Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church of Sarasota
Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church of Sarasota serves the Orthodox Christian community of Sarasota, Florida, offering regular worship services and preserving Greek Orthodox faith, traditions, and community life in the region.
Clergy:
Rev. Presbyter Kyriakos Hambos, Presiding Priest
Church Type:
Parish
Denomination:
Greek Orthodox
Metropolis:
Metropolis of Atlanta
Affiliation:
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Ecumenical Patriarch:
Bartholomew I of Constantinople
Clergy Information updated Jan 2026
History
Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church of Sarasota, Florida traces its origins to 1959, when on March 31 the State of Florida granted a charter to the newly formed Greek Orthodox Community of Manasota, a name reflecting the combined communities of Manatee and Sarasota Counties. For the community's first decade and a half, the faithful gathered without a permanent home of their own. In February 1973 the community reorganized and purchased an estate on 22nd Avenue West in Bradenton, giving the faithful a base from which to build. On June 14, 1976, the Official Charter from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese was formally granted, and in 1979 the congregation chose Saint Barbara the Great Martyr as their patron saint, celebrated on December 4, and voted to approve the name. That same year the present property on Lockwood Ridge Road in Sarasota was purchased.
Construction of the Community Center and Fellowship Hall began in 1982, and in October 1983 the Reverend Frank Kirlangitis was assigned as the first full-time priest of Saint Barbara, a pastoral appointment that would shape the parish for the following twenty-seven years. In June 1984 the first Glendi Festival was organized, launching what became one of the most beloved annual Greek cultural events on the Suncoast. Groundbreaking for the permanent church building took place on December 4, 1988, the feast day of the patron saint, and construction commenced on March 25, 1990. The Thyranoixia, the Opening of the Doors ceremony, was celebrated on December 7, 1991, presided over by His Grace Bishop Philip of Daphnousia. On Palm Sunday, April 28, 2002, the mortgage on the church was formally burned, marking the community's full ownership of the campus.
In April 2006 the Ecclesiastical Fine Arts Committee, with the blessing of the Metropolis of Atlanta, commissioned iconographer George Filipakis to complete the mural iconography of the dome, the four side icons, and the front of the choir loft, bringing the interior of the sanctuary to its Byzantine fullness.
Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church at 7671 North Lockwood Ridge Road in Sarasota serves the Orthodox Christian faithful of Sarasota and Manatee Counties as a parish of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Atlanta within the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
This page serves as a reference resource for Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church of Sarasota, providing essential information such as location, contact details, clergy, and church affiliation. It is intended to help visitors and members of the Orthodox Christian community easily find accurate parish information in one place.
How to Get To Saint Barbara
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register as a member at a Greek Orthodox parish?
Parish membership is generally established by registering with the church office. Each parish may have its own process for enrollment and participation in parish life.
Can I attend services if I am not a registered member of the parish?
Greek Orthodox churches welcome visitors and non-members to attend services. Participation in sacraments may require coordination with the parish and priest.
How do I contact the parish priest for pastoral matters?
Pastoral requests are typically handled by the parish priest. The parish office can assist with contact details and help coordinate appointments or inquiries.
How do I register to baptize my child in the Greek Orthodox Church?
Baptism requests are handled by the local parish. The church will usually require documentation from the parents and godparent, along with coordination with the priest to schedule the baptism.
How do I request a wedding date at my Greek Orthodox church?
Wedding dates are scheduled through the parish office and priest. Availability depends on the church calendar, fasting periods, and parish guidelines, so it is recommended to inquire well in advance.
How do I obtain a copy of my Greek Orthodox marriage certificate?
Marriage certificates are typically issued by the church where the sacrament took place. To request a copy, contact the parish office directly and ask what information or identification is required.
How do I obtain a copy of my Greek Orthodox baptismal certificate?
Baptismal certificates are typically issued by the church where the baptism took place. To request a copy, contact the parish office directly and ask what information or identification is required.
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