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12 THE SHEPHERD • FEBRUARY 2025 • SAINT SPYRIDON GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF SAN DIEGO On January 12th, over 260 parishioners cel- ebrated the Blessing of the Waters and the Feast of the Epiphany at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina. 13 young faithful participated in the traditional Cross Dive service held for the 46th consecutive year: Thomas Almaraz, Manoli Andronikou, George Burrell, James Burrell, Dimitrios Georggin, Kostaki Mellos, Andreas Moskos, Xaris Moskos, Gregory Pappas, Maria Paraskevopoulos, Sia Paraskevopoulos and John Savvides. Congratulations to Kostanti- nos N. Mellos who retrieved the cross and the blessings associated with this achieve- ment. Our community was blessed to be joined by His Grace Bishop Ioannis of Phocaea who celebrated with us the Divine Liturgy, the Waterside Service and Cross Dive, and the luncheon program. In recognition of their lifelong and rich history of serving minis- tries at St. Spyridon and of their devotion to their faith, the 2025 Leon Balaban Volun- teer of the Year Award was presented to Jim & Angel Gilpin . His Grace Bishop Ioannis, who married Jim and Angel over 27 years ago when he served as visiting priest for our community, offered an eloquent tribute, and, along with our Father Andrew, presented the couple with an icon of The Epiphany of Our Lord. In addition, George and James Bur- rell presented Angel with a beautiful floral bouquet on behalf of our altar boys, offering words of thanks and appreciation for her ser- vice as Acolyte Director. The Epiphany Luncheon featured the Tenth Annual Cakes for A Cause Benefit in which Vasilopita cake centerpieces baked by Saint Spyridon Philoptochos members and friends were purchased through a live auction rais- ing over $12,000. This year’s primary benefi- ciary was the 2025 St. Spyridon Youth Minis- tries Project Mexico Homebuilding Mission Trip for High School Students. Through the overwhelming support and generosity of our community, the fundraising goal of $10,000 was met. This will send a team of eight St. Spyridon high school students and two chaperones on this mission trip and cover the cost of project materials, accom- modations, and transportation. Importantly, this will also provide our young people the incredible opportunity to follow Christ’s ex- ample of serving others, and to live firsthand a most impactful and life-changing experi- ence. Funds raised in excess of the $10,000 goal will be dedicated to the L.A. Fire Relief Fund providing desperately needed assis- tance to victims of the fires. Next year’s 47th Annual Epiphany Cross Dive and Luncheon will take place on Sun- day, January 11, 2026. Ep i phany Cross Dive & Luncheon 2025