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Nativity epistle of His Eminence, Archbishop Gabriel. 2016
11:25 AM
Гаврiилъ
Aрxieпископъ Монреальскiй и Канадскiй
The Most Reverend Archbishop Gabriel
of Montreal and CanadaThe Nativity Epistle of Archbishop Gabriel
To the clergy and all the faithful flock of the Canadian diocese
Beloved in Christ brothers and sisters!The Holy Orthodox Church in the liturgical hymns for the feast of the Nativity in the flesh of our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ, often repeats the word ‘rejoice’. At the beginning of the Nativity eve vespers service we hear the words: “Come, let us greatly rejoice in the Lord…” (Stichira on “Lord I have cried” for 25th of December). And later on we hear: “Let heaven and earth today make glad prophetically” (Stichira at the Litia). Our Lord came to us from the Ever-Virgin Mary and “shew Himself upon earth, and conversed with man” (Baruch 3: 38) as the prophet Baruch foretold five centuries before the events of the Nativity, which we are now remembering. These events that we are celebrating happened more than twenty centuries ago, but since then annually at this time of year in our hearts, as much as the Lord grants to us, we feel that special joy, which was felt by the participants and witnesses of the Nativity: the most-holy Mother of God, humble Joseph, the shepherds who were watching their flocks in the night, the wise men, and the countless heavenly angels. God’s will was done. Every word that the Lord spoke through the mouths of His prophets foretelling the appearance in the flesh of Christ the Saviour, took place and no one throughout the world could in any way stop this or in the least change the will of God in any way.
The mighty king Herod cleverly found out from the wise men the possible age of the infant Jesus – the King of the Jews (Mat. 2:16). Before this he called a council of scribes, who once again confirmed that, according to the words spoken through the prophet Micah, Christ was to be born in Bethlehem of Judea (Mat. 2: 5-6). A company of soldiers was sent to Bethlehem with orders to slay all of the children not only in the town, but “in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under” (Mat. 2: 16). Despite these efforts Herod’s goal was not achieved. In those awful hours, when the streets of the ancient city of David were filled with “lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning” (Mat. 2: 18), the Child, His mother and Joseph, warned by an angel who appeared in a dream to Joseph (Mat. 2: 13), made their way unnoticed first to the temple in Jerusalem, where they offered the appropriate sacrifices (Luke 2: 22-23), and then, according to God’s command, left for Egypt (Mat. 2: 13, 19-20).
In these difficult times, when the world has been engulfed by anxiety and the future of the world and our personal future is unknown to us, let us not forget God’s unfailing promise to us. We must continuously pray so that the Lord will show us the path that we should walk. Let us pray to the newly born Christ-Child that he grant us to calmly, not falling into any temptations which constantly assail us, fulfill the will of God.
Christ is born, glorify Him! Christ is born, meet Him!
Gabriel
Archbishop of Montreal and Canada
Nativity, 2015/2016 -
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Parish Feastday in Ottawa
11:08 AM
On October 16-18, a triple celebration took place at the the Protection of the Mother of God Parish in Ottawa: the parish celebrated its parish feastday, the 50th anniversary of the founding of the parish, and the 1000th anniversary of the blessed repose of St. Vladimir, the baptizer of Russia. To mark these special events two large icons had been commissioned – one of Sts. Vladimir and Olga, the other – of the Life-Giving Trinity.
The participants of the parish celebrations were blessed by the presence of the miracle-working icon ‘Softener of Evil Hearts’ at all the festive church services, beginning with an akathist on Friday night.His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, along with Archbishop Gabriel, presided over the services on Saturday and Sunday. They were assisted by the parish clergy Fr. Alexis Pjawka and Protodeacon Fr. Vasily Milonow, as well as visiting clergy: Fr. Vladimir Malchenko from Toronto, Ontario, the dean of eastern Canada; Fr. Peter Perekrestov from San Francisco, California; Fr. George Lagodich and Fr. Valery Chemsky from Montreal, Quebec; Fr. Peter Boitchuk from the Moscow Patriarchate parish in Ottawa; Fr. Protodeacon Victor Lochmatow from Jordanville, New York; and Fr. Deacon Denis Lvov from New York. The choir sang under the direction of Julia Krukouskaia.
A moleben and procession took place after the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, despite some snow flurries. After the service, a banquet and concert were held in the Pushkin Cultural Centre. The children’s choir of the parish sang the troparion to the Protection of the Mother of God in both Church Slavonic and English and a women’s trio performed several sacred pieces and Russian folk songs. Concluding the concert was the performance of young parishioner and accomplished pianist Leonid Nediak, who delighted the guests with his interpretation of Rachmaninoff.
The parishioners of the parish thank God for the many mercies He has shown the faithful in Ottawa throughout the parish’s history, and pray that He continue to bless the parish in the future.
A photo report of the parish feast can be viewed at: www.facebook.com/pokrovottawa.
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St. Herman Youth Conference 2015
07:00 AM
The annual St. Herman Youth Conference will take place December 22-26, 2015 with the blessings of His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad. Hosting parish this year will be the Nativity of the Mother of God Church in Albany, New York, USA.
Youth between the ages of 16 and young adult may participate. A trip to the Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville will take place and there will be wonderful lectures, incredibly beautiful hierarchal services with two bishops, workshops on spiritual and contemporary issues as well as great social activities. Clergy of the Russian Church Abroad will lead discussions and be present for questions and social activities.
The registration fee of $300.00 includes all lectures, activities, meals and lodging (quad occupancy). Transportation will be provided from the hotel to all activities and services in the church.
If you register before the deadline, a $ 50.00 discount will be applied. The deadline for registration will be November 20th.
Please register early as space is limited. The registration deadline is November 20, 2015. You may register online and any questions may be directed to the conference organizers on the contacts page.
The Holy Kursk Root Icon of The Mother of God will be present throughout the conference this year.Click here to view report on the 2014 Conference
Нажмите здесь чтобы увидеть доклад о Съезде 2013 года
More information can also be obtained by speaking directly with either Archbishop Gabriel or Father George Lagodich here in our parish. Depending on how many of our youth register to attend we may be able to organize transportation from Montreal directly to the conference facilities in Albany, New York USA.
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