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3 THE SHEPHERD • OCTOBER 2025 • SAINT SPYRIDON GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF SAN DIEGO DIVINE SERVICES SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5: 2nd Sunday of Luke Orthros 9:00 AM ✟ Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM Epistle : II Corinthians 6:16-18; 7:1 ✟ Gospel : Luke 6:31-36 SUNDAY, OCT. 12: Sunday of the 7th Ecumenical Council Orthros 9:00 AM ✟ Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM Epistle : Titus 3:8-15 ✟ Gospel : Luke 8:5-15 SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19: 3rd Sunday of Luke Orthros 9:00 AM ✟ Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM Epistle : II Corinthians 11:31-33; 12:1-9 Gospel : Luke 7:11-16 SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26: 6th Sunday of Luke St. Dimitrios the Myrrh-Streamer Orthros 9:00 AM ✟ Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM Epistle : II Timothy 2:1-10 ✟ Gospel : Luke 8:26-39 MEMORIALS SEP 21: Viollandi Lamce 40 days OCT 5: Parthena Kotzamanidou 1 year Mihalis Reizian 3 Years Anastasios (Tasos) Karagianides – 40 days OCT 19: James Mastorakos 2 years George Mastorakos 9 years BAPTISMS AUG 22: Dennis (Dionysios)Morton Sponsor: George Terris SEP 3: Joseph Jennings Sponsor: Jacob Ioannides SEP 6: Henry (James) Jooyan Godparents: Robert & Angie Gozum DEATHS AUG 16: Minas Savvas 88 years old AUG 29: Eleftheria Fekas 75 years old SEP 5: Anastasios (Tasos) Karagianides 84 years old SEP 9: Marina Pegas 90 years old Greetings Friends of the Choir, This October, we joyfully observe National Church Music Sunday on Sunday, October 5, 2025, a cherished day across the Archdiocese honoring the indispensable role of church mu- sicians—our choir members, chanters, music directors, and all who elevate the beauty of our worship through song. This year’s theme continues to celebrate their tireless dedication and spiritual gift of music, inviting us to reflect on how song deepens our communal prayer and glorifies God through liturgical beauty and harmo- ny. We also extend heartfelt birth- day wishes to Kristina Lamce, John Kiriazi, and Akrive Stathakis. May God grant them many years (χρόνια πολλά) filled with strength, joy, and divine song that blesses us all. As we mark this significant Sunday in our liturgical calendar, let us endeav- or to honor and uplift one another— singing not only with our voices, but with hearts full of gratitude for the gift of music in our life together in Christ. We are also thrilled to share that our Annual Christmas Concert has re- turned! This beloved tradition has not been held since before Covid, and we are overjoyed to bring it back this year. Both the Adult and Youth Choirs will be participating, offering a festive evening of sacred and seasonal music. Please mark your calendars for Sun- day, December 7th at 6:00 p.m., and join us as we celebrate the season in song. And finally, we remember our beloved sister in Christ, Marina. A steadfast and cherished member of our choir for over fifty years, her gentle spir- it and radiant faith inspired us daily. Singing alongside her devoted hus- band Emmanuel, Marina brought light, laughter, and grace to every note. Though she has fallen asleep in the Lord, we trust she now rejoices in heavenly song. May her memory be eternal. Αιωνία η μνήμη της. Singing His Praises, Katherine Loukatos Meck Choir Master NEWS LOFT FROM THE WEDDINGS SEP 5: Claudia Quintero & Stavros Markakis Koumbaros: Michael Markakis SEP 13: Vasiliki Hitchcock & Dennis Morton Koumbares: Katerina Hitchcock, Angeliki Power SEP 20: Sabrina Hart & Alexander Anas Koumbaroi: George & Nancy Kalamaras SEP 27: Nitsa Ioannides & Joseph Jennings Koumbaros: Stavros Karagianides OPPORTUNITY FOR GROWTH In every community of faith, the way we receive visitors speaks volumes about who we are and what we believe. A warm greeting can turn interest into connection, and a sin- cere “welcome” can open the door to spiritual curiosity and perhaps a second visit. When visitors walk in from the street, they are likely very much out of their comfort zone and anx- ious as to how they will be received by our church family. Whether they are seeking answers, exploring new paths, or simply curious, their first impression matters, and a genuine willingness to listen and talk can help them feel valued and safe. Could there be a more perfect moment to make an in- troduction with a potential catechumen? As Orthodox Christians, welcoming visitors is both our scriptural calling and a wonderful opportunity to engage with someone on the beauty of our faith and the love that Christ has for each of us. In Mathew 25:35, Christ empha- sizes acts of compassion saying, “I was a stranger, and you took Me in.” It is a beautiful expression of our obedience, but it also creates an environment where spiritual growth can flourish, not just for the stranger, but for us as well. Greeting visitors isn’t just for our leaders or a designated committee. It’s a shared and solemn duty and each of us plays a role in making newcomers feel welcomed while also being “fishers of men.” St. Spyridon has a long-established reputation as a warm and welcoming community. As we go forward, let us look upon each visitor as an opportunity to joyfully proclaim the Gos- pel of Christ with the hope of growing the Orthodox Church. The Stewardship Committee: Ben De La Riva, Jim Gilpin, Bill Navrides, Timmy Paraskevopoulos, Stephen Thiros, Nektarios Tradas, and Spero Tzathas STEWARDSHIP CORNER