May 17

Sunday of the Blind Man

The Lord Jesus was coming from the Temple on the Sabbath, when, while walking in the way, He saw the blind man mentioned in today's Gospel. This man had been born thus from his mother's womb, that is, he had been born without eyes (see Saint John Chrysostom, Homily LVI on the Gospel of Saint John; Saint Irenaeus, Against Heresies, Book V:15; and the second Exorcism of Saint Basil the Great).

When the disciples saw this, they asked their Teacher, "Who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?" They asked this because when the Lord had healed the paralytic at the Sheep's Pool, He had told him, "Sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee" (John 5:14); so they... show moreMay 17

Sunday of the Blind Man

The Lord Jesus was coming from the Temple on the Sabbath, when, while walking in the way, He saw the blind man mentioned in today's Gospel. This man had been born thus from his mother's womb, that is, he had been born without eyes (see Saint John Chrysostom, Homily LVI on the Gospel of Saint John; Saint Irenaeus, Against Heresies, Book V:15; and the second Exorcism of Saint Basil the Great).

When the disciples saw this, they asked their Teacher, "Who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?" They asked this because when the Lord had healed the paralytic at the Sheep's Pool, He had told him, "Sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee" (John 5:14); so they wondered, if sickness was caused by sin, what sin could have been the cause of his being born without eyes. But the Lord answered that this was for the glory of God. Then the God-man spat on the ground and made clay with the spittle. He anointed the eyes of the blind man and said to him, "Go, wash in the Pool of Siloam." Siloam (which means "sent") was a well-known spring in Jerusalem used by the inhabitants for its waters, which flowed to the eastern side of the city and collected in a large pool called "the Pool of Siloam."

Therefore, the Saviour sent the blind man to this pool that he might wash his eyes, which had been anointed with the clay-not that the pool's water had such power, but that the faith and obedience of the one sent might be made manifest, and that the miracle might become more remarkable and known to all, and leave no room for doubt.

Thus, the blind man believed in Jesus' words, obeyed His command, went and washed himself, and returned, no longer blind, but having eyes and seeing. This was the greatest miracle that our Lord had yet worked; as the man healed of his blindness himself testified, "Since time began, never was it heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind," although the Lord had already healed the blind eyes of many. Because he now had eyes, some even doubted that he was the same person (John 9:8-9); and it was still lively in their remembrance when Christ came to the tomb of Lazarus, for they said, "Could not this man, who opened the eyes of the blind man, have caused that even this man should not have died?" Saint John Chrysostom gives a thorough and brilliant exposition of our Lord's meeting with the woman of Samaria, the healing of the paralytic, and the miracle of the blind man in his commentaries on the Gospel of Saint John. ...show less

May 17, 2026

Reflections from today's reading - John 9:1-38

To know or not to know? That is the question in today’s Gospel reading. Several people in today’s passage claim to know things but are actually ignorant. The Pharisees are the loudest about what they know. They know that Jesus is a sinner, they know the blind man is a sinner, and they know that God spoke to Moses. But as for Jesus, they know nothing about him. The parents of the blind man know things, too. They know the blind man is their son, and they know that he was born blind. But as for how he was healed, they know nothing about it.

The opponents of Jesus know so many things…but only the wrong things. They are infected with a spiritual blindness, which is not... show moreMay 17, 2026

Reflections from today's reading - John 9:1-38

To know or not to know? That is the question in today’s Gospel reading. Several people in today’s passage claim to know things but are actually ignorant. The Pharisees are the loudest about what they know. They know that Jesus is a sinner, they know the blind man is a sinner, and they know that God spoke to Moses. But as for Jesus, they know nothing about him. The parents of the blind man know things, too. They know the blind man is their son, and they know that he was born blind. But as for how he was healed, they know nothing about it.

The opponents of Jesus know so many things…but only the wrong things. They are infected with a spiritual blindness, which is not like physical blindness. In physical blindness, nothing enters the eye. In spiritual blindness, everything enters our vision, but Fr. George Parsenios too many things and only the wrong things. When we allow ourselves to consume too much of what is false or tempting or dark, we become like the Pharisees. We cannot recognize God standing right in front of us.

We become like the parents of the blind man, who are alienated and disconnected from their child. We lose our close connection with our family. Let us strive, therefore, to close our eyes to dark influences that distract and confuse us and open them to that which uplifts and connects us to God, especially our Orthodox faith. And let us remember to be careful in our relationships, not only with our families, but with our friends and neighbors, and particularly with our fellow church parishioners.

Let us forgive and be patient and be kind, so that we might all proclaim together: Χριστός Ἀνέστη! Christ is Risen!

https://bulletinbuilder.org/diakonia-newsletter/2026-05-17?source=bulletin_web ...show less

SUNDAY MEMORIAL SERVICES

Please join in prayer for the souls of those who have fallen asleep in the Lord:

MEMBERS OF AHEPA AND DAUGHTERS OF PENELOPE WHO HAVE FALLEN ASLEEP IN THE LORD

GEORGIOS KOLOTOUROS (25 YRS), husband of Maria Kolotouros, father of Peter and James

May their memory be eternal.

ARTOKLASIA (Blessing of the Five Loaves) is offered by the San Jose Ahepa Family for the health and well-being of their members and all the families of our St. Nicholas parish.

SUNDAY COFFEE HOUR

We welcome all to Sunday coffee hour hosted by AHEPA and DOP in the Community Center with support from families with memorial services. We extend a heartfelt thank you to all our hosts.

Upcoming coffee hour hosts for May 24: Linda... show moreSUNDAY MEMORIAL SERVICES

Please join in prayer for the souls of those who have fallen asleep in the Lord:

MEMBERS OF AHEPA AND DAUGHTERS OF PENELOPE WHO HAVE FALLEN ASLEEP IN THE LORD

GEORGIOS KOLOTOUROS (25 YRS), husband of Maria Kolotouros, father of Peter and James

May their memory be eternal.

ARTOKLASIA (Blessing of the Five Loaves) is offered by the San Jose Ahepa Family for the health and well-being of their members and all the families of our St. Nicholas parish.

SUNDAY COFFEE HOUR

We welcome all to Sunday coffee hour hosted by AHEPA and DOP in the Community Center with support from families with memorial services. We extend a heartfelt thank you to all our hosts.

Upcoming coffee hour hosts for May 24: Linda Belba, Connie Chrysoglou, Christina Kouvaris, Laurie Sahines, and Julie Sargiannides

**Please note: Printed Sunday scripture readings are available in the Narthex** ...show less

PARISH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Please see the Agenda in the Special Events section of this e-bulletin for the Parish Assembly Meeting scheduled in the Community Center on Sunday, May 17, 2026 following the liturgy.

UPCOMING FESTIVAL BAKING - KOULOURAKIA AND MELOMAKARONA
We need your help with our upcoming festival baking! All assembly and baking begins at 9:00am in the Community Center:

Koulourakia - Friday, May 15th

Melomakarona - Tuesday, May 19th

Your helping hands make all the difference. We hope you can join us in the joyful festival preparatons. Thank you for your time, love, and support!

ALL GRADUATING SENIORS - HIGH SCHOOL, COLLEGE, OR TRADE SCHOOL
Graduation is an important event for you and your child, and it is equally... show morePARISH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Please see the Agenda in the Special Events section of this e-bulletin for the Parish Assembly Meeting scheduled in the Community Center on Sunday, May 17, 2026 following the liturgy.

UPCOMING FESTIVAL BAKING - KOULOURAKIA AND MELOMAKARONA
We need your help with our upcoming festival baking! All assembly and baking begins at 9:00am in the Community Center:

Koulourakia - Friday, May 15th

Melomakarona - Tuesday, May 19th

Your helping hands make all the difference. We hope you can join us in the joyful festival preparatons. Thank you for your time, love, and support!

ALL GRADUATING SENIORS - HIGH SCHOOL, COLLEGE, OR TRADE SCHOOL
Graduation is an important event for you and your child, and it is equally important to us. We want to honor and congratulate the Class of 2026 by recognizing them in the June Canon of Faith. Please submit the following information by Friday, May 15th:

1. Student’s name.
2. Parents'/guardian names.
3. Student’s high school/college/trade school name of which graduating from.
4. Name of college or university student planning to attend.
5. Desired or actual major.
6. If a college degree was earned, please add if a BS, BA, Masters, or PhD
7. Phone number in case we have questions

8. For high school graduates only: please inlcude 2 photos: a baby photo and a recent photo for the collage in the Canon.

Deadline: Friday, May 15th. All content needs to be submitted to churchoffice@saintnicholas.org. If you have any questions, please call the church office at 408-246-2770

FESTIVAL VOLUNTEER SIGN UPS!
The festival is quickly approaching, and we have only 32% of volunteer slots filled. Please today go to https://saintnicholas.org/festival_volunteer and sign up for your Friday, Saturday and Sunday shifts. If you have any questions please contact Anthony Pappas 408-832-4271.

2026 FESTIVAL ADS
As in years past, to assist in offsetting our costs we are soliciting advertising from businesses and our own parishioners. These ads are seen by as many as 20,000 Festival attendees, which is great visibility for your business, as well as helping to make our Greek Festival a success! If you wish, as an individual, to give a shout-out to the festival, you can do that too!

Prices for all color ads:
Interior Full page.......................................$1,000
Half Page...................................................$600

Please call or email Elias Papas at eliaspapas2022@gmail.com (408-497-4522) or Sofia Kotsiri at sofia.kotsiri@gmail.com (919-696-7398) to reserve your ad.

Deadline for submissions is May 15, 2026.

FESTIVAL DONATIONS
The 2026 Greek Festival is almost here! To maximize our overall success while taking into account increased labor and supply costs, please consider making a contribution to one of the following items listed. Any contribution is welcome, whether it be for an entire item or a partial donation.

Please make your checks payable to Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and put the item name in the memo or comments section. Any amount is appreciated! To give online, click here: https://saintnicholas.org/donate. Select "Festival" in the Fund drop-down menu and put the item name in the memo line.

Every donation, no matter the size, makes a meaningful difference! If you would like further help, please contact:

• Nick Pagonis at (408) 348‑5026 or nickjpagonis@gmail.com

• Nick Taptelis at (650) 703‑7525 or ntaptelis@gmail.com

• Nektarios Matheou at (408) 506‑8565 or ngmatheou@gmail.com

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has already contributed and offered their support. Your generosity is deeply appreciated.

Food Items Total Cost Donation (Pledge) Amount Left % Fullfilled
Whole Lamb (2) $500 $500 $0 100%
1,200lbs of Flour $700 $700 $0 100%
Greek Coffee $1,000 $1,000 $0 100%
Olives $1,000 $1,000 0%
Eggs $1,500 $1,200 $300 80%
1,300lbs of Sugar $1,300 $1,300 0%
Frappe $1,500 $1,500 $0 100%
Olive Oil $2,000 $2,000 $0 100%
Water/Sparkling Water $2,000 $2,000 0%
Soft Drinks $2,000 $2,000 0%
Loux $2,000 $2,000 0%
Feta $2,500 $300 $2,200 12%
Filo $2,500 $2,500 0%
Pita $2,500 $2,500 0%
French Fries $2,500 $2,500 0%
Ground Meat $5,000 $5,000 0%
Calamari $5,000 $5,000 0%
Butter $6,000 $6,000 0%
Gyro Meat $7,000 $7,000 $0 100%
Beer $5,000 $5,000 0%
Meze Bar $10,000 $10,000 0%
White Wine $6,000 $6,000 0%
Red Wine $6,000 $6,000 0%
Metaxa $5,000 $5,000 0%
Ouzo $2,000 $2,000 0%
Tsikoudia $2,000 $2,000 0%
Ice Cream $2,000 $2,000 $0 100%
Lamb Chops $30,000 $10,000 $20,000 33%
First Aid $2,500 $2,500 0%
Police $12,000 $12,000 0%
Security $5,000 $5,000 0%
Entertainment $6,000 $6,000 0%
Point of Sale Terminals $17,000 $17,000 0%
Shuttles $15,000 $15,000 0%
Advertisement $15,000 $15,000 0%
New Equipment $10,000 $5,000 $5,000 50%
Labor $10,000 $5,000 $5,000 50%
Tent Rentals $29,000 $29,000 0%

TOTAL $238,000 $36,200 $201,800 15%

PICK UP FESTIVAL FLYERS
Please pick up festival information and flyers from the Small Hall or the Church Office to distribute around or post. Thank you!

THANK YOU
Maria Matheou and I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who came out to help make kourambiedes for the festival. Your time, energy, and joyful spirit made the day a true success.

Laurie Sahines and the Festival Team

ST. NICHOLAS BASKETBALL - HIGH SCHOOL BOYS THREE-PEAT AS CHAMPS! ELEMENTARY BOYS SHOW DETERMINATION IN A THRILLING SEMI-FINAL
The 2026 Spring Season wrapped up with a great day of basketball last Saturday. The day saw the High School Boys come out on top as 3-time repeat champs with a win over Annunciation San Francisco. The elementary boys continued to thrill with semi-final game effort that was within reach in the final minutes, but fell short. The Elementary Girls and MS Girls and Boys teams also lost in their semi-final games, but continued to display great effort and heart. Our community is extremely proud of all the players, coaches, and fans for their effort, support, and sportsmanship.

The End of Season BBQ was held this past Wednesday with great attendance. Congrats to 3rd grader Diana Brown for winning our skills competition and to Evangelos Papadimitriou for winning our 3-pt contest.

Girls Elementary (2-4, 3rd place)

The elementary girls had a great season with 5 new players joining some returning players. Look out for our 4 third graders who will be a force as they mature. Team: Chloe Davis, Joanna Kwong Pagonis, Katerina Golfinopoulos, Mia Spilios, Elizabeth Kwong Pagonis, Paris Matheou, Vakiliki Papapanagiotou, Chryssa Delopoulos, Diana Brown...Coaches Nektarios Matheou/John Cocoles

Girls Middle School (1-5, 3rd place)

The middle school girls is a young but experienced team that made huge strides in the eyes of the coaches even when it didn't translate into game scores against older teams. They will be returning almost all of their players next year and look to assert themselves in the '27 season. Team: Elena Christodoulou, Phoebe Davis, Kyriaki Chalioris, Georgia Panos, Panagiota Pries, Maria Matheou, Eleni Matheou, Dina Matheou...Coaches Nektarios Matheou/John Cocoles

Boys Elementary (3-2, 3rd place)

The elementary boys were a committed team of only 7. Led by our two 5th graders, but bolstered by the rest they showed up to play every game and gave the other teams fits. Players Vassilis Papadimitriou, Yianni Pagonis, Vasili Golfinopoulos, Strati Taptelis, Aleco Panos, Elias Taptelis, Patelis Taptelis...Coaches John Cocoles/Giorgio Tavernakis

Boys Middle School (2-5, 4th place)

It wasn't the season the MS Boys wanted, but the core of next year's team was made evident. The high-paced team always kept the scorekeepers busy and with some more cohesion and maturity more victories are destined next year. Team Lambros Panayotopoulos, Andreas Papapanagioutou, Chris Iskander, Nick Polychronopoulos, Xeno Kontos, Vahe Khachaturyan, Logan Gibbons, Dimitris Perakis, Gio Pries, Luke Hatzistratis...Coach Yianni Papapanagiotou

Boys High School (7-0, Season and Playoff Champs)

The High School Boys capped off an undefeated season with two wins last Saturday against Holy Cross (Semi) and Annunciation (Final). The team is led by the 3-time Champion graduating senior class and a full roster that will take over the leadership role next year. Congrats to our graduates and our HS Champs. Team: Dionysios Maroudas (graduate), Giorgio Tavernakis (graduate), Christo Perakis, Cameron Gibbons, Bobby Vlahopouliotis, Dylan Gibbons, George Pagonis, Theo Matheou, Evangelos Papadimitriou, Petros Perakis...Coaches George Maroudas/John Tavernakis

Special thanks to our parents and volunteers for making this another successful season. Huge shoutout to Saiyanna and Francisco for all the work behind-the-scenes to help with scheduling and ensuring clean and safe facilities.

This summer, we will be holding open gyms for youth to enjoy more basketball. Keep an eye on your inbox.


ST. NICHOLAS BIBLE STUDY
***The next Bible Study will be on May 28th***

Come and see, hear and taste that the Lord is Good! St. Nicholas Bible Study continues on Thursdays at 10:00 am with Fr. James in the Church Office Conference Room on the following dates: May 28th, June 4th and the final class on June 11th. Bring your Bible; coffee and refreshments provided. Theme: Reflecting on the Sunday Gospels. ...show less

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES

SUNDAY SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE BY LIVESTREAM ON YOUTUBE UNDER THE NAME: SAINT NICHOLAS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH SAN JOSE.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1x-nHP063YTTMrevkzL21w/

Sunday, May 17 — Sunday of the Blind Man
8:15 a.m. Orthros
9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

Thursday, May 21 — Holy Ascension, Sts. Constantine and Helen, Equal-to-the-Apostles
8:30 a.m. Orthros
9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

Sunday, May 24 — Fathers of the First Council
8:15 a.m. Orthros
9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

SUNDAY SCHOOL CALENDAR UPDATES
SUNDAY, MAY 17: Sunday School Graduation

ONE-CLICK GIVING!
Our church website has upgraded to Pushpay for all online donations, tithes, and a number of other transactions - making giving simpler, faster, and more secure.

Key Benefits for you:
● One-Click Giving: Set up recurring tithes in seconds or make one-time gifts with ease.
● Safe & Secure: Bank-level encryption protects your information.
● Text-to-Give: Simply text “GIVE” to (833) 921-7035 to donate instantly.
● Track Your Giving: View your donation history and print tax statements anytime.

Give from Anywhere: Use your phone, tablet, or computer.
● Visit https://saintnicholas.org/donation to donate and set up your account.
● Your generosity fuels our ministries, outreach, and mission to love God... show moreONE-CLICK GIVING!
Our church website has upgraded to Pushpay for all online donations, tithes, and a number of other transactions - making giving simpler, faster, and more secure.

Key Benefits for you:
● One-Click Giving: Set up recurring tithes in seconds or make one-time gifts with ease.
● Safe & Secure: Bank-level encryption protects your information.
● Text-to-Give: Simply text “GIVE” to (833) 921-7035 to donate instantly.
● Track Your Giving: View your donation history and print tax statements anytime.

Give from Anywhere: Use your phone, tablet, or computer.
● Visit https://saintnicholas.org/donation to donate and set up your account.
● Your generosity fuels our ministries, outreach, and mission to love God and serve others.


STEWARDSHIP
To make a commitment electronically, please visit our online stewardship: https://saintnicholas.org/stewardship

Donation link: https://saintnicholas.org/donation

...show less

Matins Gospel Reading
Eighth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 20:11-18

At that time, Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb, and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus has lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him." Saying this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?" Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, "Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid... show moreMatins Gospel Reading
Eighth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 20:11-18

At that time, Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb, and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus has lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him." Saying this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?" Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, "Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, "Rabboni," which means Teacher. Jesus said to her, "Do not touch Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God." Mary Magdalene went and said to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord," and she told them that He had said these things to her.

Eighth Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 20:11-18

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, Μαρία εἱστήκει πρὸς τὸ μνημεῖον κλαίουσα ἔξω· ὡς οὖν ἔκλαιε, παρέκυψεν εἰς τὸ μνημεῖον, καὶ θεωρεῖ δύο ἀγγέλους ἐν λευκοῖς καθεζομένους, ἕνα πρὸς τῇ κεφαλῇ, καὶ ἕνα πρὸς τοῖς ποσίν, ὅπου ἔκειτο τὸ σῶμα τοῦ Ἰησοῦ, καὶ λέγουσιν αὐτῇ ἐκεῖνοι· Γύναι, τί κλαίεις; λέγει αὐτοῖς· Ὅτι ᾖραν τὸν Κύριόν μου, καὶ οὐκ οἶδα ποῦ ἔθηκαν αὐτόν· καὶ ταῦτα εἰποῦσα ἐστράφη εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω, καὶ θεωρεῖ τὸν Ἰησοῦν ἑστῶτα, καὶ οὐκ ᾒδει ὅτι Ἰησοῦς ἐστι. Λέγει αὐτῇ ὁ Ἰησοῦς· Γύναι, τί κλαίεις; τίνα ζητεῖς; ἐκείνη δοκοῦσα ὅτι ὁ κηπουρὸς ἐστι, λέγει αὐτῷ· Κύριε, εἰ σὺ ἐβάστασας αὐτόν, εἰπέ μοι ποῦ αὐτὸν ἔθηκας, κᾀγὼ αὐτὸν ἀρῶ· λέγει αὐτῇ ὁ Ἰησοῦς· Μαρία· στραφεῖσα ἐκείνη λέγει αὐτῷ· Ῥαββουνί· ὃ λέγεται Διδάσκαλε· λέγει αὐτῇ ὁ Ἰησοῦς, Μή μου ἃπτου· οὔπω γὰρ ἀναβέβηκα πρὸς τὸν πατέρα μου, πορεύου δὲ πρὸς τοὺς ἀδελφούς μου, καὶ εἰπὲ αὐτοῖς· Ἀναβαίνω πρὸς τὸν πατέρα μου καὶ πατέρα ὑμῶν, καὶ Θεόν μου καὶ Θεὸν ὑμῶν· ἔρχεται Μαρία ἡ Μαγδαληνὴ ἀπαγγέλλουσα τοῖς μαθηταῖς ὅτι ἑώρακε τὸν Κύριον· καὶ ταῦτα εἶπεν αὐτῇ.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal 1st Mode. Psalm 11.7,1.
You, O Lord, shall keep us and preserve us.
Verse: Save me, O Lord, for the godly man has failed.

The reading is from Acts of the Apostles 16:16-34.

IN THOSE DAYS, as we apostles were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by soothsaying. She followed Paul and us, crying, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation." And this she did for many days. But Paul was annoyed, and turned and said to the spirit, "I charge you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And it came out that very hour. But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the market place before the rulers; and when they had brought them to the magistrates they said, "These men are Jews and they are disturbing our city. They advocate customs which it is not lawful for us Romans to accept or practice." The crowd joined in attacking them; and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely. Having received this charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and every one's fetters were unfastened. When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried with a loud voice, "Do not harm yourself, for we are all here." And he called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas, and brought them out and said, "Men, what must I do to be saved?" And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their wounds, and he was baptized at once, with all his family. Then he brought them up into his house, and set food before them; and he rejoiced with all his household that he had believed in God.

Προκείμενον. Plagal 1st Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 11.7,1.
Σὺ Κύριε, φυλάξαις ἡμᾶς καὶ διατηρήσαις ἡμᾶς.
Στίχ. Σῶσον με, Κύριε, ὅτι ἐκλέλοιπεν ὅσιος.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πράξεις Ἀποστόλων 16:16-34.

Ἐν ταῖς ἡμεραῖς ἐκείναις, ἐγένετο δὲ πορευομένων ἡμῶν εἰς προσευχὴν παιδίσκην τινὰ ἔχουσαν πνεῦμα πύθωνος ἀπαντῆσαι ἡμῖν, ἥτις ἐργασίαν πολλὴν παρεῖχε τοῖς κυρίοις αὐτῆς μαντευομένη. αὕτη κατακολουθήσασα τῷ Παύλῳ καὶ τῷ Σίλᾳ ἔκραζε λέγουσα· οὗτοι οἱ ἄνθρωποι δοῦλοι τοῦ Θεοῦ τοῦ ὑψίστου εἰσίν, οἵτινες καταγγέλλουσιν ἡμῖν ὁδὸν σωτηρίας. τοῦτο δὲ ἐποίει ἐπὶ πολλὰς ἡμέρας. διαπονηθεὶς δὲ ὁ Παῦλος καὶ ἐπιστρέψας τῷ πνεύματι εἶπε· παραγγέλλω σοι ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι ᾿Ιησοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐξελθεῖν ἀπ᾿ αὐτῆς. καὶ ἐξῆλθεν αὐτῇ τῇ ὥρᾳ. ᾿Ιδόντες δὲ οἱ κύριοι αὐτῆς ὅτι ἐξῆλθεν ἡ ἐλπὶς τῆς ἐργασίας αὐτῶν, ἐπιλαβόμενοι τὸν Παῦλον καὶ τὸν Σίλαν εἵλκυσαν εἰς τὴν ἀγορὰν ἐπὶ τοὺς ἄρχοντας, καὶ προσαγαγόντες αὐτοὺς τοῖς στρατηγοῖς εἶπον· οὗτοι οἱ ἄνθρωποι ἐκταράσσουσιν ἡμῶν τὴν πόλιν ᾿Ιουδαῖοι ὑπάρχοντες, καὶ καταγγέλλουσιν ἔθη ἃ οὐκ ἔξεστιν ἡμῖν παραδέχεσθαι οὐδὲ ποιεῖν ῾Ρωμαίοις οὖσι. καὶ συνεπέστη ὁ ὄχλος κατ᾿ αὐτῶν. καὶ οἱ στρατηγοὶ περιρρήξαντες αὐτῶν τὰ ἱμάτια ἐκέλευον ῥαβδίζειν, πολλάς τε ἐπιθέντες αὐτοῖς πληγὰς ἔβαλον εἰς φυλακήν, παραγγείλαντες τῷ δεσμοφύλακι ἀσφαλῶς τηρεῖν αὐτούς· ὃς παραγγελίαν τοιαύτην εἰληφὼς ἔβαλεν αὐτοὺς εἰς τὴν ἐσωτέραν φυλακὴν καὶ τοὺς πόδας αὐτῶν ἠσφαλίσατο εἰς τὸ ξύλον. Κατὰ δὲ τὸ μεσονύκτιον Παῦλος καὶ Σίλας προσευχόμενοι ὕμνουν τὸν Θεόν· ἐπηκροῶντο δὲ αὐτῶν οἱ δέσμιοι. ἄφνω δὲ σεισμὸς ἐγένετο μέγας, ὥστε σαλευθῆναι τὰ θεμέλια τοῦ δεσμωτηρίου, ἀνεῴχθησάν τε παραχρῆμα αἱ θύραι πᾶσαι καὶ πάντων τὰ δεσμὰ ἀνέθη. ἔξυπνος δὲ γενόμενος ὁ δεσμοφύλαξ καὶ ἰδὼν ἀνεῳγμένας τὰς θύρας τῆς φυλακῆς, σπασάμενος μάχαιραν ἔμελλεν ἑαυτὸν ἀναιρεῖν, νομίζων ἐκπεφευγέναι τοὺς δεσμίους. ἐφώνησε δὲ φωνῇ μεγάλῃ ὁ Παῦλος λέγων· μηδὲν πράξῃς σεαυτῷ κακόν· ἅπαντες γάρ ἐσμεν ἐνθάδε. αἰτήσας δὲ φῶτα εἰσεπήδησε, καὶ ἔντρομος γενόμενος προσέπεσε τῷ Παύλῳ καὶ τῷ Σίλᾳ, καὶ προαγαγὼν αὐτοὺς ἔξω ἔφη· κύριοι, τί με δεῖ ποιεῖν ἵνα σωθῶ; οἱ δὲ εἶπον· πίστευσον ἐπὶ τὸν Κύριον ᾿Ιησοῦν Χριστόν, καὶ σωθήσῃ σὺ καὶ ὁ οἶκός σου. καὶ ἐλάλησαν αὐτῷ τὸν λόγον τοῦ Κυρίου καὶ πᾶσι τοῖς ἐν τῇ οἰκίᾳ αὐτοῦ. καὶ παραλαβὼν αὐτοὺς ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ὥρᾳ τῆς νυκτὸς ἔλουσεν ἀπὸ τῶν πληγῶν, καὶ ἐβαπτίσθη αὐτὸς καὶ οἱ αὐτοῦ πάντες παραχρῆμα, ἀναγαγών τε αὐτοὺς εἰς τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ παρέθηκε τράπεζαν, καὶ ἠγαλλιάσατο πανοικὶ πεπιστευκὼς τῷ Θεῷ.

Gospel Reading
Sunday of the Blind Man
The Reading is from John 9:1-38

At that time, as Jesus passed by, he saw a man blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be made manifest in him. We must work the works of him who sent me, while it is day; night comes, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." As he said this, he spat on the ground and made clay of the spittle and anointed the man's eyes with the clay, saying to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing. The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar, said, "Is not this the man who used to sit and beg?" Some said, "It is he"; others said, "No, but he is like him." He said, "I am the man." They said to him, "Then how were your eyes opened?" He answered, "The man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me, 'Go to Siloam and wash'; so I went and washed and received my sight." They said to him, "Where is he?" He said, "I do not know."

They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. Now it was a sabbath day when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes. The Pharisees again asked him how he had received his sight. And he said to them, "He put clay on my eyes and I washed, and I see." Some of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from God, for he does not keep the sabbath." But others said, "How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?" There was a division among them. So they again said to the blind man, "What do you say about him, since he has opened your eyes?" He said, "He is a prophet."

The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight, until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight, and asked them, "Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?" His parents answered, "We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; but how he now sees we do not know, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age, he will speak for himself." His parents said this because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone should confess him to be Christ he was to be put out of the synagogue. Therefore his parents said, "He is of age, ask him."

So for the second time they called the man who had been blind, and said to him, "Give God the praise; we know that this man is a sinner." He answered, "Whether he is a sinner, I do not know; one thing I know, that though I was blind, now I see." They said to him, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?" He answered them, "I have told you already and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you too want to become his disciples?" And they reviled him, saying, "You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from." The man answered, "Why, this is a marvel! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him. Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing." They answered him, "You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?" And they cast him out.

Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, "Do you believe in the Son of man?" He answered, "And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?" Jesus said to him, "You have seen him, and it is he who speaks to you." He said, "Lord, I believe"; and he worshiped him.

Sunday of the Blind Man
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 9:1-38

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, παράγων εἶδεν ἄνθρωπον τυφλὸν ἐκ γενετῆς. Καὶ ἠρώτησαν αὐτὸν οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ λέγοντες· ῥαββί, τίς ἥμαρτεν, οὗτος ἢ οἱ γονεῖς αὐτοῦ, ἵνα τυφλὸς γεννηθῇ; ἀπεκρίθη ᾿Ιησοῦς· οὔτε οὗτος ἥμαρτεν οὔτε οἱ γονεῖς αὐτοῦ, ἀλλ᾽ ἵνα φανερωθῇ τὰ ἔργα τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐν αὐτῷ. ἐμὲ δεῖ ἐργάζεσθαι τὰ ἔργα τοῦ πέμψαντός με ἕως ἡμέρα ἐστίν· ἔρχεται νὺξ ὅτε οὐδεὶς δύναται ἐργάζεσθαι. ὅταν ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ ᾦ, φῶς εἰμι τοῦ κόσμου. ταῦτα εἰπὼν ἔπτυσε χαμαὶ καὶ ἐποίησε πηλὸν ἐκ τοῦ πτύσματος, καὶ ἐπέχρισε τὸν πηλὸν ἐπὶ τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς τοῦ τυφλοῦ καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· ὕπαγε νίψαι εἰς τὴν κολυμβήθραν τοῦ Σιλωάμ, ὃ ἑρμηνεύεται ἀπεσταλμένος. ἀπῆλθεν οὖν καὶ ἐνίψατο, καὶ ἦλθε βλέπων. Οἱ οὖν γείτονες καὶ οἱ θεωροῦντες αὐτὸν τὸ πρότερον ὅτι τυφλὸς ἦν, ἔλεγον· οὐχ οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ καθήμενος καὶ προσαιτῶν; ἄλλοι ἔλεγον ὅτι οὗτός ἐστιν· ἄλλοι δὲ ὅτι ὅμοιος αὐτῷ ἐστιν. ἐκεῖνος ἔλεγεν ὅτι ἐγώ εἰμι. ἔλεγον οὖν αὐτῷ· πῶς ἀνεῴχθησάν σου οἱ ὀφθαλμοί; ἀπεκρίθη ἐκεῖνος καὶ εἶπεν· ἄνθρωπος λεγόμενος ᾿Ιησοῦς πηλὸν ἐποίησε καὶ ἐπέχρισέ μου τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς καὶ εἶπέ μοι· ὕπαγε εἰς τὴν κολυμβήθραν τοῦ Σιλωὰμ καὶ νίψαι· ἀπελθὼν δὲ καὶ νιψάμενος ἀνέβλεψα. εἶπον οὖν αὐτῷ· ποῦ ἐστιν ἐκεῖνος; λέγει· οὐκ οἶδα. ῎Αγουσιν αὐτὸν πρὸς τοὺς Φαρισαίους, τόν ποτε τυφλόν. ἦν δὲ σάββατον ὅτε τὸν πηλὸν ἐποίησεν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς καὶ ἀνέῳξεν αὐτοῦ τοὺς ὀφθαλμούς. πάλιν οὖν ἠρώτων αὐτὸν καὶ οἱ Φαρισαῖοι πῶς ἀνέβλεψεν. ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· πηλὸν ἐπέθηκέ μου ἐπὶ τοὺς ὀφθαλμούς, καὶ ἐνιψάμην, καὶ βλέπω. ἔλεγον οὖν ἐκ τῶν Φαρισαίων τινές· οὗτος ὁ ἄνθρωπος οὐκ ἔστι παρὰ τοῦ Θεοῦ, ὅτι τὸ σάββατον οὐ τηρεῖ. ἄλλοι ἔλεγον· πῶς δύναται ἄνθρωπος ἁμαρτωλὸς τοιαῦτα σημεῖα ποιεῖν; καὶ σχίσμα ἦν ἐν αὐτοῖς. λέγουσι τῷ τυφλῷ πάλιν· σὺ τί λέγεις περὶ αὐτοῦ, ὅτι ἤνοιξέ σου τοὺς ὀφθαλμούς; ὁ δὲ εἶπεν ὅτι προφήτης ἐστίν. οὐκ ἐπίστευσαν οὖν οἱ ᾿Ιουδαῖοι περὶ αὐτοῦ ὅτι τυφλὸς ἦν καὶ ἀνέβλεψεν, ἕως ὅτου ἐφώνησαν τοὺς γονεῖς αὐτοῦ τοῦ ἀναβλέψαντος καὶ ἠρώτησαν αὐτοὺς λέγοντες· οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ υἱὸς ὑμῶν, ὃν ὑμεῖς λέγετε ὅτι τυφλὸς ἐγεννήθη; πῶς οὖν ἄρτι βλέπει; ἀπεκρίθησαν δὲ αὐτοῖς οἱ γονεῖς αὐτοῦ καὶ εἶπον· οἴδαμεν ὅτι οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ υἱὸς ἡμῶν καὶ ὅτι τυφλὸς ἐγεννήθη· πῶς δὲ νῦν βλέπει οὐκ οἴδαμεν, ἢ τίς ἤνοιξεν αὐτοῦ τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς ἡμεῖς οὐκ οἴδαμεν· αὐτὸς ἡλικίαν ἔχει, αὐτὸν ἐρωτήσατε, αὐτὸς περὶ ἑαυτοῦ λαλήσει. ταῦτα εἶπον οἱ γονεῖς αὐτοῦ, ὅτι ἐφοβοῦντο τοὺς ᾿Ιουδαίους· ἤδη γὰρ συνετέθειντο οἱ ᾿Ιουδαῖοι ἵνα, ἐάν τις αὐτὸν ὁμολογήσῃ Χριστόν, ἀποσυνάγωγος γένηται. διὰ τοῦτο οἱ γονεῖς αὐτοῦ εἶπον ὅτι ἡλικίαν ἔχει, αὐτὸν ἐρωτήσατε. ἐφώνησαν οὖν ἐκ δευτέρου τὸν ἄνθρωπον ὃς ἦν τυφλός, καὶ εἶπον αὐτῷ· δὸς δόξαν τῷ Θεῷ· ἡμεῖς οἴδαμεν ὅτι ὁ ἄνθρωπος οὗτος ἁμαρτωλός ἐστιν. ἀπεκρίθη οὖν ἐκεῖνος καὶ εἶπεν· εἰ ἁμαρτωλός ἐστιν οὐκ οἶδα· ἓν οἶδα, ὅτι τυφλὸς ὢν ἄρτι βλέπω. εἶπον δὲ αὐτῷ πάλιν· τί ἐποίησέ σοι; πῶς ἤνοιξέ σου τοὺς ὀφθαλμούς; ἀπεκρίθη αὐτοῖς· εἶπον ὑμῖν ἤδη, καὶ οὐκ ἠκούσατε· τί πάλιν θέλετε ἀκούειν; μὴ καὶ ὑμεῖς θέλετε αὐτοῦ μαθηταὶ γενέσθαι; ἐλοιδόρησαν αὐτὸν καὶ εἶπον· σὺ εἶ μαθητὴς ἐκείνου· ἡμεῖς δὲ τοῦ Μωϋσέως ἐσμὲν μαθηταί. ἡμεῖς οἴδαμεν ὅτι Μωϋσεῖ λελάληκεν ὁ Θεός· τοῦτον δὲ οὐκ οἴδαμεν πόθεν ἐστίν. ἀπεκρίθη ὁ ἄνθρωπος καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· ἐν γὰρ τούτῳ θαυμαστόν ἐστιν, ὅτι ὑμεῖς οὐκ οἴδατε πόθεν ἐστί, καὶ ἀνέῳξέ μου τοὺς ὀφθαλμούς. οἴδαμεν δὲ ὅτι ἁμαρτωλῶν ὁ Θεὸς οὐκ ἀκούει, ἀλλ᾽ ἐάν τις θεοσεβὴς ᾖ καὶ τὸ θέλημα αὐτοῦ ποιῇ, τούτου ἀκούει. ἐκ τοῦ αἰῶνος οὐκ ἠκούσθη ὅτι ἤνοιξέ τις ὀφθαλμοὺς τυφλοῦ γεγεννημένου. εἰ μὴ ἦν οὗτος παρὰ Θεοῦ, οὐκ ἠδύνατο ποιεῖν οὐδέν.ἀπεκρίθησαν καὶ εἶπον αὐτῷ· ἐν ἁμαρτίαις σὺ ἐγεννήθης ὅλος, καὶ σὺ διδάσκεις ἡμᾶς; καὶ ἐξέβαλον αὐτὸν ἔξω.

῎Ηκουσεν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ὅτι ἐξέβαλον αὐτὸν ἔξω, καὶ εὑρὼν αὐτὸν εἶπεν αὐτῷ· σὺ πιστεύεις εἰς τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ; ἀπεκρίθη ἐκεῖνος καὶ εἶπε· καὶ τίς ἐστι, Κύριε, ἵνα πιστεύσω εἰς αὐτόν; εἶπε δὲ αὐτῷ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· καὶ ἑώρακας αὐτὸν καὶ ὁ λαλῶν μετὰ σοῦ ἐκεῖνός ἐστιν. ὁ δὲ ἔφη· πιστεύω, Κύριε· καὶ προσεκύνησεν αὐτῷ. ...show less

Apolytikion of Great and Holy Pascha in the Plagal 1st Mode
Christ is risen from the dead, by death, trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.

Χριστός ἀνέστη ἐκ νεκρῶν, θανάτῳ θάνατον πατήσας, καί τοῖς ἐν τοῖς μνήμασι ζωήν χαρισάμενος.

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal 1st Mode
Let us worship the Word who is unoriginate * with the Father and the Spirit, and from a Virgin was born * for our salvation, O believers, and let us sing His praise. * For in His goodness He was pleased * to ascend the Cross in the flesh, and to undergo death, * and to raise up those who had died, * by His glorious Resurrection.

Τὸν... show moreApolytikion of Great and Holy Pascha in the Plagal 1st Mode
Christ is risen from the dead, by death, trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.

Χριστός ἀνέστη ἐκ νεκρῶν, θανάτῳ θάνατον πατήσας, καί τοῖς ἐν τοῖς μνήμασι ζωήν χαρισάμενος.

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal 1st Mode
Let us worship the Word who is unoriginate * with the Father and the Spirit, and from a Virgin was born * for our salvation, O believers, and let us sing His praise. * For in His goodness He was pleased * to ascend the Cross in the flesh, and to undergo death, * and to raise up those who had died, * by His glorious Resurrection.

Τὸν συνάναρχον Λόγον Πατρὶ καὶ Πνεύματι, τὸν ἐκ Παρθένου τεχθέντα εἰς σωτηρίαν ἡμῶν, ἀνυμνήσωμεν πιστοὶ καὶ προσκυνήσωμεν, ὅτι ηὐδόκησε σαρκί, ἀνελθεῖν ἐν τῷ σταυρῷ, καὶ θάνατον ὑπομεῖναι, καὶ ἐγεῖραι τοὺς τεθνεῶτας, ἐν τῇ ἐνδόξῳ Ἀναστάσει αὐτοῦ.

Apolytikion of Saint Nicholas in the 1st Mode
An example of the faith and a life of humility, as a teacher of self-control you did inspire and lead your flock, and through the truthfulness of your deeds, were exalted by greatness through your humility, uplifting all, and by poverty gaining strength. Father and hierarch Saint Nicholas, intercede with Christ our God, that our souls may be saved.

Κανόνα πίστεως καί εικόνα πραότητος, εγκρατείας Διδάσκαλον, ανέδειξέ σε τή ποίμνη σου, η τών πραγμάτων αλήθεια, διά τούτο εκτήσω τή ταπεινώσει τά υψηλά, τή πτωχεία τά πλούσια, Πάτερ Ιεράρχα Νικόλαε, πρέσβευε Χριστώ τώ Θεώ, σωθήναι τάς ψυχάς ημών.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal 4th Mode
Though You went down into the tomb, You destroyed Hades' power, and You rose the victor, Christ God, saying to the myrrh-bearing women, "Hail!" and granting peace to Your disciples, You who raise up the fallen.

Εἰ καὶ ἐν τάφῳ κατῆλθες ἀθάνατε, ἀλλὰ τοῦ ᾍδου καθεῖλες τὴν δύναμιν, καὶ ἀνέστης ὡς νικητής, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, γυναιξὶ Μυροφόροις φθεγξάμενος. Χαίρετε, καὶ τοῖς σοῖς Ἀποστόλοις εἰρήνην δωρούμενος ὁ τοῖς πεσοῦσι παρέχων ἀνάστασιν. ...show less

The work of God is, after all, the forming of man. He did this by an outward action, as Scripture says, 'And the Lord took clay from earth, and formed man.' Notice here too how the Lord spit on the earth, and made clay and smeared it on his eyes, showing how the ancient creation was made. He was making clear to those who can understand, that this was the [same] hand of God through which man was formed from clay.
St. Irenaeus
Against Heresies. 5.15.2. Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture. Vol: John 1-10. Intervarsity Press, 2006, p. 324.

But I assert that he even received benefit from his blindness: since he recovered the sight of the eyes within.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 56 on John 9, 4th Century

What does it mean that the Patriarch of Constantinople is ‘Ecumenical’?

The Church of the first millennium was centered around five Patriarchs, that is, Bishops of large regions that were frequently characterized by their own particular traditions of liturgical worship and the expression of our Holy Orthodox Faith. These Patriarchs oversaw the Churches of Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem. In the Holy Orthodox Church today, there are nine Patriarchs: those of Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, Jerusalem, Moscow, Georgia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania.

Only one of these is known as the “Ecumenical Patriarch”: the Archbishop of Constantinople-New Rome, who since 1991 has been His All-Holiness Bartholomew,... show moreWhat does it mean that the Patriarch of Constantinople is ‘Ecumenical’?

The Church of the first millennium was centered around five Patriarchs, that is, Bishops of large regions that were frequently characterized by their own particular traditions of liturgical worship and the expression of our Holy Orthodox Faith. These Patriarchs oversaw the Churches of Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem. In the Holy Orthodox Church today, there are nine Patriarchs: those of Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, Jerusalem, Moscow, Georgia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania.

Only one of these is known as the “Ecumenical Patriarch”: the Archbishop of Constantinople-New Rome, who since 1991 has been His All-Holiness Bartholomew, the longest-serving and one of the most consequential of all Ecumenical Patriarchs in the history of the Church. As the Archbishop of Constantinople, His All-Holiness is the 269thsuccessor of Saint Andrew the First-Called Apostle to lead the Church in what has come to be known as “the queen of cities.”

The Archbishop of Constantinople has been known as the Ecumenical Patriarch ever since the year 586, when the Roman Emperor Maurice conferred the title “Ecumenical” on the Patriarch of Constantinople, Saint John the Faster. The Emperor conferred this title in view of the fact that the Archbishop of Constantinople was Patriarch of the Church in the city that was the capital of the great empire, the superpower of its day.

This was, however, much more than just a ceremonial title or a recognition that the Patriarch of Constantinople would be honored first in prayers and at gatherings of the worldwide Church. The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople had certain responsibilities that were unique in the Church.

Canon 9 of the Fourth Ecumenical Council, which was held in Chalcedon in 451, stated: “If a bishop or cleric has a disagreement with the metropolitan of the province, let him appeal to the Exarch of the Metropolis, or to the throne of the Imperial City of Constantinople, and let him be tried there.” Canon 17 added: “And if any one be wronged by his metropolitan, let the matter be decided by the exarch of the diocese or by the throne of Constantinople, as aforesaid.” Canon 28 spoke of how the Church of Constantinople had “equal privileges” to those of the Church of Rome.

Although these particular ecclesiastical responsibilities of the Church of Constantinople were known and established by the time the Patriarch of Constantinople was granted the title “Ecumenical Patriarch,” the Pope of Rome, Saint Gregory Dialogos, was alarmed. Saint Gregory understood the title to meaning that Saint John was being proclaimed the universal bishop of the entire Church, in the sense that the Church now had only one bishop, and all the others had been dethroned.

Saint Gregory wrote in strong terms to Saint John: “Whoever calls himself universal bishop, or desires this title, is, by his pride, the precursor to the Antichrist…. May all Christians reject this blasphemous title – this title which takes the sacerdotal honor from every priest the moment it is insanely usurped by one.”

That was not, however, what the title “Ecumenical Patriarch” really meant. It did not establish the Patriarch of Constantinople as a super-bishop at the expense of all the others. It did not mean that the Patriarch of Constantinople had any authority beyond the limits of his own ecclesiastical jurisdiction except that which the Council of Chalcedon and other Ecumenical Councils had granted.

Since it was at that time and remains today the responsibility of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople to adjudicate disputes between bishops, he has an authority that is truly ecumenical. This does not mean, however, that he has full, ordinary, and immediate jurisdiction over every diocese everywhere, after the manner of the Pope of Rome in the understanding of the Roman Catholic Church. It does not mean that he is personally infallible in his pronouncements on matters of faith and morals, as, once again, the Roman Catholic Church teaches about the Pope of Rome.

The title “Ecumenical” for the Patriarch of Constantinople does mean, however, that His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, following in the footsteps of his holy predecessors, is truly “first among equals”: a bishop like other bishops, a priest like other priests, and a Christian like other Christians, but at the same time one who has been chosen by Almighty God for a special responsibility for the preservation and defense of the Church worldwide, without infringing upon the rights or privileges of other bishops anywhere.

As such, the Ecumenical Patriarch is the foremost guardian of the Church’s unity and integrity around the world. Thanks be to God for the inexpressible gift!

https://orthodoxobserver.org/what-does-it-mean-that-the-patriarch-of-constantinople-is-ecumenical/ ...show less

May 10

Sunday of the Samaritan Woman

One of the most ancient cities of the Promised Land was Shechem, also called Sikima, located at the foot of Mount Gerazim. There the Israelites had heard the blessings in the days of Moses and Jesus of Navi. Near to this town, Jacob, who had come from Mesopotamia in the nineteenth century before Christ, bought a piece of land where there was a well.

This well, preserved even until the time of Christ, was known as Jacob's Well. Later, before he died in Egypt, he left that piece of land as a special inheritance to his son Joseph (Gen. 49:22). This town, before it was taken into possession by Samaria, was also the leading city of the kingdom of the ten tribes. In the time of the Romans it was called... show moreMay 10

Sunday of the Samaritan Woman

One of the most ancient cities of the Promised Land was Shechem, also called Sikima, located at the foot of Mount Gerazim. There the Israelites had heard the blessings in the days of Moses and Jesus of Navi. Near to this town, Jacob, who had come from Mesopotamia in the nineteenth century before Christ, bought a piece of land where there was a well.

This well, preserved even until the time of Christ, was known as Jacob's Well. Later, before he died in Egypt, he left that piece of land as a special inheritance to his son Joseph (Gen. 49:22). This town, before it was taken into possession by Samaria, was also the leading city of the kingdom of the ten tribes. In the time of the Romans it was called Neapolis, and at present Nablus. It was the first city in Canaan visited by the Patriarch Abraham. Here also, Jesus of Navi (Joshua) addressed the tribes of Israel for the last time. Almost three hundred years later, all Israel assembled there to make Roboam (Rehoboam) king.

When our Lord Jesus Christ, then, came at midday to this city, which is also called Sychar (John 4:5), He was wearied from the journey and the heat, and He sat down at this well. After a little while the Samaritan woman mentioned in today's Gospel passage came to draw water. As she conversed at some length with the Lord and heard from Him secret things concerning herself, she believed in Him; through her many other Samaritans also believed.

Concerning the Samaritans we know the following: In the year 721 before Christ, Salmanasar (Shalmaneser), King of the Assyrians, took the ten tribes of the kingdom of Israel into captivity, and relocated all these people to Babylon and the land of the Medes. From there he gathered various nations and sent them to Samaria. These nations had been idolaters from before. Although they were later instructed in the Jewish faith and believed in the one God, they worshipped the idols also. Furthermore, they accepted only the Pentateuch of Moses, and rejected the other books of Holy Scripture. Nonetheless, they thought themselves to be descendants of Abraham and Jacob. Therefore, the pious Jews named these Judaizing and idolatrous peoples Samaritans, since they lived in Samaria, the former leading city of the Israelites, as well as in the other towns thereabout. The Jews rejected them as heathen and foreigners, and had no communion with them at all, as the Samaritan woman observed, "the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans" (John 4:9). Therefore, the name Samaritan is used derisively many times in the Gospel narrations. After the Ascension of the Lord, and the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the woman of Samaria was baptized by the holy Apostles and became a great preacher and Martyr of Christ; she was called Photine, and her feast is kept on February 26. ...show less

May 10, 2026

Reflections from today’s reading - John 4 : 5 - 4 2

From Pascha until Pentecost, the Sunday Gospel readings refer repeatedly to water. Jesus heals the Paralytic in water at the pool of Bethesda. He sends the Blind Man to wash in water at the pool of Siloam. He speaks of the Holy Spirit rising up like a river from within believers. And in today’s Gospel passage, Jesus speaks about living water with the Samaritan Woman.

Water, water everywhere—but what does the water mean? A pilgrim named Egeria answered this question by describing what she saw in her travels to the Holy Land in the 4th century. She says that Pascha was a chief time for new believers to be baptized. The reason for this is obvious: Pascha celebrates... show moreMay 10, 2026

Reflections from today’s reading - John 4 : 5 - 4 2

From Pascha until Pentecost, the Sunday Gospel readings refer repeatedly to water. Jesus heals the Paralytic in water at the pool of Bethesda. He sends the Blind Man to wash in water at the pool of Siloam. He speaks of the Holy Spirit rising up like a river from within believers. And in today’s Gospel passage, Jesus speaks about living water with the Samaritan Woman.

Water, water everywhere—but what does the water mean? A pilgrim named Egeria answered this question by describing what she saw in her travels to the Holy Land in the 4th century. She says that Pascha was a chief time for new believers to be baptized. The reason for this is obvious: Pascha celebrates the gift of new life in Christ, and being baptized is our gateway
into this new life.

When our Sunday Gospel readings refer to water, they evoke the waters of baptism, following the longstanding tradition of people being baptized during this season. Notice as well that the Sunday Gospel readings are almost all taken from the Gospel according to John. This is because John describes the Resurrection more fully than the other Gospels.

Mark and Matthew tell us very little about Jesus after he rises from the dead, and Luke offers only a bit more information. But John provides two full chapters about the Resurrected Jesus. Interestingly, Egeria tells us that John’s Gospel was read during and after Pascha in the 4th century as well. As Egeria describes it, when the bishop would gather with the newly baptized Christians during the Paschal season, their Gospel readings were taken from John. Our worship in the 21st century, therefore, follows the pattern of Christians from the earliest centuries, and along with the Christians of every time and place we sing: Χριστός Ἀνέστη! Christ is Risen!

https://bulletinbuilder.org/diakonia-newsletter/2026-05-10?source=bulletin_web
...show less

UPCOMING FESTIVAL BAKING - KOURAMBIETHES AND KOULOURAKIA
We need your help with our upcoming festival baking! All assembly and baking begins at 9:00am in the Community Center:

Kourambiedes - Monday, May, 11th
Koulourakia - Friday, May 15th

Your helping hands make all the difference. We hope you can join us in the joyful festival preparatons. Thank you for your time, love, and support!

GOLDEN YEARS MEETING - TUESDAY, MAY 12TH
The next Golden Years meeting will be on Tuesday, May 12th, 2026, at 11:30 am in the Small Hall. Please contact Christina Kouvaris at 408-306-8007 or email ckouvphilo@sbcglobal.net if you have any questions.

ALL GRADUATING SENIORS - HIGH SCHOOL, COLLEGE, OR TRADE SCHOOL
Graduation is an important event... show moreUPCOMING FESTIVAL BAKING - KOURAMBIETHES AND KOULOURAKIA
We need your help with our upcoming festival baking! All assembly and baking begins at 9:00am in the Community Center:

Kourambiedes - Monday, May, 11th
Koulourakia - Friday, May 15th

Your helping hands make all the difference. We hope you can join us in the joyful festival preparatons. Thank you for your time, love, and support!

GOLDEN YEARS MEETING - TUESDAY, MAY 12TH
The next Golden Years meeting will be on Tuesday, May 12th, 2026, at 11:30 am in the Small Hall. Please contact Christina Kouvaris at 408-306-8007 or email ckouvphilo@sbcglobal.net if you have any questions.

ALL GRADUATING SENIORS - HIGH SCHOOL, COLLEGE, OR TRADE SCHOOL
Graduation is an important event for you and your child, and it is equally important to us. We want to honor and congratulate the Class of 2026 by recognizing them in the June Canon of Faith. Please submit the following information by Friday, May 15th:

1. Student’s name.
2. Parents'/guardian names.
3. Student’s high school/college/trade school name of which graduating from.
4. Name of college or university student planning to attend.
5. Desired or actual major.
6. If a college degree was earned, please add if a BS, BA, Masters, or PhD
7. Phone number in case we have questions
8. For high school graduates only: please inlcude 2 photos: a baby photo and a recent photo for the collage in the Canon.

Deadline: Friday, May 15th. All content needs to be submitted to churchoffice@saintnicholas.org. If you have any questions, please call the church office at 408-246-2770

PARISH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Please see the Agenda in the Special Events section of this e-bulletin for the Parish Assembly Meeting scheduled in the Community Center on Sunday, May 17, 2026 following the liturgy.

ST. NICHOLAS BIBLE STUDY
***The next Bible Study will be on May 28th***

Come and see, hear and taste that the Lord is Good! St. Nicholas Bible Study continues on Thursdays at 10:00 am with Fr. James in the Church Office Conference Room on the following dates: May 28th, June 4th and the final class on June 11th. Bring your Bible; coffee and refreshments provided. Theme: Reflecting on the Sunday Gospels.

FESTIVAL VOLUNTEER SIGN UPS!
The festival is quickly approaching, and we have only 26% of volunteer slots filled. Please today go to https://saintnicholas.org/festival_volunteer and sign up for your Friday, Saturday and Sunday shifts. If you have any questions please contact Anthony Pappas 408-832-4271.

2026 FESTIVAL ADS
As in years past, to assist in offsetting our costs we are soliciting advertising from businesses and our own parishioners. These ads are seen by as many as 20,000 Festival attendees, which is great visibility for your business, as well as helping to make our Greek Festival a success! If you wish, as an individual, to give a shout-out to the festival, you can do that too!

Prices for all color ads:
Interior Full page.......................................$1,000
Half Page...................................................$600

Please call or email Elias Papas at eliaspapas2022@gmail.com (408-497-4522) or Sofia Kotsiri at sofia.kotsiri@gmail.com (919-696-7398) to reserve your ad.

Deadline for submissions is May 15, 2026.

FESTIVAL DONATIONS
The 2026 Greek Festival is almost here! To maximize our overall success while taking into account increased labor and supply costs, please consider making a contribution to one of the following items listed. Any contribution is welcome, whether it be for an entire item or a partial donation.

Please make your checks payable to Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and put the item name in the memo or comments section. Any amount is appreciated! To give online, click here: https://saintnicholas.org/donate. Select "Festival" in the Fund drop-down menu and put the item name in the memo line.

Every donation, no matter the size, makes a meaningful difference! If you would like further help, please contact:

• Nick Pagonis at (408) 348‑5026 or nickjpagonis@gmail.com
• Nick Taptelis at (650) 703‑7525 or ntaptelis@gmail.com
• Nektarios Matheou at (408) 506‑8565 or ngmatheou@gmail.com

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has already contributed and offered their support. Your generosity is deeply appreciated.

Food Items Total Cost Donation (Pledge) Amount Left % Fullfilled
Whole Lamb (2) $500 $500 $0 100%
1,200lbs of Flour $700 $700 0%
Greek Coffee $1,000 $1,000 $0 100%
Olives $1,000 $1,000 0%
Eggs $1,500 $1,000 $500 67%
1,300lbs of Sugar $1,300 $1,300 0%
Frappe $1,500 $1,500 $0 100%
Olive Oil $2,000 $2,000 $0 100%
Water/Sparkling Water $2,000 $2,000 0%
Soft Drinks $2,000 $2,000 0%
Loux $2,000 $2,000 0%
Feta $2,500 $300 $2,200 12%
Filo $2,500 $2,500 0%
Pita $2,500 $2,500 0%
French Fries $2,500 $2,500 0%
Ground Meat $5,000 $5,000 0%
Calamari $5,000 $5,000 0%
Butter $6,000 $6,000 0%
Gyro Meat $7,000 $7,000 $0 100%
Beer $5,000 $5,000 0%
Meze Bar $10,000 $10,000 0%
White Wine $6,000 $6,000 0%
Red Wine $6,000 $6,000 0%
Metaxa $5,000 $5,000 0%
Ouzo $2,000 $2,000 0%
Tsikoudia $2,000 $2,000 0%
Ice Cream $2,000 $2,000 $0 100%
Lamb Chops $30,000 $10,000 $20,000 33%
First Aid $2,500 $2,500 0%
Police $12,000 $12,000 0%
Security $5,000 $5,000 0%
Entertainment $6,000 $6,000 0%
Point of Sale Terminals $17,000 $17,000 0%
Shuttles $15,000 $15,000 0%
Advertisement $15,000 $15,000 0%
New Equipment $10,000 $5,000 $5,000 50%
Labor $10,000 $5,000 $5,000 50%
Tent Rentals $29,000 $29,000 0%
TOTAL $238,000 $35,300 $202,700 15%
...show less

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES

SUNDAY SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE BY LIVESTREAM ON YOUTUBE UNDER THE NAME: SAINT NICHOLAS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH SAN JOSE.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1x-nHP063YTTMrevkzL21w/

Sunday, May 10 — Sunday of the Samaritan Woman
8:15 a.m. Orthros
9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

Sunday, May 17 — Sunday of the Blind Man
8:15 a.m. Orthros
9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

SUNDAY SCHOOL CALENDAR UPDATES
SUNDAY, MAY 10: Sunday School.
SUNDAY, MAY 17: Sunday School.

ONE-CLICK GIVING!
Our church website has upgraded to Pushpay for all online donations, tithes, and a number of other transactions - making giving simpler, faster, and more secure.

Key Benefits for you:

• One-Click Giving: Set up recurring tithes in seconds or make one-time gifts with ease.
• Safe & Secure: Bank-level encryption protects your information.
• Text-to-Give: Simply text “GIVE” to (833) 921-7035 to donate instantly.
• Track Your Giving: View your donation history and print tax statements anytime.
• Give from Anywhere: Use your phone, tablet, or computer.

Visit https://saintnicholas.org/donation to donate and set up your account.

Your generosity fuels our ministries, outreach, and mission to love... show moreONE-CLICK GIVING!
Our church website has upgraded to Pushpay for all online donations, tithes, and a number of other transactions - making giving simpler, faster, and more secure.

Key Benefits for you:

• One-Click Giving: Set up recurring tithes in seconds or make one-time gifts with ease.
• Safe & Secure: Bank-level encryption protects your information.
• Text-to-Give: Simply text “GIVE” to (833) 921-7035 to donate instantly.
• Track Your Giving: View your donation history and print tax statements anytime.
• Give from Anywhere: Use your phone, tablet, or computer.

Visit https://saintnicholas.org/donation to donate and set up your account.

Your generosity fuels our ministries, outreach, and mission to love God and serve others.

STEWARDSHIP
To make a committment electronically, please visit our online stewardship: https://saintnicholas.org/stewardship,
Donation link: https://saintnicholas.org/donation
...show less

Matins Gospel Reading
Seventh Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 20:1-10

On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran, and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him." Peter then came out with the other disciple, and they went toward the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first; and stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; he saw the linen... show moreMatins Gospel Reading
Seventh Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 20:1-10

On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran, and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him." Peter then came out with the other disciple, and they went toward the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first; and stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; he saw the linen cloths lying and the napkin, which had been on His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not know the scripture, that He must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes.

Seventh Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 20:1-10

Τῇ μιᾷ τῶν Σαββάτων Μαρία ἡ Μαγδαληνὴ ἔρχεται πρωῒ σκοτίας ἔτι οὔσης, εἰς τὸ μνημεῖον· καὶ βλέπει τὸν λίθον ἠρμένον ἐκ τοῦ μνημείου. Τρέχει οὖν, καὶ ἔρχεται πρὸς Σίμωνα Πέτρον, καὶ πρὸς τὸν ἄλλον μαθητήν, ὃν ἐφίλει ὁ Ἰησοῦς, καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς· ᾞραν τὸν Κύριον ἐκ τοῦ μνημείου, καὶ οὐκ οἴδαμεν ποῦ ἔθηκαν αὐτόν. Ἐξῆλθεν οὖν ὁ Πέτρος καὶ ὁ ἄλλος μαθητής, καὶ ἤρχοντο εἰς τὸ μνημεῖον. Ἔτρεχον δὲ οἱ δύο ὁμοῦ· καὶ ὁ ἄλλος μαθητὴς προέδραμε τάχιον τοῦ Πέτρου, καὶ ἦλθε πρῶτος εἰς τὸ μνημεῖον, καὶ παρακύψας, βλέπει κείμενα τὰ ὀθόνια· οὐ μέντοι εἰσῆλθεν. Ἔρχεται οὖν Σίμων Πέτρος ἀκολουθῶν αὐτῷ, καὶ εἰσῆλθεν εἰς τὸ μνημεῖον, καὶ θεωρεῖ τὰ ὀθόνια κείμενα· καὶ τὸ σουδάριον, ὃ ἦν ἐπὶ τῆς κεφαλῆς αὐτοῦ, οὐ μετὰ τῶν ὀθονίων κείμενον, ἀλλὰ χωρὶς ἐντετυλιγμένον εἰς ἕνα τόπον. Τότε οὖν εἰσῆλθε καὶ ὁ ἄλλος μαθητὴς ὁ ἐλθὼν πρῶτος εἰς τὸ μνημεῖον, καὶ εἶδε, καὶ ἐπίστευσεν. Οὐδέπω γὰρ ᾔδεισαν τὴν Γραφήν, ὅτι δεῖ αὐτὸν ἐκ νεκρῶν ἀναστῆναι. Ἀπῆλθον οὖν πάλιν πρὸς ἑαυτοὺς οἱ μαθηταί.

Epistle Reading
Prokeimenon. 4th Mode. Psalm 103.24,1.
O Lord, how manifold are your works. You have made all things in wisdom.
Verse: Bless the Lord, O my soul.

The reading is from Acts of the Apostles 11:19-30.

In those days, those apostles who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to none except Jews. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number that believed turned to the Lord. News of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad; and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose; for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a large company was added to the Lord. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul; and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church, and taught a large company of people; and in Antioch the disciples were for the first time called Christians. Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them named Agabos stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world; and this took place in the days of Claudius. And the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brethren who lived in Judea, and they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

Προκείμενον. 4th Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 103.24,1.
Ὡς ἐμεγαλύνθη τὰ ἔργα σου Κύριε, πάντα ἐν σοφίᾳ ἐποίησας.
Στίχ. Εὐλόγει ἡ ψυχή μου τὸν Κύριον.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πράξεις Ἀποστόλων 11:19-30.

Ἐν ταῖς ἡμεραῖς ἐκείναις, διασπαρέντες οἱ Ἀπόστολοι ἀπὸ τῆς θλίψεως τῆς γενομένης ἐπὶ Στεφάνῳ διῆλθον ἕως Φοινίκης καὶ Κύπρου καὶ Ἀντιοχείας, μηδενὶ λαλοῦντες τὸν λόγον εἰ μὴ μόνον Ἰουδαίοις. Ἦσαν δέ τινες ἐξ αὐτῶν ἄνδρες Κύπριοι καὶ Κυρηναῖοι, οἵτινες εἰσελθόντες εἰς Ἀντιόχειαν, ἐλάλουν πρὸς τοὺς Ἑλληνιστάς, εὐαγγελιζόμενοι τὸν κύριον Ἰησοῦν. Καὶ ἦν χεὶρ κυρίου μετʼ αὐτῶν· πολύς τε ἀριθμὸς πιστεύσας ἐπέστρεψεν ἐπὶ τὸν κύριον. Ἠκούσθη δὲ ὁ λόγος εἰς τὰ ὦτα τῆς ἐκκλησίας τῆς ἐν Ἱεροσολύμοις περὶ αὐτῶν· καὶ ἐξαπέστειλαν Βαρνάβαν διελθεῖν ἕως Ἀντιοχείας· ὃς παραγενόμενος καὶ ἰδὼν τὴν χάριν τοῦ θεοῦ ἐχάρη, καὶ παρεκάλει πάντας τῇ προθέσει τῆς καρδίας προσμένειν τῷ κυρίῳ· ὅτι ἦν ἀνὴρ ἀγαθὸς καὶ πλήρης πνεύματος ἁγίου καὶ πίστεως· καὶ προσετέθη ὄχλος ἱκανὸς τῷ κυρίῳ. Ἐξῆλθεν δὲ εἰς Ταρσὸν ὁ Βαρνάβας ἀναζητῆσαι Σαῦλον, καὶ εὑρὼν ἤγαγεν αὐτὸν εἰς Ἀντιόχειαν. Ἐγένετο δὲ αὐτοὺς ἐνιαυτὸν ὅλον συναχθῆναι τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ καὶ διδάξαι ὄχλον ἱκανόν, χρηματίσαι τε πρώτον ἐν Ἀντιοχείᾳ τοὺς μαθητὰς Χριστιανούς. Ἐν ταύταις δὲ ταῖς ἡμέραις κατῆλθον ἀπὸ Ἱεροσολύμων προφῆται εἰς Ἀντιόχειαν. Ἀναστὰς δὲ εἷς ἐξ αὐτῶν ὀνόματι Ἄγαβος, ἐσήμανεν διὰ τοῦ πνεύματος λιμὸν μέγαν μέλλειν ἔσεσθαι ἐφʼ ὅλην τὴν οἰκουμένην· ὅστις καὶ ἐγένετο ἐπὶ Κλαυδίου Καίσαρος. Τῶν δὲ μαθητῶν καθὼς εὐπορεῖτό τις, ὥρισαν ἕκαστος αὐτῶν εἰς διακονίαν πέμψαι τοῖς κατοικοῦσιν ἐν τῇ Ἰουδαίᾳ ἀδελφοῖς· ὃ καὶ ἐποίησαν, ἀποστείλαντες πρὸς τοὺς πρεσβυτέρους διὰ χειρὸς Βαρνάβα καὶ Σαύλου.

Gospel Reading
Sunday of the Samaritan Woman
The Reading is from John 4:5-42

At that time, Jesus came to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Jacob's well was there, and so Jesus, wearied as he was with his journey, sat down beside the well. It was about the sixth hour.

There came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink." For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. The Samaritan woman said to him, "How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?" For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans. Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him and he would have given you living water." The woman said to him, "Sir, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep; where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, and his sons, and his cattle?" Jesus said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst; the water that I shall give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw."

Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come here." The woman answered him, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You are right in saying, 'I have no husband'; for you have had five husbands, and he whom you now have is not your husband; this you said truly." The woman said to him, "Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain; and you say that Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship." Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for such the Father seeks to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." The woman said to him, "I know that the Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ); when he comes, he will show us all things." Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you am he."

Just then his disciples came. They marveled that he was talking with a woman, but none said, "What do you wish?" or, "Why are you talking with her?" So the woman left her water jar, and went away into the city and said to the people, "Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?" They went out of the city and were coming to him.

Meanwhile the disciples besought him, saying "Rabbi, eat." But he said to them, "I have food to eat of which you do not know." So the disciples said to one another, "Has anyone brought him food?" Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me, and to accomplish his work. Do you not say, 'There are yet four months, then comes the harvest'? I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see how the fields are already white for harvest. He who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. For here the saying holds true, 'One sows and another reaps.' I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor; others have labored, and you have entered into their labor."

Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman's testimony. "He told me all that I ever did." So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, "It is no longer because of your words that we believe, for we have heard ourselves, and we know that this is indeed Christ the Savior of the world."

Sunday of the Samaritan Woman
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 4:5-42

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἔρχεται ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἰς πόλιν τῆς Σαμαρείας λεγομένην Συχάρ, πλησίον τοῦ χωρίου ὃ ἔδωκεν Ἰακὼβ Ἰωσὴφ τῷ υἱῷ αὐτοῦ· ἦν δὲ ἐκεῖ πηγὴ τοῦ Ἰακώβ. Ὁ οὖν Ἰησοῦς κεκοπιακὼς ἐκ τῆς ὁδοιπορίας ἐκαθέζετο οὕτως ἐπὶ τῇ πηγῇ· ὥρα ἦν ὡσεὶ ἕκτη.

Ἔρχεται γυνὴ ἐκ τῆς Σαμαρείας ἀντλῆσαι ὕδωρ. Λέγει αὐτῇ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· δός μοι πιεῖν. Οἱ γὰρ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ ἀπεληλύθεισαν εἰς τὴν πόλιν ἵνα τροφὰς ἀγοράσωσι. Λέγει οὖν αὐτῷ ἡ γυνὴ ἡ Σαμαρεῖτις· Πῶς σὺ Ἰουδαῖος ὢν παρ᾽ ἐμοῦ πιεῖν αἰτεῖς, οὔσης γυναικὸς Σαμαρείτιδος; Οὐ γὰρ συγχρῶνται Ἰουδαῖοι Σαμαρείταις. Ἀπεκρίθη Ἰησοῦς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῇ· Εἰ ᾔδεις τὴν δωρεὰν τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ τίς ἐστιν ὁ λέγων σοι, δός μοι πιεῖν, σὺ ἂν ᾔτησας αὐτόν, καὶ ἔδωκεν ἄν σοι ὕδωρ ζῶν. Λέγει αὐτῷ ἡ γυνή· Κύριε, οὔτε ἄντλημα ἔχεις, καὶ τὸ φρέαρ ἐστὶ βαθύ· πόθεν οὖν ἔχεις τὸ ὕδωρ τὸ ζῶν; Μὴ σὺ μείζων εἶ τοῦ πατρὸς ἡμῶν Ἰακώβ, ὃς ἔδωκεν ἡμῖν τὸ φρέαρ, καὶ αὐτὸς ἐξ αὐτοῦ ἔπιε καὶ οἱ υἱοὶ αὐτοῦ καὶ τὰ θρέμματα αὐτοῦ; Ἀπεκρίθη Ἰησοῦς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῇ· Πᾶς ὁ πίνων ἐκ τοῦ ὕδατος τούτου διψήσει πάλιν· ὃς δ᾽ ἂν πίῃ ἐκ τοῦ ὕδατος οὗ ἐγὼ δώσω αὐτῷ, οὐ μὴ διψήσῃ εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα, ἀλλὰ τὸ ὕδωρ ὃ δώσω αὐτῷ, γενήσεται ἐν αὐτῷ πηγὴ ὕδατος ἁλλομένου εἰς ζωὴν αἰώνιον. Λέγει πρὸς αὐτὸν ἡ γυνή· Κύριε, δός μοι τοῦτο τὸ ὕδωρ, ἵνα μὴ διψῶ μηδὲ ἔρχωμαι ἐνθάδε ἀντλεῖν.

Λέγει αὐτῇ ὁ Ἰησοῦς· Ὕπαγε φώνησον τὸν ἄνδρα σου καὶ ἐλθὲ ἐνθάδε. Ἀπεκρίθη ἡ γυνὴ καὶ εἶπεν· Οὐκ ἔχω ἄνδρα. Λέγει αὐτῇ ὁ Ἰησοῦς· Καλῶς εἶπας ὅτι ἄνδρα οὐκ ἔχω· πέντε γὰρ ἄνδρας ἔσχες, καὶ νῦν ὃν ἔχεις οὐκ ἔστι σου ἀνήρ· τοῦτο ἀληθὲς εἴρηκας. Λέγει αὐτῷ ἡ γυνή· Κύριε, θεωρῶ ὅτι προφήτης εἶ σύ. Οἱ πατέρες ἡμῶν ἐν τῷ ὄρει τούτῳ προσεκύνησαν· καὶ ὑμεῖς λέγετε ὅτι ἐν ῾Ιεροσολύμοις ἐστὶν ὁ τόπος ὅπου δεῖ προσκυνεῖν. Λέγει αὐτῇ ὁ Ἰησοῦς· Γύναι, πίστευσόν μοι ὅτι ἔρχεται ὥρα ὅτε οὔτε ἐν τῷ ὄρει τούτῳ οὔτε ἐν Ἰεροσολύμοις προσκυνήσετε τῷ πατρί. Ὑμεῖς προσκυνεῖτε ὃ οὐκ οἴδατε, ἡμεῖς προσκυνοῦμεν ὃ οἴδαμεν· ὅτι ἡ σωτηρία ἐκ τῶν Ἰουδαίων ἐστίν. Ἀλλ᾽ ἔρχεται ὥρα, καὶ νῦν ἐστιν, ὅτε οἱ ἀληθινοὶ προσκυνηταὶ προσκυνήσουσι τῷ πατρὶ ἐν πνεύματι καὶ ἀληθείᾳ· καὶ γὰρ ὁ πατὴρ τοιούτους ζητεῖ τοὺς προσκυνοῦντας αὐτόν. Πνεῦμα ὁ Θεός, καὶ τοὺς προσκυνοῦντας αὐτὸν ἐν πνεύματι καὶ ἀληθείᾳ δεῖ προσκυνεῖν. Λέγει αὐτῷ ἡ γυνή· Οἶδα ὅτι Μεσσίας ἔρχεται ὁ λεγόμενος Χριστός· ὅταν ἔλθῃ ἐκεῖνος, ἀναγγελεῖ ἡμῖν πάντα. λέγει αὐτῇ ὁ Ἰησοῦς· Ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ λαλῶν σοι. Καὶ ἐπὶ τούτῳ ἦλθον οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐθαύμασαν ὅτι μετὰ γυναικὸς ἐλάλει· οὐδεὶς μέντοι εἶπε, τί ζητεῖς ἢ τί λαλεῖς μετ᾽ αὐτῆς; Ἀφῆκεν οὖν τὴν ὑδρίαν αὐτῆς ἡ γυνὴ καὶ ἀπῆλθεν εἰς τὴν πόλιν, καὶ λέγει τοῖς ἀνθρώποις· Δεῦτε ἴδετε ἄνθρωπον ὃς εἶπέ μοι πάντα ὅσα ἐποίησα· μήτι οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ Χριστός; Ἐξῆλθον οὖν ἐκ τῆς πόλεως καὶ ἤρχοντο πρὸς αὐτόν.

Ἐν δὲ τῷ μεταξὺ ἠρώτων αὐτὸν οἱ μαθηταὶ λέγοντες· Ῥαββί, φάγε. Ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Ἐγὼ βρῶσιν ἔχω φαγεῖν, ἣν ὑμεῖς οὐκ οἴδατε. Ἔλεγον οὖν οἱ μαθηταὶ πρὸς ἀλλήλους· Μή τις ἤνεγκεν αὐτῷ φαγεῖν; Λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς· Ἐμὸν βρῶμά ἐστιν ἵνα ποιῶ τὸ θέλημα τοῦ πέμψαντός με καὶ τελειώσω αὐτοῦ τὸ ἔργον. Οὐχ ὑμεῖς λέγετε ὅτι ἔτι τετράμηνός ἐστι καὶ ὁ θερισμὸς ἔρχεται; Ἰδοὺ λέγω ὑμῖν, ἐπάρατε τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς ὑμῶν καὶ θεάσασθε τὰς χώρας, ὅτι λευκαί εἰσι πρὸς θερισμὸν ἤδη. Καὶ ὁ θερίζων μισθὸν λαμβάνει καὶ συνάγει καρπὸν εἰς ζωὴν αἰώνιον, ἵνα καὶ ὁ σπείρων ὁμοῦ χαίρῃ καὶ ὁ θερίζων. Ἐν γὰρ τούτῳ ὁ λόγος ἐστὶν ὁ ἀληθινός, ὅτι ἄλλος ἐστὶν ὁ σπείρων καὶ ἄλλος ὁ θερίζων. Ἐγὼ ἀπέστειλα ὑμᾶς θερίζειν ὃ οὐχ ὑμεῖς κεκοπιάκατε· ἄλλοι κεκοπιάκασι, καὶ ὑμεῖς εἰς τὸν κόπον αὐτῶν εἰσεληλύθατε. ᾿Εκ δὲ τῆς πόλεως ἐκείνης πολλοὶ ἐπίστευσαν εἰς αὐτὸν τῶν Σαμαρειτῶν διὰ τὸν λόγον τῆς γυναικός, μαρτυρούσης ὅτι εἶπέ μοι πάντα ὅσα ἐποίησα. Ὡς οὖν ἦλθον πρὸς αὐτὸν οἱ Σαμαρεῖται, ἠρώτων αὐτὸν μεῖναι παρ᾽ αὐτοῖς· καὶ ἔμεινεν ἐκεῖ δύο ἡμέρας. Καὶ πολλῷ πλείους ἐπίστευσαν διὰ τὸν λόγον αὐτοῦ, τῇ τε γυναικὶ ἔλεγον ὅτι οὐκέτι διὰ τὴν σὴν λαλιὰν πιστεύομεν· αὐτοὶ γὰρ ἀκηκόαμεν, καὶ οἴδαμεν ὅτι οὗτός ἐστιν ἀληθῶς ὁ σωτὴρ τοῦ κόσμου ὁ Χριστός. ...show less

Apolytikion of Great and Holy Pascha in the Plagal 1st Mode
Christ is risen from the dead, by death, trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.

Χριστός ἀνέστη ἐκ νεκρῶν, θανάτῳ θάνατον πατήσας, καί τοῖς ἐν τοῖς μνήμασι ζωήν χαρισάμενος.

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the 4th Mode
When the women Disciples of the Lord had learned from the Angel the joyful message of the Resurrection and had rejected the ancestral decision, they cried aloud to the Apostles triumphantly: Death has been despoiled, Christ God has risen, granting His great mercy to the world.

Τὸ φαιδρὸν τῆς Ἀναστάσεως κήρυγμα,... show moreApolytikion of Great and Holy Pascha in the Plagal 1st Mode
Christ is risen from the dead, by death, trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.

Χριστός ἀνέστη ἐκ νεκρῶν, θανάτῳ θάνατον πατήσας, καί τοῖς ἐν τοῖς μνήμασι ζωήν χαρισάμενος.

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the 4th Mode
When the women Disciples of the Lord had learned from the Angel the joyful message of the Resurrection and had rejected the ancestral decision, they cried aloud to the Apostles triumphantly: Death has been despoiled, Christ God has risen, granting His great mercy to the world.

Τὸ φαιδρὸν τῆς Ἀναστάσεως κήρυγμα, ἐκ τοῦ Ἀγγέλου μαθοῦσαι αἱ τοῦ Κυρίου Μαθήτριαι, καὶ τὴν προγονικὴν ἀπόφασιν ἀπορρίψασαι, τοῖς Ἀποστόλοις καυχώμεναι ἔλεγον· Ἐσκύλευται ὁ θάνατος, ἠγέρθη Χριστὸς ὁ Θεός, δωρούμενος τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.

Apolytikion for Mid-Pentecost in the Plagal 4th Mode
At Mid-feast give Thou my thirsty soul to drink of the waters of piety; for Thou, O Saviour, didst cry out to all: Whosoever is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. Wherefore, O Well-spring of life, Christ our God, glory be to Thee.

Μεσούσης τῆς ἑορτῆς, διψῶσάν μου τὴν ψυχήν, εὐσεβείας πότισον νάματα ὅτι πᾶσι Σωτὴρ ἐβόησας· ὁ διψῶν, ἐρχέσθω πρός με καὶ πινέτω· Ἡ πηγὴ τῆς ζωῆς, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς δόξα σοι.

Apolytikion of Saint Nicholas in the 1st Mode
An example of the faith and a life of humility, as a teacher of self-control you did inspire and lead your flock, and through the truthfulness of your deeds, were exalted by greatness through your humility, uplifting all, and by poverty gaining strength. Father and hierarch Saint Nicholas, intercede with Christ our God, that our souls may be saved.

Κανόνα πίστεως καί εικόνα πραότητος, εγκρατείας Διδάσκαλον, ανέδειξέ σε τή ποίμνη σου, η τών πραγμάτων αλήθεια, διά τούτο εκτήσω τή ταπεινώσει τά υψηλά, τή πτωχεία τά πλούσια, Πάτερ Ιεράρχα Νικόλαε, πρέσβευε Χριστώ τώ Θεώ, σωθήναι τάς ψυχάς ημών.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal 4th Mode
Though You went down into the tomb, You destroyed Hades' power, and You rose the victor, Christ God, saying to the myrrh-bearing women, "Hail!" and granting peace to Your disciples, You who raise up the fallen.

Εἰ καὶ ἐν τάφῳ κατῆλθες ἀθάνατε, ἀλλὰ τοῦ ᾍδου καθεῖλες τὴν δύναμιν, καὶ ἀνέστης ὡς νικητής, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, γυναιξὶ Μυροφόροις φθεγξάμενος. Χαίρετε, καὶ τοῖς σοῖς Ἀποστόλοις εἰρήνην δωρούμενος ὁ τοῖς πεσοῦσι παρέχων ἀνάστασιν. ...show less

Here is love! Here is teaching! Here is acquiescence! Here is a model! ... Those who love they also serve. If you want to find out how great your love is towards God, then measure your obedience to the will of God, and you will immediately learn.

Bishop Nicolai Velimirovic
Prolog, 7 Sept., B #80, 706.

The example of the good Samaritan shows that we must not abandon those in whom even the faintest amount of faith is still alive.

St. Ambrose of Milan
Two Books of St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, Concerning Repentance, Chapter 11

During your visit to our annual Greek Festival, we hope that you make a stop at the Philoptochos tag sale, located in a classroom by the courtyard Kafeneion.

All proceeds made from the sales, including hand-polished silver, real crystal, vintage teacups, jewelry (some direct from Greece) goes to anyone in need of financial or housing assistance within our local community.

Become a member or renew your membership: https://saintnicholas.org/philoptochos_member

May 5

Irene the Great Martyr

Saint Irene was the daughter of a princelet called Licinius; named Penelope by her parents, through a divine revelation she was brought to faith in Christ and at Baptism was renamed Irene. In her zeal for piety she broke in pieces all the idols of her father, who commanded that she be trampled underfoot by horses.

But while she remained unharmed, one of the horses rose up and cast down her father, killing him. By her prayer she raised him to life again, and he believed and was baptized. Afterwards, in many journeyings, Saint Irene suffered torments and punishments for her faith, but was preserved by the power of God, while working dread miracles and converting many thousands of souls. At last she came to... show moreMay 5

Irene the Great Martyr

Saint Irene was the daughter of a princelet called Licinius; named Penelope by her parents, through a divine revelation she was brought to faith in Christ and at Baptism was renamed Irene. In her zeal for piety she broke in pieces all the idols of her father, who commanded that she be trampled underfoot by horses.

But while she remained unharmed, one of the horses rose up and cast down her father, killing him. By her prayer she raised him to life again, and he believed and was baptized. Afterwards, in many journeyings, Saint Irene suffered torments and punishments for her faith, but was preserved by the power of God, while working dread miracles and converting many thousands of souls. At last she came to Ephesus, where she fell asleep in peace, in the first half of the fourth century.

Two days after her death, her gravestone was found lifted off, and her grave empty. At least two churches were dedicated to Saint Irene in Constantinople, and she is also the patroness of the Aegean island of Thera, which is commonly called Santorin (or Santorini), a corruption of "Saint Irene." ...show less

May 03

Sunday of the Paralytic

Close to the Sheep's Gate in Jerusalem, there was a pool, which was called the Sheep's Pool. It had round about it five porches, that is, five sets of pillars supporting a domed roof.

Under this roof there lay very many sick people with various maladies, awaiting the moving of the water. The first to step in after the troubling of the water was healed immediately of whatever malady he had.

It was there that the paralytic of today's Gospel way lying, tormented by his infirmity of thirty-eight years. When Christ beheld him, He asked him, "Wilt thou be made whole?" And he answered with a quiet and meek voice, "Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool."... show moreMay 03

Sunday of the Paralytic

Close to the Sheep's Gate in Jerusalem, there was a pool, which was called the Sheep's Pool. It had round about it five porches, that is, five sets of pillars supporting a domed roof.

Under this roof there lay very many sick people with various maladies, awaiting the moving of the water. The first to step in after the troubling of the water was healed immediately of whatever malady he had.

It was there that the paralytic of today's Gospel way lying, tormented by his infirmity of thirty-eight years. When Christ beheld him, He asked him, "Wilt thou be made whole?" And he answered with a quiet and meek voice, "Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool." The Lord said unto him, "Rise, take up thy bed, and walk." And straightaway the man was made whole and took up his bed.

Walking in the presence of all, he departed rejoicing to his own house. According to the expounders of the Gospels, the Lord Jesus healed this paralytic during the days of the Passover, when He had gone to Jerusalem for the Feast, and dwelt there teaching and working miracles. According to Saint John the Evangelist, this miracle took place on the Sabbath. ...show less

May 3, 2026

“Rise, take up your pallet, and walk.”

The Paralytic who is healed in today’s Gospel reading is a puzzling figure. After he is healed, we are left wondering: does he become a disciple or will he be a traitor? When other people are healed by Jesus, they show their loyalty to him in obvious ways. But the Paralytic does not worship Jesus. He does not thank Jesus. He does not follow Jesus.

The only thing he does after being healed is to tell the leaders of the Jews that Jesus healed him on the Sabbath. In the very next line, these same leaders pursue Jesus with a violent intensity. Was the Paralytic, then, a disciple or an informant? We cannot be sure.

The matter is left ambiguous. Is our loyalty to Jesus equally... show more May 3, 2026

“Rise, take up your pallet, and walk.”

The Paralytic who is healed in today’s Gospel reading is a puzzling figure. After he is healed, we are left wondering: does he become a disciple or will he be a traitor? When other people are healed by Jesus, they show their loyalty to him in obvious ways. But the Paralytic does not worship Jesus. He does not thank Jesus. He does not follow Jesus.

The only thing he does after being healed is to tell the leaders of the Jews that Jesus healed him on the Sabbath. In the very next line, these same leaders pursue Jesus with a violent intensity. Was the Paralytic, then, a disciple or an informant? We cannot be sure.

The matter is left ambiguous. Is our loyalty to Jesus equally uncertain? We call ourselves Christians, but would the people who encounter us each day know that we are Christians? Would our Christian character be obvious? Or would it be ambiguous? Would the cashier at the grocery store consider us cruel and rude? Or kind and gracious?

How do we spend our money? A checkbook is a theological document. What does it say about our Christian commitment? And our homes and families—are they havens of kindness or places of anger and neglect? If we are honest, we will see in our Christian life vast gray areas where our Christian devotion is less than clear. We cannot be perfect. But we do need to show progress. As we move through this radiant period in the Church’s calendar, let us strive with ever greater commitment and focus to say not only in words but in actions: Χριστός Ἀνέστη! Christ is Risen ...show less

SUNDAY MEMORIAL SERVICES

Please join in prayer for the souls of those who have fallen asleep in the Lord:

PANAGIOTIS (PETER) KATSOUDAS (1 YR), husband of Vana Katsoudas, father of John (Francine) Katsoudas and Ellie (Patrick) O’Rourke, grandfather of Nikolas, Angelina, Connor, and Liam

DEMETRIOS AND ELISAVET VELLIOS (ANNUAL), parents of Marina Moustakas and Vana Katsoudas

DIMITRIOS TRIMBONIAS TREMBOIS (42 YEARS) AND EVYENIA TREMBOIS (2 YRS), parents of Tom (Ona) Trembois, Peter (Sotiria) Trembois, Angela (Antonis) Giakoumis, grandmother of Georgio, Evyenia, Margarita, Dimitri Thanasi, Christina, Nikos, Dimitri, Angeliki, and Panayioti

ANGELOS LAIOS (30 YRS), brother of Ioannis (Donna) Laios

May their memory be eternal.

SUNDAY... show moreSUNDAY MEMORIAL SERVICES

Please join in prayer for the souls of those who have fallen asleep in the Lord:

PANAGIOTIS (PETER) KATSOUDAS (1 YR), husband of Vana Katsoudas, father of John (Francine) Katsoudas and Ellie (Patrick) O’Rourke, grandfather of Nikolas, Angelina, Connor, and Liam

DEMETRIOS AND ELISAVET VELLIOS (ANNUAL), parents of Marina Moustakas and Vana Katsoudas

DIMITRIOS TRIMBONIAS TREMBOIS (42 YEARS) AND EVYENIA TREMBOIS (2 YRS), parents of Tom (Ona) Trembois, Peter (Sotiria) Trembois, Angela (Antonis) Giakoumis, grandmother of Georgio, Evyenia, Margarita, Dimitri Thanasi, Christina, Nikos, Dimitri, Angeliki, and Panayioti

ANGELOS LAIOS (30 YRS), brother of Ioannis (Donna) Laios

May their memory be eternal.

SUNDAY COFFEE HOUR

We welcome all to Sunday coffee hour hosted by GOYA in the Small Hall with support from families with memorial services. We extend a heartfelt thank you to all our hosts.

Upcoming coffee hour hosts for May 10: The St. Nicholas Parish Council

**Please note: Printed Sunday scripture readings are available in the Narthex** ...show less

SUNDAY SCHOOL LENTEN PROJECT 2026 BENEFITING SACRED HEART
Please support the 2026 Sunday School Lenten Alms Project to benefit Sacred Heart Community through the purchase of new undergarments for our brethen who are in most need. You can participate by purchasing items the Sunday School Amazon Wish List or contributing cash during Coffee Hour, now through Sunday, May 3rd.

ALL GRADUATING SENIORS - HIGH SCHOOL, COLLEGE, OR TRADE SCHOOL
Graduation is an important event for you and your child, and it is equally important to us. We want to honor and congratulate the Class of 2026 by recognizing them in the June Canon of Faith. Please submit the following information by Friday, May 15th:

1. Student’s name.
2. Parents'/guardian names.
3.... show moreSUNDAY SCHOOL LENTEN PROJECT 2026 BENEFITING SACRED HEART
Please support the 2026 Sunday School Lenten Alms Project to benefit Sacred Heart Community through the purchase of new undergarments for our brethen who are in most need. You can participate by purchasing items the Sunday School Amazon Wish List or contributing cash during Coffee Hour, now through Sunday, May 3rd.

ALL GRADUATING SENIORS - HIGH SCHOOL, COLLEGE, OR TRADE SCHOOL
Graduation is an important event for you and your child, and it is equally important to us. We want to honor and congratulate the Class of 2026 by recognizing them in the June Canon of Faith. Please submit the following information by Friday, May 15th:

1. Student’s name.
2. Parents'/guardian names.
3. Student’s high school/college/trade school name of which graduating from.
4. Name of college or university student planning to attend.
5. Desired or actual major.
6. If a college degree was earned, please add if a BS, BA, Masters, or PhD
7. Phone number in case we have questions

8. For high school graduates only: please inlcude 2 photos: a baby photo and a recent photo for the collage in the Canon.

Deadline: Friday, May 15th. All content needs to be submitted to churchoffice@saintnicholas.org. If you have any questions, please call the church office at 408-246-2770

ST. NICHOLAS BIBLE STUDY
Come and see, hear and taste that the Lord is Good! St. Nicholas Bible Study continues on Thursdays at 10:00 am with Fr. James in the Church Office Conference Room on the following dates: May 7th, May 28th, June 4th and the final class on June 11th. Bring your Bible; coffee and refreshments provided. Theme: Reflecting on the Sunday Gospels.


2026 FESTIVAL ADS
As in years past, to assist in offsetting our costs we are soliciting advertising from businesses and our own parishioners. These ads are seen by as many as 20,000 Festival attendees, which is great visibility for your business, as well as helping to make our Greek Festival a success! If you wish, as an individual, to give a shout-out to the festival, you can do that too!

Prices for all color ads:

Interior Full page.......................................$1,000
Half Page...................................................$600

Please call or email Elias Papas at eliaspapas2022@gmail.com (408-497-4522) or Sofia Kotsiri at sofia.kotsiri@gmail.com (919-696-7398) to reserve your ad.

Deadline for submissions is May 15, 2026.

FESTIVAL DONATIONS
The 2026 Greek Festival is almost here! To maximize our overall success while taking into account increased labor and supply costs, please consider making a contribution to one of the following items listed. Any contribution is welcome, whether it be for an entire item or a partial donation.

Please make your checks payable to Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and put the item name in the memo or comments section. Any amount is appreciated! To give online, click here: https://saintnicholas.org/donate. Select "Festival" in the Fund drop-down menu and put the item name in the memo line.

Every donation, no matter the size, makes a meaningful difference! If you would like further help, please contact:

• Nick Pagonis at (408) 348‑5026 or nickjpagonis@gmail.com

• Nick Taptelis at (650) 703‑7525 or ntaptelis@gmail.com

• Nektarios Matheou at (408) 506‑8565 or ngmatheou@gmail.com

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has already contributed and offered their support. Your generosity is deeply appreciated.

Food Items Total Cost Donation (Pledge) Amount Left % Fullfilled
Whole Lamb (2) $500 $500 $0 100%
1,200lbs of Flour $700 $700 0%
Greek Coffee $1,000 $1,000 $0 100%
Olives $1,000 $1,000 0%
Eggs $1,500 $1,000 $500 67%
1,300lbs of Sugar $1,300 $1,300 0%
Frappe $1,500 $1,500 $0 100%
Olive Oil $2,000 $2,000 $0 100%
Water/Sparkling Water $2,000 $2,000 0%
Soft Drinks $2,000 $2,000 0%
Loux $2,000 $2,000 0%
Feta $2,500 $200 $2,300 8%
Filo $2,500 $2,500 0%
Pita $2,500 $2,500 0%
French Fries $2,500 $2,500 0%
Ground Meat $5,000 $5,000 0%
Calamari $5,000 $5,000 0%
Butter $6,000 $6,000 0%
Gyro Meat $7,000 $7,000 $0 100%
Beer $5,000 $5,000 0%
Meze Bar $10,000 $10,000 0%
White Wine $6,000 $6,000 0%
Red Wine $6,000 $6,000 0%
Metaxa $5,000 $5,000 0%
Ouzo $2,000 $2,000 0%
Tsikoudia $2,000 $2,000 0%
Ice Cream $2,000 $2,000 $0 100%
Lamb Chops $30,000 $10,000 $20,000 33%
First Aid $2,500 $2,500 0%
Police $12,000 $12,000 0%
Security $5,000 $5,000 0%
Entertainment $6,000 $6,000 0%
Point of Sale Terminals $17,000 $17,000 0%
Shuttles $15,000 $15,000 0%
Advertisement $15,000 $15,000 0%
New Equipment $10,000 $5,000 $5,000 50%
Labor $10,000 $5,000 $5,000 50%
Tent Rentals $29,000 $29,000 0%

TOTAL $238,000 $35,200 $202,800 15% ...show less

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES

SUNDAY SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE BY LIVESTREAM ON YOUTUBE UNDER THE NAME: SAINT NICHOLAS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH SAN JOSE.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1x-nHP063YTTMrevkzL21w/

Sunday, May 3 — Sunday of the Paralytic
8:15 a.m. Orthros
9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

Tuesday, May 5 — St. Irene of Thessaloniki
8:30 a.m. Orthros
9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

Wednesday, May 6 — Mid-Pentecost
8:30 a.m. Orthros
9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

Sunday, May 10 — Sunday of the Samaritan Woman
8:15 a.m. Orthros
9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

SUNDAY SCHOOL CALENDAR UPDATES
SUNDAY, MAY 3: Sunday School.

SUNDAY, MAY 10: Sunday School.

2026 ST. NICHOLAS AND PHILOPTOCHOS SCHOLARSHIPS
We are pleased to announce that scholarship applications for our graduating high school seniors are now available. Both the Sunday School Scholarship and the Philoptochos Scholarship may be picked up through the Church Office or the Sunday School Office.

Submission Deadline: Sunday, May 3rd at 5:00 PM

All applications must be submitted by the deadline in order to be considered. Return applications to the Church Office. We encourage all eligible seniors to apply. If you have any questions, please reach out to Vicki Ryan or Laurie Sahines.

ONE-CLICK GIVING!
Our church website has upgraded to Pushpay for all online donations, tithes, and a number of other transactions - making giving simpler, faster, and more secure.

Key Benefits for you:
• One-Click Giving: Set up recurring tithes in seconds or make one-time gifts with ease.
• Safe & Secure: Bank-level encryption protects your information.
• Text-to-Give: Simply text “GIVE” to (833) 921-7035 to donate instantly.
• Track Your Giving: View your donation history and print tax statements anytime.
• Give from Anywhere: Use your phone, tablet, or computer.

Visit https://saintnicholas.org/donation to donate and set up your account.

Your generosity fuels our ministries, outreach, and mission to love God... show moreONE-CLICK GIVING!
Our church website has upgraded to Pushpay for all online donations, tithes, and a number of other transactions - making giving simpler, faster, and more secure.

Key Benefits for you:
• One-Click Giving: Set up recurring tithes in seconds or make one-time gifts with ease.
• Safe & Secure: Bank-level encryption protects your information.
• Text-to-Give: Simply text “GIVE” to (833) 921-7035 to donate instantly.
• Track Your Giving: View your donation history and print tax statements anytime.
• Give from Anywhere: Use your phone, tablet, or computer.

Visit https://saintnicholas.org/donation to donate and set up your account.

Your generosity fuels our ministries, outreach, and mission to love God and serve others.

STEWARDSHIP
To make a committment electronically, please visit our online stewardship: https://saintnicholas.org/stewardship

Donation link: https://saintnicholas.org/donation ...show less

Matins Gospel Reading
Fifth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:12-35

At that time, [Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home wondering at what had happened. That very day] two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing Him. And He said to them, "What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?" and they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered Him, "Are you... show moreMatins Gospel Reading
Fifth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:12-35

At that time, [Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home wondering at what had happened. That very day] two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing Him. And He said to them, "What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?" and they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered Him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?" And He said to them, "What things?" And they said to him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered Him up to be condemned to death, and crucified Him. But we had hoped that He was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find His body; and they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that He was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said; but Him they did not see." And He said to them, "O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was not it necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into this glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, He interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself. So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He appeared to be going further, but they constrained Him, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So He went in to stay with them. When He was at table with them, He took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished out of their sight. They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked to us on the road, while He opened to us the scriptures?" And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them, who said, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" Then they told what had happened on the road and how He was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Fifth Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 24:12-35

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ὁ Πέτρος ἀναστὰς ἔδραμεν ἐπὶ τὸ μνημεῖον, καὶ παρακύψας βλέπει τὰ ὀθόνια κείμενα μόνα, καὶ ἀπῆλθε, πρὸς ἑαυτὸν θαυμάζων τὸ γεγονός. Καὶ ἰδοὺ δύο ἐξ αὐτῶν ἦσαν πορευόμενοι ἐν αὐτῇ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ εἰς κώμην ἀπέχουσαν σταδίους ἑξήκοντα ἀπὸ Ἱερουσαλήμ, ᾗ ὄνομα Ἐμμαούς, καὶ αὐτοὶ ὡμίλουν πρὸς ἀλλήλους περὶ πάντων τῶν συμβεβηκότων τούτων. Καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ ὁμιλεῖν αὐτοὺς καὶ συζητεῖν, καί αὐτὸς ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἐγγίσας συνεπορεύετο αὐτοῖς· οἱ δὲ ὀφθαλμοὶ αὐτῶν ἐκρατοῦντο τοῦ μὴ ἐπιγνῶναι αὐτόν. Εἶπε δὲ πρὸς αὐτούς· Τίνες οἱ λόγοι οὗτοι οὓς ἀντιβάλλετε πρὸς ἀλλήλους περιπατοῦντες, καὶ ἐστὲ σκυθρωποί; Ἀποκριθείς δὲ ὁ εἷς, ᾧ ὄνομα Κλεόπας, εἶπε πρὸς αὐτόν· Σὺ μόνος παροικεῖς ἐν Ἱερουσαλήμ, καὶ οὐκ ἔγνως τὰ γενόμενα ἐν αὐτῇ ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ταύταις; καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Ποῖα; Οἱ δὲ εἶπον αὐτῷ· Τὰ περὶ Ἰησοῦ τοῦ Ναζωραίου, ὃς ἐγένετο ἀνὴρ προφήτης δυνατὸς ἐν ἔργῳ καὶ λόγῳ ἐναντίον τοῦ Θεοῦ καὶ παντὸς τοῦ λαοῦ· ὅπως τε παρέδωκαν αὐτὸν οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς καὶ οἱ ἄρχοντες ἡμῶν εἰς κρῖμα θανάτου, καὶ ἐσταύρωσαν αὐτόν· ἡμεῖς δὲ ἠλπίζομεν ὅτι αὐτός ἐστιν ὁ μέλλων λυτροῦσθαι τὸν Ἰσραήλ. Ἀλλά γε οὖν σὺν πᾶσι τούτοις τρίτην ταύτην ἡμέραν ἄγει σήμερον, ἀφ' οὗ ταῦτα ἐγένετο. Ἀλλὰ καὶ γυναῖκές τινες ἐξ ἡμῶν ἐξέστησαν ἡμᾶς, γενόμεναι ὂρθριαι ἐπὶ τὸ μνημεῖον, καὶ μὴ εὑροῦσαι τὸ σῶμα αὐτοῦ, ἦλθον λέγουσαι καὶ ὀπτασίαν ἀγγέλων ἑωρακέναι, οἳ λέγουσιν αὐτὸν ζῆν. Καὶ ἀπῆλθόν τινες τῶν σὺν ἡμῖν ἐπὶ τὸ μνημεῖον, καὶ εὗρον οὕτω καθὼς καὶ αἱ γυναῖκες εἶπον· αὐτὸν δὲ οὐκ εἶδον. Καὶ αὐτὸς εἶπε πρὸς αὐτούς· Ὦ ἀνόητοι καὶ βραδεῖς τῇ καρδίᾳ τοῦ πιστεύειν ἐπὶ πᾶσιν οἷς ἐλάλησαν οἱ Προφῆται. Οὐχὶ ταῦτα ἔδει παθεῖν τὸν Χριστὸν καὶ εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὴν δόξαν αὐτοῦ; Καὶ ἀρξάμενος ἀπὸ Μωσέως καὶ ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν προφητῶν, διηρμήνευεν αὐτοῖς ἐν πάσαις ταῖς Γραφαῖς τὰ περὶ ἑαυτοῦ. Καὶ ἤγγισαν εἰς τὴν κώμην οὗ ἐπορεύοντο, καὶ αὐτὸς προσεποιεῖτο ποῤῥωτέρω πορεύεσθαι. Καὶ παρεβιάσαντο αὐτόν, λέγοντες· Μεῖνον μεθ' ἡμῶν, ὅτι πρὸς ἑσπέραν ἐστὶ καὶ κέκλικεν ἡ ἡμέρα. Καὶ εἰσῆλθε τοῦ μεῖναι σὺν αὐτοῖς. Καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ κατακλιθῆναι αὐτὸν μετ' αὐτῶν, λαβὼν τὸν ἄρτον εὐλόγησε, καὶ κλάσας ἐπεδίδου αὐτοῖς. Αὐτῶν δὲ διηνοίχθησαν οἱ ὀφθαλμοί, καὶ ἐπέγνωσαν αὐτόν· καὶ αὐτὸς ἄφαντος ἐγένετο ἀπ' αὐτῶν. Καὶ εἶπον πρὸς ἀλλήλους· Οὐχὶ ἡ καρδία ἡμῶν καιομένη ἦν ἐν ἡμῖν, ὡς ἐλάλει ἡμῖν ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ, καὶ ὡς διήνοιγεν ἡμῖν τὰς Γραφάς; Καὶ ἀναστάντες αὐτῇ τῇ ὥρᾳ, ὑπέστρεψαν εἰς Ἱερουσαλήμ, καὶ εὗρον συνηθροισμένους τοὺς ἕνδεκα καὶ τοὺς σὺν αὐτοῖς, λέγοντας, ὅτι ἠγέρθη ὁ Κύριος ὄντως, καὶ ὤφθη Σίμωνι. Καὶ αὐτοὶ ἐξηγοῦντο τὰ ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ, καὶ ὡς ἐγνώσθη αὐτοῖς ἐν τῇ κλάσει τοῦ ἄρτου.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. 3rd Mode. Psalm 46.6,1.
Sing praises to our God, sing praises.
Verse: Clap your hands, all you nations.

The reading is from Acts of the Apostles 9:32-42.

In those days, as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints that lived at Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years and was paralyzed. And Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed." And immediately he rose. And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord. Now there was at Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. In those days she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him entreating him, "Please come to us without delay." So Peter rose and went with them. And when he had come, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping, and showing tunics and other garments which Dorcas made while she was with them. But Peter put them all outside and knelt down and prayed; then turning to the body he said, "Tabitha, rise." And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. And he gave her his hand and lifted her up. Then calling the saints and widows he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

Προκείμενον. 3rd Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 46.6,1.
Ψάλατε τῷ Θεῷ ἡμῶν, ψάλατε.
Στίχ. Πάντα τὰ ἔθνη κροτήσατε χεῖρας.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πράξεις Ἀποστόλων 9:32-42.

Ἐν ταῖς ἡμεραῖς ἐκείναις, ἐγένετο Πέτρον διερχόμενον διὰ πάντων κατελθεῖν καὶ πρὸς τοὺς ἁγίους τοὺς κατοικοῦντας Λύδδαν. Εὗρεν δὲ ἐκεῖ ἄνθρωπόν τινα Αἰνέαν ὀνόματι, ἐξ ἐτῶν ὀκτὼ κατακείμενον ἐπὶ κραββάτῳ, ὃς ἦν παραλελυμένος. Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ Πέτρος, Αἰνέα, ἰᾶταί σε Ἰησοῦς ὁ Χριστός· ἀνάστηθι καὶ στρῶσον σεαυτῷ. Καὶ εὐθέως ἀνέστη. Καὶ εἶδον αὐτὸν πάντες οἱ κατοικοῦντες Λύδδαν καὶ τὸν Ἀσσάρωνα, οἵτινες ἐπέστρεψαν ἐπὶ τὸν κύριον. Ἐν Ἰόππῃ δέ τις ἦν μαθήτρια ὀνόματι Ταβηθά, ἣ διερμηνευομένη λέγεται Δορκάς· αὕτη ἦν πλήρης ἀγαθῶν ἔργων καὶ ἐλεημοσυνῶν ὧν ἐποίει. Ἐγένετο δὲ ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ἐκείναις ἀσθενήσασαν αὐτὴν ἀποθανεῖν· λούσαντες δὲ αὐτὴν ἔθηκαν ἐν ὑπερῴῳ. Ἐγγὺς δὲ οὔσης Λύδδης τῇ Ἰόππῃ, οἱ μαθηταὶ ἀκούσαντες ὅτι Πέτρος ἐστὶν ἐν αὐτῇ, ἀπέστειλαν πρὸς αὐτόν, παρακαλοῦντες μὴ ὀκνῆσαι διελθεῖν ἕως αὐτῶν. Ἀναστὰς δὲ Πέτρος συνῆλθεν αὐτοῖς· ὃν παραγενόμενον ἀνήγαγον εἰς τὸ ὑπερῷον, καὶ παρέστησαν αὐτῷ πᾶσαι αἱ χῆραι κλαίουσαι καὶ ἐπιδεικνύμεναι χιτῶνας καὶ ἱμάτια ὅσα ἐποίει μετʼ αὐτῶν οὖσα ἡ Δορκάς. Ἐκβαλὼν δὲ ἔξω πάντας ὁ Πέτρος θεὶς τὰ γόνατα προσηύξατο· καὶ ἐπιστρέψας πρὸς τὸ σῶμα, εἶπεν, Ταβηθά, ἀνάστηθι. Ἡ δὲ ἤνοιξεν τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτῆς· καὶ ἰδοῦσα τὸν Πέτρον, ἀνεκάθισεν. Δοὺς δὲ αὐτῇ χεῖρα, ἀνέστησεν αὐτήν· φωνήσας δὲ τοὺς ἁγίους καὶ τὰς χήρας, παρέστησεν αὐτὴν ζῶσαν. Γνωστὸν δὲ ἐγένετο καθʼ ὅλης τῆς Ἰόππης, καὶ πολλοὶ ἐπίστευσαν ἐπὶ τὸν Κύριον.

Gospel Reading
Sunday of the Paralytic
The Reading is from John 5:1-15

At that time, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Hebrew called Bethesda which has five porticoes. In these lay a multitude of invalids, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water; for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool, and troubled the water; whoever stepped in first after the troubling of the water was healed of whatever disease he had. One man was there, who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him and knew that he had been lying there a long time, he said to him, "Do you want to be healed?" The sick man answered him, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is troubled, and while I am going another steps down before me." Jesus said to him, "Rise, take up your pallet, and walk." And at once the man was healed, and he took up his pallet and walked.

Now that day was the sabbath. So the Jews said to the man who was cured, "It is the sabbath, it is not lawful for you to carry your pallet." But he answered them, "The man who healed me said to me, 'Take up your pallet, and walk.' "They asked him, "Who is the man who said to you, 'Take up your pallet, and walk'?" Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. Afterward, Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, "See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse befall you." The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him.

Sunday of the Paralytic
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 5:1-15

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἀνέβη ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα. Ἔστι δὲ ἐν τοῖς ῾Ιεροσολύμοις ἐπὶ τῇ προβατικῇ κολυμβήθρα, ἡ ἐπιλεγομένη Ἑβραϊστὶ Βηθεσδά, πέντε στοὰς ἔχουσα. ἐν ταύταις κατέκειτο πλῆθος πολὺ τῶν ἀσθενούντων, τυφλῶν, χωλῶν, ξηρῶν, ἐκδεχομένων τὴν τοῦ ὕδατος κίνησιν. ἄγγελος γὰρ κατὰ καιρὸν κατέβαινεν ἐν τῇ κολυμβήθρᾳ, καὶ ἐταράσσετο τὸ ὕδωρ· ὁ οὖν πρῶτος ἐμβὰς μετὰ τὴν ταραχὴν τοῦ ὕδατος ὑγιὴς ἐγίνετο ᾧ δήποτε κατείχετο νοσήματι. ἦν δέ τις ἄνθρωπος ἐκεῖ τριάκοντα καὶ ὀκτὼ ἔτη ἔχων ἐν τῇ ἀσθενείᾳ αὐτοῦ. τοῦτον ἰδὼν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς κατακείμενον, καὶ γνοὺς ὅτι πολὺν ἤδη χρόνον ἔχει, λέγει αὐτῷ· θέλεις ὑγιὴς γενέσθαι; ἀπεκρίθη αὐτῷ ὁ ἀσθενῶν· Κύριε, ἄνθρωπον οὐκ ἔχω, ἵνα ὅταν ταραχθῇ τὸ ὕδωρ, βάλῃ με εἰς τὴν κολυμβήθραν· ἐν ᾧ δὲ ἔρχομαι ἐγώ, ἄλλος πρὸ ἐμοῦ καταβαίνει. λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· ἔγειρε, ἆρον τὸν κράβαττόν σου καὶ περιπάτει. καὶ εὐθέως ἐγένετο ὑγιὴς ὁ ἄνθρωπος, καὶ ἦρε τὸν κράβαττον αὐτοῦ καὶ περιεπάτει. ἦν δὲ σάββατον ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ. ἔλεγον οὖν οἱ ᾿Ιουδαῖοι τῷ τεθεραπευμένῳ· σάββατόν ἐστιν· οὐκ ἔξεστί σοι ἆραι τὸν κράβαττον. ἀπεκρίθη αὐτοῖς· ὁ ποιήσας με ὑγιῆ, ἐκεῖνός μοι εἶπεν· ἆρον τὸν κράβαττόν σου καὶ περιπάτει. ἠρώτησαν οὖν αὐτόν· τίς ἐστιν ὁ ἄνθρωπος ὁ εἰπών σοι, ἆρον τὸν κράβαττόν σου καὶ περιπάτει; ὁ δὲ ἰαθεὶς οὐκ ᾔδει τίς ἐστιν· ὁ γὰρ ᾿Ιησοῦς ἐξένευσεν ὄχλου ὄντος ἐν τῷ τόπῳ. μετὰ ταῦτα εὑρίσκει αὐτὸν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· ἴδε ὑγιὴς γέγονας· μηκέτι ἁμάρτανε, ἵνα μὴ χεῖρόν σοί τι γένηται. ἀπῆλθεν ὁ ἄνθρωπος καὶ ἀνήγγειλε τοῖς ᾿Ιουδαίοις ὅτι ᾿Ιησοῦς ἐστιν ὁ ποιήσας αὐτὸν ὑγιῆ. ...show less

Apolytikion of Great and Holy Pascha in the Plagal 1st Mode
Christ is risen from the dead, by death, trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.

Χριστός ἀνέστη ἐκ νεκρῶν, θανάτῳ θάνατον πατήσας, καί τοῖς ἐν τοῖς μνήμασι ζωήν χαρισάμενος.

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the 3rd Mode
Let the heavens be glad. Let the earth rejoice exceedingly. For the Lord has shown strength with his arm. He trampled death by death. He became the first-born of the dead. Out of the belly of Hades, He has rescued us, and to the world He has granted the great mercy.

Εὐφραινέσθω τὰ οὐράνια, ἀγαλλιάσθω τὰ ἐπίγεια,... show moreApolytikion of Great and Holy Pascha in the Plagal 1st Mode
Christ is risen from the dead, by death, trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.

Χριστός ἀνέστη ἐκ νεκρῶν, θανάτῳ θάνατον πατήσας, καί τοῖς ἐν τοῖς μνήμασι ζωήν χαρισάμενος.

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the 3rd Mode
Let the heavens be glad. Let the earth rejoice exceedingly. For the Lord has shown strength with his arm. He trampled death by death. He became the first-born of the dead. Out of the belly of Hades, He has rescued us, and to the world He has granted the great mercy.

Εὐφραινέσθω τὰ οὐράνια, ἀγαλλιάσθω τὰ ἐπίγεια, ὅτι ἐποίησε κράτος, ἐν βραχίονι αὐτοῦ, ὁ Κύριος, ἐπάτησε τῷ θανάτῳ τὸν θάνατον, πρωτότοκος τῶν νεκρῶν ἐγένετο, ἐκ κοιλίας ᾅδου ἐρρύσατο ἡμᾶς, καὶ παρέσχε τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.

Apolytikion of Saint Nicholas in the 1st Mode
An example of the faith and a life of humility, as a teacher of self-control you did inspire and lead your flock, and through the truthfulness of your deeds, were exalted by greatness through your humility, uplifting all, and by poverty gaining strength. Father and hierarch Saint Nicholas, intercede with Christ our God, that our souls may be saved.

Κανόνα πίστεως καί εικόνα πραότητος, εγκρατείας Διδάσκαλον, ανέδειξέ σε τή ποίμνη σου, η τών πραγμάτων αλήθεια, διά τούτο εκτήσω τή ταπεινώσει τά υψηλά, τή πτωχεία τά πλούσια, Πάτερ Ιεράρχα Νικόλαε, πρέσβευε Χριστώ τώ Θεώ, σωθήναι τάς ψυχάς ημών.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal 4th Mode
Though You went down into the tomb, You destroyed Hades' power, and You rose the victor, Christ God, saying to the myrrh-bearing women, "Hail!" and granting peace to Your disciples, You who raise up the fallen.

Εἰ καὶ ἐν τάφῳ κατῆλθες ἀθάνατε, ἀλλὰ τοῦ ᾍδου καθεῖλες τὴν δύναμιν, καὶ ἀνέστης ὡς νικητής, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, γυναιξὶ Μυροφόροις φθεγξάμενος. Χαίρετε, καὶ τοῖς σοῖς Ἀποστόλοις εἰρήνην δωρούμενος ὁ τοῖς πεσοῦσι παρέχων ἀνάστασιν. ...show less

In that case [Matt 9:2] there was remission of sins, (for He said, "Thy sins be forgiven thee,") but in this, warning and threats to strengthen the man for the future; "Sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto you."

St. John Chrysostom
Homily 37 on John 1, 4th Century

What does it mean that the Ecumenical Patriarch is ‘first among equals’?

By Archons staff
April 29, 2026

Many Orthodox Christians are aware that the Ecumenical Patriarch is “first among equals,” but all too many would find it difficult to explain what this actually means. This common designation is rooted in the Orthodox understanding of the nature of the Church, as well as of its unity and authority — an understanding that originated with the Holy Apostles themselves and is faithfully reflected in the Church to this day.

We say that the Ecumenical Patriarch is equal to the other bishops because he himself is a bishop, a successor to the Apostles in the service and government of the Church. His All-Holiness the Ecumenical... show moreWhat does it mean that the Ecumenical Patriarch is ‘first among equals’?

By Archons staff
April 29, 2026

Many Orthodox Christians are aware that the Ecumenical Patriarch is “first among equals,” but all too many would find it difficult to explain what this actually means. This common designation is rooted in the Orthodox understanding of the nature of the Church, as well as of its unity and authority — an understanding that originated with the Holy Apostles themselves and is faithfully reflected in the Church to this day.

We say that the Ecumenical Patriarch is equal to the other bishops because he himself is a bishop, a successor to the Apostles in the service and government of the Church. His All-Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch is equal to the other bishops in possessing those spiritual gifts (charisms) and sacred responsibilities that are unique to the episcopate: the ability to ordain other bishops, priests and deacons, and the responsibility to oversee the area under his jurisdiction, and to ensure that the Gospel is faithfully proclaimed there.

At the same time, the Ecumenical Patriarch is first among these bishops. His full title is “Archbishop of Constantinople-New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch.” Bishops of large cities often have responsibility for the areas around those cities, and are given the title of Archbishop. Those who have the responsibility to oversee vast regions, encompassing entire nations or even larger expanses, are known as Patriarchs. In the early centuries of the Church, there emerged five Patriarchs, in Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem. Others, notably the Patriarch of Moscow, arose later in the life of the Church. After the Great Schism between the Churches of Rome and Constantinople in 1054, the Church of Constantinople became the First See (area of a bishop’s jurisdiction) of the Orthodox Church.

The foundational canonical order of the Church, based on the Ecumenical Councils, grants to the Church of Constantinople the sacred responsibility to adjudicate disagreements between Churches. This responsibility stems from Canon 9 of the Fourth Ecumenical Council, which was held in Chalcedon in 451: “If a bishop or cleric has a disagreement with the metropolitan of the province, let him appeal to the Exarch of the Metropolis, or to the throne of the Imperial City of Constantinople, and let him be tried there.”

This is the fullest indication of what it means for the Ecumenical Patriarch to be “first among equals.” As bishops, all members of the episcopate are equal, but if there are disagreements among bishops or between Churches, the Church of Constantinople has the sacred responsibility to settle them.

Emanating from this authority to deal with disagreements among bishops, the Ecumenical Patriarchate has the sole authority to convene the Holy Synod, as it is made up of bishops from around the world and is intended to settle issues that may be in dispute. The Ecumenical Patriarch, because he has this universal authority encompassing the entire Church (hence the title “Ecumenical Patriarch,” which originated in the sixth century), also has the responsibility to grant autocephaly (independence) to regions that were previously part of other ecclesiastical jurisdictions.

In modern times, the Ecumenical Patriarchate has granted autocephaly to the Churches of Serbia (1920), Romania (1925), Bulgaria (1961), Georgia (1990), Greece (1850), Poland (1924), Albania (1937), and the Czech Lands and Slovakia (1998). Most recently, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew granted autocephaly to the Orthodox Church in Ukraine in January 2019.

The Ecumenical Patriarchate granted autocephaly to the Church of Russia in 1589, when the Patriarchate of Moscow was first established, over a thousand years after the Council of Chalcedon granted to the Church of Constantinople the responsibility to resolve ecclesiastical disputes.

It is important to understand, however, that these special responsibilities of the Ecumenical Patriarchate do not establish the Ecumenical Patriarch as an “Orthodox Pope.” There is and can be no “Orthodox Pope;” the authority of the Ecumenical Patriarch within the Orthodox Church is immensely different from the Roman Catholic Church’s understanding of the authority of the Pope of Rome.

The Roman Catholic Church teaches that “the Roman Church possesses a pre-eminence of ordinary power over every other Church, and that this jurisdictional power of the Roman Pontiff is both episcopal and immediate.” (First Vatican Council, Pastor Aeternus, 3.2) This means that in the Roman Catholic Church, the Pope of Rome has direct authority over every other bishop, and jurisdiction over every other bishop, as well as all the faithful.

The Ecumenical Patriarch, by contrast, does not have immediate or jurisdictional authority over Patriarchs and bishops who are not within his canonical territory. He has no authority that the other Patriarchs and bishops do not have except the responsibility to act as a court of appeal and settle disputes between the Churches.

The Roman Catholic Church also holds that the Pope is infallible, that is, protected by God from error, when he states that something is a part of the Christian Faith, that all the faithful must believe. The Ecumenical Patriarch does not claim infallibility; as Orthodox Christians, we believe that Almighty God protects His Holy Church from error within the teachings of the Ecumenical Councils only.

And so when the Orthodox Church teaches that the Ecumenical Patriarch is “first among equals,” it is recognizing that he is one among many brother bishops, not a super-bishop whose authority transcends those of them all. This Orthodox view of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and of the episcopacy in general, is faithful to the canonical order of the Church in the first millennium, before the schism with the Church of Rome.

Above all, we join His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in unceasing prayer for a transformative resolution of differences and the definitive restoration in Christ of unity in the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Faith.

https://orthodoxobserver.org/what-does-it-mean-that-the-ecumenical-patriarch-is-first-among-equals/ ...show less

Christ is Risen!
Dear St. Nicholas Parishioners,

Our 2026 Greek Festival is quickly approaching, and our community is exceptional at volunteering for our major annual fundraiser! It is very important to our booth leaders that volunteer times are documented. Please go to https://saintnicholas.org/festival_volunteer and sign up for your Friday, Saturday and Sunday shifts. If you have any questions please contact Anthony Pappas 408-832-4271.

Thank you!
The 2026 Festival Committee

Dear St. Nicholas Parishioners,

The 2026 Greek Festival is almost here! To maximize our overall success while taking into account increased labor and supply costs, please consider making a contribution to one of the following items listed. Any contribution is welcome, whether it be for an entire item or a partial donation.

Please make your checks payable to Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and put the item name in the memo or comments section. Any amount is appreciated! To give online, click here: https://saintnicholas.org/donate. Then, select "Festival" in the Fund drop-down menu and put the item name in the memo line. Every donation, no matter the size, makes a meaningful difference! If you would like further help,... show moreDear St. Nicholas Parishioners,

The 2026 Greek Festival is almost here! To maximize our overall success while taking into account increased labor and supply costs, please consider making a contribution to one of the following items listed. Any contribution is welcome, whether it be for an entire item or a partial donation.

Please make your checks payable to Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and put the item name in the memo or comments section. Any amount is appreciated! To give online, click here: https://saintnicholas.org/donate. Then, select "Festival" in the Fund drop-down menu and put the item name in the memo line. Every donation, no matter the size, makes a meaningful difference! If you would like further help, please contact:

• Nick Pagonis at (408) 348‑5026 or nickjpagonis@gmail.com
• Nick Taptelis at (650) 703‑7525 or ntaptelis@gmail.com
• Nektarios Matheou at (408) 506‑8565 or ngmatheou@gmail.com

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has already contributed and offered their support. Your generosity is deeply appreciated.
The 2026 Festival Committee ...show less

April 26

Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women

About the beginning of His thirty-second year, when the Lord Jesus was going throughout Galilee, preaching and working miracles, many women who had received of His beneficence left their own homeland and from then on followed after Him.

They ministered unto Him out of their own possessions, even until His crucifixion and entombment; and afterwards, neither losing faith in Him after His death, nor fearing the wrath of the Jewish rulers, they came to the sepulchre, bearing the myrrh-oils they had prepared to annoint His body.

It is because of the myrrh-oils, that these God-loving women brought to the tomb of Jesus that they are called the Myrrh-bearers. Of those whose names are known are... show moreApril 26

Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women

About the beginning of His thirty-second year, when the Lord Jesus was going throughout Galilee, preaching and working miracles, many women who had received of His beneficence left their own homeland and from then on followed after Him.

They ministered unto Him out of their own possessions, even until His crucifixion and entombment; and afterwards, neither losing faith in Him after His death, nor fearing the wrath of the Jewish rulers, they came to the sepulchre, bearing the myrrh-oils they had prepared to annoint His body.

It is because of the myrrh-oils, that these God-loving women brought to the tomb of Jesus that they are called the Myrrh-bearers. Of those whose names are known are the following: first of all, the most holy Virgin Mary, who in Matthew 27:56 and Mark 15:40 is called "the mother of James and Joses" (these are the sons of Joseph by a previous marriage, and she was therefore their step-mother); Mary Magdalene (celebrated July 22); Mary, the wife of Clopas; Joanna, wife of Chouza, a steward of Herod Antipas; Salome, the mother of the sons of Zebedee, Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus; and Susanna. As for the names of the rest of them, the evangelists have kept silence (Matt 27:55-56; 28:1-10. Mark 15:40-41. Luke 8:1-3; 23:55-24:11, 22-24. John 19:25; 20:11-18. Acts 1:14).

Together with them we celebrate also the secret disciples of the Saviour, Joseph and Nicodemus. Of these, Nicodemus was probably a Jerusalemite, a prominent leader among the Jews and of the order of the Pharisees, learned in the Law and instructed in the Holy Scriptures. He had believed in Christ when, at the beginning of our Saviour's preaching of salvation, he came to Him by night. Furthermore, he brought some one hundred pounds of myrrh-oils and an aromatic mixture of aloes and spices out of reverence and love for the divine Teacher (John 19:39). Joseph, who was from the city of Arimathea, was a wealthy and noble man, and one of the counsellors who were in Jerusalem. He went boldly unto Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus, and together with Nicodemus he gave Him burial. Since time did not permit the preparation of another tomb, he placed the Lord's body in his own tomb which was hewn out of rock, as the Evangelist says (Matt. 27:60). ...show less

April 26, 2026

"He has risen, He is not here"

The crucifixion and burial of Jesus were humiliating events, and today’s Gospel reading emphasizes two features of this humiliation. For ancient Jews, the two most important features of a burial were (1) burial with one’s ancestors and (2) a parade of public mourners. Jesus received neither. Burial with one’s ancestors was especially important. When people died in the Old Testament, their burial was described with the phrase, “He slept and was gathered to his fathers” (Genesis 25:8).

This phrase literally means that the bones of the deceased were placed in a family tomb filled with the bones of one’s ancestors. People who betrayed the ancient Israelites were often threatened... show moreApril 26, 2026

"He has risen, He is not here"

The crucifixion and burial of Jesus were humiliating events, and today’s Gospel reading emphasizes two features of this humiliation. For ancient Jews, the two most important features of a burial were (1) burial with one’s ancestors and (2) a parade of public mourners. Jesus received neither. Burial with one’s ancestors was especially important. When people died in the Old Testament, their burial was described with the phrase, “He slept and was gathered to his fathers” (Genesis 25:8).

This phrase literally means that the bones of the deceased were placed in a family tomb filled with the bones of one’s ancestors. People who betrayed the ancient Israelites were often threatened with the possibility that they would not be given such a burial (1 Kings 13:21; Jer 22:18). Likewise, public mourning of the dead was an essential way to heal the wound of loss. We see parades of mourning when the Widow of Nain buries her son (Luke 7:12) or when the sisters of Lazarus mourn their brother (John 11). Such public mourning demonstrated a person’s importance.

The greater the parade of mourners, the greater a person’s fame. Jesus is not mourned at all. The women disciples in today’s Gospel find his tomb and go to anoint his body. But there is no parade of mourners. Jesus, therefore, is cut off from all the normal rituals of burial. And this is wholly as it should be.

The bones of Jesus were not mingled with the dead bones of his earthly ancestors, because his body would not be remaining in the tomb. And his death was not the cause for weeks of public mourning, because his body would not be remaining in the tomb. His executioners meant to see him buried in shame, but they paradoxically affirmed that his tomb was not the end.

https://bulletinbuilder.org/diakonia-newsletter/2026-04-26/ ...show less

GOYA
GOYA meeting this Sunday, April 26th 11:30am-12:15pm in Room 11A. We will discuss end of school year activities and enjoy some time together.

Please reach out to Eva Vathis at eperakis1@aol.com with any questions.

SUNDAY SCHOOL LENTEN PROJECT 2026 BENEFITING SACRED HEART
Please support the 2026 Sunday School Lenten Alms Project to benefit Sacred Heart Community through the purchase of new undergarments for our brethen who are in most need. You can participate by purchasing items the Sunday School Amazon Wish List or contributing cash during Coffee Hour, now through April 29, 2026.

ALL GRADUATING SENIORS - HIGH SCHOOL, COLLEGE, OR TRADE SCHOOL
Graduation is an important event for you and your child, and it is equally important... show moreGOYA
GOYA meeting this Sunday, April 26th 11:30am-12:15pm in Room 11A. We will discuss end of school year activities and enjoy some time together.

Please reach out to Eva Vathis at eperakis1@aol.com with any questions.

SUNDAY SCHOOL LENTEN PROJECT 2026 BENEFITING SACRED HEART
Please support the 2026 Sunday School Lenten Alms Project to benefit Sacred Heart Community through the purchase of new undergarments for our brethen who are in most need. You can participate by purchasing items the Sunday School Amazon Wish List or contributing cash during Coffee Hour, now through April 29, 2026.

ALL GRADUATING SENIORS - HIGH SCHOOL, COLLEGE, OR TRADE SCHOOL
Graduation is an important event for you and your child, and it is equally important to us. We want to honor and congratulate the Class of 2026 by recognizing them in the June Canon of Faith. Please submit the following information by Friday, May 15th:

1. Student’s name.
2. Parents'/guardian names.
3. Student’s high school/college/trade school name of which graduating from.
4. Name of college or university student planning to attend.
5. Desired or actual major.
6. If a college degree was earned, please add if a BS, BA, Masters, or PhD
7. Phone number in case we have questions

8. For high school graduates only: please inlcude 2 photos: a baby photo and a recent photo for the collage in the Canon.

Deadline: Friday, May 15th. All content needs to be submitted to churchoffice@saintnicholas.org. If you have any questions, please call the church office at 408-246-2770

ADD ST. NICHOLAS WEBSITE TO YOUR PHONE'S HOME SCREEN
For quicker and easier access, you can add our website right to your phone’s home screen, just like an app. It only takes a few seconds. Once added, simply tap the icon for instant access to our schedule, bulletins, events, posts and more. No more searching required!

Follow the steps on https://saintnicholas.org/phone_app_shortcut

ST. NICHOLAS BIBLE STUDY
Come and see, hear and taste that the Lord is Good! St. Nicholas Bible Study continues on Thursdays at 10:00 am with Fr. James in the Church Office Conference Room. Bring your Bible; coffee and refreshments provided. Theme: Reflecting on the Sunday Gospels.

2026 FESTIVAL ADS
As in years past, to assist in offsetting our costs we are soliciting advertising from businesses and our own parishioners. These ads are seen by as many as 20,000 Festival attendees, which is great visibility for your business, as well as helping to make our Greek Festival a success! If you wish, as an individual, to give a shout-out to the festival, you can do that too!

Prices for all color ads:

Interior Full page.......................................$1,000

Half Page...................................................$600

Please call or email Elias Papas at eliaspapas2022@gmail.com (408-497-4522) or Sofia Kotsiri at sofia.kotsiri@gmail.com (919-696-7398) to reserve your ad.

Deadline for submissions is May 15, 2026.


FESTIVAL DONATIONS
The 2026 Greek Festival is almost here! To maximize our overall success while taking into account increased labor and supply costs, please consider making a contribution to one of the following items listed. Any contribution is welcome, whether it be for an entire item or a partial donation.

Please make your checks payable to Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and put the item name in the memo or comments section. Any amount is appreciated! To give online, click here: https://saintnicholas.org/donate. Select "Festival" in the Fund drop-down menu and put the item name in the memo line.

Every donation, no matter the size, makes a meaningful difference! If you would like further help, please contact:

• Nick Pagonis at (408) 348‑5026 or nickjpagonis@gmail.com

• Nick Taptelis at (650) 703‑7525 or ntaptelis@gmail.com

• Nektarios Matheou at (408) 506‑8565 or ngmatheou@gmail.com

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has already contributed and offered their support. Your generosity is deeply appreciated.

Food Items Total Cost Donation (Pledge) Amount Left % Fullfilled
Whole Lamb (2) $500 $500 $0 100%
1,200lbs of Flour $700 $700 0%
Greek Coffee $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 0%
Olives $1,000 $1,000 0%
Eggs $1,500 $1,500 0%
1,300lbs of Sugar $1,300 $1,300 0%
Frappe $1,500 $1,500 0%
Olive Oil $2,000 $2,000 $0 100%
Water/Sparkling Water $2,000 $2,000 0%
Soft Drinks $2,000 $2,000 0%
Loux $2,000 $2,000 0%
Feta $2,500 $2,500 0%
Filo $2,500 $2,500 0%
Pita $2,500 $2,500 0%
French Fries $2,500 $2,500 0%
Ground Meat $5,000 $5,000 0%
Calamari $5,000 $5,000 0%
Butter $6,000 $6,000 0%
Gyro Meat $7,000 $7,000 $0 100%
Beer $5,000 $5,000 0%
Meze Bar $10,000 $10,000 0%
White Wine $6,000 $6,000 0%
Red Wine $6,000 $6,000 0%
Metaxa $5,000 $5,000 0%
Ouzo $2,000 $2,000 0%
Tsikoudia $2,000 $2,000 0%
Ice Cream $2,000 $2,000 0%
Lamb Chops $30,000 $10,000 $20,000 33%
First Aid $2,500 $2,500 0%
Police $12,000 $12,000 0%
Security $5,000 $5,000 0%
Entertainment $6,000 $6,000 0%
Point of Sale Terminals $17,000 $17,000 0%
Shuttles $15,000 $15,000 0%
Advertisement $15,000 $15,000 0%
New Equipment $10,000 $5,000 $5,000 50%
Labor $10,000 $5,000 $5,000 50%
Tent Rentals $29,000 $29,000 0%

TOTAL $238,000 $30,500 $208,500 12%

ST. NICHOLAS BASKETBALL PROGRAM - ST. NICHOLAS NABS TWO WINS AFTER EASTER
The High School Boys won a big game against fellow unbeaten Ascension and are on the doorstep of the regular season top seed. The Middle School boys got ahead to capture a comfortable win against Holy Cross2. Two games left before the playoffs with SJ travelling this weekend and 7 games in the Community Center hosted between Fri May 1st and Sunday May 3rd

This week is Sun Apr 26th

Girls Elementary Last week: St. Nick 18 –Ascension 23 Joanna with 10 points and Paris pitching in 6. Exciting game with the girls leading much of the game.

This week: vs Holy Cross, 2pm @ Belmont Next week: vs Holy Cross, 2pm @ San Jose

Girls Middle School Last week: St. Nich 10 – Holy Cross 32 Despite the score, a well played game with good ball movement and few turnovers. Georgia and Eleni with 4 pts each.

This week: vs Holy Cross, 3pm @ Belmont Next week: vs Holy Cross, 3pm @ San Jose

Boys Elementary Last week: St. Nick 20 – Holy Cross 31 Shots didn’t drop and Holy Cross pulled away. Alecco with tremendous defense and numerous steals.

This week: game rescheduled Next week: vs St. Gregory, 4pm and 6pm @ San Jose (double header)

Boys Middle School Last week : St. Nick 39 – Holy Cross2 24 Great bounce back win dominating start to finish.

This week: game rescheduled Next week: vs St. Gregory, 6:30 Fri 5/1 @ San Jose and vs Holy Cross1, 5pm Sun 5/3 @ San Jose

Boys High School Last week: St. Nick 61 – Ascension 51 Bobby V with a late 3 to seal the victory and stay undefeated.

This week: game rescheduled Next week: vs St. Gregory, 7:30 Fri 5/1 @ San Jose and vs Holy Cross, 3pm Sun 5/3 @ San Jose ...show less

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES

SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE BY LIVESTREAM ON YOUTUBE UNDER THE NAME: SAINT NICHOLAS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH SAN JOSE.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1x-nHP063YTTMrevkzL21w/

Sunday, April 26 — Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women
8:15 a.m. Orthros
9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

Sunday, May 3 — Sunday of the Paralytic
8:15 a.m. Orthros
9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

SUNDAY SCHOOL CALENDAR UPDATES
SUNDAY, APRIL 26: Sunday School.

SUNDAY, MAY 3: Sunday School.

2026 ST. NICHOLAS AND PHILOPTOCHOS SCHOLARSHIPS
We are pleased to announce that scholarship applications for our graduating high school seniors are now available. Both the Sunday School Scholarship and the Philoptochos Scholarship may be picked up through the Church Office or the Sunday School Office.

Submission Deadline: Sunday, May 3rd at 5:00 PM

All applications must be submitted by the deadline in order to be considered. Return applications to the Church Office. We encourage all eligible seniors to apply. If you have any questions, please reach out to Vicki Ryan or Laurie Sahines.

ONE-CLICK GIVING!
Our church website has upgraded to Pushpay for all online donations, tithes, and a number of other transactions - making giving simpler, faster, and more secure.

Key Benefits for you:

One-Click Giving: Set up recurring tithes in seconds or make one-time gifts with ease.
Safe & Secure: Bank-level encryption protects your information.
Text-to-Give: Simply text “GIVE” to (833) 921-7035 to donate instantly.
Track Your Giving: View your donation history and print tax statements anytime.
Give from Anywhere: Use your phone, tablet, or computer.
Visit https://saintnicholas.org/donation to donate and set up your account.

Your generosity fuels our ministries, outreach, and mission to love God and serve others.

STEWARDSHIP
To... show moreONE-CLICK GIVING!
Our church website has upgraded to Pushpay for all online donations, tithes, and a number of other transactions - making giving simpler, faster, and more secure.

Key Benefits for you:

One-Click Giving: Set up recurring tithes in seconds or make one-time gifts with ease.
Safe & Secure: Bank-level encryption protects your information.
Text-to-Give: Simply text “GIVE” to (833) 921-7035 to donate instantly.
Track Your Giving: View your donation history and print tax statements anytime.
Give from Anywhere: Use your phone, tablet, or computer.
Visit https://saintnicholas.org/donation to donate and set up your account.

Your generosity fuels our ministries, outreach, and mission to love God and serve others.

STEWARDSHIP
To make a commitment electronically, please visit our online stewardship: https://saintnicholas.org/stewardship

Donation link: https://saintnicholas.org/donation ...show less

Matins Gospel Reading
Fourth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:1-12

On the first day of the week at early dawn, the women went to the tomb, taking spices, which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel; and as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how He told you, while He was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise." And they... show moreMatins Gospel Reading
Fourth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:1-12

On the first day of the week at early dawn, the women went to the tomb, taking spices, which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel; and as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how He told you, while He was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise." And they remembered His words and returning from the tomb they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told this to the Apostles; but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home wondering at what had happened.

Fourth Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 24:1-12

Τῇ μιᾷ τῶν Σαββάτων, ὄρθρου βαθέος ἦλθον ἐπὶ τὸ μνῆμα, φέρουσαι ἃ ἡτοίμασαν ἀρώματα, καί τινες σὺν αὐταῖς. Εὗρον δὲ τὸν λίθον ἀποκεκυλισμένον ἀπὸ τοῦ μνημείου, καὶ εἰσελθοῦσαι οὐχ εὗρον τὸ σῶμα τοῦ Κυρίου Ἰησοῦ. Καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ διαπορεῖσθαι αὐτὰς περὶ τούτου, καὶ Ἰδού, δύο ἄνδρες ἐπέστησαν αὐταῖς ἐν ἐσθήσεσιν ἀστραπτούσαις· ἐμφόβων δὲ γενομένων αὐτῶν καὶ κλινουσῶν τὰ πρόσωπον εἰς τὴν γῆν, εἶπον πρὸς αὐτάς· Τί ζητεῖτε τὸν ζῶντα μετὰ τῶν νεκρῶν; οὐκ ἔστιν ᾧδε, ἀλλ' ἠγέρθη. Μνήσθητε ὡς ἐλάλησεν ὑμῖν, ἔτι ὢν ἐν τῇ Γαλιλαίᾳ, λέγων, ὅτι δεῖ τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου παραδοθῆναι εἰς χεῖρας ἀνθρώπων ἁμαρτωλῶν, καὶ σταυρωθῆναι, καὶ τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ ἀναστῆναι. Καὶ ἐμνήσθησαν τῶν ῥημάτων αὐτοῦ, καὶ ὑποστρέψασαι ἀπὸ τοῦ μνημείου, ἀπήγγειλαν ταῦτα πάντα τοῖς ἕνδεκα καὶ πᾶσι τοῖς λοιποῖς. Ἦσαν δὲ ἡ Μαγδαληνὴ Μαρία καὶ Ἰωάννα καὶ Μαρία Ἰακώβου, καὶ αἱ λοιπαὶ σὺν αὐταῖς, αἳ ἔλεγον πρὸς τοὺς ἀποστόλους ταῦτα. Καὶ ἐφάνησαν ἐνώπιον αὐτῶν ὡσεὶ λῆρος τὰ ῥήματα αὐτῶν, καὶ ἠπίστουν αὐταῖς, ὁ δὲ Πέτρος ἀναστὰς ἔδραμεν ἐπὶ τὸ μνημεῖον, καὶ παρακύψας βλέπει τὰ ὀθόνια κείμενα μόνα, καὶ ἀπῆλθε, πρὸς ἑαυτόν θαυμάζων τὸ γεγονός.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. 2nd Mode. Psalm 117.14,18.
The Lord is my strength and my song.
Verse: The Lord has chastened me sorely.

The reading is from Acts of the Apostles 6:1-7.

In those days, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the body of the disciples and said, "it is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." And what they said pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochoros, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaos, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands upon them. And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

Προκείμενον. 2nd Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 117.14,18.
Ἰσχύς μου καὶ ὕμνησίς μου ὁ Κύριος.
Στίχ. Παιδεύων ἐπαίδευσέ με ὁ Κύριος.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πράξεις Ἀποστόλων 6:1-7.

Ἐν ταῖς ἡμεραῖς ἐκείναις, πληθυνόντων τῶν μαθητῶν, ἐγένετο γογγυσμὸς τῶν Ἑλληνιστῶν πρὸς τοὺς Ἑβραίους, ὅτι παρεθεωροῦντο ἐν τῇ διακονίᾳ τῇ καθημερινῇ αἱ χῆραι αὐτῶν. Προσκαλεσάμενοι δὲ οἱ δώδεκα τὸ πλῆθος τῶν μαθητῶν, εἶπον, Οὐκ ἀρεστόν ἐστιν ἡμᾶς, καταλείψαντας τὸν λόγον τοῦ θεοῦ, διακονεῖν τραπέζαις. Ἐπισκέψασθε οὖν, ἀδελφοί, ἄνδρας ἐξ ὑμῶν μαρτυρουμένους ἑπτά, πλήρεις πνεύματος ἁγίου καὶ σοφίας, οὓς καταστήσωμεν ἐπὶ τῆς χρείας ταύτης. Ἡμεῖς δὲ τῇ προσευχῇ καὶ τῇ διακονίᾳ τοῦ λόγου προσκαρτερήσομεν. Καὶ ἤρεσεν ὁ λόγος ἐνώπιον παντὸς τοῦ πλήθους· καὶ ἐξελέξαντο Στέφανον, ἄνδρα πλήρης πίστεως καὶ πνεύματος ἁγίου, καὶ Φίλιππον, καὶ Πρόχορον, καὶ Νικάνορα, καὶ Τίμωνα, καὶ Παρμενᾶν, καὶ Νικόλαον προσήλυτον Ἀντιοχέα, οὓς ἔστησαν ἐνώπιον τῶν ἀποστόλων· καὶ προσευξάμενοι ἐπέθηκαν αὐτοῖς τὰς χεῖρας. Καὶ ὁ λόγος τοῦ θεοῦ ηὔξανεν, καὶ ἐπληθύνετο ὁ ἀριθμὸς τῶν μαθητῶν ἐν Ἱερουσαλὴμ σφόδρα, πολύς τε ὄχλος τῶν ἱερέων ὑπήκουον τῇ πίστει.

Gospel Reading
Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women
The Reading is from Mark 15:43-47; 16:1-8

At that time, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. And Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. And he bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud, and laid him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.

And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week they went to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?" And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back; for it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, "Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here; see the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you." And they went out and fled from the tomb; for trembling and astonishment had come upon them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women
Κατὰ Μᾶρκον 15:43-47, 16:1-8

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἐλθὼν Ἰωσὴφ ὁ ἀπὸ Ἀριμαθαίας, εὐσχήμων βουλευτής, ὃς καὶ αὐτὸς ἦν προσδεχόμενος τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ, τολμήσας εἰσῆλθε πρὸς Πιλᾶτον καὶ ᾐτήσατο τὸ σῶμα τοῦ Ἰησοῦ. Ὁ δὲ Πιλᾶτος ἐθαύμασεν εἰ ἤδη τέθνηκε, καὶ προσκαλεσάμενος τὸν κεντυρίωνα ἐπηρώτησεν αὐτὸν εἰ πάλαι ἀπέθανε· καὶ γνοὺς ἀπὸ τοῦ κεντυρίωνος ἐδωρήσατο τὸ σῶμα τῷ Ἰωσήφ. Καὶ ἀγοράσας σινδόνα καὶ καθελὼν αὐτὸν ἐνείλησε τῇ σινδόνι καὶ κατέθηκεν αὐτὸν ἐν μνημείῳ, ὃ ἦν λελατομημένον ἐκ πέτρας, καὶ προσεκύλισε λίθον ἐπὶ τὴν θύραν τοῦ μνημείου. Ἡ δὲ Μαρία ἡ Μαγδαληνὴ καὶ Μαρία Ἰωσῆ ἐθεώρουν ποῦ τίθεται. Καὶ διαγενομένου τοῦ σαββάτου Μαρία ἡ Μαγδαληνὴ καὶ Μαρία ἡ τοῦ Ἰακώβου καὶ Σαλώμη ἠγόρασαν ἀρώματα ἵνα ἐλθοῦσαι ἀλείψωσιν αὐτόν. Καὶ λίαν πρωῒ τῆς μιᾶς σαββάτων ἔρχονται ἐπὶ τὸ μνημεῖον, ἀνατείλαντος τοῦ ἡλίου. Καὶ ἔλεγον πρὸς ἑαυτάς· Τίς ἀποκυλίσει ἡμῖν τὸν λίθον ἐκ τῆς θύρας τοῦ μνημείου; Καὶ ἀναβλέψασαι θεωροῦσιν ὅτι ἀποκεκύλισται ὁ λίθος· ἦν γὰρ μέγας σφόδρα. Καὶ εἰσελθοῦσαι εἰς τὸ μνημεῖον εἶδον νεανίσκον καθήμενον ἐν τοῖς δεξιοῖς, περιβεβλημένον στολὴν λευκήν, καὶ ἐξεθαμβήθησαν. Ὁ δὲ λέγει αὐταῖς· μὴ ἐκθαμβεῖσθε· Ἰησοῦν ζητεῖτε τὸν Ναζαρηνὸν τὸν ἐσταυρωμένον· ἠγέρθη, οὐκ ἔστιν ὧδε· ἴδε ὁ τόπος ὅπου ἔθηκαν αὐτόν. Ἀλλ᾿ ὑπάγετε εἴπατε τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ καὶ τῷ Πέτρῳ ὅτι προάγει ὑμᾶς εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν· ἐκεῖ αὐτὸν ὄψεσθε, καθὼς εἶπεν ὑμῖν. Καὶ ἐξελθοῦσαι ἔφυγον ἀπὸ τοῦ μνημείου· εἶχε δὲ αὐτὰς τρόμος καὶ ἔκστασις, καὶ οὐδενὶ οὐδὲν εἶπον· ἐφοβοῦντο γάρ. ...show less

Apolytikion of Great and Holy Pascha in the Plagal 1st Mode
Christ is risen from the dead, by death, trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.

Χριστός ἀνέστη ἐκ νεκρῶν, θανάτῳ θάνατον πατήσας, καί τοῖς ἐν τοῖς μνήμασι ζωήν χαρισάμενος.

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the 2nd Mode
When You descended unto death, O Lord who yourself are immortal Life, then did You mortify Hades by the lightning flash of Your Divinity. Also when You raised the dead from the netherworld, all the Powers of the heavens were crying out: O Giver of life, Christ our God, glory be to You.

Ὅτε κατῆλθες πρὸς τὸν θάνατον,... show moreApolytikion of Great and Holy Pascha in the Plagal 1st Mode
Christ is risen from the dead, by death, trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.

Χριστός ἀνέστη ἐκ νεκρῶν, θανάτῳ θάνατον πατήσας, καί τοῖς ἐν τοῖς μνήμασι ζωήν χαρισάμενος.

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the 2nd Mode
When You descended unto death, O Lord who yourself are immortal Life, then did You mortify Hades by the lightning flash of Your Divinity. Also when You raised the dead from the netherworld, all the Powers of the heavens were crying out: O Giver of life, Christ our God, glory be to You.

Ὅτε κατῆλθες πρὸς τὸν θάνατον, ἡ Ζωὴ ἡ ἀθάνατος, τότε τὸν ᾅδην ἐνέκρωσας τῇ ἀστραπῇ τῆς Θεότητος, ὅτε δὲ καὶ τοὺς τεθνεῶτας ἐκ τῶν καταχθονίων ἀνέστησας, πᾶσαι αἱ Δυνάμεις τῶν ἐπουρανίων ἐκραύγαζον·Ζωοδότα Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν δόξα σοι.

Apolytikion for Holy Myrrhbearers Sunday in the 2nd Mode
The noble Joseph, taking Thine immaculate Body down from the Tree, and having wrapped It in pure linen and spices, laid It for burial in a new tomb. But on the third day Thou didst arise, O Lord, granting great mercy to the world.

Ὁ εὐσχήμων Ἰωσήφ, ἀπὸ τοῦ ξύλου καθελὼν τὸ ἄχραντόν σου Σῶμα, σινδόνι καθαρᾷ, εἱλήσας καὶ ἀρώμασιν, ἐν μνήματι καινῷ κηδεύσας ἀπέθετο, ἀλλὰ τριήμερος ἀνέστης Κύριε, παρέχων τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.

Apolytikion for Holy Myrrhbearers Sunday in the 2nd Mode
Unto the myrrh-bearing women did the Angel cry out as he stood by the grave: Myrrh oils are meet for the dead, but Christ hath proved to be a stranger to corruption. But cry out: The Lord is risen, granting great mercy to the world.

Ταῖς Μυροφόροις Γυναιξί, παρὰ τὸ μνῆμα ἐπιστάς, ὁ Ἄγγελος ἐβόα. Τὰ μύρα τοῖς θνητοῖς ὑπάρχει ἁρμόδια, Χριστὸς δὲ διαφθορᾶς ἐδείχθη ἀλλότριος, ἀλλὰ κραυγάσατε, Ἀνέστη ὁ Κύριος, παρέχων τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.

Apolytikion of Saint Nicholas in the 1st Mode
An example of the faith and a life of humility, as a teacher of self-control you did inspire and lead your flock, and through the truthfulness of your deeds, were exalted by greatness through your humility, uplifting all, and by poverty gaining strength. Father and hierarch Saint Nicholas, intercede with Christ our God, that our souls may be saved.

Κανόνα πίστεως καί εικόνα πραότητος, εγκρατείας Διδάσκαλον, ανέδειξέ σε τή ποίμνη σου, η τών πραγμάτων αλήθεια, διά τούτο εκτήσω τή ταπεινώσει τά υψηλά, τή πτωχεία τά πλούσια, Πάτερ Ιεράρχα Νικόλαε, πρέσβευε Χριστώ τώ Θεώ, σωθήναι τάς ψυχάς ημών.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal 4th Mode
Though You went down into the tomb, You destroyed Hades' power, and You rose the victor, Christ God, saying to the myrrh-bearing women, "Hail!" and granting peace to Your disciples, You who raise up the fallen.

Εἰ καὶ ἐν τάφῳ κατῆλθες ἀθάνατε, ἀλλὰ τοῦ ᾍδου καθεῖλες τὴν δύναμιν, καὶ ἀνέστης ὡς νικητής, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, γυναιξὶ Μυροφόροις φθεγξάμενος. Χαίρετε, καὶ τοῖς σοῖς Ἀποστόλοις εἰρήνην δωρούμενος ὁ τοῖς πεσοῦσι παρέχων ἀνάστασιν. ...show less

They [the women] had followed Him ministering to Him, and were present even unto the time of the dangers. Wherefore also they saw all; how He cried, how He gave up the ghost, how the rocks were rent, and all the rest.

St. John Chrysostom
Homily 88 on Matthew 27, 4th Century

And these [the women] first see Jesus; and the sex that was most condemned, this first enjoys the sight of the blessings, this most shows its courage. And when the disciples had fled, these were present.

St. John Chrysostom
Homily 88 on Matthew 27, 4th Century

‘Every day is Earth Day,’ says Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew

By Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate staff
April 22, 2026

April 22 is Earth Day, a global observance of the need to care for the natural environment that has been a centerpiece of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s long and fruitful diakonia to the Church and the world.

In this insightful video, His All-Holiness reflects upon the importance of proper stewardship of God’s creation, noting that “in the Orthodox Church, in our liturgical life, we take the created elements and universe, and through our prayers, we bring it to the throne of God, saying, ‘Dear God, we offer to you what it is yours.’”

His All-Holiness also says: “This... show more‘Every day is Earth Day,’ says Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew

By Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate staff
April 22, 2026

April 22 is Earth Day, a global observance of the need to care for the natural environment that has been a centerpiece of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s long and fruitful diakonia to the Church and the world.

In this insightful video, His All-Holiness reflects upon the importance of proper stewardship of God’s creation, noting that “in the Orthodox Church, in our liturgical life, we take the created elements and universe, and through our prayers, we bring it to the throne of God, saying, ‘Dear God, we offer to you what it is yours.’”

His All-Holiness also says: “This perfect material world was a gift of God to humankind.” He observes frankly: “I travel a lot. I saw with my own eyes how we human beings destroy the natural resources, the forests, the beauty, in order to gain more and more material income. We exploit nature.” He emphasizes that “the environment is not a political or economic issue. The problem is in our soul, in our mind. This is the spiritual dimension of ecology. Destroying air, earth, waters is a sin, because everything was created by God. The good God gave it to us to protect it, to cultivate it, to use it, but not to abuse it.”

With prophetic urgency, His All-Holiness states: “We are not owners of this planet. We are stewards and priests of the creation.” He declares: “We shall change mentalities, change minds, and then we shall restore what we have destroyed, warming our hearts, not the climate, for us, and our children and grandchildren.”

The Ecumenical Patriarch has also stated: “Of course, every day is earth day! Every day is an opportunity to celebrate ‘the earth as the Lord’s and that all who dwell therein belong to the Lord’ (Psalm 24.1). Every day is a reminder of our vulnerability and solidarity. In fact, today, more than ever, we are also reminded of our responsibility to the earth and each other in light of that interdependence between the earth and all its inhabitants. The ecological responsibility and the respect of the sacredness and the beauty of every human person, of the elderly and the disabled, the poor and the marginalized, the sick and the suffering, are today the universal categorical imperative for the whole humanity.”

His All-Holiness on another occasion glorified God “for the uninterrupted and bounteous fruitfulness of the initiatives of His Holy Great Church in the field of creation’s protection.” He noted that “the Ecumenical Patriarchate not only highlighted the seriousness of environmental issues from an early stage, but also focused attention on their foundational causes—which are inner, spiritual, and moral—and proposed solutions based on an Orthodox eucharistic and ascetic ethos.”

In fact, during his extraordinary thirty-five years of global ministry as Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has made care for the environment such a central aspect of his message that he has observed that “Orthodoxy, in her faith, divine worship, and witness to the world is, one could say, the eco-friendly form of Christianity.” He reminds the faithful, as well as the world at large, that “from the beginning, we declared the inseparability of respect for creation and the human person, revealing the common root and interconnection of environmental and social problems.”

It is on the subject of this interconnectedness that His All-Holiness bestows upon us some of his most penetrating and powerful insights. “Alienation from God,” he explains, breeds a possessive and exploitative attitude and behavior toward creation and fellow human beings, while life in and according to Christ is a source of environmental sensitivity and philanthropic action.” Thus responsible care for the environment will flow naturally from the depth of the individual’s Christian commitment: “As the Lord said: ‘Every good tree bears good fruit, but a corrupt tree bears evil fruit. A good tree cannot bear evil fruit, and a corrupt tree cannot bear good fruit’ (Matthew 7:17–18).”

In the same vein, the Ecumenical Patriarch notes that “respect for spiritual values sharpens our discernment of what is good and what must be done.” He argues compellingly against a shallow utilitarianism and pragmatism that would disregard the very idea of human beings as stewards of God’s creation, warning against “the entrapment of the human being in the earthly, that is, to a shrinking of his freedom into pragmatic choices and decisions, always intertwined with superficial views of reality and with the identification of the good with ‘what happens to be useful.’”

His All-Holiness calls for an “ecological repentance” that would involve “a radical change in mindset and behavior toward creation,” particularly in light of “the pandemonium of war cries, bombings, missiles and explosions, which drowns out the cry of the innocent victims of merciless violence and the groaning of creation.” He sounds a chilling warning: “The future of life on our planet will either be ecological and peaceful—or nonexistent.”

This is the choice that is before each of us on this and every Earth Day. ...show less

ARE YOU A 2026 STEWARD OF SAINT NICHOLAS CHURCH YET?

As parishioners of Saint Nicholas we understand that stewardship is a joint effort of ALL members of the community. We can all Rise Up and Build the walls of Christian Love.

Please help our church raise $615,000 by becoming a true steward of Saint Nicholas by pledging and giving a proportional
from God.

https://saintnicholas.org/donate

2026 FESTIVAL ADS

These ads are seen by as many as 20,000 Festival attendees, which is great visibility for your business, as well as helping to make our Greek Festival a success! If you wish, as an individual, to give a shout-out to the festival, you can do that too!

SPECIFICATIONS
8.5 x 11 inches Page size - Printed in Full Color

RATES: Full Page $1000, Half Page $600

Please call or email Elias Papas at eliaspapas2022@gmail.com (408-497-4522) or Sofia Kotsiri at sofia.kotsiri@gmail.com (919-696-7398) to reserve your ad.

Deadline for submissions is May 15, 2026.

https://saintnicholas.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/169/responses/new

FESTIVAL 2026 FOOD PREPARATION SCHEDULE

May 11th,
Kourambiethes
Laurie Sahines / 408-823-0111

May 19th
Melomakarona
Laurie Sahines / 408-823-0111

May 25th
Souvlakia, Loukanika, Calamari

May 27th & 28th
Yemista
Niki Poulos / 408-316-7043

SUNDAY SCHOOL LENTEN ALMS PROJECT

Each year, our Sunday School supports a special cause during Lent by collecting needed items for a chosen beneficiary. This Year's Focus: Undergarments for Sacred Heart Community Service (New undergarments are one of the most needed-and least donated-items.)

How You Can Help: Purchase items from our Amazon Wish List or make a cash donation.

Donations both undergarments and cash will be collected through April 29th during coffee hour

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3MW6LCKO2MYMW?ref_=wl_share

April 19

Thomas Sunday

Though the doors were shut at the dwelling where the disciples were gathered for fear of the Jews on the evening of the Sunday after the Passover, our Saviour wondrously entered and stood in their midst, and greeted them with His customary words, "Peace be unto you."

Then He showed unto them His hands and feet and side; furthermore, in their presence, He took some fish and a honeycomb and ate before them, and thus assured them of His bodily Resurrection. But Thomas, who was not then present with the others, did not believe their testimony concerning Christ's Resurrection, but said in a decisive manner, "Except I shall see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of... show moreApril 19

Thomas Sunday

Though the doors were shut at the dwelling where the disciples were gathered for fear of the Jews on the evening of the Sunday after the Passover, our Saviour wondrously entered and stood in their midst, and greeted them with His customary words, "Peace be unto you."

Then He showed unto them His hands and feet and side; furthermore, in their presence, He took some fish and a honeycomb and ate before them, and thus assured them of His bodily Resurrection. But Thomas, who was not then present with the others, did not believe their testimony concerning Christ's Resurrection, but said in a decisive manner, "Except I shall see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into His side, I will not believe."

Wherefore after eight days, that is, on this day, when the disciples were again gathered together and Thomas was with them, the Lord Jesus came while the doors were shut, as He did formerly. Standing in their midst, He said, "Peace be unto you"; then He said to Thomas, "Bring hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and bring hither thy hand, and thrust it into My side: and be not unbelieving, but believing."

And Thomas, beholding and examining carefully the hands and side of the Master, cried out with faith, "My Lord and my God." Thus he clearly proclaimed the two natures - human and divine - of the God-man (Luke 24:36-49; John 20:19-29).

This day is called Antipascha (meaning "in the stead of Pascha," not "in opposition to Pascha") because with this day, the first Sunday after Pascha, the Church consecrates every Sunday of the year to the commemoration of Pascha, that is, the Resurrection. ...show less