Ss Peter and Paul Orthodox Church
98 West 28th Street, Bayonne, NJ 07002
V. Rev. W. Sophrony Royer, Rector : Rectory Telephone 201-436-3244 Email: svpetrapavla1922.baynj@gmail.com
Orthodox Church in America | Orthodoxy in America

Welcome to Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Church in Bayonne, New Jersey, a parish of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA).   This Orthodox Christian community, within the Diocese of New York and New Jersey, serves Northeastern New Jersey.  

We invite all who are searching, to experience the Orthodox Church - the original Christian Church founded by Jesus and continued by his Apostles.   Over the past 97 years, thousands have called Sants Peter and Paul their home. Maybe this parish is the kind of spiritual home you have been searching for as well.   

COME AND SEE

Our services are in English and all are welcome! 

 

Diocese of New York and New Jersey - OCA

Friday, 11 Sep 2020



Tuesday, 1 Dec 2020

ST. NICHOLAS DAY A VIRTUAL CELEBRATION
1 Dec 2020 at 9:20pm

Archbishop Michael's Homily on the Feast of Holy Apostle Andrew - November 30...
1 Dec 2020 at 3:44pm


Monday, 30 Nov 2020

Archbishop Michael's Homily on 25th Sunday After Pentecost
30 Nov 2020 at 7:46pm


PRAYER IN TIME OF CORONAVIRUS

 

“O Lord Almighty, Lord of heaven and earth, and of all creation visible and invisible, in thine ineffable goodness, look down upon us, thy people gathered in thy Holy Name. Be our helper and defender in this day of affliction. Thou knowest our weakness. Thou hearest our cry in repentance and contrition of heart. O Lord who lovest mankind, deliver us from impending threat of the Corona Virus. Send thine angel to watch over us and protect us. Grant health and recovery to those suffering from this virus. Guide the hands of physicians and preserve those who are healthy. Enable us to continue to serve our suffering brothers and sisters in peace that together we may glorify thy most honorable and majestic name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.”

 

Ss. Peter & Paul Church is Open for Public Services

 

Gov. Murphy included houses of worship in a new executive order that increases the limits on indoor gatherings in the state from 10 to 50 people or 25% or a building’s capacity — whichever is lower — effective immediately. Our capacity is 25 people which is high enough to allow anyone who wants to attend church services to do so, while still being a manageable number for maintaining our social distancing protocols.
 
If you want to attend public services and are over age 65, then according to the instructions of the OCA's Holy Synod and our diocese, you need to state to me that you do not consider yourself to be at high risk by attending services, so that I can certify to that effect if asked by our diocesan authorities. Those who have serious underlying health conditions which place them at "high risk" (other than age) are not advised to resume attending public services at this time. If you are not feeling well, you are asked not to arrange a visit to the church.
 
(1) There will be an "usher" to direct people to their seats in the pews on arrival, and to control the flow of people approaching for holy communion (will will be done one pew at a time). Failure to cooperate shall result in the closing of the church again.
 
(2) The names of all persons must be signed into a registry upon arrival. This necessary not only to keep count of the number of people in church at the same time, but in the unfortunate event somebody contracts COVID-19, that we would be able to trace everyone who may have had exposure.
 
Reminder: Face masks and hand sanitizer are available in the church vestibule for your use. I shall wear a face mask while dispensing holy communion.

Also, parishioners may make an appointment to receive holy communion on Sunday mornings at the front porch of the church, however: (1) you must inform Fr. Sophrony in advance that you would like to receive holy communion; (2) you must be in the church parking lot by 10:00 a.m. (Reader Stephen will come to your car to escort you to the church’s front porch); (3) you must have kept the fasting rules for communion (unless granted a dispensation by Fr. Sophrony due to a health condition such as diabetes), and (4) unless you’ve already made your Lenten confession this year, you must go to confession first. Confession may be done via the telephone when you call to make your appointment to visit the church.

Lastly, for anyone who doesn’t feel comfortable about visiting the church at this time, you can always call the Rectory to have a votive candle lit, or offer prayer intentions, or reserve one of the weekly Special Offerings (Altar Vigils, Sanctuary Lamp, Triple Candelabra, St. John’s and St. Nicholas’ Crosses).

 
Giving During This Crisis

Please continue to give as you normally would during this crisis. Even though you are not attending church there are still bills that need to be paid. This is a time when we need for everyone who is able to give to the church, and to even consider increasing their contributions to make up for those temporarily unable to give. You may mail your contributions weekly, or monthly if you prefer, to the parish’s mailing address of: 98 West 28th Street, Bayonne, New Jersey 07002. Thank you in advance for your continued support of Ss. Peter and Paul’s Orthodox Church. May Our Lord Jesus Christ bless you all!

 

Upcoming Services
Saturday, December 5th
5:00pm Great Vespers
Sunday, December 6th
St. Nicholas
9:20am 3rd Hour
9:30am Divine Liturgy
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Lives of Ss. Peter and Paul
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Holy Apostles Peter and Paul are traditionally regarded as the leaders of the twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ.

Both St. Peter and St. Paul received their new names, indicating a new relationship with God. Simon the fisherman became known as Cephas (John 1:42), or Peter after confessing Jesus as the Son of God (Mt.16:18).

St Peter, the brother of St Andrew, was a fisherman on the sea of Galilee. He was married, and Christ healed his mother-in-law of a fever (Mt.8:14). He, with James and John, witnessed the most important miracles of the Savior's earthly life.

Despite his earlier recognition of Christ as the Son of God, he denied Him three times on the night before the Crucifixion. Therefore, after His Resurrection, the Lord asked Peter three times if he loved Him. Then He told Peter to feed His sheep (John 21:15-17).

After the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, St. Peter addressed the crowd (Acts 2:14), and performed many miracles in Christ's name. He baptized Cornelius, the first Gentile convert (Acts 10:48). He was cast into prison, but escaped with the help of an angel (Acts 5:19). St. Peter also traveled to many places in order to proclaim the Gospel message. He wrote two Epistles, which are part of the New Testament.

St. Peter was put to death in Rome during the reign of Nero. According to Tradition, he asked to be crucified upside down, since he did not feel worthy to die in the same manner as his Lord.

St. Paul was of the tribe of Benjamin, and lived in Tarsus in Cilicia. He once described himself as a Hebrew, an Israelite of the seed of Abraham (2 Cor. 11:22). He was also a Pharisee and a tent-maker (Acts 18:3) who had studied the Law with Gamaliel at Jerusalem.

At first, he was called Saul, and had persecuted the Church. He was present at the stoning of St. Stephen (Acts 7: 58). Then, on the road to Damascus, he was converted when Christ appeared to him. Blinded by the vision, he was healed when Ananias laid his hands on him. After his cure, he was baptized (Acts 9:18).

St. Paul is the greatest of the missionaries. He preached the Gospel in Greece, Asia Minor, and in Rome, and wrote fourteen Epistles. Tradition says that he was martyred in Rome about the year 68.