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2 THE SHEPHERD • APRIL 2026 • SAINT SPYRIDON GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF SAN DIEGO At this half-way point of Great Lent, I find myself a bit overwhelmed and searching for simplicity. In a recent reading, Genesis 5:24, I read “Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.” I found myself read- ing it over and over, thinking of how it would feel to just walk with God. I found myself re- minded that our spiritual life isn’t a sprint, it’s not a game day once a week thing, but a daily walk which involves faithfully getting up and putting one foot in front of the other on His path. Then during the recent service of the Ven- eration of the Holy Cross, I was struck by Father Andrew’s words about overcoming our woes and taking up our cross. In our hectic lives, it’s easy to forget that Jesus took on flesh and walked in our footsteps. It’s said that He became like us so that we could be- come like Him. From our readings, we know He suffered for us and that He provided an example for us to follow. He showed us how to turn the other cheek, to be kind, to love our neighbor, and ultimately, how to take up our cross and walk in His way. Part of our Christian journey is to accept the call to follow Christ and then to spread the word to others, to “come and see.” During the recent Icons in Progress Symposium put on by our Youth Ministries, I attended a ses- sion with His Grace Bishop Athenagoras on praying with our mind, body, and soul. He taught us about the importance of finding five minutes each day, preferably first thing in the morning, to pray the short version of the Jesus Prayer — “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me.” We learned that our Ortho- dox Tradition offers the Jesus Prayer as a means to enter more deeply into the life of prayer and to come to grips with St. Paul’s challenge for us to “pray without ceasing.” (1 Thess. 5:17) His Grace suggested that each morning, we randomly open our Bible and read whatever Scripture appears and then recite the Jesus Prayer with our lips, in our minds, and in our hearts. After giving each of us a Kom- boskíni (prayer rope), he walked us through the prayer. First, he had us recite the Jesus Prayer aloud 33 times as we moved from knot to knot on the Komboskíni. Next, he showed us how to pray with our minds, mentally reciting the Jesus Prayer using the rhythm of the words to breathe in — “Lord Jesus Christ” and then breathe out — “Have mercy on me.” Finally, he had us pray with our hearts, feeling the prayer in our hearts. As we take up our crosses, let us remember that we are in this walk together. Let us not be divided in our faith or in our work. Let us also be reminded, that even Christ need- ed help with His Cross and that we are here to help one another in our spiritual journey. While we will surely stumble, we know He is present in our lives giving us strength and drawing us back to the right path. In the words of St. Paul to Timothy, “Always I re- member you in my prayers.” (2 Tim. 1:3) Many blessings, Jim Gilpin Parish Council President FROM THE PARISH COUNCIL PRESIDENT continues 3 THE JOYFUL JOURNEY CONTINUES! Our Women of the Word, on the second Sat- urday of March, once again offered a beau- tiful morning of insight, sharing, and joy. Eighteen women were on hand to explore the icons related to Holy Week: The Raising of Lazarus, Palm Sunday, the Mystical Sup- per, the Washing of Feet, the Crucifixion, the Resurrection, and the Myrrhbearing Women at the Empty Tomb. The preparation of those who attended was evident by their journals full of notes and highlighted text. The group discussions un- covered some overlooked, but meaningful details that brought each of these elements of Great and Holy Week to life. The spirit of enthusiasm, respect, and friendship filled the room, along with both laughter and thought- ful pauses as women had the opportunity to share their personal insights into the Scrip- tures depicted in the icons. Our study pro- vided a timely enrichment of our Lenten journey and wonderful prelude to the Sun- day of the Holy Cross. Our next meeting will be the second Satur- day of May, as April 11 is Great and Holy Saturday. We hope that even though the May meeting will be the close of our study, that no one will hesitate to join us for our study of the Ascension and Pentecost. If you wish to join us, please contact Kay Harkins as kayharkins@mac.com. Kalí Sarakostí (Blessed Lent) and Kaló Pás- cha (Blessed Resurrection)! WOMEN WORD OF THE BOOKSTORE “At this time, we’re entering the great spiritu- al arena of the blessed Great Lent. Holy and Great Lent is a time of compunction, for repen- tance, for tears, for a change in ourselves, for a new stage in the spiritual life... The Church has designated this time of Lent as dedicated to the struggle, in order to help its children fight harder, to purify themselves, draw closer to God and to be counted worthy of celebrat- ing the great day of the radiant Resurrection.” Elder Ephraim of Arizona The journey to the Resurrection is almost complete. In preparation for this Holy sea- son, we have gathered books for Great and Holy Lent, Great and Holy Week, and Great and Holy Pascha. Please visit the bookstore for your last week of reading material. Both Meditations for Holy Week and Meditations for Great Lent, Holy Week, & Pascha by Ar- chimandrite Papavassiliou are wonderful choices for your preparation to the Resurrec- tion. Our traditional Greek Orthodox Holy Week Service book by Fr. George Papadeas is also stocked. Paschal Orthodox gifts for your children? The bookstore is a great place to search. Consider looking for: The Miracle of the Red Egg, The Resurrection of Christ, When God Made You, H is for Holy, From God to You, Yiayia and the Prosphoro, or Yiayia’s Kitchen 3-book series, to name a few. In need of other Pascha gift basket ideas, we have a nice selection of diptych icons, icon pins, wooden wall crosses, wooden crosses