Welcome from Father Stavroforos
Although St. Barbara as a community came under the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in 1963, it is part of a worldwide Orthodox Christian Church that began on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem as described in the Acts of the Apostles. Today it spans the globe from Palestine to Japan, Greece to Tanzania, Russia to Argentina, England to Korea, Romania to Kenya. Initially established by men and women of Greek descent, St. Barbara today reflects the American experience and is composed of families comprised of, and representing many ethnicities.
Although we are one of the largest Christian communions in the world, many people visiting St. Barbara for the first time ask: what is the Greek Orthodox Church?
- Our Church is called the “Greek Church” because Greek was the first language of the ancient Christian Church from which our Faith was transmitted. The word “Greek” is not used to describe just Orthodox Christian Greek-speaking people. Rather, it is used to describe the Christians who originated from the Greek-speaking early Christian Church and which used Greek (Hellenistic) thought to find appropriate expressions of the Orthodox Faith. The New Testament was written in Greek and the early writings of Christ’s followers were in the Greek language, to reach the largest number of people.
- “Orthodox” is also used to describe our Church. The word “Orthodox” is derived from two short Greek words, orthos, meaning correct, and doxa, meaning belief or glory. Thus, we use the word “Orthodox” to indicate our conviction that we believe and worship God correctly. We emphasize Apostolic tradition, continuity, and conservativism. We are that Church of the New Testament some 2,000 years later.
Newcomers and visitors are welcome at St. Barbara! While it is our hope that this website will help you learn more about our parish and the Orthodox Christian faith we confess, we hope – above all else – that you will personally come and worship with us. Please feel free to visit St. Barbara and pray with us on any given Sunday. You will discover an ancient yet dynamic faith, a welcoming Church family, and perhaps even a spiritual home where you can plant roots to deepen your relationship with Christ in the Holy Spirit.
Treasures of Orthodoxy
Treasures of Orthodox is a series of pamphlets written for the non-Orthodox, especially those who are considering becoming members of the Orthodox Church and who wish to deepen their appreciation of her faith, worship, and traditions. The pamphlets are authored by Fr. Thomas Fitzgerald, a faculty member of Hellenic College-Holy Cross School of Theology.
- INTRODUCTION – Introduces the non Orthodox to Orthodox Christianity.
- HOUSE OF GOD – Describes the interior of the church building.
- WORSHIP – Discusses the form and characteristics of Orthodox worship.
- LITURGY – Describes the meaning and celebration of the Eucharist.
- SACRAMENTS – Describes the meaning and importance of liturgical life.
- SPECIAL SERVICES AND BLESSINGS – Describes the non-sacramental services that contribute to spiritual life.
- TEACHINGS – Outlines the salient points of doctrine and basic credal affirmations.
- SPIRITUALITY – Discusses the meaning of theosis as the goal of Christian life.
- HISTORY – Sketches the great epochs of Orthodoxy.
- THE CHURCH – Outlines the procedure for becoming a member of the Orthodox Church.
