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1 THE SHEPHERD • MARCH 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, As we enter into Great and Holy Lent (Monday, February 27th) I remind you that for the next five Sundays during the Lenten period we will be using the Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great instead of Saint John Chrysostom’s text. Saint Basil’s Divine Liturgy pre dates Saint John Chrysostom’s and in the earlier years was basically used for every Sunday celebra- tion. However, because it is a little longer it was eventually replaced by Saint John’s Lit- urgy. So, in today’s usage Saint Basil’s Liturgy is only used ten times throughout the eccle- siastical year: on Christmas day, on the feast day of Saint Basil (January 1st), on Epiphany Day, the five Sundays throughout Great and Holy Lent, and on Great and Holy Thursday and Saturday mornings. The main reason Saint Basil’s Liturgy is a bit longer is because of the “Holy Anaphora” (the main Thanks- giving Prayer). It is extended and profound recounting God’s love and the history of man’s salvation. The Anaphora speaks of God as Creator, His greatness, His Holiness, His great love, mer- cy and grace, toward mankind. The Anapho- ra lays out for us our human predicament, per se: …For having made man by taking the dust of the earth, and having honored him with your divine image, you placed him in a garden of delight, promising him eternal life and the enjoyment of everlasting blessings in the observance of your commandments. But when he disobeyed you, the true God, you who had created him, and was led astray by the deception of the serpent becoming subject until death, through his own transgression, in your righteous judgment you expelled him from paradise into this world returning him to the earth from where he was taken, yet (and here is the Good News) providing for him the salvation and regeneration in Christ … The prayer of the Anaphora continues in this way for many more beautiful verses remind- ing the faithful about where we were, how we got to where we are, and the way back home through the gift of knowing Christ and His saving work through the Church. Besides many other requests, the Anaphora contin- ues and includes specific prayers for those present – …fill their treasuries with every good thing; preserve their marriages in peace and harmony; nurture the infants; instruct the youth; strengthen the aged; give courage to the faint hearted; reunite those separated… de- fend the widows; protect the orphans; liberate the captives; heal the sick. Yes, My Brothers and Sisters in Christ, the Anaphora and the Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great is a bit longer but it is a lot more profound, enlightening and encour- aging as well. To be sure, the length of the Anaphora prayer is contrasted by its depth and beauty; its inclusion and intensity. So, in the upcoming Sundays during Great and Holy Lent please don’t let the extra length of the Divine Liturgy be cause for concern or question. However, pay closer attention to the extra prayers and effort being offered for any of the many and varied situations we may be experiencing in our lives and be inspired by it during this very focused and prayerful Lenten period. +A IN THIS ISSUE FR. ANDREW ............................................. p. 1 PRESIDENT OF THE PARISH COUNCIL, BOOKSTORE, PARISH CAMPUS MASTER PLAN UPDATE............................................ p. 2 NEWS FROM THE LOFT, DIVINE SERVICES, HOLY SACRAMENTS, DEATHS, MEMORIALS, SENIORS, STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE ..............................................p. 3 YOUTH MINISTRIES ................................. p. 4 GREEK SCHOOL ........................................ p. 5 PHILOPTOCHOS........................................ p. 6 GREEK FESTIVAL, ZATHAS FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS ........................................ p. 9 PARISH CALENDAR.................................. p. 10 LENTEN SERVICES SCHEDULE ............. p. 11 CONTACT INFORMATION....................... p. 12 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 2 • MA R C H 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 MARCH 31, 2023 20% OFF LIMITED TIME OFFER Daylight Savings Time begins SUNDAY MARCH 12 at 2 AM (clocks ahead 1 hour) spring forward! don’t forget to ...