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Saint Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church and Shrine

 

 

 

 

 

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PARISH HISTORY

 

 RECEIVING THE RELICS IN COVINA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About Us

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St. Nectarios is a parish of Metropolis of San Francisco of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

 

 

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A Humble Beginning

 

The Saint Nectarios Parish of Covina, California was established on October 12, 1973. Church Services commenced at St. John’s Episcopal Church in La Verne, California, on June 30, 1974. Reverend George Hadjis (1974 -1975) was the first priest to hold regular Liturgy on Sundays for the newly founded Greek Orthodox Church which was then named as Covina-Pomona Valley Greek Orthodox Church in the City of La Verne, California. He was succeeded by Archimandrite the Very Reverend Paul Koutoukas (1975-1977) who was the first full time priest assigned to the Covina-Pomona Valley Greek Orthodox Church.

Ground Breaking

 

In May of 1976, property was purchased in Covina for the purpose of building a temporary church.

 

In June of 1976 the name of St. Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church, by an overwhelming vote, was selected as the patron Saint of the parish. Father Spiro Pieratos was transferred from St. Sophia Parish San Antonio Texas to St. Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church. He served as a full time priest from 1977 until his retirement in 1993. Ground-breaking for construction took place in November of 1978.

 

 

Actual construction began in 1979, with the first Liturgy being celebrated on June 15, 1980.

 

Envisioned to Become a Permanent Shrine

 

Father Spiro envisioned that the Parish could and should become a permanent Shrine, dedicated to the healing, Saint Nectarios. He went to Aegina, Greece on September 3, 1979 and relics were given to him for  our parish by Metropolitan Hierotheos of Hydra, Spetsae and Aigina, with co-approval by the nuns of the Convent of the Holy Trinity (or as it is commonly called today – of St. Nectarios), which Saint Nectarios had established and where now his remains repose.

 

June 6, 1989 – Father Spiro Pieratos gazing at the Saint Nectarios’ Relic; that he was so instrumental in obtaining from Aegina, Greece.

 

 

Since that time our parish has become a shrine with which thousands have made contact for prayer and healing. The brief but beautiful ceremony took place in the Sanctuary of the tiny chapel in which all the Relics are now kept in two reliquaries for veneration. Bringing part of the relics to the United States was a cherished privilege – “One which I long remember with fond memories” said Father Spiro Pieratos. The Relic of this humble Saint now rests in Covina, California, in a temporary Church built in 1980.

 

 

Early Annual Greek Festival of the 1970s

 

Succession of Services

 

Upon retirement of Father Spiro Pieratos, Father Theodore Pantels was assigned to Saint Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church and Shrine. He served from 1993 until 2004. In 1996, a special blessing was said before breaking ground for our new church. Father Pantels, Alex Soles, Building Committee Chairman, and Father Spiro Pieratos were present.

 

 

Building of the New Church - 1996

 

 

 

 

 

 

Father Ted led our Parish and completed the building project. People came and people left, but the new church and shrine of what we have now were built under the guidance of Father Ted Pantels and the generosity of brotherhood, local parishioners and with the sustained efforts of dedicated workers. Father Pantels and Presbytera Panagiota faithfully served Saint Nectarios parish for eleven years. The church was consecrated on November 7, 2004 with the help of Father Ted Pantels and the newly assigned priest, Father Peter Stratos.

 

The Consecration of the New Church - 2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Consecration Banquet 2004

 

 

Father Peter Stratos served from 2004 to 2006. Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco assigned Father Konstantinos Douvikas, who served Saint Nectarios parish from 2007 and still serving up to present time.

 

 

 

Services:

Sunday Morning Liturgy

9:00 AM Orthros

10:00 AM Liturgy

 

Wednesday

        Paraklesis (service)

        to Saint Nectarios  7:00 PM

 

Church is open:

       Monday thru Friday

       9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

      Saturday:

       9:00 AM – 2:00 PM

 

Our services are in

       Greek & English

 

Office Hours:

9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

 

Email Address:

stnectarioschurch@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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          St. Nectarios’ Relic

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             St. Nectarios Shrine

 

About Saint Nectarios’ Relic

 

The size of the Relic is rather large, the length of a man’s finger, from fingertip to the knuckle, it is actually one of the Saint’s ribs, a rib that “felt” the Saint’s heartbeat for over 74 years, a heart that throbbed exclusively with and for the love of Christ. Those who had known the Saint (there are two recent books of living eye-witness testimonies edited by Manolis Melinos) have lasting recollections of a loving, spiritual Father. Several books and countless pamphlets and folders on testimonies of his miraculous cures upon thousands of grateful beneficiaries have been published. What more do we need in order to believe in the power of God and in the manifestation of that power in the world and in the lives of countless faithful Orthodox and some non-Orthodox? In Saint Nectarios we have wisdom, guidance and counsel, because he lived in our century and is a living testimony of what true Christianity is and what it should be. His faith should awaken our faith, His love should kindle our love, His hope should assure our hope. Holy men and women will always abound. They strive to bring forth an acute awareness of Christ and His available presence and intercession for those who believe and who call upon His name. Everyone has access to holiness and to participation in miracles through prayer, devotion and faith. The Relic is part of a holy man who lived a holy life. Many miracles were and are done by touching even clothing that has come into contact with the Saint’s body. In the Book of Acts, St. Peter’s shadow was known to heal. May we all be changed and healed by our spiritual embrace with St. Nectarios. Doctors heal, but Saints heal miraculously by the power of God. With trust in the former and faith in the latter, we can live long and productive lives.

Saint Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church Became a Shrine

 

Since 1979, our parish became a Shrine with which thousands have made contact for prayer and healing. The St. Nectarios Brotherhood has been growing – its purpose is to help make known the existence of the Shrine and its work. In June of 1984, Archbishop Iakovos visited the Shrine and suggested that a Byzantine church should be built as soon as possible, in order to more properly enshrine the Relics. With the help of thousands who have love and respect for the Wonder-Worker, this dream has become a reality - a refuge where the sick, who cannot go to Aegina, can come or write in order to receive blessings and prayer for their illnesses. The spirit of St. Nectarios is far reaching. We know that thousands have been touched by him in many ways. St. Nectarios’ presence is with us through his holy Relic and we hope, with your help, to create a lasting, living center dedicated to that ongoing spiritual intercession of the Wonder-Worker Saint Nectarios There are a lot of hurting people these days. Financial pressures, marital problems, illness. As part of a community of people who believe in God, it's common for someone to ask that you pray for them or their situation. Won’t you join us every Wednesday evening at 7:00 PM for the Paraklesis Services to offer prayers for those ailing people? Your spirit will certainly be uplifted.

 

 

 

 

 

Please click the links below to make a virtual tour of the church:

o   The exterior view of Saint Nectarios Church.

o   A traditional layout of a Byzantine Orthodox Church.

o   The Iconostasis, Royal Doors, and the Deacon’s Doors.

o   The Holy Altar and Tabernacle.

o   The relic of Saint Nectarios.

o   The Shrine area on the left side (north) of the Church.

o   The Baptistery.

o   Dome – Christ – Pantocrator – Ruler of the Universe.

o   The Holy Theotokos with her Beloved Son, Jesus Christ – Panagia.

o   The right-side ceiling.

o   The right-side wall depictions.

o   The Main Entrance Door view from the Nave’s ceiling.

o   The Main Entrance Door view from the Narthex.

o   The left-side (north) ceiling.

o   The left-side (north) wall depictions.

o   The Lectern.

o   The Thronos and Psalteria.

o   The Narthex.

o   The Candle Boot.

 

 

 

 

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