Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

You descended from on high, O compassionate One, and condescended to be buried for three days, so that from the passions You might set us free. Our life and resurrection, O Lord, glory be to You.

Εξ ύψους κατήλθες ο εύσπλαγχος, ταφήν κατεδέξω τριήμερος ίνα ημάς ελευθερώσης των παθών η ζωή και η ανάστασις ημών Κυρίε δόξα Σοι.

Apolytikion for Afterfeast of the Transfiguration in the Grave Mode

When you were transfigured on the mountain, O Christ our God, you showed disciples your glory as far as they could bear. So now, for us sinners also, let this same eternal light shine forth through the prayers of the Theotokos. O Giver of light, glory to you.

Μετεμορφώθης εν τω Όρει, Χριστέ ο Θεός, δείξας τοίς Μαθηταίς σου την δόξαν σου, καθώς ηδύναντο. Λάμψον και ημίν τοις άμαρτωλοις, το φως σου το άιδιον, πρεσβείαις της Θεοτόκου φωτοδότα δόξα σοι.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Grave Mode

You were transfigured on the mountain, O Christ our God, showing your disciples as much of your glory as they could bear, so that when they see you crucified they will know that you suffer freely, and they will tell all the world that you are truly the radiance of the Father.

Επί του όρους μετεμορφώθης, και ως εχώρουν οι Μαθηταί σου την δόξανσου, Χριστέ Ο Θεός, εθεάσαντο, ‘ινα όταν σε ίδωσι σταυρούμενον, το μεν πάθος νοήσωσι εκούσιον, τω δε κόσμω κηρύξωσιν, οτι συ υπάρχεις αληθώς, του Πατρός το απαύγασμα.

Saints and Feasts

August 10

Laurence the Holy Martyr & Archdeacon of Rome

This Saint, who was born in Spain, was the Archdeacon of the Church of Rome, caring for the sacred vessels of the Church and distributing money to the needy. About the year 257, a harsh persecution was raised up against the Christians by Valerian. Pope Sixtus, who was from Athens, was commanded to worship the idols, and refused; before his martyrdom by beheading, he committed to Laurence all the sacred vessels of the Church. When Laurence was arrested and brought before the Prefect, he was questioned concerning the treasures of the Church; he asked for three days' time to prepare them. He then proceeded to gather all the poor and needy, and presented them to the Prefect and said, "Behold the treasures of the Church." The Prefect became enraged at this and gave command that Laurence be racked, then scourged with scorpions (a whip furnished with sharp iron points - compare II Chron. 10:11), then stretched out on a red-hot iron grill. But the courageous athlete of Christ endured without groaning. After he had been burned on one side, he said, "My body is done on one side; turn me over on the other." And when this had taken place, the Martyr said to the tyrants, "My flesh is now well done, you may taste of it." And when he had said this, and had prayed for his slayers in imitation of Christ, he gave up his spirit on August 10, 258.

August 13

Maximus the Confessor

The divine Maximus, who was from Constantinople, sprang from an illustrious family. He was a lover of wisdom and an eminent theologian. At first, he was the chief private secretary of the Emperor Heraclius and his grandson Constans. But when the Monothelite heresy became predominant in the royal court, out of hatred for this error the Saint departed for the Monastery at Chrysopolis (Scutari), of which he later became the abbot. When Constans tried to constrain him either to accept the Monothelite teaching, or to stop speaking and writing against it - neither of which the Saint accepted to do - his tongue was uprooted and his right hand was cut off, and he was sent into exile, where he reposed in 662. At the time only he and his few disciples were Orthodox in the East. See also January 21.

Announcements

With joy and Thanksgiving to God, we announce the betrothal of

Destiny Nicole Brock to Luis Felipe Pappas

The blessing of the rings ceremony will take place immediately following Divine Liturgy in the church on Sunday August 17, 2025. All are invited to witness this blessed event as the couple begins their journey towards Holy Matrimony.

A special coffee hour will be held in honor of the newly engaged couple.

Fr. Paul and Presvytera Donna

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Festival Baking Dates

Galaktobouriko

August 18th - 10am

August 19th - 10am

Kourambiedes

August 28th - 10am

Diples

September 20th-10am

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OUR 2025 GREEK FESTIVAL NEEDS VOLUNTEERS!

A signup Genius was sent out via email with times and stations to donate your time. We do however have an urgent need for able-bodied individuals to help with the Volunteer Parking with the back and side parking lot and to assist with directing the busses and helping visitors on and off the busses. Fluorescent vests, whistles, and flashlights will be provided. Please contact Sotiris Sergiou at 732-740-6173 if you can help with this critical aspect of the festival.

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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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For those wishing to follow the Divine Liturgy on the internet please be aware of the following WIFI:

St Barbara 2.4PRO

Password: 0123456789

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal Fourth Mode. Psalm 75.11,1.
Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them.
Verse: God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.

The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 3:9-17.

Brethren, we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building. According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and another man is building upon it. Let each man take care how he builds upon it. For no other foundation can any one lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any one builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw - each man's work will become manifest; for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work which any man has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If any one destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and that temple you are.

Gospel Reading

9th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 14:22-34

At that time, Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was many furlongs distant from the land, beaten by the waves; for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. But immediately he spoke to them, saying "Take heart, it is I; have no fear."

And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water." He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus; but when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "O man of little faith, why did you doubt?" And when they entered the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret.

Wisdom of the Fathers

The principle and source of the virtues is a good disposition of the will, that is to say, an aspiration for goodness and beauty. God is the source and ground of all supernal goodness. Thus the principle of goodness and beauty is faith or, rather, it is Christ, the rock of faith, who is principle and foundation of all virtues. On this rock we stand and on this foundation we build every good thing (cf. I Cor. 3:11).

St. Gregory of Sinai

On Commandments and Doctrines no. 83, Philokalia Vol. 3 edited by Palmer, Sherrard and Ware; Faber and Faber pg. 228, 14th century

Christ did not command the winds to cease at that time, but Himself stretched forth His hand and took hold of Peter, because here faith was required of him. When we do not do our part, divine (grace) slows and stands still.. . . it was not the wind that did Peter harm; his lack of faith sank him. Where faith is fruitfu, firm and strong, none of the evils that may befall us can do us any harm.

St. John Chrysostom

The Gospel Commentary edited by Hieromonk German Ciuba, 2002, 4th Century