Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2025-02-16
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Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (732) 255-5525
  • Fax:
  • (732) 255-8180
  • Street Address:

  • 2200 Church Road

  • Toms River, NJ 08753


Contact Information






Services Schedule

Sunday Services:

Orthros: 8am     Liturgy: 9am

Weekday Services: (unless otherwise noted)

Orthros: 8am     Liturgy: 9am


Past Bulletins


Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the First Mode

The stone had been secured with a seal by the Judeans, * and a guard of soldiers was watching Your immaculate body. * You rose on the third day, O Lord * and Savior, granting life unto the world. * For this reason were the powers of heaven crying out to You, O Life-giver: * Glory to Your resurrection, O Christ; * glory to Your eternal rule; * glory to Your dispensation, only One who loves mankind.
Του λίθου σφραγισθέντος υπό των Ιουδαίων, και στρατιωτών φυλασσόντοων το αχραντόν σου σώμα, ανέστης τριήμερος Σωτήρ, δωρούμενος τω κόσμω της ζωήν. Διά τούτο αι δυνάμεις των ουρανών εβόων σοι ζωοδότα. Δόξα τη άναστάσει σου Χριστέ, δόξα τη βασιλεία σου, δόξα τη οικονομία σου, μόνε φιλάνθρωπε.

Apolytikion of Hieromartyr Haralambos in the Fourth Tone

A pillar unshakable are you in Christ’s holy Church, * and, as your own name denotes, an ever radiant lamp, * all-blessed Haralambos, * shining throughout the whole world * by your feats as a martyr, * driving away the darkness of the worship of idols. * With confidence, therefore, pray to Christ, * entreating Him to save our souls.
Ως στύλος ακλόνητος, της Εκκλησίας Χριστού, και λύχνος αείφωτος, της οικουμένης σοφέ, εδείχθης Χαράλαμπες, έλαμψας εν τω κόσμω, δια του μαρτυρίου, έλυσας των ειδώλων την σκοτόμαιναν μάκαρ, διο εν παρρησία Χριστώ πρέσβευε σωθήναι ημάς.
(o stylos aklonitos tis ekklisia Christou* ke lihnos aifotos tis eikoumeni sofe, edihthis Charalambes* elampses en to kosmo, dia tou martiriou* elisas ton idolon, tin skotomenon makar* dio en parisia Christo, presvev sothine imas)

Apolytikion of Saint Barbara in the Plagal Fourth Mode

Let us honor Holy Barbara; for she broke the snares of the enemy, and by her sanctity escaped from them like a bird, by the help and defense of the cross.

Βαρβάραν την Αγίαν τιμήσωμεν, εχθρού γαρ τας παγίδας συνέτριψε, και ως στρουθίον ερρύσθη εξ αυτών, βοηθεία και όπλω του Σταυρού η πάνσεμνος.

(Varvaran tin Aghian timisomen, ehthrou gad tas pagidas sinetripse, ke os strouthion eristhi ex’avton, voithia ke oplo tou Stavrou I pansemnos.)

Seasonal Kontakion in the Third Mode

From my Father’s glory I have foolishly turned away. By my sins I squandered all the riches He gave me. Therefore, like the prodigal I cry out to Him: I have sinned before You, compassionate Father. Accept my repentance, and take me back again as one of Your hired servants.
Της πατρώας δόξης σου, αποσκιρτήσας αφρόνως, εν κακοίς εσκόρπισα, ον μοι παρέδωκας πλούτον. ¨Οθεν σοι, την του Ασώτου φωνήν κραυγάζω. ‘Ημαρτον, ενώπιον σου Πάτερ οικτίρμον. Δέξαι με μετανοούντα, καί ποίησον με ως ενα των μισθίων σου.
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Saints and Feasts

February 16

Sunday of the Prodigal Son

Through the parable of today's Gospel, our Saviour has set forth three things for us: the condition of the sinner, the rule of repentance, and the greatness of God's compassion. The divine Fathers have put this reading the week after the parable of the Publican and Pharisee so that, seeing in the person of the Prodigal Son our own wretched condition -- inasmuch as we are sunken in sin, far from God and His Mysteries -- we might at last come to our senses and make haste to return to Him by repentance during these holy days of the Fast.

Furthermore, those who have wrought many great iniquities, and have persisted in them for a long time, oftentimes fall into despair, thinking that there can no longer be any forgiveness for them; and so being without hope, they fall every day into the same and even worse iniquities. Therefore, the divine Fathers, that they might root out the passion of despair from the hearts of such people, and rouse them to the deeds of virtue, have set the present parable at the forecourts of the Fast, to show them the surpassing goodness of God's compassion, and to teach them that there is no sin -- no matter how great it may be -- that can overcome at any time His love for man.


February 16

Pamphilus the Martyr & his Companions

This Martyr contested during the reign of Maximian, in the year 290, in Caesarea of Palestine, and was put to death by command of Firmilian, the Governor of Palestine. His fellow contestants' names are Valens, Paul, Seleucus, Porphyrius, Julian, Theodulus, and five others from Egypt: Elias, Jeremias, Esaias, Samuel, and Daniel. Their martyrdom is recorded in Book VIII, ch. 11 of Eusebius's Ecclesiastical History, called The Martyrs of Palestine.


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Announcements

 

One of our greatest programs and accomplishments in our parish was

Camp Saint Barbara. 

 It would be fantastic to regenerate this one week program for the so many youngsters in our parish. If you wish to make this a reality please volunteer your services. Together we will make this happen. Please call the church office and leave your name and contact information and you will be notified for an organizational meeting.

Thank you. +Fr. Paul

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The Association of Greek American Professional Women (AGAPW) is now accepting applications for our EXCELLENCE TUITION SCHOLARSHIPS:

  • The Katerina Navab Excellence Tuition Scholarship on Humanities
  • The Amalia Colombos Excellence Tuition Scholarship on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)

The scholarships offer $1,500 each annually and are awarded to female students of Greek descent enrolled in a four year accredited Bachelor’s program in the Tri-State area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
Selection criteria are based on academic excellence, contribution to the community and financial need. The applicant must submit a personal statement, a financial statement, and university documents indicating status of enrollment and grades.
Applications are accepted between December 1st, 2024 and March 15th, 2025.

For further questions on applying for a scholarship or offering to donate to our scholarship fund, please contact Dr. Pannie Trifillis at [email protected].

A special Thank You to our sponsors: 

https://agapw.org/site/sponsors 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Please consider sponsoring A.G.A.P.W.’s educational and charitable events.

 

Thank you for your support! 

 

The Association of Greek American Professional Women (A.G.A.P.W.) is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt, charitable and educational organization founded in 2010 under Section 402 of the Non-for-Profit Corporation Law of the State of New York. It is seeking to expand career opportunities and promote community and leadership building among Greek-American professional women by forging collaborations among ourselves and establishing partnerships with other organizations inside and outside the Greek-American community.

Please support our programs by making a tax exempt contribution at www.agapw.org/site/sponsors.

Please, visit us at www.agapw.org, or connect with us on fb.jpeg  in.jpeg  t.jpeg  ig.jpeg

If you do not wish to receive any further emails from the Association of Greek American Professional Women, please respond with “remove” in the subject line. 

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Father Paul wishes to invite any interested young man, from the age of 8 through high school to contact him directly if he desires to serve in the Altar for this coming year. Parents should let Fr. Paul or the church office know about signing up their interested son for this special ministry. Serving at the Altar is indeed a great blessing and it belongs to those who are serious in their commitment.

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Our Metropolis of New Jersey has an organized Young Adult League. Please consider joining this group. They can be found both on Facebook and Instagram at NNJYAL.

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VANCO Payments 

Hardly anyone carries cash today, but we ALL have credit cards!
Conveniently located in the Narthex is a Kiosk that is programmed and
user friendly for you to contribute to Trays, Candles, Stewardship,
Sunday School, Greek School & Dance as well as simply donating using your
credit card!


Apps make life so much easier! With GivePlus Church, you can use your smartphone to give anytime, anywhere right from the palm of your hand!!!!
You can also make recurring payments as well!! It is as easy as 1-2-3
1. Simply download the app for FREE
2. Find Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church
3. Give!

Ask any Parish Council Member for assistance or if you have any questions!

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. First Mode. Psalm 32.22,1.
Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon us.
Verse: Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous.

The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 6:12-20.

Brethren, "all things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be enslaved by anything. "Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food" -- and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I therefore take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who joins himself to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, "The two shall become one flesh." But he who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Shun immorality. Every other sin which a man commits is outside the body; but the immoral man sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body and in your spirit which belong to God.


Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Prodigal Son
The Reading is from Luke 15:11-32

The Lord said this parable: "There was a man who had two sons; and the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that falls to me.' And he divided his living between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took his journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in loose living. And when he had spent everything, a great famine arose in that country, and he began to be in want. So he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have filled his belly with the pods that the swine ate; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants.' And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to make merry. Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what this meant. And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.' But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, 'Lo, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you killed for him the fatted calf!' And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'"


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Wisdom of the Fathers

Thank God every day with your whole heart for having given to you life according to His image and likeness - an intelligently free and immortal life...Thank Him also for again daily bestowing life upon you, who have fallen an innumerable multitude of times, by your own free will, through sins, from life unto death, and that He does so as soon as you only say from your whole heart: 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before Thee!' (Luke 15:18).
St. John of Kronstadt
My Life in Christ: Part 1; Holy Trinity Monastery pgs. 104-105, 19th century

But if he had despaired of his life, and, ... had remained in the foreign land, he would not have obtained what he did obtain, but would have been consumed with hunger, and so have undergone the most pitiable death: ...
St. John Chrysostom
AN EXHORTATION TO THEODORE AFTER HIS FALL, 4th Century

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Weekly Calendar

Today, February 16

Sunday of the Prodigal Son

 

Memorial

Matina Larres 40 day

Deno Linardakis 2 year

Kosta Phillips 2 year

Peter Linardakis 20 year

Leonard Linardakis 24 year

Michael Papastamatis 34 year

 

Sunday School

AHEPA Coffee Hour

 

Faith Hope & Joy

Gertrude Hawk Fundraiser

 

Music & Dance Festival—Philadelphia

 

Monday, February 17

Saint Theodore of Tyre

Orthros 8am Divine Liturgy 9am

 

Greek School 4:00pm

Beginners Youth Dance 5pm

PTO Meeting 630pm

Intermediate Youth Dance 7pm

GOYA Dance 7pm

 

Tuesday, February 18

Greek School 430pm

Philoptochos Meeting 630pm

 

Wednesday, February 19

Kali Parea 11am

 

Thursday, February 20

Parish Council Full Board Meeting 7pm

 

Saturday, February 22

1st Saturday of Souls 8am

Apokreatiko Glendi: 70's Disco Theme!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Weekly Bulletin Flyer Inserts

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