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11 THE SHEPHERD • FEBRUARY 2024 • SAINT SPYRIDON GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF SAN DIEGO JR DIVISION: GRADE 7 - 9 TOPICS SR DIVISION: GRADE 10 - 12 TOPICS WE WILL Help you research, write and practice your speech! CONTACT Timmy Paraskevopoulos 714-931-2431 t_nicolaou@hotmail.com TOPIC 1: Explore and discuss the teachings of His All - Holiness and the Saints on the crea�on of the world. What are some of our prac�cal responsibili�es as stewards of our planet, and how does that enrich our lives as Chris�ans? TOPIC 2: Select a Saint or person who has been the most influen�al in your spiritual life. Describe the par�cular and prac�cal ways that influence has taken place. TOPIC 3: On the Day of Theophany (January 6), we chant, "All those who were bap��ed in Christ have put on Christ". Discuss the meaning of this hymn and the obliga�ons it places upon us as Orthodox Chris�ans. TOPIC 4: The Parable of the Prodigal Son teaches us about the various stages of repentance. What are they? How do they relate to the reversal of the son's journey away from the father? What does the father's reac�on upon seeing his son teach us about our rela�onship to our �ather in Heaven? TOPIC 5: Select your favorite Church hymn and talk about how it strengthens your faith. ST. SPYRIDON PARISH FESTIVAL INFORMATION : Elementary (grades 3 - 6) par�cipants can compete at the parish level and write a speech on any of the topics below. Every par�cipant receives a ��� gi� card. �n memory of their son (see below) �ichael and �aria Pla�s sponsor a scholarship for St. Spyridon �es�val par�cipants with the highest score at the Junior and Senior level . Addi�onal scholarships are o�ered by the �etropolis and Archdiocese. *Participants Register at https:// religioused.formstack.com/ forms/sjcof_participant TOPIC 1 : Forgiving others who hurt us that deeply and unjustly seems almost impossible. What can we learn from Saint Nektarios, whose life was about forgiving what some might call the impossible? TOPIC 2: Apostle Paul refers to Adam as the first man, and Christ as the Second Adam. The Fathers of the Church, especially Saint Irenaeus of Lyon, refer to Christ and Panagia as the Second Adam and the Second Eve. Why is the Most Holy Theotokos called the "Second Eve"? And why is Christ called the "Second Adam?" How do Christ and Panagia fulfill and go beyond their prototypes? TOPIC 3: Explore the Orthodox teaching on the Eucharist by reading the prayers of the �ivine Liturgy the wri�ngs of one or more Church Fathers. TOPIC 4 : How would you respond to someone who �ues�ons why God allows natural disasters to happen when we know God can intervene at any moment? If God is all - knowing, all - powerful, and all - loving, how can He allow evil things to happen? TOPIC 5: �uring the �ivine Liturgy, before the Consecra�on of the Holy Gi�s, we hear the priest say the following: "�our own of �our own we o�er to �ou, in all and for all." What does this pe��on mean to you as an Orthodox Chris�an? Why is it important for us to focus on giving back out of the gi�s we have been given by God? GEORGE M. PLATIS ORATORICAL SCHOLARSHIP AWARD �n Me�ory o� our son �eor�e� who proudly par�cipated in our parish �ratorical �es�val� we are o�erin�  a scholarship to our �t. �pyridon �es�val par�cipants. The first place spea�er in both the �unior division  and senior division will earn a ���� scholarship. �n addi�on� we will award another ���� scholarship to  those who finish in first place at the Metropolis level. These scholarships will be distributed to any post  hi�h school educa�onal� �ob trainin� ins�tu�on o� their choice.  JR DIVISION: GRADE 7 - 9 TOPICS SR DIVISION: GRADE 10 - 12 TOPICS WE WILL Help you research, write and practice your speech! CONTACT Timmy Paraskevopoulos 714-931-2431 t_nicolaou@hotmail.com TOPIC 1: Explore and discuss the teachings of His All - Holiness and the Saints on the crea�on of the world. What are some of our prac�cal responsibili es as stewards of our planet, and how does that enrich our lives as Chris�ans? TOPIC 2: Select a Saint or person who has been the most influen�al in your spiritual life. Describe the par�cular and prac�cal ways that infl ence has tak n place. TOPIC 3: On the Day of Theophany (January 6), we chant, "All those who were bap��ed in Christ have put on Christ". Discuss the meaning of this hymn and the oblig �ons it places upon us a Orthod x C ris�ans. TOPIC 4: The Parable of the Prodigal Son teaches us about the various stages of rep ntanc . What re they? How do they relate to the reversal of th son's journey way from the father? What does the father's reac�on up n se ing his son teach us about our rela�onship to our �ather in Heaven? TOPIC 5: Select your favorite Church hymn and talk about how it strengthens your faith. ST. SPYRIDON PARISH FESTIVAL INFOR ATION : Elementary (grades 3 - 6) par�cipants can compete at the parish level and write a speech on any of the topics below. Every par�cipant receives a ��� gi� card. �n memory of their son (see below) �ichael and �aria Pla�s sponsor a scholarship for St. Spyridon �es�val par�cipants with the highest score at the Junior and Senior level . Addi�onal scholarships are o�ered by the �etropolis and Archdiocese. BOOKSTORE We hope everyone’s New Year is off to a wonderful start! We have a few more Memorial donation gifts re- ceived in Memory of James (Jim) Mastorakos from Joan Dimas, Mari- na Dimas, Ted Gikas, Larry & Lin- da Shipley, and Deanna Spounias. A heartfelt “THANK YOU” to our donors for their most generous Me- morial donations. Come check out some of our new children’s books. O is for Orthodox is a wonderful board book with thick, die-cut shapes for every letter of the alphabet. Parents and their children will be introduced to 26 words relat- ed to the Orthodox faith as they learn their ABCs together. Noah, the Ark, and Me is an extremely creative book with beautiful illustrations placing your child on the ark, traveling the seas with Noah, and having all the animals of the earth as fellow passen- gers! Want to learn more about the Apostle Paul, who spread the mes- sage of Christianity to the far reaches of the Greco-Roman empire, making it the principal religion all over the world? Paul: Apostle to the Nations is for children ages 12 and older. In order to fulfill the sacred mission that God entrusted to him, Saint Paul experienced many trials and suffered greatly. He passed through these trials to share the Good News of Christ with the world! Learn more about this wondrous saint and his incredible travels. The Friends of Christ, twelve volume series, con- tinues to the month of February. The February volume contains the lives of: St. Nikiphoros, St. Haralambos the Hieromartyr, St. Theodora the Empress, the Venerable ascetic Phi- lothei, and the Great Martyr Photini, the Samaritan woman. This series is great for children, young adults, and adults. Don’t forget to pick up a copy of: Daily Lives, Miracles, and Wis- dom of the Saints and Fasting Calen- dar 2024; it is a must-have for every Orthodox Christian home! Many blessings, Stephanie Mourafetis, Mary Mas- torakos, Pat Tsopanoglou, Collette Pepelis, and Francesca Captain JR DIVISION: GRADE 7 - 9 TOPICS SR DIVISION: GRADE 10 - 12 TOPICS WE WIL Help you res and practice speech! CONTA Timmy Para 714-931-2 t_nicolaou@ TOPIC 1: Explore and discuss the teachings of His All - Holiness and the Saints on the crea�on of the world. What are some of our prac�cal responsibili�es as stewards of our planet, and how does that enrich our lives as Chris�ans? OPIC 2: Select a Saint or person who has been the most influen�al in your spiritual life. Describe the par�cular and prac�cal ways that influence has taken place. TOPIC 3: O the Day of Theophany (January 6), we chant, "All th se who were bap��ed in Christ h v put on Christ". Discuss the meaning of this hymn and he obliga�ons it plac s upon us as Orthodox Chris�ans. TOPIC 4: The Parable of the Prodigal Son teaches us about the various stages of repentance. What are they? How do they relate to the r versal of the son's journey away from the father? Wh at does the father's reac�on upon seeing his son teach us about ou r rela�onship to our �ather in Heaven? TOPIC 5: Selec your favorite Church hymn and alk about how it strengthens your faith. . SPYRIDON PARISH FESTIVAL INFORMATION : Elementary (grades 3 - 6) par�cipants can compete at the parish level and write a speech on topics below. Every r�cipant receives a ��� gi� card. �n memory of their son (see below) �aria Pla�s sponsor a scholarship for St. Spyridon �es�val par�cipants with the highest sco and Senior level . Addi�onal scholarships are o�ered by the �etropolis and Archdiocese. SR DIVISION: GRADE 10 - 12 TOPICS *Participants Register at https:// religioused.formstack.com/ forms/sjcof_participant TOPIC 1 : Forgiving others who hurt us that deeply and unjustly seems almost impossible. What can we learn from Saint Nektarios, whose life was about forgiving what some might call the impossible? TOPIC 2: Apostle Paul refers to Adam as the first man, and Christ as the Second Adam. The Fathers of the Church, especially Saint Irenaeus of Lyon, refer to Christ and Panagia as the Second Adam and the Second Eve. Why is the Most Holy Theotokos called the "Second Eve"? And why is Christ called the "Second Adam?" How do Christ and Panagia fulfill and go beyond their prototypes? TOPIC 3: Explore the Orthodox teaching on the Eucharist by reading the prayers of the �ivine Liturgy the wri�ngs of one or more Church Fathers. TOPIC 4 : How would you respond to someone who �ues�ons why God allows natural disasters to happen when we know God can intervene at any moment? If God is all - knowing, all - powerful, and all - loving, how can He allow evil things to happen? TOPIC 5: �uring the �ivine Liturgy, before the Consecra�on of the Holy Gi�s, we hear the priest say the following: "�our own of �our own we o�er to �ou, in all and for all." What does this pe��on mean to you as an Orthodox Chris�an? Why is it important for us to focus on giving back out of the gi�s we have been given by God? GEORGE M. PLATIS ORATORICAL SCHOLARSHIP AWARD �n Me�ory o� our son �eor�e� who proudly par�cipated in our parish �ratorical �es�val� we are o�erin�  a scholarship to our �t. �pyridon �es�val par�cipants. The first place spea�er in both the �unior division  and senior division will earn a ���� scholarship. �n addi�on� we will award another ���� scholarship to  those who finish in first place at the Metropolis level. These scholarships will be distributed to any post  hi�h school educa�onal� �ob trainin� ins�tu�on o� their choice.  SR DIVISION: GRADE 10 - 12 TOPICS *Parti http religi form TOPIC 1 : Forgiving others who urt us hat eeply and unjustly seems almost impossible. What can we learn from Saint Nekt ios, whose life was about forgiving what some might call the i possible? TOPIC 2: Apostle Paul refers to Adam as the first m an, and Christ as the Second Adam. The Fathers of the Church, especially Saint Irenaeus of Lyon, refer to Christ and Panagia as the Second Adam and the Second Eve. Why is the Most Holy Theotokos called the "Second Eve"? And why is Christ called the "Second Adam?" How do Christ and Panagia fulfill and go beyond their prototypes? TOPIC 3: Explore the Orthodox teaching on the Eucharist by reading the prayers of the �ivine Liturgy the wri�ngs of one or more Church Fathers. OPIC 4 : How would you respond to someone who �ues�ons why God allows natural disasters to happen when we know God can interven at any moment? If God is all - knowing, all - powerful, and all - loving, how can He allow evil things to happen? TOPIC 5: �uring the �ivine Liturgy, before the Consecra�on of the Holy Gi�s, we hear the priest say the following: "�our own of �our own we o�er to �ou, in all and for all." What does this pe��on mean to you as an Orthodox Chris�an? Why is it important for us to focus on giving back out of the gi�s we have been given by God? GEORGE M. PLATIS ORATORICAL SCHOLARSHIP AWARD �n Me�ory o� our son �eor�e� who proudly par�cipated in our parish �ratorical  a scholarship to our �t. pyridon �es�val par�cipants. The first place spea�er in b and senior division will earn a ���� scholarship. �n addi�on� we will ward anoth those who finish in first place at the Metropolis level. These scholarships will be  hi�h school educa�onal� �ob trainin� ins�tu�on o� their choice.