Sunday Services:
Orthros: 8am Liturgy: 9am
Weekday Services: (unless otherwise noted)
Orthros: 8am Liturgy: 9am
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.)
The Pharisees were an ancient and outstanding sect among the Jews known for their diligent observance of the outward matters of the Law. Although, according to the word of our Lord, they "did all their works to be seen of men" (Matt. 23:5), and were hypocrites (ibid. 23: 13, 14, 15, etc.), because of the apparent holiness of their lives they were thought by all to be righteous, and separate from others, which is what the name Pharisee means. On the other hand, Publicans, collectors of the royal taxes, committed many injustices and extortions for filthy lucre's sake, and all held them to be sinners and unjust. It was therefore according to common opinion that the Lord Jesus in His parable signified a virtuous person by a Pharisee, and a sinner by a Publican, to teach His disciples the harm of pride and the profit of humble-mindedness.
Since the chief weapon for virtue is humility, and the greatest hindrance to it is pride, the divine Fathers have set these three weeks before the Forty-day Fast as a preparation for the spiritual struggles of virtue. This present week they have called Harbinger, since it declares that the Fast is approaching; and they set humility as the foundation for all our spiritual labors by appointing that the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee be read today, even before the Fast begins, to teach, through the vaunting of the Pharisee, that the foul smoke of self-esteem and the stench of boasting drives away the grace of the Spirit, strips man of all his virtue, and casts him into the pits of Hades; and, through the repentance and contrite prayer of the Publican, that humility confers upon the sinner forgiveness of all his wicked deeds and raises him up to the greatest heights.
All foods are allowed the week that follows this Sunday.
Saint Eustathius, the great defender of piety and illustrious opponent of Arianism, was from Side in Pamphylia. He became Bishop of Beroea (the present-day Aleppo), and in 325 was present at the First Ecumenical Council. From thence he was transferred to the throne of Antioch. But Saint Constantine the Great, led astray by the slanders directed against the Saint by the Arians, banished him to Trajanopolis in Thrace, where he reposed in 337, according to some. Others say he lived until 360.
Join us for New Jersey's First Ever OCMC Virtual Event!
Be part of the movement that began with Christ's last command to His disciples to "make disciples of all nations" and continues with YOU!
Come hear from Dan Christopulos, OCMC's first missionary, and new Development Director. He will share his experience on how a life in Christ brings us closer together. PRAY GIVE GO VIRTUAL BENEFIT Sunday, February 21,2021 7PM EST -Questions? Contact events@ocmc.org
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89350681257?pwd=V0l0OVhZeWxpbis5cERxYlBhMGFNUT09
Meeting ID: 893 5068 1257
Password: 082161
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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!
Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm 103.24,1.
O Lord, how manifold are your works. You have made all things in wisdom.
Verse: Bless the Lord, O my soul.
The reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy 3:10-15.
TIMOTHY, my son, you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions, my sufferings, what befell me at Antioch, at lconion, and at Lystra, what persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceivers and deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee: Triodion Begins Today
The Reading is from Luke 18:10-14
The Lord said this parable, "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."
Sunday, February 21st
Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee
Orthros: 8am Liturgy: 9am
Baby Blessing
Chole Alexandra Karakoglou
Sunday School - 10th through 12th Grade - Following Holy Communion
GOYA Gyro Sale - 12pm-2pm
Monday, February 22nd
PTO Meeting - 7pm
GOYA Dance - 7pm
Tuesday, February 23rd
Greek School - 4:30pm
DOP - Meeting
Wednesday, February 24th
Greek School - 4:30pm
Sunday, February 28th
Godparents Sunday
Join Zoom Meeting 7 pm Sunday 2-21-21 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89350681257?pwd=V0l0OVhZeWxpbis5cERxYlBhMGFNUT09
GYRO SALE Sunday, February 21st, 2021 12PM – 2PM