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

June 30, 2021
Reflection for Independence Day 2021
June 17, 2021
Reflection for the Feast of Pentecost 2021
May 1, 2021
Reflection for Great and Holy Pascha 2021
April 22, 2021
Reflection for Holy Week 2021
March 23, 2021
Reflection for the Feast of the Annunciation and the 200 - Year
Commemoration of the Greek Revolution 2021
March 11, 2021
Reflection for Great and Holy Lent 2021
January 30, 2021
A Message of Gratitude to our Faith Forward Stewards
December 30, 2020
Reflection for the Feast of Saint Basil and the New Year 2020
December 24, 2020
Reflection for Christmas 2020
December 5, 2020
Saint Nicholas Reflection 2020
November 24, 2020
Thanksgiving Reflection 2020
November 9, 2020
Reflection for Veteran's Day
October 31, 2020
Reflection on the Holy Unmercenaries and the Ministry of Philoptochos
October 21, 2020
Faith Forward Stewardship Reflection
September 13, 2020
Reflection for the Feast of the Holy Cross 2020
August 30, 2020
Reflection for the Feast of Indication 2020
August 22, 2020
Message from Metropolitan Gerasimos on the California Fires
July 31, 2020
Reflection on the Dormition of the Theotokos
July 10, 2020
Reflection on Saint Euphemia the Great Martyr
July 3, 2020
Reflection for Independence Day 2020
June 27, 2020
Reflection for the Feasts of Sts. Peter and Paul and the Holy Apostles 2020
June 6, 2020
Reflection for Pentecost 2020
May 23, 2020
Restoring Parish Life
May 22, 2020
Reflection on the Feast of Saints Constantine and Helen 2020
May 16, 2020
Reflection for the Sunday of the Samaritan Woman 2020







Following Holy Week

Reflections

May 9, 2020
Reflection for Mother's Day
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.

April 18, 2020
Paschal Reflection 2020
April 16, 2020
Holy Friday Reflection 2020
April 15, 2020
Holy Thursday Reflection 2020
April 12, 2020
Holy Monday Reflection 2020
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!

April 7, 2020
Guidance for Holy Week 2020
April 4, 2020
Fifth Sunday of Lent:
Our Spiritual Desert Transforms Into a Spiritual Oasis
March 27, 2020
Pray with Mount Athos

◯  March 24, 2020
Reflection on the Feast of the Annunciation 2020
◯  March 22, 2020
Homily by Metropolitan Gerasimos
on Sunday of the Veneration of the Holy Cross (March 22, 2020)
◯  March 21, 2020
Archpastoral Message of Hope During the Coronavirus Pandemic
◯  March 18, 2020
Letter from Archbishop Elpidophoros
Regarding Divine Services During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Message of Hope During the Coronavirus Pandemic





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March 17, 2020
Message from Metropolitan Gerasimos on the Coronavirus Pandemic



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March 13, 2020
Statement on the COVID-19 Pandemic




We pray that this upcoming Season of the Great Fast becomes a time of spiritual renewal.

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February 28, 2020
Lenten Reflection 2020



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November 27, 2019
Advent Message 2019