Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2025-06-29
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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 Second 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.
Ότε κατήλθες προς τον θάνατον, η ζωή η αθάνατος, τότε τον άδην ενέκρωσας, τη αστραπή της θεότητος. Ότε δε και τους τεθνεώτας, εκ των καταχθονίων ανέστησας, πάσαι αι δυνάμεις των επουρανίων εκραύγαζον. Ζωοδότα Χριστέ, ο Θεός ημών, δόξα σοι.

Apolytikion for Apostles Peter and Paul in the Fourth Mode

Preeminent Apostles and teachers of the universe, intercede with the Master of all, to grant peace to the whole world, and great mercy to our souls.
Οἱ τῶν Ἀποστόλων πρωτόθρονοι, καὶ τῆς οἰκουμένης διδάσκαλοι, τῷ Δεσπότῃ τῶν ὅλων πρεσβεύσατε, εἰρήνην τῇ οἰκουμένῃ δωρήσασθαι, καὶ ταῖς ψυχαῖς ἡμῶν τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.

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 Great Martyr Barbara in the Fourth Tone

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 Second Mode

O Protection of Christians that never falls, intercession with the Creator that never fails, we sinners beg you, do not ignore the voices of our prayers. O good Lady, we implore you, quickly come unto our aid, when we cry out to you with faith. Hurry to intercession, and hasten to supplication, O Theotokos who protect now and ever those who honor you.
Προστασία τῶν Χριστιανῶν ἀκαταίσχυντε, μεσιτεία, πρὸς τὸν Ποιητὴν ἀμετάθετε, μὴ παρίδῃς, ἁμαρτωλῶν δεήσεων φωνάς, ἀλλὰ πρόφθασον, ὡς ἀγαθή, εἰς τὴν βοήθειαν ἡμῶν, τῶν πιστῶς κραυγαζόντων σοι· Τάχυνον εἰς πρεσβείαν, καὶ σπεῦσον εἰς ἱκεσίαν, ἡ προστατεύουσα ἀεί, Θεοτόκε, τῶν τιμώντων σε.
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Saints and Feasts

June 29

Peter and Paul, the Holy Apostles

The divinely-blessed Peter was from Bethsaida of Galilee. He was the son of Jonas and the brother of Andrew the First-called. He was a fisherman by trade, unlearned and poor, and was called Simon; later he was renamed Peter by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, Who looked at him and said, "Thou art Simon the son of Jonas; thou shalt be called Cephas (which is by interpretation, Peter)" (John 1:42). On being raised by the Lord to the dignity of an Apostle and becoming inseparable from Him as His zealous disciple, he followed Him from the beginning of His preaching of salvation up until the very Passion, when, in the court of Caiaphas the high priest, he denied Him thrice because of his fear of the Jews and of the danger at hand. But again, after many bitter tears, he received complete forgiveness of his transgression. After the Resurrection of Christ and the descent of the Holy Spirit, he preached in Judea, Antioch, and certain parts of Asia, and finally came to Rome, where he was crucified upside down by Nero, and thus he ascended to the eternal habitations about the year 66 or 68, leaving two Catholic (General) Epistles to the Church of Christ.

Paul, the chosen vessel of Christ, the glory of the Church, the Apostle of the Nations and teacher of the whole world, was a Jew by race, of the tribe of Benjamin, having Tarsus as his homeland. He was a Roman citizen, fluent in the Greek language, an expert in knowledge of the Law, a Pharisee, born of a Pharisee, and a disciple of Gamaliel, a Pharisee and notable teacher of the Law in Jerusalem. For this cause, from the beginning, Paul was a most fervent zealot for the traditions of the Jews and a great persecutor of the Church of Christ; at that time, his name was Saul (Acts 22:3-4). In his great passion of rage and fury against the disciples of the Lord, he went to Damascus bearing letters of introduction from the high priest. His intention was to bring the disciples of Christ back to Jerusalem in bonds. As he was approaching Damascus, about midday there suddenly shone upon him a light from Heaven. Falling on the earth, he heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me?" And he asked, "Who art Thou, Lord?" And the Lord said, "I am Jesus Whom thou persecutest; it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks." And that heavenly voice and brilliance made him tremble, and he was blinded for a time. He was led by the hand into the city, and on account of a divine revelation to the Apostle Ananias (see Oct. 1), he was baptized by him, and both his bodily and spiritual eyes were opened to the knowledge of the Sun of Righteousness. And straightway- O wondrous transformation! - beyond all expectation, he spoke with boldness in the synagogues, proclaiming that "Christ is the Son of God" (Acts 9:1-21). As for his zeal in preaching the Gospel after these things had come to pass, as for his unabating labors and afflictions of diverse kinds, the wounds, the prisons, the bonds, the beatings, the stonings, the shipwrecks, the journeys, the perils on land, on sea, in cities, in wildernesses, the continual vigils, the daily fasting, the hunger, the thirst, the nakedness, and all those other things that he endured for the Name of Christ, and which he underwent before nations and kings and the Israelites, and above all, his care for all the churches, his fiery longing for the salvation of all, whereby he became all things to all men, that he might save them all if possible, and because of which, with his heart aflame, he continuously traveled throughout all parts, visiting them all, and like a bird of heaven flying from Asia and Europe, the West and East, neither staying nor abiding in any one place - all these things are related incident by incident in the Book of the Acts, and as he himself tells them in his Epistles. His Epistles, being fourteen in number, are explained in 250 homilies by the divine Chrysostom and make manifest the loftiness of his thoughts, the abundance of the revelations made to him, the wisdom given to him from God, wherewith he brings together in a wondrous manner the Old with the New Testaments, and expounds the mysteries thereof which had been concealed under types; he confirms the doctrines of the Faith, expounds the ethical teaching of the Gospel, and demonstrates with exactness the duties incumbent upon every rank, age, and order of man. In all these things his teaching proved to be a spiritual trumpet, and his speech was seen to be more radiant than the sun, and by these means he clearly sounded forth the word of truth and illumined the ends of the world. Having completed the work of his ministry, he likewise ended his life in martyrdom when he was beheaded in Rome during the reign of Nero, at the same time, some say, when Peter was crucified.


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Announcements

 

 

Dear St. Barbara Stewards,

Thanks to your generous support of the Energy Program, we have successfully installed new equipment to improve our church facilities. This includes upgraded lighting in the gym, hall, church, basement, wall packs, and parking lot, as well as new heating systems for the church and basement and a rooftop HVAC system for the offices.

Your contributions are making a real difference! More HVAC systems are scheduled to be installed, and we will keep you updated on our progress. Please continue to support this vital project, as it benefits us all and reflects the love we share for St. Barbara.

Thank you for your dedication and generosity!

Tony Verikios, Member of the Parish Council

Energy Project Coordinator.

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We wish to thankour parishioners who donated $607 towards the clergy pension fund as a special tray was passed on Sunday June 15.

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Festival Baking Dates

Koulourakia

July 24th -10am

Galaktobouriko

August 18th - 10am

August 19th - 10am

Kourambiedes

August 28th - 10am

 

 

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal Fourth Mode. Psalm 18.4,1.
Their voice has gone out into all the earth.
Verse: The heavens declare the glory of God.

The reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians 11:21-33; 12:1-9.

Brethren, whatever anyone dares to boast of -- I am speaking as a fool -- I also dare to boast of that. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one -- I am talking like a madman -- with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. Five times I have received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I have been beaten with rods; once I was stoned. Three times I have been shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brethren; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure upon me of my anxiety for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant?

If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, he who is blessed for ever, knows that I do not lie. At Damascus, the governor under King Aretas guarded the city of Damascus in order to seize me, but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped his hands.

I must boast; there is nothing to be gained by it, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven -- whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. And I know that this man was caught up into Paradise -- whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows -- and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. Though if I wish to boast, I shall not be a fool, for I shall be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. And to keep me from being too elated by the abundance of revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to harass me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I besought the Lord about this, that it should leave me; but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." I will all the more gladly boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.


Gospel Reading

Peter and Paul, the Holy Apostles
The Reading is from Matthew 16:13-19

At that time, when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do men say that the Son of man is?" And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."


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Wisdom of the Fathers

We must admire not only the inner meaning of all the things that are celebrated in the Church of the Orthodox Christians, but also the sacramental actions through which this meaning is expressed: how through divine baptism we become sons of God by grace, though we have done nothing before this, and do nothing after except keep the commandments; and how these awesome mysteries - I refer to holy baptism and holy communion - cannot take place without the priesthood, as Saint John Chrysostom says. Here, too, we see the significance of the power given to Saint Peter, chief of the apostles; for if the gates of the kingdom of heaven are not opened by priestly action, no one can enter (cf. Matt. 16:19). As the Lord says: 'Unless a man is born of water and Spirit...' (John 3:5); and again: 'Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink His blood, you have no life in you' (John 6:53).
St. Peter of Damaskos
Book 1: A Treasury of Divine Knowledge, Philokalia Vol. 3 edited by Palmer, Sherrard and Ware; Faber and Faber pgs. 208-209, 8th century

What then saith the mouth of the apostles, Peter, the ever fervent, the leader of the apostolic choir? When all are asked, he answers ... "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 54 on Matthew 16, 4th Century

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Weekly Calendar

Today, June 29

Peter & Paul the Holy Apostles

Memorial

Irene Stamatogianis 40 day

Konstantinos Ploumitsakous 40 day

Basile Stathis 43 year

 

Baby Blessing

Slater Hyle

Child of Michael & Jackie

 

GOYA  Coffee Hour

During Coffee hour Fr. Paul will present a brief slide presentation from the

 Saint Barbara Pilgramage this past April.

 

Synaxis of the Twelve Holy Apostles Heirarchical Great Vespers 

& Dinner Reception 7pm

Saint Athanasios Paramus, NJ

 

 

Monday, June 30

Feast of the Synaxis of the Twelve Holy Apostles

Orthros, Hierarchical Divine Liturgy & Reception 9am

Saint Athanasios, Paramus, NJ

 

Wednesday, July2

Kali Parea

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Weekly Bulletin Flyer Inserts

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