Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2025-08-24
Bulletin Contents
Hymns of the Day
Saints and Feasts
Announcements
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Wisdom of the Fathers
Weekly Calendar
Weekly Bulletin Flyer Inserts

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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

Office Administrator TBA


[email protected] | 732-255-5525, ext. 10

Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Protopresbyter Paul G. Pappas


[email protected] | 732-255-5525, ext. 12

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 of Hieromartyr Haralambos in the Fourth Tone

O wise Haralambos, you were proven an unshakable pillar of the Church of Christ; an ever-shining lamp of the universe. You shone in the world by your martyrdom. You delivered us from the moonless night of idolatry O blessed one. Wherefore, boldly intercede to Christ that we may be saved.
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 Fourth Mode

Both Joachim and Anna from their sterility’s stigma, and Adam and Eve from their mortality’s ruin have been set free, O immaculate Maid, by your holy nativity. For this do your people hold celebration, redeemed from the guilt of transgression as they cry to you, “The barren one bears the Theotokos, the nourisher of our Life.”
Ἰωακεὶμ καὶ Ἄννα ὀνειδισμοῦ άτεκνίας, καὶ Ἀδὰμ καὶ Εὔα, ἐκ τῆς φθορᾶς τοῦ θανάτου, ἠλευθερώθησαν, ἄχραντε, ἐν τῇ ἁγίᾳ γεννήσει σου, αὐτὴν ἑορτάζει καὶ ὁ λαός σου, ἐνοχῆς τῶν πταισμάτων, λυτρωθεὶς ἐν τῷ κράζειν σοι, ἡ στείρα τίκτει τὴν Θεοτόκον καὶ τροφὸν τῆς ζωῆς ἡμῶν.
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Saints and Feasts

August 24

11th Sunday of Matthew

August 24

Eutyches the Hieromartyr & Disciple of St. John the Theologian

Saint Eutyches was a disciple of Saint John the Theologian and a fellow laborer of the holy Apostle Paul. He preached the Gospel in many places, pulled down the idols' temples, and suffered imprisonments and many torments at the hands of the idolaters. He finally reposed in peace in deep old age in his native city of Sebastia, near Tarsus.

August 24

Kosmas the New Hieromartyr & Equal-to-the Apostles of Aetolia

Our holy Father Cosmas was from the town of Mega Dendron (Great Tree) of Aetolia. At the age of twenty, he went to study at the school of the Monastery of Vatopedi on the Holy Mountain. Later, he came to the Athonite Monastery of Philotheou where he was tonsured. With the blessing of his abbot, he departed for Constantinople where he learned the art of rhetoric, and thereafter, he began to preach throughout all the regions of northern Greece, the Ionian Islands, but especially in Albania, for the Christian people there were in great ignorance because of the oppression and cruelty of the Moslems. Finally, in 1776, after having greatly strengthened and enlightened the faithful, working many signs and wonders all the while, he was falsely accused by the leaders of the Jewish people and was executed by strangulation by the Moslem Turks in Albania.

August 24

The Translation of the Holy Relics of Saint Peter, Metropolitan of Moscow

On this day we also commemorate the translation of the holy relics of Saint Peter, Metropolitan of Moscow, which took place in the year 1646.

Our holy and wonderworking Father Peter, Metropolitan of Moscow, was born in Volhynia, tonsured a monk at twelve years of age, and later ordained a priest. He lived in solitude for a time in a desert place north of Lvov and founded the Holy Transfiguration Monastery; afterwards he was sent to Constantinople, where the holy Patriarch Athanasius consecrated him Metropolitan of Kiev in 1308, and he returned to Vladimir, where the Metropolitans of Kiev had their residence at that time (see Saint Jonas on June 15). In 1325, he moved to Moscow, where he founded the Dormition Cathedral, and after his repose in December 21, 1326, was buried there. He was also an iconographer, and two of his icons, the Dormition and the Petrovskaya, are found in the Dormition Cathedral (see Oct. 5).

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Announcements

 

Festival Baking Dates

Kourambiedes

August 28th - 10am

Diples

September 20th-10am

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The Philoptochos is requesting your assistance in gathering NEW baby items to be donated to a COMMUNITY BABY SHOWER event sponsored by the Fulfill Food Bank to be held September 30 in Toms River.  This local event will provide over 75 needy expectant mothers with essential basic supplies for their new precious babies!  

Items needed:

Diapers

Wipes

Baby Lotion

Formula/Baby Food

Infant Clothing

Layette Items

Gift Cards also accepted

Donations can be dropped off at St. Barbara and placed in the plastic bin outside the office

NO LATER THAN AUGUST 24

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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

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Second Mode. Psalm 117.14,18.
The Lord is my strength and my song.
Verse: The Lord has chastened me sorely.

The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 9:2-12.

Brethren, you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. This is my defense to those who would examine me. Do we not have the right to our food and drink? Do we not have the right to be accompanied by a wife, as the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living? Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Who tends a flock without getting some of the milk? Do I say this on human authority? Does not the law say the same? For it is written in the law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain." Is it for oxen that God is concerned? Does he not speak entirely for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of a share in the crop. If we have sown spiritual good among you, is it too much if we reap your material benefits? If others share this rightful claim upon you, do not we still more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.

Gospel Reading

11th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 18:23-35

The Lord said this parable: "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the reckoning, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents; and as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, 'Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' And out of pity for him the lord of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But that same servant, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat he said, 'Pay what you owe.' So his fellow servant fell down and besought him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.' He refused and went and put him in prison till he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you besought me; and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?' And in anger his lord delivered him to the torturers, till he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart."

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Wisdom of the Fathers

Do we forgive our neighbors their trespasses? God also forgives us in His mercy. Do we refuse to forgive? God, too, will refuse to forgive us. As we treat our neighbors, so also does God treat us. The forgiveness, then, of your sins or unforgiveness, and hence also your salvation or destruction, depend on you yourself, man. For without forgiveness of sins there is no salvation.
St. Tikhon of Zadonsk
Unknown, 18th century

Wherefore then did He not do this, nor forgive the debt before the account? Desiring to teach him, from how many obligations He is delivering him, that in this way at least he might become more mild towards his fellow servant .... He gave more than he asked, remission and forgiveness of the entire debt.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 61 on Matthew 18, 4th Century

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Weekly Calendar

Today, August 24

11th Sunday of Matthew

Parish Council Coffee Hour

 

Tuesday, August 26

St Phanourios Vesperal Liturgy 6pm

 

Wednesday, August 27

Kali Parea

 

Thursday, August 28

Kouroumbieds Baking 10am

Parish Council Full Board Meeting 7pm

 

Friday, August 29

Beheading of St. John the Baptist

Divine Liturgy 9am

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Weekly Bulletin Flyer Inserts

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