St Barbara Russian Orthodox Church
About Us
Saint Barbara Church was founded in 2006 by the blessing of His Eminence, Kyrill, Archbishop of San Francisco & Western America, Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. Being established six years ago, the parish did not have a permanent priest and regular Sunday Liturgies until 2011.
In July 2011, His Eminence, Archbishop Kyrill, of San Francisco & Western America, blessed Archpriest George Gulin who lived at that time in Sacramento to arrive at Orange County, to lead and strengthen the efforts of many “myrrh-bearers”, the true hard-workers on the “field of the Lord” at St. Barbara’s Mission.
People of the parish needed spiritual leadership in order to organize parish life better and straighten it by the Holy Sacraments and Liturgical Services on a regular basis. During last year the Sisterhood of the parish was formed, consisting of the devote members, who regularly take care of the Church, cleaning and beautifying it with fresh flowers; sewing sets of vestments, printing monthly church bulletin, etc.
Our liturgical language on Sunday is Church Slavonic, but we include some English in our services, as well. On Saturday, the Liturgy is entirely in English.
The atmosphere of the parish is very friendly, charmingly open, truly sincere, simple, full of love and respect to one another. Many visitors repeat saying this, witnessing their adoration by such lovely atmosphere in the parish. Come and visit us on Sundays, to listen to our beautiful Choir!
With God’s help, our parish successfully carries its spiritual mission. But we need even more active co-workers in Christ with the goal of raising up of our church building. Please join us in our efforts! Help our Mission to grow, to buy land and build a church facility! St. Barbara Parish receives no Diocesan aid but operates entirely on donations of quite a small number of parishioners. Therefore, we need your additional help to build traditional Russian-style Church here in Orange County. If you wish to help us, please send a check to the parish address, or donate through PayPal.
Shrines of our Parish
By the mercy of God, by the prayers of Saints, we have been blessed by the particles of relics of the following Saints:
- St. Great Martyr Barbara,
- St. Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon,
- St. Hierarch Luke of Crimea,
- Blessed Mother Matrena of Moscow,
- Parents of St Sergius – St. Kyrill and Maria,
- Several Venerated Fathers of the Kiev Caves,
- Saint John Maximovich.
All relics are installed in the icons and available for your worship.
Through the prayers of the Saints, o Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on us, and bless us!
Schedule of Sevices
NEWS
“Where Are You, Adam?”
I would like to invite you to a screening of the remarkable documentary film Where Are You, Adam? — a film that many viewers describe not simply as a movie, but as a profound personal experience.
The film was shot on Mount Athos, a place that has existed for more than a thousand years as a unique monastic republic with its own laws, traditions, and way of life. To this day, women are not permitted to enter Mount Athos, and photography and filming there are strictly restricted. For this reason, the opportunity to witness the authentic daily life of one of the Athonite monasteries from the inside is truly rare.
Even more remarkable is the story behind the film’s creation. The future producer, Deacon Alexander Pliska, together with director Alexander Zaporoshchenko, spent nearly ten years regularly visiting the Dohiar Monastery, gradually earning the trust of the brotherhood and seeking their blessing to film. Once permission was granted, years of meticulous work followed. The result is a film unlike almost any other.
It is important to understand that this is not a film about Orthodoxy, not a film about monasticism, and not religious propaganda. The filmmakers are not trying to persuade anyone, prove anything, or impose any conclusions. There are no actors, no script, no staged scenes, and no narration. There is only life as it truly is.
That is precisely why the film affects people in such an unusual way. It speaks not so much to the intellect as to the inner state of the viewer. Each person sees something different in it. Some find answers to long-standing questions, while others begin to reflect on things for which they had never before found the time.
Another unique aspect of the film is that it cannot simply be found online or streamed on popular platforms. Screenings are organized directly by the filmmakers, who present the film in cinemas, cultural centers, and parishes around the world.
Audiences often respond very emotionally: they laugh, they cry, and many remain long after the screening has ended, discussing what they have seen. This happens among people of all backgrounds, professions, and beliefs.
Perhaps the reason is that the film’s central question is addressed not to monks, but to every human being:
“Where Are You, Adam?”
Trailer:
Where Are You, Adam? — Official Trailer
Relics of Saint John Maximovich
Today, on August 25-th 2018 our parish has received the relics of Saint John Maximovich!
We have been waiting for this event to happen for many years….
From now on we will have his holy relics remain in our church all the time.
Glory be to God!
O Holy Hierarch John pray unto God for us!
Time of Confessions
The Hours and Confessions start at 9:30 am on Sunday. There is lunch after the Liturgy.
