Daily Lectionary Readings
The Bishopric
The bishop is the “overseer" of the congregation and clergy in a given geographical area. Often the terms “bishop" and “elder" are used interchangeably in the New Testament (Acts 20:17, 28), with the bishop being the leader of the elders. The qualification for bishop listed in 1 Timothy 3:1-17 and Titus 1:7-9 underscore his role. Nonetheless, the bishopric is a specific office both in the New Testament and in the early Church.
The Twelve were the first to hold this office (Acts 1:20 “office" could literally be translated “bishopric") and they in turn consecrated other bishops to follow them. For example, Timothy and Titus are clearly of a separate order from that of elder (see 1 Timothy 5:17 and Titus 1:5). Early records show James was bishop of Jerusalem by AD 49 and functioned accordingly at the first council there (Acts 15:13-22). Peter is on record as the first bishop of Antioch prior to AD 53. Toward the end of his life, he probably went to Rome and there was crucified head downward during the reign of Nero (54-68AD). For more about the Apostles, see the Short Biographies of the Twelve.
Metropolitan Gerasimos
His Eminence, Metropolitan Gerasimos, is the bishop of the San Franscisco Diocese of the Greek Orthodox Church of America. The San Franscisco Diocese includes seven states, Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. His Eminence has been overseeing the Metropolis of San Franscisco since his enthronement in April 2005. This diocesan region includes sixty seven parishes as well as three monastic communities, for a total of over one hundred clergy in the diocese.
Metropolitan Gerasimos has served the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America for nearly forty years in various capacities including as the Archdeacon of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, Chief Secretary of the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Archdiocese and as the Dean of Students at the Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, Massachusetts.
Reflections
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June 30, 2021 Reflection for Independence Day 2021 |
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June 17, 2021 Reflection for the Feast of Pentecost 2021 |
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May 1, 2021 Reflection for Great and Holy Pascha 2021 |
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April 22, 2021 Reflection for Holy Week 2021 |
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March 23, 2021 Reflection for the Feast of the Annunciation and the 200 - Year Commemoration of the Greek Revolution 2021 |
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March 11, 2021 Reflection for Great and Holy Lent 2021 |
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January 30, 2021 A Message of Gratitude to our Faith Forward Stewards |
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December 30, 2020 Reflection for the Feast of Saint Basil and the New Year 2020 |
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December 24, 2020 Reflection for Christmas 2020 |
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December 5, 2020 Saint Nicholas Reflection 2020 |
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November 24, 2020 Thanksgiving Reflection 2020 |
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November 9, 2020 Reflection for Veteran's Day |
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October 31, 2020 Reflection on the Holy Unmercenaries and the Ministry of Philoptochos |
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October 21, 2020 Faith Forward Stewardship Reflection |
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September 13, 2020 Reflection for the Feast of the Holy Cross 2020 |
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August 30, 2020 Reflection for the Feast of Indication 2020 |
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August 22, 2020 Message from Metropolitan Gerasimos on the California Fires |
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July 31, 2020 Reflection on the Dormition of the Theotokos |
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July 10, 2020 Reflection on Saint Euphemia the Great Martyr |
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July 3, 2020 Reflection for Independence Day 2020 |
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June 27, 2020 Reflection for the Feasts of Sts. Peter and Paul and the Holy Apostles 2020 |
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June 6, 2020 Reflection for Pentecost 2020 |
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May 23, 2020 Restoring Parish Life |
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May 22, 2020 Reflection on the Feast of Saints Constantine and Helen 2020 |
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May 16, 2020 Reflection for the Sunday of the Samaritan Woman 2020 |
Following Holy Week
Reflections
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May 9, 2020 Reflection for Mother's Day |
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May 1, 2020 Reflection for the Sunday of the Myrrh Bearing Women |
Holy Week
Reflections
Χριστός ἀνέστη! Ἀληθῶς ἀνέστη!
During year's Paschal celebrations, Metropolitan Gerasimos sent the Holy Light via e-mail and represented Holy Week in the form of reflections for everyone in the San Francisco diocese! The on-line experience of messages and services has been just wonderful.
We are thankful for the postings of the Palm Sunday Reflection, Holy Monday Reflection, Reflection for Holy Thursday, Holy Friday Reflection and Paschal Reflection on Vimeo. These are all very beautiful reflections.
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April 18, 2020 Paschal Reflection 2020 |
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April 16, 2020 Holy Friday Reflection 2020 |
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April 15, 2020 Holy Thursday Reflection 2020 |
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April 12, 2020 Holy Monday Reflection 2020 |
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April 11, 2020 Palm Sunday Reflection 2020 |
Preparing for Holy Week
Reflections
On vimeo, a few weeks ago, Metropoliton Gerasimos posted a message entitled “Our Spiritual Desert Transforms into a Spiritual Oasis," for the fifth Sunday of Lent. Regarding the new reality imposed by the coronovirus His Eminence asks, “The question is, for how long? And we do not know the long term effects that our physial distancing will have on ourselves, on our parishes, even on our society. What kind of normal will we return to?"
The world we return to may be entirely different. With the combined work of all people of goodwill to bring light to this world, hopefully the future will be a much brighter one!
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April 7, 2020 Guidance for Holy Week 2020 |
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April 4, 2020 Fifth Sunday of Lent: Our Spiritual Desert Transforms Into a Spiritual Oasis |
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March 27, 2020 Pray with Mount Athos |
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March 24, 2020 Reflection on the Feast of the Annunciation 2020 |
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March 22, 2020 Homily by Metropolitan Gerasimos on Sunday of the Veneration of the Holy Cross (March 22, 2020) |
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March 21, 2020 Archpastoral Message of Hope During the Coronavirus Pandemic |
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March 18, 2020 Letter from Archbishop Elpidophoros Regarding Divine Services During the Coronavirus Pandemic Message of Hope During the Coronavirus Pandemic |
We pray that this upcoming Season of the Great Fast becomes a time of spiritual renewal.
Wisdom's Invitation
Wisdom built her house,
And she supported it with seven pillars.
She offered her sacrifices;
She mixed her wine in a bowl
And prepared her table.
She sent her servants,
Inviting people to the bowl with a lofty proclamation, saying,
“He who is without discernment,
Let him turn aside to me;”
And to those in need of discernment, she says,
“Come, eat my bread
And drink the wine I mixed for you;
Forsake lack of discernment, and you shall live;
Seek discernment so you may live,
And keep straight your understanding with knowledge.”
