνα ἐκ τροφῆς ἡ ζωή, ἡ δὲ ἀτροφία θανάτου σύμβολον, οὕτω καὶ ἡμᾶς τῶν κοσμικῶν νηστεύειν χρή, ἵνα τῷ κόσμῳ ἀποθάνωμεν, καὶ μετὰ τοῦτο, τροφῆς θείας μεταλαβόντες, Θεῷ ζήσωμεν» (Κλήμεντος Ἀλεξανδρέως, Ἐκ τῶν Προφητικῶν Ἐκλογαί. ΡG 9, 704D-705A). Oὕτως, ἡ ἀληθής νηστεία ἀναφέρεται εἰς τήν καθ’ ὅλου ἐν Χριστῷ ζωήν τῶν πιστῶν καί κορυφοῦται διά τῆς συμμετοχῆς αὐτῶν εἰς τήν θείαν λατρείαν καί ἰδίᾳ εἰς τό μυστήριον τῆς Θείας Εὐχαριστίας.
Sacrament of Confession
The gift of God's forgiveness is received through private prayer, corporate worship, the disciplines of prayer and fasting, penitential services and above all through the sacrament of Holy Confession. It is also part of our total spiritual preparation during the fast periods leading up to the great feasts of Easter. Fr. Nicolas is available to hear confessions. For appointment, please contact the Church Office.
Η εξομολόγηση ειναι ἕνα δῶρο τοῦ Θεοῦ ποὺ χαρίζεται σὲ ὅσους τὸ ζητοῦν μὲ τὴν προσευχὴ καὶ τὸ ἐπιδιώκουν μὲ τὴ γενναία καὶ τίμια βυθοσκόπηση τοῦ ἑαυτοῦ τους, με την νηστεία και την αυτοκριτική. Είναι μέρος της πνευματικής προετοιμασίας για την περίοδο της νηστείας που μας οδηγεί στην μεγάλη νηστεία του Πάσχα. Ο Πάτερ Νικόλαος είναι στη διάθεση σας για εξομολόγηση. Για ραντεβού παρακαλώ επικοινωνήστε με το γραφείο της Εκκλησίας.
Parish Council Update
STEWARDSHIP 2018
Thank you to those who have already turned in their 2018 Stewardship Pledges! If you have not turned yours in yet,
please do so.
Packets also available for those interested in becoming new stewards of our parish. Pay online Stewardship 2018
The restoration of our beautiful church continues. Every week there are new things to see. We hope you will all participate and donate the icon restoration or area of your choosing. The more funds we receive; the more areas of restoration will be completed. Οι εργασίες αποκατάστασης της όμορφης εκκλησίας μας συνεχίζονται. Κάθε εβδομάδα υπάρχει και κάτι καινούργιο για να δείτε. Ελπίζουμε ότι όλοι θα μπορέσετε να συμμετάσχετε στις εργασίες αποκατάστασης των εικόνων και να κάνετε Δωρεά για την αποκατάσταση της εικόνας της επιλογής σας. Όσο περισσότερα χρήματα συλλέγουμε τόσο περισσότερες εικόνες και περιοχές της εκκλησίας θα αποκατασταθούν.          
Donations may be made by check or by credit card. All donations are tax deductible.
Make checks out to: " St. Spyridon Restoration Fund" and mail it to:
St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church
124 Wadsworth Avenue
New York, NY 10033
OR
Donate here via PayPal. If you would like your donation to go towards a particular icon or area of the church, please specify on the donation form.
  Special thank you to the following Parishioners and Friends for their very generous donation for the restoration of our beautiful church: 
  • Mr. & Mrs. Vasilios Nikolakakos
  • Mrs. Theopisti Souvatzis
  • Mrs. Maria M. Fotinis
Upon completion of the Restoration project a plaque with the names of all donors will be placed in our church.
Thank you for you continued support
 Very Truly 
Your Parish Council  
SAINT SPYRIDON PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY
T his is the time of the year that we ask all interested women to renew their membership IN PHILOPTOCHOS Letters with return envelopes were mailed this week to all current members. We encourage you to participate by filling out the form at the bottom of the letter and returning it with your dues in the enclosed envelope.
If you are not a member and would like to become one, there are some packets of information at the church office, but we strongly encourage you to speak to Elizabeth Katsivelos during the coffee hour for more information.
Είναι η εποχή του χρόνου όπου ζητάμε από υπέροχες και δραστήριες κυρίες να γίνουν μέλη της Φιλόπτωχου. Η επιστολή για την ανανέωση της συνδρομής ή την νέα εγγραφή έχει αποσταλεί. Παρακαλώ, ελάτε μαζί μας και γίνεται ενεργά μέλη. Ολες οι κυρίες είναι καλοδεχούμενες.
Μιλήστε την ώρα του καφέ με την κ. Ελίζαμπεθ Κατσίβελος.


SAVE THE DATE
Palm Sunday Luncheon
April 1, 2018
Immediately following the Divine Liturgy

Κυριακή των Βαϊων - Γεύμα
1η Απριλίου 2018
αμέσως μετά το τέλος της Θείας Λειτουργίας
Palm Sunday April 1, 2018
A selection of Greek Patries Baklava, Koulourakia, Tsourekia and much more ! Nistisima Desserts
Featuring Tsourekia from the Monastery of Agia Skepi
Order in Advance
Πώληση Γλυκισμάτων
        Κυριακή των Βαϊων 1 η Απριλίου 2018
 Μεγάλη ποικιλία απο Ελληνικά Παραδοσιακά Γλυκίσματα Μπακλαβά, Κουλουράκια, Τσουρέκια και πολλά ακόμη Νηστίσιμα Γλυκά! Για ΤΣΟΥΡΕΚΙΑ απο το Μοναστήρι της Αγίας Σκέπης παρακαλώ δεχομαστε παραγγελίας εκ των προτέρων
Please call Vicky Adams (917) 301-8666 or Church Office (212)-795-5870
Assemble Hygiene Kits for Those In Need
Lenten Community Project
Κοινοτικό Έργο Προσφορά της Μεγάλης Σαρακοστής
Please donate the below items. The Philoptochos Ladies will be collecting them on Sundays after Liturgy. 
Σας παρακαλούμε να προσφέρετε τα παρακάτω πράγματα. Οι Κυρίες της Φιλόπτωχου θα τα συλλέγουν τις Κυριακές μετά την Θεία Λειτουργία  
Put together a small assistance package and make a big difference. Basic materials such as soap, band-aids, paper, pencils, and diapers seem small, but make a huge difference in an ongoing development program or when disaster strikes.
Please carefully follow the instructions below (download packing list):
1.Buy a one-gallon plastic bag with a zipper closure and fill it with the following items: •One hand towel -One washcloth -  •One comb •One nail clipper
•One bar of soap (bath size) •One toothbrush (NO TOOTHPASTE)
•Six Band-Aids
Συνδυάστε ένα μικρό πακέτο βοήθειας και κάντε τη διαφορά. Τα βασικά υλικά όπως το σαπούνι,  το χαρτί, τα μολύβια και οι πάνες φαίνονται λίγα, αλλά κάνουν μεγάλη διαφορά σε ένα συνεχιζόμενο αναπτυξιακό πρόγραμμα ή όταν χτυπήσει καταστροφή.  .
Ακολουθήστε προσεκτικά τις παρακάτω οδηγίες (λήψη της λίστας συσκευασίας):
1.Μια πλαστική τσάντα ενός γαλονιού με κλείσιμο με φερμουάρ και γεμίστε την με τα ακόλουθα αντικείμενα: • Μία πετσέτα χειρός •  Μια χτένα • Ένα ψαλίδι για τα νύχια• Μια ράβδος σαπουνιού (μικρό μέγεθος) • Μία οδοντόβουρτσα (όχι οδοντόκρεμα) • Έξι  χαζαπλάστ (Band-Aids)
Clean Monday - Καθαρά Δευτέρα
Thank You - Ευχαριστούμε
On Monday, Kathara Deftera, we began our journey of Great and Holy Lent. After the Service of Holy Unction, parishioners joined in fellowship in the church hall for a family Lenten luncheon prepared by the Philoptochos ladies. We thank the more than 80 faithful who attended and contributed to the warmth of the communal meal.
You will soon receive detailed information regarding our annual Palm Sunday Luncheon to be held in the church hall on April 1st. We hope you will all plan to attend. Την Καθαρά Δευτέρα ξεκίνησε το ταξίδι μας για την Μεγάλη Τεσσαρακοστή νηστεία. Η κυρίες της Φιλόπτωχου ετοίμασαν ένα νηστίσιμο γεύμα και αμέσως μετά την Θεία Λειτουργία. Ευχαριστούμε τα μέλη της κοινότητας, καθώς πάνω από 80 άτομα παρευρέθηκαν και μας τίμησαν με την παρουσία τους. 
Coffee hour - Sponsor
If you are interested in sponsoring a Coffee Hour after Church Services on Sunday, please call the church office.
Αν ενδιαφέρεστε να γίνετε χορηγός στον καφέ μετά την Θεία Λειτουργία της Κυριακής, παρακαλώ επικοινωνήστε με το γραφείο της εκκλησίας.   
This Sunday's Coffee Hour is sponsored by  George Patsalos Family
In Times of Illness
"Come, O blessed of my father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was sick and you visited me." (Matt. 25:31-46).
When a member of our Parish is ill and has been hospitalized or may be recuperating at home, the immediate family of the ill person should contact Father Nicolas at  (212) 795-5870. It is beneficial to both the body and the soul when our priest prays for us when we are healthy or ill.

"Ελάτε, εσείς οι ευλογημένοι από τον Πατέρα μου, κληρονομήστε τη βασιλεία που έχει ετοιμαστεί για εσάς από τη θεμελίωση του κόσμου. Αρρώστησα και με φροντίσατε." (Ματθαίος 25: 31-46).
Όταν ένα μέλος της Ενορίας μας είναι άρρωστο και νοσηλέυεται ή αναρρώνει στο σπίτι, η οικογένεια του αρρώστου πρέπει να επικοινωνήσει με τον Πατέρα Νικόλα στο (212) 795-5870. Είναι ευεργετικό τόσο για το σώμα όσο και για την ψυχή όταν ο ιερέας προσεύχεται για μας όταν είμαστε υγιείς ή άρρωστοι.
 Girls Scouts
For additional information regarding Girl Scouts contact:
 Vickie, call or text (917) 301-8666 Or email: Badams7799@aol.com
Sunday School 


Our Sunday School meets after Divine Liturgy
All Children are welcome!

Questions? Please contact:
Vickie Adams - 917-301-8666
Jeannie Palaigos - 914-588-2284

Seniors News
Our Seniors start meeting again every Tuesday and Thursday from 12pm to 2pm at church.Welcome back! God bless you. This ministry's significance for our community goes without saying.
Οι συνταξιούχοι μας άρχισαν ξανά τις συναντήσεις τους κάθε Τρίτη και Πέμπτη από τις 12 μ.μ. έως τις 2:00 μ.μ. στην εκκλησία. Καλώς ήλθατε πίσω! Ο Θεός να σας ευλογεί. Η σπουδαιότητα αυτού του προγράμματος για   την κοινότητά μας είναι μεγάλη.
Library News
W e are extremely excited to announce that our community is starting a parish library in the conference room. We already have a small selection of excellent books, especially for children. At this point, we need to increase the number of books and find one or two volunteers to start setting it up. If you are interested, please come and talk to me or call the church office.

Είμαστε πολύ ενθουσιασμένοι που ανακοινώνω ότι η κοινότητά μας ξεκινά μια ενοριακστην αίθουσα συνεδριάσεων. Έχουμε ήδη μια μικρή συλλογή εξαιρετικών βιβλίων, ειδικά για τα παιδιά. Σε αυτό το σημείο, πρέπει να αυξήσουμε τον αριθμό των βιβλίων και να βρούμε έναν ή δύο εθελοντές για να αρχίσουμε να το δημιουργούμε. Εάν ενδιαφέρεστε, παρακαλώ επισκεφθείτε ή τηλεφωνήστε στο γραφείο της εκκλησίας.