Toms River Greek Church Serving Up The “Opaa!” This September

The Toms River Greek Church known as Saint Barbara's Greek Orthodox Church will be hosting its 51st annual Greek Festival from Sept. 27th through 29th.

According to the Ocean County Tourism events page, Saint Barbara's Greek Festival will once again feature authentic Greek cuisine in an outdoor food court, as well as in the indoor dining room inside the church. Moreover, there will be authentic homemade Greek pastries, Greek Dancing, a Live Band, Games, Raffles, and so much more! 

Saint Barbara's Greek Orthodox Church is located at 2200 Church Road in Toms River. There is, however, no on-site parking for this event, as much of the festival takes place in the church parking lot. So, as in past years, there will be a free shuttle service provided from down the road at Ocean County College.

On November 30, 1972, a group of approximately fifty men and women, with strong religious convictions and beliefs, met at the Parish Center of Christ Episcopal Church on Washington Street in Toms River. This group of visionaries had as its goal to establish a Greek Orthodox Church. The vision became a reality on January 7, 1973, when the Greek Orthodox Community of Ocean County celebrated its first Divine Liturgy at the Chapel of the Christ Episcopal Church with Rev. Dr. Demetrius Constantelos serving as its interim priest. Services continued at this location for nearly ten years.  Following the celebration of the first Divine Liturgy, the General Assembly met for the first time.

The first Board of Trustees selected George Stathakis, president; Wallace Parlapanides, vice president; Despina Lines, recording secretary; Constance Kalkines, corresponding secretary; and Thomas Manos, treasurer. On February 27, 1973, the church received its Charter from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America.

For More Info on the Greek Festival, click here.