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1 THE SHEPHERD • DECEMBER 2024 • SAINT SPYRIDON GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF SAN DIEGO FROM THE DESK OF FATHER ANDREW The above hymn comes to us from the First Ode of the Katavasía for the Nativity of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The Katavasía [Καταβασίες] are seasonal hymns chanted during a particular time during the year. They are a set of ecclesiastical hymns that relate certain theological truths depending on the season . During the Nativity season , the Church directs us to chant the Katavasía for the Nativity during the Orthros service for the Entrance of the Theotokos (Thurs- day, November 21st). The above theological truth is about the Χριστός/Christ, about The Anointed One, whom the prophets had spoken about, who has come to earth. Out of His great love for mankind, God took on flesh and dwelt among men (John 3:16-21). From the first chapter of St. Paul’s letter to the Colossians, we read the following: … He [Jesus] is the icon of the invisible God…He is before all creation…For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell…To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mys- tery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Through His work of love, God took the ini- tiative to save us. He who is above the heav- ens, who has no beginning, nor end, He who is beyond time and space, came to earth and took the form of a servant . Jesus, the second Person of the Holy Trinity, was given an earthly birth by the consent of the Virgin Mary and the power of the Holy Spirit. He who was at the same time both human and divine took on flesh, dwelt among humanity and revealed Himself to the world. Through His healing, preaching and teaching minis- try, He pointed mankind toward the Truth. What then, is the appropriate response to- ward such a good and loving God? My Brothers and Sisters in Christ, the re- sponse comes to us from the Nativity Kat- avasía; it is to join all of creation in the re- joicing and glorifying of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is to unite with all the earth and sing praises because the Savior of the world is born. It is to join the whole world in giving thanks unto He who is called Em- manuel : God with us (Matt. 1: 23-25). It is to worship and meet our Great God before His Holy Altar and to join the heavenly in their worship, praise and thanksgiving. Therefore, on Tuesday Morning , December 24th at 10:00 am we will read and chant the Royal Hours of the Nativity in the sanctuary. Then, on Tuesday Evening , December 24th at 7:00 pm we will gather around the Holy Altar to celebrate the Divine Services in honor of the Nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I pray that you will take the time and make every effort to join us for the real reason for the season: to glorify, encounter and arise to Him who is born for our sake and for our sal- vation! Amen. +A www.theshepherdnews.com The Shepherd Newsletter The official newsletter publication for the parish of Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church of San Diego I S S U E 3 4 3 • D E C E MB E R 2 0 2 4 IN THIS ISSUE FROM THE DESK OF FR. ANDREW ...... p. 1 PRESIDENT OF THE PARISH COUNCIL, WOMEN OF THE WORD, BOOKSTORE .............................................. p. 2 NEWS FROM THE LOFT , DIVINE SERVICES, HOLY SACRAMENTS, BIRTHS, DEATHS, MEMORIALS .............................................p. 3 YOUTH MINISTRIES ................................. p. 4 DANCE & CHORAL, AHEPA ................... p. 6 GREEK LANGUAGE SCHOOL, ALTAR BOYS .............................................. p. 7 PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS .......................... p. 8 STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE ................. p.12 YOUNG AT HEART SENIORS ................. p.13 PARISH CALENDAR ................................. p. 14 CONTACT INFORMATION....................... p. 16 Christ is born; therefore, glorify! Christ is come from heaven encounter Him, Christ is on earth; arise to Him! Sing to the Lord all you who dwell on the earth and in merry spirits, O you peoples praise His birth, for He is glorified.