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

Welcome to our family - Ss. Peter and Paul Orthodox Church located in Bayonne, NJ. Our church is a parish of the Orthodox Church in America, Diocese of New York and New Jersey. It was founded in December 1922 by our Slavic ancestors from different parts of Eastern Europe. The Divine Services are in English. 

Over the past 97 years, thousands of people have called Ss. Peter and Paul their home. Maybe this parish is the kind of spiritual home you have been searching for as well – please come and see, we would love to have you pray with us.

Please check out the rest of our web site. We hope that you enjoy your visit and find useful information about our Parish. 

Diocese of New York-New Jersey

Thursday, 5 Dec 2019

BeeTreat in Union, New Jersey
5 Dec 2019 at 12:37pm


Wednesday, 4 Dec 2019

KOINONIA: Newsletter of Commission on Missions and Evangelism
4 Dec 2019 at 7:34pm


Sunday, 1 Dec 2019

Today’s Special Offerings

Sanctuary Lamp offered by John and Helen Wanko in memory of Lydia Wanko (anniversary of birth).

Announcements & Events

  • The next meeting of the parish council is next Sunday after Divine Liturgy.
  • “Souper Bowl” Project: Starting today, our parish will be collecting cans of soup and other non-perishable foods for donation to St. Mary’s food pantry. A bin for placing the donated food items will be in the church until February 2, 2020. Thank you for co-operating in this project!
  • All parishioners ought to go to confession during the Nativity Fast, which may be heard after any Vespers. Those unable to attend a Vespers ought to call the Rectory at (201) 436-3244 to make an appointment.
  • Order forms for St. Mary’s bread sale are available in the church vestibule.
  • FOCA N.J. District’s annual St. Andrew-St. Nicholas Vespers is today at St. John’s Orthodox Church, 170 Lexington Ave., Passaic, N.J., at 4:30 PM, with Archbishop Michael presiding. Refreshments will be served after the service. A meeting of the N.J. District at 3:00 PM shall precede the service. All are encouraged and welcomed to attend.
Upcoming Services
Saturday, December 14th
5:00pm Great Vespers
Sunday, December 15th
9:20am 3rd Hour
9:30am Divine Liturgy and Parish Council Meeting
Monthly Calendar >
Saints and Readings of the Day

   

Click here for today's Scripture Readings

Click here for information about Saints commemorated today

Find an Orthodox Parish Near You
Orthodoxy in America
Ancient Faith Radio
Ancient Faith Radio
Lives of Ss. Peter and Paul

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.