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7 THE SHEPHERD • SEPTEMBER 2026 • SAINT SPYRIDON GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF SAN DIEGO Brothers in Christ, I am humbled by the interest in our Men’s Ministry and truly grateful for the continued attendance each month. Seeing men gath- er with sincerity—seeking to grow in faith, strengthen their families, and learn how to live as Orthodox Christians in the realities of modern life—is a reminder of God’s grace at work among us. What Our Meetings Are Like Our Men’s Ministry meetings are grounded in Scripture and enriched by teachings from the Church Fathers, as we learn how those timeless truths speak directly to our every- day experiences. We do not simply study faith as information; we examine it as a lived calling—how we should love, lead, serve, and endure with Christ at the center. Growing Together – Discovering Our Common Ground As we work together—praying, listening, and learning—we begin to realize how much we truly have in common. We share similar strug- gles, hopes, responsibilities, and desires to be- come better men in God’s sight. In that uni- ty, God builds brotherhood, and the Gospel becomes practical: it shapes how we treat our families, how we respond to challenges, and how we carry ourselves in our communities. By God’s Grace – Becoming Better Men By God’s Grace, let us become: • Better fathers • Better grandfathers • Better brothers • Better husbands • And most importantly: warriors for our Lord Let us stand firm in the Faith—not with harshness, but with Love and Courage. Let our lives become living witnesses of our Or- thodox Faith, professed through our actions, our humility, and our strength. A Scriptural Guide for Our Purpose As St. Peter reminds us: “ But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:15) May this verse continue to guide our words and our hearts—so that when men seek hope, they see it first in us. With gratitude and prayer, John Georges 951-536-1217 jhgeorges58@gmail.com Welcome Harrison Shue to our maintenance team! He’s stepping up to help Mike Platis keep our facilities clean for the summer. Thank you, as always, for your love and con- tinued support of our youth and adult choir ministries. We have a very exciting year ahead of us, and we can’t wait to share it with all of you. Singing His Praises, Katherine Loukatos Meck Music Master 3 NEWS FROM THE LOFT