News

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  Resolution Of the Pastoral Retreat & Assembly Of the Priests & Clergy of the Diocese of Montréal & Canada 6/19-8/21 March 2012

  30 March 2012

  We, the priests and clergy of the Diocese of Canada, have assembled during the salvific days of the Great Fast at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, in Toronto, Ontario, for our annual pastoral retreat and diocesan convocation. Our meeting, headed by His Eminence, Archbishop Gabriel of Montréal & Canada, who has occupied the hierarchal cathedra of the divinely saved Canadian Diocese for three years now, assembled a greater number of priestly participants that at any of the previous diocesan lenten retreats. The meeting took place in the spirit of fraternal love and aided all the participants in strengthening their hearts in anticipation of the approaching feast of feasts—the holy resurrection of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ.

  At the convocaton, as usual, talk was not only of matters pertaining only to the diocese, but also of the life of the entire Church of Russia, in the homeland and in diaspora. The 5th anniversary of the reestablishment of eucharistic and canonical unity within the Russian Orthodox Church is drawing nigh. Over the intervening years, we have by our own eyes been convinced that the gracious and healing will of God rests on the conciliar decision for such unity. We see the good fruits of church unity constantly. This time, we welcomed to our assembly His Grace, Bishop Irenée of Québec (Orthodox Church in America), who took part in our talks and discussions, and also concelebrated the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts with His Eminence, Archbishop Gabriel, on Wednesday, 8/21 March. This joint service is the first such to take place in Canada. In the course of our talks, we sensed our profound spiritual unity with His Grace, Bishop Irenée, the more so in that the present Bishop of Québec is a former student of our Holy Trinity Seminary, in Jordanville, New York.

  In discussing the state of affairs in the Russian Orthodox Church, our assembly expressed anxiety over the well-known increase in the number of calls supporting the gradual elimination of the Church Slavonic language as the sole liturgical language of the Church of Russia—a language which, by the will of God, was transmitted to the Eastern Slavic peoples by Saints Cyril and Methodius. Such mindsets, particularly those that originate with respected clergymen and those in hierarchal rank, on whatever specious reasons they may based themselves, are liable to evoke turmoil and temptations within the Church. We understand well that it was precisely the exclusion of the Church Slavonic language from the liturgical practice that characterized the heresy of “Renovationism” of accursed memory, which arose with particular force during the years of persecution. However, we are in no way stating that, for example, the festal and Sunday readings of the Epistle cannot be done, along with Church Slavonic, in the languages of those people among whom the Russian Church Abroad exercises its ministry. In this connection, we also acknowledge that it is highly beneficial to teach the Church Slavonic language in our parish schools, as is done at the Alexander Pushkin Parish School attached to the Cathedral of St. Nicholas, in Montréal. It is likewise essential to train in the correct method of reading Slavonic those who desire to take upon themselves the obedience of readers, for which a special School of Precentors (headed by the well-known choir director, the reader George Skok, assisted by the reader Nikolai Androsov and Dr. Denis Brearley) exists in our diocese.

  During discussion of the question of the ecclesiastical education of our parishes, it was resolved that every parish of the Diocese of Canada must publish, at least once a month, a parish bulletin. In addition to parish news such bulletins ought to provide, in conjuction with a schedule of services, notes on the feasts to be celebrated during that month.

  All of this has a direct relation to the task of education, i.e., to catechesis, which is especially needful for those who come to our Church from a non-Orthodox milieu. Part of such education must deal today, in our evil and unbelieving times, with the abandonment of stable cultural values, in fact, the very basis of the divinely established principles of our existence on earth, such as traditional marriage, the union sanctified by the Church, without which human civilization is unthinkable as such.

  Regarding diocesan affairs, with the blessing of His Eminence, Archbishop Gabriel, we adopted the decision that the Diocesan Finance Committee proceed to solicit funds as soon as possible for the renovation of the walls of our St. Nicholas Cathedral in Montréal, which once suffered a ruinous fire, and where even to this day work of various sorts is required to stave off dilapidation.

  Also discussed was preparation for the upcoming 5th anniversary of the signing of the Act of the Restoration of Canonical Communion in the Russian Orthodox Church, mentioned above, as well as an approaching date that is important for the whole of Russian Orthodoxy: the 400th anniversary of the Romanov Dynasty. The diocesan festivities in this regard will take place next year in Toronto, where, by the mercy of God, Holy Trinity Cathedral, the most populous parish of the Russian Church Abroad, exists.

  Among all the important current affairs discussed, the most important for the participants of the meeting remained preparation for Holy Communion, prayer and the divine services. It was just such a disposition of spirit that facilitated discussion of certain complex questions requiring the speediest resolution, connected with the day-to-day life of our diocese. In his concluding words, delivered at the farewell meal before actual departure of the convocation participants in Toronto, His Eminence, Archbishop Gabriel again reminded everyone that the only way to build up the life of the Church successfully is always to follow the rule of the Apostle Paul: “Bear ye one another’s’ another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 6: 2).

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  A PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND

  24 February 2012

  A pilgrimage to the Holy Land has always been, is and will be the greatest dream for every Orthodox Christian. To be able to venerate sites blessed by the presence of the Saviour, Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, His Most Pure Mother, and the Holy Spirit Which descended on Sinai on Pentecost, is an honour and a gift from God.

  The second pilgrimage to the Holy Land for parishioners of the Canadian Diocese
  will take place from
  May 11-29, 2012
  (18 days/17 nights)

  The Canadian Pilgrimage will be led by our own Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada.

  The group will fly non-stop Toronto to Tel Aviv roundtrip on Air Canada. Connecting flights from Montreal, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary and other cities are being arranged with Air Canada. The group’s itinerary for the Holy Land is being planned by the nuns of the Gethsemane Convent, who have been organizing such visits for North American pilgrims for many years. Participants will stay at the Mount of Olives Hotel, which is near the Convents of the Mount of Olives and Gethsemane.

  THE COST OF THE TRIP IS CDN $3,550.00 AND INCLUDES:
  Roundtrip airfare from Toronto to Tel Aviv
  Ground transportation throughout the Holy Land
  All scheduled visits to holy sites and services, accommodation and meals

  Parishioners interested in joining the pilgrimage are asked to contact
  Peter Antonoff (Toronto)
  Mobile telephone – 416-407-1102 E-mail: pantonoff@rogers.com

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  The clergy of the diocese congratulates His Eminence, Archbishop Gabriel with his name day

  5 February 2012

  To His Eminence, Gabriel,
  Archbishop of Montreal and Canada

  Your Eminence,
  Dear in the Lord Very Most Reverend Master!

  Allow us to congratulate your Eminence with all our hearts on your Name Day.

  We prayerfully wish you, holy Master, continuous help from your heavenly protector along with spiritual strength and bodily health.

  Through the prayers of the holy newmartyrs of Russia, may the Lord order for good everything that burdens you these days, and may He give you the strength for the future successfull establishing of the wellbeing of the divinely protected Canadian Diocese entrusted to your care.

  We ask for your holy Archpastoral prayers and blessing.
  Clergy and laity of the Canadian Diocese.

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  On Monday, 10/23 January, 2012, one of the senior clerics of our diocese – mitred protopriest Vsevolod Martysiewicz – fell asleep in the Lord

  31 January 2012

  VSEVOLOD LEONIDOVICH MARTYSIEWICZ WAS BORN IN KАMBARKA, RUSSIA, ON FEBRUARY 29TH,  1920, TO FATHER LEONID AND MATYSHKA ALEXANDRA. THE SECOND OF 4 CHILDREN, OLDEST BEING MICHAEL, A YOUNGER SISTER, EVGENIA, WHO PASSED AWAY AS A TEENAGER, AND A YOUNGER BROTHER ALEKSEY, WHO CURRENTLY RESIDES IN LITHUANIA.


  HIS STAY IN KOMBARKA WAS SHORT AND AT THE AGE OF TWO MOVED TO WHAT WAS THEN KNOW AS BELORUS.
 
YOUNG VSEVOLOD ATTENDED SCHOOL IN VILNIUS, AND FREQUENTED “DUHOV MONASTERY”. DURING THE WAR HIS PARENTS ALONG WITH THIER SONS, IMMIGRATED TO GERMANY, (DRESDEN).

  ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE WAR, WITH THE FAMILY SEPARATED AND DISPLACED, HE FOUND HIS WAS TO CANADA IN 1949, AND LANDING A JOB IN RED LAKE, ONTARIO, WORKING IN THE GOLD MINES, TO PAY FOR HIS TRIP BY BOAT, TO CANADA.


  
AFTER PAYING OFF HIS TRANSPORTATION DEBT, HE MADE HIS WAY TO TORONTO, WHERE HE MET FATHER JOHN DIACHINA, CHRIST THE SAVIOUR RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH. TAUGHT RUSSIAN SCHOOL AND WAS ACTIVE IN THE CHURCH AND SOCIAL CLUB. FATHER VSEVOLOD ORGANIZED AND LED THE FIRST RUSSIAN SCOUT TROOP IN CANADA.


  EARLY 1950 HE GOT A JOB WITH MASSEY HARRIS, WHERE HE WORKED UNTIL HE TOOK EARLY RETIREMENT IN 1972.  IN 1952 HE MET GALINA GEORGEVNA JONOV, DAUGHTER OF DISPLACED RUSSIANS (FROM YUGOSLAVIA) AND WERE MARRIED IN APRIL 1953. THEY HAVE 2 SONS, LEONID MARRIED TO CHRISTINE AND HAVE TWO CHILDREN NATALIE AGE 20 AND A SON MICHAEL AGE 16. GEORGE,  MARRIED  TO ROBIN AND HAVE TWO CHILDREN MAX 13 AND KATYA 10.

  
IN 1972 BECAME A RUSSIAN ORTHODOX PRIEST AT HOLY RESSURECTION CHURCH IN TORONTO FOR 25 YEARS AND LATER IN HAMILTON AT HOLY VEIL OF THE HOLY MOTHER RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH.
 
FATHER VSEVOLOD ALSO SERVED AT LAKE SIMCOE, LONDON WINDSOR AND EVEN AT THE BULGARIAN CHURCH IN TORONTO, ON AN ON CALL/ AS NEEDED BASIS.


  
FATHER VSEVOLOD RECIEVED A MITRE FROM THE BISHOP IN 2009.


  FATHER WAS ILL FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS WITH CANCER AND WAS BED RIDDEN, AT HOME, THE LAST 6 MONTHS. A TURN FOR THE WORST ON SUNDAY 22ND OF JANUARY, HE WAS RUSHED TO OAKVILLE TRAFALGAR MEMORIAL HOSPITAL AROUND 7 PM. FATHER VSEVOLOD PASSED AWAY EARLY MONDAY MORNING ON JANUARY 23RD, 2012, WITH HIS WIFE BY HIS SIDE.

• Piligrimage to Greece and Constantinople

  29 January 2012

  With the blessing of His Eminence, Archbishop Gabriel.

  Dear brothers and sisters!

  The registration for the pilgrimage to Greece and Constantinople from 7 to 21 of May, 2012, is open.

  The program includes:

  • Athens, places where St. Paul preached.

  • Evia island, visit to the church of St. John the Russian.

  • Patras, the place where the relics of St. Andrew the First Called are kept.

  • The island of Patmos, where in the cave the Revelation of God was given to the beloved disciple of Christ, St. John the Theologian.

  • Meteora, with the visits to many mountain monasteries.

  • The island of Corfu, Liturgy in the church of St. Spyridon of Trimythous.

  • Thessaloniki, visit to the church of holy great martyr Dimitrios of Thessalonica.

  • Constantinople, visit to the church of St. Sophia, centre of the Byzantine empire.

  And much more.

  The cost of the entire trip is $3290, including airfare, stay in hotel rooms (2 or 3 person per room), 2 meals a day, tour bus, ferries, orthodox guide and museum tickets.

  In order to register, and for additional information, please, contact Alexander at (416) 650-1367.

• Upcoming piligrimage for children to St. Petersburg, Russia

  29 January 2012

  With the blessing of His Eminence, Archbishop Gabriel.

  At the Holy Trinity cathedral in Toronto, registration is open for children for the pilgrimage trip to St. Petersburg set for 11 through the 18 March, 2012, during the spring break. The pilgrimage is organized and headed by Mitred Protopriest Vladimir Malchenko.

  The program includes the visit to St. Peter and Paul fortress, the Hermitage, St. Alexander Nevski Lavra, St. Isaac’s cathedral, the church of the Saviour-on-the-blood, Kazan cathedral, the Russian museum, Smolensk cemetery and the chapel of Blessed Xenia, St. John’s convent where the relics of St. John of Kronstadt rest.
  There will also be trips to Tsarskoye Selo and Peterhoff with the visits to Catherine’s and Alexander’s palaces, Theodore’s emperors cathedral, Peter palace.

  The entire cost of the trip for the children 12 and up, parents and teachers – $1,680.00. Children age 11 and under get a discount.

  The cost of the trip includes:
  * Airfare Toronto – St. Petersburg – Toronto
  * Tourbus for the entire trip
  * Orthodox tour guide for the entire trip
  * Logding in a comfortable Pilgrim’s home on the monastery territory
  * Two meals per day
  * Tickets to all museums and excursions

  To register and in order to get additional information, please, contact Alexander at (416) 650-1367.

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  Nativity epistle of His Eminence, Archbishop Gabriel

  4 January 2012

  To the Clergy & the Whole Divinely Saved Flock of the Diocese of Montréal & Canada
  Beloved brethren and sisters,

  Again we have been accounted worthy to live to see the great feast of the Nativity of Christ. The Lord came to us through the immaculate Virgin, He “appeared on earth and dwelt among men,” as the Prophet Baruch foretold (3:38); and after him the Prophet Haggai revealed to the people that He Whom all nations were awaiting would come to the temple of Jerusalem (2: 7).

  The events of the Nativity took place more than twenty centuries ago, yet every year throughout these sacred days is repeated the clear experience of this joy, of that yearning of men’s souls for heaven which the witnesses of the events of Bethlehem—the all-holy Virgin Mary, the righteous Joseph, the shepherds and the magi—felt.

  Yet what should we today, in our times, do to join the jubilant witnesses of the Nativity of Christ who cry out to us over two millennia: “Come, let us rejoice in the Lord!”? To this we find the answer in a sermon of His Beatitude, Metropolitan Anthony (Khrapovitsky), the founder of the Russian Church Abroad: “Two groups of ordinary people were vouchsafed to worship Him and receive the grace of His coming, and we are fully able to imitate them, if only by acquiring the joy of sharing in their compunctionate homage before the manger, the dwelling-place of Christ. The shepherds kept watch through the cold night, carrying out their duties; but they forsook their customary tasks, for after the revelation of the angel “they came with haste” (Lk. 2: 16) to Bethlehem, where there awaited them not the sight of scepters and thrones, but, as we read in the canon of the Nativity, “utter poverty. What is more base than the cave? What is more lowly that the swaddling-bands wherein the richness of Thy divinity shone forth?” (Nativity Canon).

  And His Beatitude exclaims: “Brethren, let us also tear ourselves away from our concerns, if only on this sacred and grace-filled day, that we may worship the Newborn with faith!”

  “… Even if sin has brought you down into bestial passions and lusts, even if you are compelled by your conscience to apply to yourself the prophet’s rebuke: ‘ Man, being in honor, did not understand; he is compared to the mindless cattle, and is become like unto them ‘ (Ps. 48: 13), even then you must not despair of the condescension of your Savior, Who, not having disdained to lie in a manger, does not disdain to rest in the manger of your soul in His grace and his peace,” Saint Philaret, Metropolitan of Moscow, once said.

  Thus, beloved brethren and sisters, the Nativity of Christ is a feast of great joy, but also of the great humility that the divine Infant, the Lord Himself, shows us. Let us be mindful of this during these festive days, for Christ Who is now born has promised His disciples—that is, you and me: ” I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you” (Jn. 16: 22).

  CHRIST IS BORN! GLORIFY HIM!

  GABRIEL
  Archbishop of Montreal & Canada

  Nativity of Christ, 2012

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  Annual St. Herman’s youth conference was held in Ottawa

  3 January 2012

  Recently, from the 24th through the 26 of December, 2011, annual St. Herman’s youth conference was held in Ottawa, the capital of Canada. Participants from the east coast of the United States and from all of Canada gathered under the protection of two wonderworking icons of the Mother of God: Kursk-Root of the Sign and the myrrh-streaming Iveron, from Hawai.

  His Eminence, the Very Most Reverend Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Church Abroad and His Eminence, the Very Most Reverend Gabriel, Archbishop of Montreal and Canada presided over the divine services and took active part in the work of the conference. The services in Ottawa’s Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos parish were made beautiful by the even and tender singing of the youth choir, directed by several talented conductors.

  Lectures were given by priest Viatcheslav Davidenko (Toronto, Ontario), priest Sergei Sveshnikov (Mulino, Oregon), and Nicholas Chapman (Jordanville, New York). For closer contact and fellowship with the youth workgroup discussion were organized.

  During the last day there was a guided tour of the Parliament building along with a trip to downtown. The conference concluded with the talent show.

  We offer you the photos of matushka Alexandra Platonow-Metni

  St. Herman’s conference, Ottawa, 2011

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  St. Nicholas’ cathedral was visited by the wonderworking myrrh-streaming Hawai Iveron icon of the Mother of God

  3 January 2012

  Please, see the photos by matushka Alexandra Platonow-Metni.

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  Parish feast at the St. Nicholas cathedral

  3 January 2012

  Please, see the photos by matushka Alexandra Platonow-Metni.