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1 THE SHEPHERD • JANUARY 2023 • SAINT SPYRIDON GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF SAN DIEGO FROM THE DESK OF FATHER ANDREW www.theshepherdnews.com The Shepherd Newsletter My Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Friday, January 6, 2023 will mark the Baptism of our Lord and Savior Je- sus Christ on this year’s ecclesiastical calendar. is event of the Or- thodox Church is known as the eophany or Epiphany of the Holy Trinity. e word eophany means God revealing Himself to man and in the Old Testament God re- vealed Himself many times, though not fully because God the Father cannot be seen (Ex. 33:20-23; John 1:1-28). is theme is carried over into the New Testament Scriptures at the time of Christ’s Baptism. From the Gospel of St. Matthew we read about God the Son (Jesus) being baptized; about God the Holy Spirit descend- ing in the form of a dove; and we hear the voice of God the Father (Matt. 3:12-17). us, through this Biblical event God once again reveals Himself to us. He reveals Himself as a Trinity: three persons, one essence as the Nicene Creed of the Orthodox Church states – I believe in one God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit)…of one essence… God the Father speaks, God the (Incarnate) Son is Baptized and God the Holy Spirit descends. e following hymn of the Orthodox Church, chanted during the Blessing of the Waters, puts these truths to melody: From above you appeared today, to the earth’s people, and your light, O Lord, has been marked upon us, who in true knowledge we sing to you: You came, you appeared, O Light unapproachable. My Friends, in the Old Testament God “ap- peared” in different forms i.e., a cloud of smoke, through a voice, etc. However, in the New Testament He came to earth and took on flesh … in the form of a servant …(Phil. 2:5-8). We acknowledge Him as Jesus, God the Son. God the Holy Spirit was also present in the form of a dove, thus marking Jesus as the Second Person of the Holy Trinity; and again, from the above hymn we are reminded that through His voice God the Father was present as unapproachable Light. As Orthodox Christians, Christ’s Baptism is an ever-present reality. is is why we hear from the hymnology of the Church the word today being used over and over again. Sub- sequently, we also have been marked and are continually being marked by the Holy Spir- it, specifically through the anointing of the Holy Chrisma at our Baptisms; and contin- ually as we participate in the Sacramental Life of the Church. erefore, being marked in our faith journey with Christ, we are con- stantly being encouraged to listen attentively and patiently for the voice of God, led by the Holy Spirit. ENDNOTE:As a reminder, and as is custom- ary to our faith, I will begin to bless homes on Saturday, January 7, 2023 and will end before the season of the Triodion begins Sun- day, February 5, 2023 . One major purpose for the blessing your home or business can be found within the above hymn. e priest comes to your home with the waters blessed at the service of Epiphany, offers prayers and marks it as a Christian household, thus seek- ing God’s blessing, guidance and protection. For those who would like their home or busi- ness blessed during the season of Epiphany please call the church office. ank you. +A IN THIS ISSUE FR. ANDREW ............................................. p. 1 PRESIDENT OF THE PARISH COUNCIL, WOMEN OF THE WORD ......................... p. 2 NEWS FROM THE LOFT, DIVINE SERVICES, HOLY SACRAMENTS, DEATHS, MEMORIALS, BOOKSTORE ....................p. 3 YOUTH MINISTRIES ................................ p. 4 GREEK LANGUAGE SCHOOL ................ p. 5 PARISH CALENDAR.................................. p. 6 PHILOPTOCHOS, SENIORS .................. p. 7 CONTACT INFORMATION ...................... p. 8 The Shepherd The official newsletter publication for the parish of Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church of San Diego I S S U E 3 2 0 • J A N UA R Y 2 0 2 3 ADVERTISE IN THE SHEPHERD NEWSLETTER! 20% OFF ANY MONTH-TO-MONTH OR 12-MONTH ADVERTISING AGREEMENT EMAIL TODAY FOR A MEDIA KIT, RATES, AND DETAILS: INFO@THESHEPHERDNEWS.COM HURRY! OFFER ENDS JANUARY 31, 2023 20% OFF LIMITED TIME OFFER