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7 THE SHEPHERD • FEBRUARY 2023 • SAINT SPYRIDON GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF SAN DIEGO At Saint Spyridon’s Annual Epiphany Cross Dive Luncheon on January 8th, over 200 pa- rishioners celebrated the Blessing of the Wa- ters and the Feast of Epiphany at the Sher- aton Harbor Island Hotel where 15 young faithful participated in the 44th Cross dive event. The divers who braved the cool waters on a beautiful San Diego day were Manoli Andronikou, George Capetanakis, Marianna Dick, Andrew Kaitson, Nikos Kapetanios, Petros V. Kapetanios, Tasos Kapetanios, Nora Kleinhenz, Luka Maude, Xaris Moskos, Gregory Pappas, Sia Paraskevopoulos, Alex- ios Savvides, John Savvides and Mitsuki Shue. Congratulations to Petros Kapetanios , who retrieved the Cross and the blessings as- sociated with this achievement. In recognition of their decades of volunteer service in a broad array of ministries at St. Spyridon, the 2023 Leon Balaban Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Jim and Stella Pappas who are both currently mem- bers of the Parish Council, and Stella sits on the Board of our local Anthousa Philopto- chos Chapter. Highlighting Jim and Stella’s longstanding commitment and devotion to the Church and St. Spyridon community, it was noted that their volunteerism includes: GOYA, Choir, Festival Steering Committee, Annual Festival Volunteers, Narthex Duty Team, Epiphany Luncheon Committee, Baking Team for Philoptochos Pastry Sales, Chair of Christmas and Pascha Homebound Baskets, Sunday Fellowship Hour, and more. The Epiphany Luncheon featured the Eighth Annual Cakes for A Cause Benefit in which Vasilopita cake centerpieces baked by Saint Spyridon Philoptochos members were pur- chased through a silent auction raising over $3,100. This year’s beneficiary was the Philoptochos Kids 'N' Cancer program. Next year’s 45th Annual Epiphany Cross Dive Luncheon will take place Sunday, Jan- uary 7, 2024. Marilyn Kromydas Yeatts As is the tradition of our parish, on Sunday, January 22nd we honored St. Basil the Great with the “Cutting of the Vasilopita”. Follow- ing Divine Liturgy, Father Andrew cut and distributed the Vasilopita. Donations in the amount of $2250 were collected to support the efforts of St. Basil Academy located in Garrison, New York, for the continued sup- port of those children in need. A heartfelt thank you to all of our donors . A sincere thank you to our baking co-chairs Jenny Capetanakis and Niki Dougenis as well as our lovely bakers, Julie Karagianides, Vicky Mellos, Jannie Gallanis, and Chris- tina Marantos . These ladies bake from the heart with love, and they continue to treat our community with their culinary talents! Thank you for all you do, ladies! Our annual Anthousa Membership Event is quickly approaching. Please join us on Saturday, February 25th at 10:30am in the Cypress Room for our Complimentary Membership Brunch. We invite all new and renewing members of the Anthousa Chap- ter. We welcome all – ladies and gentlemen – to help us make a difference in the lives of many. If you cannot actively participate, your membership pledge helps to enable our con- tinued support of many charitable endeavors within our parish as well as local, nation- al, and international communities. RSVP with the Church Office by February 20th – 619.297.4165 By joining Philoptochos, you will have the opportunity to meet new people, share expe- riences, knowledge, and feel the joy in your heart of helping others who desperately need the support. Our philanthropic outreach fundraises for ministries and causes that are not only vital to our community and further our Orthodox faith and traditions. Your con- tinued love and support is greatly appreciat- ed and needed now more than ever! To join, please visit www.anthousa.org . The National and Metropolis Philoptochos treasuries each receive $15 of every membership donation; any amount over $30 remains in our chap- ter’s treasury. Please contact Melanie Anas- topulos at melanieanastopulos@gmail.com or Kalliopi Samouris at nyckelly@cox.net with questions. We hope you will join us as we continue to put our faith into action. While this work will provide support for others, it is also an immensely gratifying opportunity for you to serve your parish and community, make new friends, embrace and promote the faith of our forefathers, and further our Orthodox traditions. We sincerely thank you for your membership. Sofia Samouris Anthousa Chapter President PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS Ep i phany Cross Dive & Luncheon 2023 Complimentary Philoptochos Membership Brunch 2023 Join us for a morning of fellowship, activities, and a chance towin prizes! Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023 10:00 a.m. Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church Cypress Room 3655 Park Boulevard, San Diego Make your reservations with the Church office by February 20, 2023 619.297.4165