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The Orthodox Church is the original Christian Church founded by Jesus and continued by his Apostles. It is the same Church described in the Bible as the Body of Christ and the Bride of Christ (1 Corinthians 12 : 27; Ephe ... more info >

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Bright Monday with Vladika Michael 2022

Pascha John 1:1 2022 Languages of the Parish

Bright Monday 2022

Video "An Introduction to Orthodoxy"

For those looking for a new Parish home, or just looking for an introduction to the Orthodox Christian faith, parishioner Zachary Held has created a short documentary film, narrated by Fr. David. Thanks to Zachary for his efforts! The film can be seen on Zach's youtube channel by clicking here: "An Introduction to Orthodoxy"

FOR YOUR INFO: A moving and inspirational video showing the beauty of Orthodoxy can be seen here.The Orthodox Church - A Visual Journey

OCA Telegram Channel: You can now receive announcements and updates from the OCA website and social media. Subscribe to it at www.oca.org. To preview the channel, click here: https://t.me/s/orthodoxchurchamerica

Recommendations from Fr. David: One podcast I whole heartedly recommends is Fr. Thomas Hopko, of blessed memory, "speaking the Truth in Love" here is a link: Speaking the Truth in Love | Ancient Faith Ministries.

An unexpected treasure I have found is a Youtube channel called "Atheist Church Audit" that is one of the best introductions I have ever seen of the Orthodox Church. It is also a challenge to us to make sure that the "Jared's" of the world have a similar experience. Here is a link to his video about a visit to a Orthodox parish:An Atheist visits an ORTHODOX Church (and has a surprisingly nice time)

Please consider selecting the Donate button to make a one-time or recurring donation. Giving types for Palm Sunday and Pascha have been added. Please also select "Cover Fees" and use your Bank account, in lieu of credit card. (Bank fees are less than card fees.) Thank you for your continued stewardship.

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See Monthly Calendar for this week's Services.

Icon Tree of Remembrance

An Icon Tree of Remembrance will be held in the church hall on Saturday, November 15, starting at 5PM. This parish event will usher in the Nativity Lenten season (Advent) and remind us of the spiritual steps we will take over the next five-and-a-half weeks as a community to greet the Newborn King on December 25th. We will remember our own necessity for enlightenment during this "Winter Pascha". We will give honor to those who have come before us and have nurtured us in our faith traditions. We will petition the Infant Jesus to instill within us a spirit of true hope, illumination, peace and reflection that surpasses our understanding, as we begin this blessed and most wonderful time of the year together as a parish family.

This get-together will begin with Tree Decorating "In Memory Of..." with icon ornaments (prayer cards). When you place your ornament on the tree, you can recall a one-two minute memory or date. When the tree is completed, all icons will face out and create a beautiful tribute with a variety of "windows into heaven". A light Lenten meal to break bread as a community will follow. The evening will end with Great Vespers & Litiya for the Feast of Saint matthew the Evangelist. We hope you'll be a part of this nice simple way to start Advent.

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00000 Recent Weekly Bulletin Category: Recent Events Last updated: 2022-11-06 14:23:34 March 13, 2022 more information > 00001 Upcoming Events Category: Recent Events Last updated: 2025-11-03 15:08:21 Confession schedule can be found in the bulletin OR by clicking here: Monthly Calendar. For those who are hesitant to worship in person, Fr. David is available to meet with you, either at home or in church, to participate in the Sacraments of Holy Confession and Communion. Please email or call Fr. David to set up an appointment. General Confession will resume on Saturday June 7th. It is held on the first and third Saturdays of every month. You are NOT required to attend twice per month - only once - and if you are in need of a private confession, Fr. David is available on Saturday evenings, starting at 6PM. For the spiritual edification of those seeking to delve deeper into Holy Scripture, we're pleased to offer Weekly Bible Study in Russian led by Father Anatoly Andreev. If you want the opportunity to experience Christ in the language that is very close to your heart, come and participate. Anyone interested in Prosphora (Holy Bread) Baking is more than welcome to help on Saturday, November 8, starting at 10:30AM, in the hall. Our wonderful group of bakers could always use extra hands in continuing the tradition of offering our finest ot God and His Holy Church. Come one, come all!! The Men's Club is hosting an Atlantic City Excursion to the Resorts Casino on Thursday, Nov. 13th. Enjoy the boardwalk or try your luck. Tickets are $40 / person and all participants will receive $20 in slot play, as well as a snack and drink on the bus. Seating is limited - first come, first served!. For more info, contact Pete Silowka (732-735-6540) or email (silowkapd@aol.com) An Icon Tree of Remembrance will be held in the church hall on Saturday, November 15th, starting at 5PM. This parish event will usher in the Nativity Lenten Season (Advent) and remind us of the spiritual steps we will take over the next five-and-a-half weeks as a community to greet the Newborn King on December 25th. (See home page for more info.) The Altar Society is holding a Thanksgiving Bake Sale during Coffee Hour on Sunday, November 23rd. This is a good time to buy scrumptious pies, heavenly cakes and delectable cookies for company coming to your house for dinner. Serve your guest home-baked treats without having to do any of the labor. Not only that, every penny of the proceeds goes directly to the continuing blessed works of this parich organization. Now THAT is something to be thankful for. Instead of traditional cookies, why not try a delicious kolachi roll for Christmas and/or New Year's dinner? The parish is again selling this fine pastry for the holidays. Four varieties are being offered for $19 each. (Nut, poppy seed, apricot and prune) An order form was included in the September 21st bulletin. You can also call (732-254-4979) or email (jcdeerson@verizon.net) Carol Deerson. The deadline is Sunday, November 16; pickup will be in the hall on Friday, December 5th between 3pm and 6pm. Support this fundraiser and let us help you with your holiday baking! (These rolls also make unique hostess/Christmas gifts!) Coffee Hour Request: There is a need of volunteers for this service ministry through October and beyond. Please see Deborah Silowka to find out how you can help. FOOD CARD PROGRAM : Food cards are available for various supermarket chains after Divine Liturgy, and do not cost any more than the face value of the card. The church receives a percentage as a free fundraiser! See Judy Znaiden in church or at jznaiden@optonline.net. MEETING DATES: Altar Society: Mon. Nov 17th @6:30 (Hall) Parish Council: November 17th@7:30PM (Hall) Choir Rehearsal: WEDNESDAY, Nov. 5th@7:00PM (Church) Men's Club: Thurs. November 20th @ 7:00 (Hall)	Saturday, November 8 Synaxis of the Archangel Michael 6:00 Confessions 6:30 Panihida for Priest Theodore Gregory 7:00 Vespers Sunday, November 9 St. Nectarios of Aegina 9:00 Divine Liturgy Thursday, November 13 St. John Chrysostom Friday, November 14 Apostle Philip St. Gregory Palamas Saturday, November 15 St. Paisius of Moldavia 6:00 Confessions 7:00 Vespers Sunday, November 16 Apostle Matthew 9:00 Divine Liturgy Monthly Calendar > Synaxis of the Archangel Michael The commemoration of the Archangel Michael and all the bodiless powers (angels) on November 8th. This feast celebrates the angelic hierarchy and Michael's role as leader of God's army against evil. Orthodox tradition honors angels as God's messengers and guardians, with Michael being especially venerated as protector of the Church and individual Christians. Vespers The evening prayer service of the Orthodox Church, traditionally celebrated at sunset. Vespers includes psalms, hymns, scripture readings, and incense. On Saturday evenings, Great Vespers is often combined with the Sunday Divine Liturgy. The service marks the end of the liturgical day and prepares the faithful for rest and reflection. Memorial Service (Panikhida) A service of remembrance for the departed, asking for God's mercy on their souls and offering prayers for their eternal rest. Often called Panikhida in Slavic traditions, these services may be held at funerals, on memorial days, or on the anniversary of death. The service expresses the Orthodox belief in the communion of saints and our ongoing prayer relationship with the departed. St. Nectarios of Aegina The 20th-century bishop and wonderworker known for his humility and miraculous healings. Celebrated on November 9th, Nectarios founded a convent on Aegina and was known for his simple lifestyle despite his theological learning. Many miracles have occurred through his intercession, especially healings from cancer. He represents modern Orthodox sanctity and the power of humble service. Divine Liturgy The central worship service of the Orthodox Church, celebrating the Eucharist (Holy Communion). Usually celebrated on Sundays and feast days, the Divine Liturgy consists of the Liturgy of the Word (scripture readings) and Liturgy of the Faithful (Eucharistic prayer and communion). The most common forms are the Liturgies of St. John Chrysostom and St. Basil the Great. St. John Chrysostom The Archbishop of Constantinople known as the 'Golden-Mouthed' for his eloquent preaching. Celebrated on November 13th, Chrysostom wrote the Divine Liturgy used most frequently in Orthodox churches. His biblical commentaries and moral teachings, along with his care for the poor, made him one of the greatest Church Fathers. Apostle Philip One of the twelve apostles, called directly by Jesus in Galilee. Celebrated on November 14th, Philip brought Nathanael to Christ and questioned Jesus about feeding the five thousand. He preached in Asia Minor and was martyred in Hierapolis. He represents thoughtful faith and bringing others to encounter Christ. St. Gregory Palamas The 14th-century Archbishop of Thessalonica who defended hesychast spirituality and taught about the uncreated energies of God. Celebrated on the Second Sunday of Lent, Palamas developed theological foundations for mystical prayer and the Jesus Prayer tradition. His teachings on theosis (deification) are central to Orthodox spiritual life. St. Paisius of Moldavia The 18th-century monk who translated the Philokalia and renewed Orthodox spiritual literature. Celebrated on November 15th, Paisius (Velichkovsky) collected and translated patristic texts on prayer and spirituality from Greek into Slavonic. His work made the treasures of Orthodox mystical theology available to Slavic peoples and influenced the Russian spiritual revival. Holy Confession The sacrament of reconciliation through which the faithful confess their sins to a priest and receive absolution. Also called the sacrament of repentance or penance, confession restores the baptismal purity lost through sin and reconciles the penitent with God and the Church. The penitent stands before an icon of Christ while confessing to the priest, who acts as a witness and minister of God's forgiveness. The priest then covers the penitent's head with his epitrachelion (stole) and pronounces the prayer of absolution. Apostle Matthew The tax collector called by Christ to be an apostle and evangelist. Celebrated on November 16th, Matthew wrote the Gospel that emphasizes Christ as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. His calling from the tax booth demonstrates God's grace in transforming lives. He's patron of accountants and tax collectors.	Ss Peter and Paul 110th Annive... 06/29/2025 Chrismation 04/27/2024 Bushes replanting 04/20/2024 Holy Week Pascha Bright Monday 05/04/2024

Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Church / South River, NJ / 732-257-0102