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5 THE SHEPHERD • NOVEMBER 2020 • SAINT SPYRIDON GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF SAN DIEGO AT THE CORONADO FERRY LANDING 619.435.1225 WWW.SPIROSCAFE.COM Best Greek food in the region Draft beer varieties Imported & domestic wine Spacious indoor/outdoor seating Panoramic views of S.D. Bay Catering Available BEST GREEK FOOD SINCE 2002 NOW OPEN IN La Jolla! A.H.E.P.A. Greetings Saint Spyridon Community, As we prepare for the holidays ahead let us look past the current situation caused by the Pandemic. We may not have seen each other or broken bread together but we are TOGETHER. Together in our Faith, in our shared history, our Hellenic culture, in our desire to claim victory over the turmoil caused by this Illness and the fear it gave birth to. We were home bound and fearful to step outside at times, but the owers bloomed, the vegetables grew, the Fig trees were full, our Parish Priest contin- ued Services sometimes by himself with some of us looking on via the internet. It is that fortitude and perseverance that Father Andrew committed to that is an inspiration to our entire community. We Ahepans do not care if you are Greek or from another background, you are our brothers and sisters in Christ. We care about our entire community and look forward to once again o er- ing our services, picnics, dances, Backgammon tournaments, complimentary BBQ’s and assistance to those in need. Because before we are Ahepans ,we are your Orthodox brothers. May you all have a peaceful and ful lling anksgiving and may God Bless each of you. John Georges Vice President, AHEPA Chapter #223 G . O . Y . A . NEWS As we continue to maneuver the COVID-19 pandemic in our lives our St. Spyridon GOYA has been af- fected the same as the entire world. We will continue to try and plan safe outings where we can get togeth- er and still maintain all the proper social distancing guidelines put in place by the state, county, and city. With this in mind, GOYA will do a hike on Saturday, November 14th at Torrey Pines State Beach (12600 N Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, 92037). We will meet in the parking lot at 8 am. We should be done by 10 am so you can enjoy the rest of your Satur- day. GOYAns please bring your fam- ilies and siblings to this event. Please keep up to date with the GOYA emails and all forms of social me- dia that are going out as guidelines change by the day. Looking ahead we would love to gather IF POSSIBLE and SAFE on Saturday, December 12th for our annual GOYA family Christmas par- ty. Where, how, and what this looks like, at this point in time is anyone’s guess. is may or may not take place but if we can gather it would be wonderful to celebrate this Holy Sea- son with our GOYAns and their fam- ilies. More to come as we get closer. Six years ago, Deacon (now Father) Stephanos Ritsi and his wife Alexan- dria came to our Church and spoke during co ee hour about their Mis- sionary work through OCMC in Al- bania. We sat with Micha Balourdas, then GOYA President, and the board and heard how e Ritsis with young son Moses were spreading the Gos- pel to the people of Albania. Your GOYA board was touched by their presentation and agreed then to send a yearly contribution to this very worthy ministry. GOYA continues to support Father Stephanos, Presv. Alexandria, Moses and new son Athan. May God continue to bless this beautiful family as they continue their long-term missionary work in Albania. For more information or to support Father Stephanos Ritsi and his family go to https://www.ocmc. org/how-we-serve/missionaries then click on the Ritsi Family. Bill Navrides St. Spyridon GOYA Director GOYAStSpyridon@gmail.com St. Spyridon GOYA San Diego st.spyridon_goya Your greetings help make the publishing of this newsletter possible. Send your congratulatory and personal greetings and announcements for any occasion such as Name Days, Birthdays, Anniversaries, Engagements, etc., but also messages for sad circumstances and wishing well. Visit theshepherdnews.com for more details and to submit your greeting online. Or, email Marian at mkdougenis@prodigy.net. Thank you for your support! Personal Greetings!