Parishes

The feast of the Parish of St.Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow in Waterloo, Ontario

On Sunday, November 18, 2012 at the Church of Saint Tikhon in Waterloo, Ontario celebrated their Patronal Feast of Saint Tikhon, 11th Patriarch of Moscow and All of Russia. The all-night vigil and the divine liturgy were presided by Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal & Canada with parish rector Priest Eugene Schukin and deacon Alexander Morin. Subdeacons and readers from across the province travelled to Waterloo to celebrate this feast. The choir was led by Reader Oreshkin. Immediately following the divine liturgy, a moleben was held in the middle of the Church. The participants of the Feast were invited to a trapeza immediately following the moleben. During the trapeza, participants were offered a buffet lunch, a children’s concert with poems, singing, and selected young parishioners were given the opportunity to present their musical talents. A gramata was awarded to Mrs. Raisa Ratsen for her endless contributions to the parish. Father Eugene commented that the parish Russian School has grown from eight to twenty-two students. Archbishop Gabriel reminded all participants that parents play a vital role in their children’s development in the Russian Orthodox Faith! The clergy thanked all volunteers for their assistance in making this Patronal Feast, a truly remarkable event.

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Parish of the Protection of the Mother of God in Hamilton, Ontario, celebrated its 60 anniversary

During the weekend of Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 of October, the parish of the Protection of the Mother of God in Hamilton, Ontario, marked its 60th anniversary.

His Eminence, Gabriel, archbishop of Montreal and Canada, presided over the festive divine services. Vladyka was assisted by parish rector, protopriest Mikhail Luboshchinskiy, priest Viatcheslav Davidenko of Holy Trinity Cathedral in Toronto, Ontario, priest Eugene Schukin, rector of the St. Tikhon Patriarch of Moscow parish in Waterloo, Ontario, deacon Alexander Morin of Holy Trinity Cathedral in Toronto, and deacon Mark Liumes from Niagara, Ontario.

Divine Liturgy was sung by a joint choir under the direction of reader Gregory Montana, choir director of the Smolensk Mother of God church in Berezki, (Jacksons Point, Ontario).

At the end of the Liturgy was a thanksgiving prayer service and all present sent up their prayers asking the merciful Lord and His Most Pure Mother to continue protecting and strengthening the parish in Hamilton in the future.

The celebration concluded with a gracious meal in the parish hall, where a charity lottery was held. At the very end, parish children put on a small performance, a parable about a mushroom that provided cover from the rain for many animals.

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FROM THE DIOCESAN ADMINISTRATION To all parishioners of the Resurrection church in Toronto, Ontario

Beloved in the Lord brothers and sisters!

Christ is Risen!

In these days, when we still greet each other with a Paschal greeting, preparing for the approaching Feast of the Holy and Life-creating Trinity, we are in need of addressing you with this letter. Sorrow has visited your parish: you are being drawn into a schism. Now we must make efforts so that the Risen Savior in His mercy would pity us and give us the strength and fortitude to overcome the disorder at hand.

First, we would like to bring to your knowledge the documents, which – as we are informed – were not known to the majority of the parishioners, but only to a small group of people, striving for the right to administer the future of your parish, as well as all the Church property, without any supervision.

That is why it is especially important that each of you were given the unimpeded opportunity to know the very reason for the current state of affairs.

It is possible that the majority of the parishioners are not aware that the former parish rector, priest George Sachewski, broke all ties with his diocese, his Hierarch and his clergy brothers, long time ago. Therefore, after many attempts to clarify things with priest George, on 9/22 March, of this year, the Very Most Reverend Gabriel, Archbishop of Montreal and Canada, addressed to him the following letter, which stated:

“As your ruling Hierarch, I am pressed by necessity to address you with this letter, since all my efforts to correct you in private conversations, regretfully, did not bring any desired results. Among other things, we don’t even have an opportunity to meet with you very often… Demonstratively, you refuse to participate in Diocesan Great Lenten retreats, in Diocesan assemblies. You did not even grace us with a response to our directive, inviting you and your parish to attend the solemn celebration of the 90th anniversary of our Russian Church Abroad.

To add to the previously stated, you do not send the proper contributions into the Diocesan treasury, and did not pay attention to the circular directive, according to which all our parishes must purchase candles from the Diocese, a fact of which you cannot be ignorant.

/…/ I shall not quote the suitable paragraphs of the Book of Rules because I am convinced: You yourself know that we are speaking of disorder and even consciously vexing the Bishop. Such behavior is a bad example to our clergy and cannot be tolerated any longer.

Yet, what was it and what is it now that prohibits you from contacting me and telling me the reasons for the restless state of your spirit? Whence is this hostile irritability, which has engulfed you?

For the last time, I call upon you to come to your senses, to find a return to participation in the life of the Diocese. That will help you find peace of soul, which is so important during the saving days of Great Lent.

However, should you continue to be stubborn in your disobedience, I shall have nothing other to do, but to remove you from your post of rector in our Resurrection parish.

With hope for your speedy recollection, prayerfully, I wish you help and direction from the Lord.”

There was no answer, neither verbal, nor written, to this letter.

Only then, after the passing of almost one and a half months, the Very Most Reverend Gabriel was urged by his duty to take action. Notably, he used only administrative measures, which do not involve Church discipline.

24 April/7 May, 2011, there was a directive, which priest George received the following day. Here are the main points:

“It is with great sadness of soul that I was forced to acknowledge the fact that all my attempts to call you to mind, to incline you to reestablish the ties you demonstratively broke with your Diocese, your fellow brothers the clergy, and finally, with me, your Hierarch, did not lead to desired results. You did not bother to reply to my corrective letter, mailed to you in the end of March, at the address of your Resurrection church. There was not even any attempt on your part to explain to me: what was it that caused your persistent lack of desire at least to discuss your situation with your Bishop.

Such conduct of a clergyman is an obvious vexing of one’s Bishop, of which we are warned by the 14th Rule of the Twofold Council.

Based on this, and equally using the right given to me according to the Paragraph 47, point “b” of the Regulations of ROCOR, hoping for your return to right reason, I relieve you of your position as rector of the Holy Resurrection parish, on Winona (Toronto, Ontario), and transfer you to the same position of rector at the Protection parish in Hamilton (Ontario). Perhaps, at the new place you will be able to come to recollection sooner.

You must, without delay, contact Fr. Protopriest Michael Luboshchinskiy, who is appointed rector of the Resurrection parish on Winona, and discuss with him the order of the named transition in order for the established divine services to continue uninterrupted in both churches.

Should this also not avail, regretfully, I will have to use the discipline set forth in the Holy Canons.

To this end you are given this directive.

This directive comes into effect from 26 April/9 May, 2011.”

Notwithstanding, Archbishop Gabriel, taking into consideration the feelings of the flock of the Resurrection church, on 28 April/11 May, 2011, published a special explanation to his directive:

“…I inform you that you are permitted to serve on Sunday, 2/15 May, in the Resurrection church on Winona, Toronto, Ontario, in order to say farewell to the flock, informing everyone of the contents of the published directive, so that on 9/22 May, on Sunday, you would be able to serve at your new post, i.e. at the Protection church in Hamilton, Ontario.”

On 2/15 May, Diocesan Administration received priest George Sachewski’s letter. In it, saying no word about the contents of the directive he received, he informed the Hierarch about the breaking of canonical relations with him and with the entire Russian Orthodox Church Abroad, explaining his action by the “impossibility of fighting the evil of sergianism and ecumenism” in current conditions. Call to mind that priest George had already separated from the Church in 2001, having joined the so-called “mansonville church in exhile”, but some time afterward, he came to himself and turned to Archbishop Gabriel, who then was entrusted with the administration of the parishes in the eastern part of the Canadian Diocese, with a penitential request to be received back. It was then that he was appointed to your divinely saved parish by Vladyka Gabriel.

The letter of priest George Sachewski was accompanied by a statement of several members of the parish council, in which they called themselves “an independent governing body” in your parish, and informed about a right to separate the parish with all the Church property from the Diocese and Church not pleasing to them and to transfer it to another, “true church”, as though confirmed by the meeting called by them on the very day of the publishing of this announcement. As we were informed, the matter has to do with the non-canonical organization headed by the defrocked Agathangel Pashkovskiy and among the orthodox people called “Odessa church abroad.” The statement concluded with threats to appeal to the civil authorities should the Hierarch attempt to impede the “independent decisions” of those, who signed this document. Priest George Sachewski joined in the signing of this document.

Such conduct of a cleric and laity encouraged by him could not be tolerated.

7/20 May, Archbishop Gabriel sent to priest George Sachewski a directive, which we provide below practically without any omissions.

“To priest George Sachewski

Your Blessing!

As follows from your letter, equally from the letter of the members of the Parish Council of the Holy Resurrection parish on Winona (Toronto, Ontario), you refuse to obey the directive #1/5/11, received by you, according to which from 26 April/9 May, of this year, your lawful, based on the Holy Canons and our Regulations, transfer to another parish took place.

Your insubordination you expressed in the named letter addressed to your Hierarch. This letter contains untrue and evil accusations, along with calls to disobedience to Church Authority. You joined the above-mentioned letter of the members of the Parish Council, which, aside from multiple insinuations, bears witness to the fact that the undersigned belong to a Lutheran error, according to which the Church is comprised of the corporations independent in their decisions from the Council, Synod and Diocesan Hierarch, notably, registration by civil authorities is proclaimed to be the basis for such independence.

This is equal to a blatant rejection of the Orthodox teaching of the Holy Fathers about the Church and of the Regulations of ROCOR, founded upon this teaching.

All of this means that you numbered yourself with those, who “having disdained their Bishop, before an investigation and decision of the Council, dare to severe communion with him” (see Rule 31 of the Twofold Council).

You, “having disdained your own Bishop” (see Rule 31 of the Holy Apostles), to the dismay of the flock, state that you refuse to comemmorate your First Hierarch and your Hierarch, as is established by the Holy Canons (see Rule 13 of the Twofold Council). You falsely accuse our Hierarchs and your own Bishop of turning to ecumenism, causing “confusion among the peaceful people” (See Rule 6 of the II Ecumenical Council). As the result, you, “making impediments to Bishops” (see Rule 34 of the VI Ecumenical Council, and also Rule 18 of the IV Ecumenical Council), in the hearing of all proclaimed your disobedience to Diocesan authority (see Rule 55 of the Holy Apostles).

The above-mentioned is sufficient, in order to protect the faithful children of the Church from temptations caused by you, immediately, to raise the question about stripping you of the sacred rank and dignity.

However, considering your evidently unrestful state of soul and your bodily illnesses, accordinb with the named Rules (Twofold 13 and 15, Apostle’s 31 and 55, II Ecum. 5, IV Ecum. 18, VI Ecum. 34, Antioch 5, Carth. 10 and 11), for the conduct unworthy of a cleric, with a view to protect you from committing any further canonical transgressions, you are suspended from conducting divine services until your repentance.

Should you dare to violate the directive regarding your suspension, having conducted any divine service, you may be defrocked.”

We continue to hope that priest George and a small group of irresponsible people attached to him, by the mercy of God, will come to realize what abyss of impurity opened before them.

Along with this we remind you, beloved brothers and sisters, the words of one of the Fathers of the Church, Hieromartyr Cyprian of Carthage: “The Church is in the Bishop, and the Bishop is in the Church.” In the 39th Rule of the Apostles it is said: “The Bishop is entrusted with the people of the Lord, and he will give an account for their souls.” The hieromartyr Ignatius the God-bearer wrote: “Without the Bishop there is no Church, where the Bishop is, there should the people be…” (“To Smyrnaeans,” Ch. VIII). Where the Bishop is, there is the Church, where the Church is, there is the Bishop, dear brothers and sisters. In accordance with the Holy Canons, upon which the very foundation of the Church is established, a sacred minister does not possess “autonomous” right to conduct divine services, “independent” ability to perform the Mysteries of the Church. This right is given to him by lawful Bishops in laying on of hands and is preserved by exclusively under the condition of his obedience to the lawful Hierarch, of him being under the Hierarch’s omophorion within the fold of the Church. If a clergyman under any pretext refuses to obey his Hierarch and persists in his disobedience, then he is subject to suspension. In the state of suspension the ability to perform the Mysteries is stopped, i.e. the clergyman’s right to conduct divine services is taken away from him.

A clergyman daring to serve while suspended commits a great sin. He deprives of the Holy Mysteries both himself and those, who out of their lack of judgment, perhaps, wishing to express their support for him, in one way, or another, takes part in the lawlessness of a suspended cleric. By this they do harm to their own and to his salvation.

Regarding the pitiful “corporate heresy,” which is held onto by the authors of the statement, of which we spoke earlier, an exhaustive statement was made by the ever-memorable Vladyka Averky (Taushev), one of the greatest Church authors not only of the Russian Orthodox Diaspora, but of the entire Russian Church. He openly denounced the “church activists” of the parish councils, who strove to use the Church in a way it was not intended to be. Such individuals, in the words of the Hierarch Averky made wise by the Lord, “strive to use the Church and church establishments in their earthly, having nothing to do with salvation of the soul, goals. To this end they often take active part in the life of the church, attempt to take leadership positions and – it is dreadful to say! – they sometimes stoop so low as to accept a fake and hypocritical ordination into holy orders. How many disorders and temptations do these individuals, having lost their conscience, cause in contemporary church life!” And Vladyka continues: “Faithful laity, elected into parish councils, are not at all some plenipotential managers, or “government” of a parish…”

We can only add that no decision of the parish council and parish meeting, even called together according to the bylaws (which it was not in your case) cannot come into effect without the blessing and confirmation of the Hierarch.

The Very Most Reverend Vladyka Gabriel hopes that soon he will meet with all of you. He will readily listen to everyone, who shall address questions to him, or will desire to express his view of the events taking place.

Now, let us again turn to the providential words of Archbishop Averky, as though they were addressed to us today:

“Above all we should be afraid of any “selfishness,” any self-thinking and self-ordering, of opposing of oneself to the voice of the Church, which is coming to us from the depths of the Apostolic and Holy Fathers’ antiquity…”

60th Anniversary of the Saviour Not Made with Hands Parish in London (Ontario)

This year, the parish feast of the churh of the Icon of the Savior Not Made with Hands, celebrated as the third feast of the Savior, fell on the 60th anniversary of the parish.

On Sunday, August 16/29, with a large group of the faithful, His Grace, Gabriel, Bishop of Montreal and Canada, served Divine Liturgy assisted by the rector of the parish, Protopriest Vladimir Morin, Protodeacon Vasili Milonow (Protection Memorial Church, Ottawa, Ontario), and Deacon Alexander Morin (Holy Trinity Cathedral, Toronto, Ontario).

There was a cross procession with a prayer service. His Grace, Bishop Gabriel, blessed a memorial plaque, especially prepared for this feast day in honor of Ivan Vasilievitch Gavrilik, who in 1958 donated to the parish the plot of land, upon which the current church of the Icon of the Savior Not Made with Hands is erected. The plaque is for the eternal memory of the gracious benefactor’s son – Alexander, who died in a car accident at the age of 22.

After the cross procession and moleben everyone was invited to a meal.

Предлагаем читателям праздничный фоторепортаж, подготовленный Андреем Звонковым, прихожанином храма Нерукотворенного Спаса.

2023 Russian Orthodox Church Musicians’ Conference.

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Посещение Высокопреосвященнейшим Гавриилом, Архиепископом Монреальским и Канадским Покровского прихода в Гамильтоне, Онтарио.

В этом году приходу во имя Покрова Пресвятой Богородицы в Гамильтоне исполнилось 70 лет: первые богослужения в новорожденом приходе начались весной 1952 года, а здание нынешнего благолепного храма было приобретено стараниями жертвователей в 1968 году.  Высокопреосвященнейший Владыка Гавриил, архиепископ Монреальский и Канадский, посетил приход-юбиляр с архипастырским визитом.  В субботу 22 октября, в канун дня Преподобных Старцев Опринских,  Владыка совершил праздничную всенощную с литией, в сослужении настоятеля прихода иерея Дмитрия Чемерис, при протодиаконе Александре Морине (Св.-Троицкий собор, Торонто, Онт.). В самый день праздника, в воскресенье 23 октября Высокопреосвященнейший Гавриил был встречен у входа в храм хлебом-солью, поднесенными Владыке приходским старостой Сергеем Яриковым и старшей сестрой Натальей Крупской. К торжественной встрече в храме прибыли настоятель Свято-Троицкого собора в Торонто митрофорный протоиерей Владимир Мальченко (благочинный на Восточную Канаду) с протодиак. Александром Мориным  и иерей Михаил Балека (приход Нерукотвореннаго Спаса, Лондон, Онт.), а также и гости из соседних приходов.

На Шестом Часе был пострижен во чтецы Иоанн Чемерис, сын о. настоятеля Покровского прихода. В иподиаконы был посвящен чтец Иоанн Костелло (храм Нерукотвореннаго Спаса в Лондоне).

Высокопреосвященнейший Гавриил возглавил Божественную Литургию, в сослужении о. настоятеля иерея Димитрия, а также всего поименованного выше священства при протодиаконе Александре Морине. Настоятель прихода-юбиляра,  иерей Дмитрий Чемерис был награжден правом ношения  набедренника. Затем последовала хиротония приходского иподиакона Григория Гороимчука во диаконы. Молитвенно пел приходской хор под руководством регента Татьяны Бражник.

В своем слове Высопопреосвященнейший Владыка в частности,  напомнил богомольцам, о чудотворной иконе Пресвятой Богородицы “Курской-Коренной” которая в скором времени посетит приход-юбиляр. По отпусте Литургии был отслужен  молебен Пресвятой Богородице и Оптинским Старцам. Затем прихожане и гости, которых прибыло более 120 человек, были приглашены на праздничный обед в честь 70-летия прихода и посещения Правящего Архиерея.

На обед, после окончания службы во вверенной ему Общине во имя чудотворной иконы Божией Матери Почаевской, смог прибыть и ближайший сосед: иерей Марк Лумес. После трапезы последоовал праздничный концерт: выступление церковного хора и солиста Геннадия Гребенчука, которому подпевал весь зал. Праздничный день завершился традиционным чаепитием и лотереей.

Пребывание Высокопреосвященнейшего Архиепископа Гавриила Монреальского и Канадского в Оттаве (Онтарио).

14 октября, в праздник Покрова Пресвятой Богородицы, приход Покровского храма-памятника 1000-летия Крещения Руси в  Оттаве отметил свой престольный праздник. Высокопреосвященнейший Владыка Гавриил, архиепископ Монреальский и Канадский, посетил приход-именинник с архипастырским визитом. Накануне праздника Владыка Гавриил совершил здесь всенощное бдение в сослужении приходского духовенства и гостей из соседнего прихода во имя святой Блаженной Ксении. 

В самый день праздника Высокопреосвященнейший Гавриил совершил Божественную Литургию в сослужении протоиерея Олега Миронова, настоятеля храма Блаженной Ксении в пригороде Оттавы Канате, иерея Алексея Пьявки, заместителя настоятеля храма Покрова Пресвятой Богородицы, иерея Ефрема Вильмарфа (Свято-Троицкий ставропигиальный монастырь в Джорданвилле, Нью-Йорк, США) при протодиаконах Василии Милонове (храм св. Блаженной Ксении), и Александре Захарове (храм Покрова Пресвятой Богородицы). За Божественной Литургией отец Алексей Пьявка удостоен протоиерейства, а после пения «Достойно есть», иподиакон Андрей Анищенко был рукоположен во диаконы. Молитвенно пел приходской хор под управлением регента Юлии Леонидовны Круковской.  По окончании богослужения Высокопреосвященнейший Гавриил обратился к верующим с архипастырским словом и поздравил прихожан с праздником. Затем был отслужен молебен, который завершился крестным ходом вокруг храма.

По окончании Литургии в приходской трапезной состоялся праздничный обед, организованный приходским сестричеством.

В субботу и воскресенье, 15-16 октября, Высокопреосвященнейший Гавриил возглавил богослужения в храме Св. Блаженной Ксении Петербургской в пригороде Оттавы – Канате. Архипастырское посещение этого храма, которому в нынешнем году исполнилось четверть века, имело особое значение. Как мы уже сообщали, приход храма Святой Блаженной Ксении Петербургской, этим летом,  7 июля, на Рождество честно́го славного Пророка, Предтечи и Крестителя Господня Иоанна,  после долгих лет пребывания вне пределов церкви канонической, возвратился, по милости Божией, в лоно Русской Православной Зарубежной Церкви, и вновь вошел в состав нашей богоспасаемой Канадской епархии. На субботнем всенощном бдении и на воскресной Божественной Литургии Высокопреосвященнейшему Владыке сослужал настоятель храма Св. Блаженной Ксении прот. Олег Миронов при протодиаконе Василии Милонове. В своем слове по окончании Литургии Архиепископ Гавриил сперва поздравил всех прихожан с возвращением в лоно РПЦЗ, а также отметил,  что об этом важном событии он докладывал Архиерейскому Собору, проходившему в сентябре в Нью- Йорке. Это сообщение  вызвало радостные отклики всех Преосвященных участников Собора. Возблагодарив Господа, они, в свою очередь просили передать их приветствия о. настоятелю и всем прихожанам. Архиепископ Гавриил особо остановился на необходимом условии нашего спасения: пребывании в ограде Святой, Соборной и Апостольской Церкви.

Visit of His Eminence Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada to Ottawa (Ontario)

On the 14th of October, on the feastday of the Protection of the Most-Holy Theotokos, the Russian Orthodox Church in Ottawa celebrated its parish feastday.

His Grace, the Right Reverend Gabriel, Archbishop of Montreal and Canada, made a pastoral visit to the parish and officiated at the festive divine services. On the eve of the feast Archbishop Gabriel, assisted by the parish clergy and guests from the neighbouring parish of St. Xenia, served the All-Night Vigil. 

On the feast itself, Archbishop Gabriel served the Divine Liturgy. He was assisted by Archpriest Oleg Mironov, rector of St. Xenia church in Kanata, Priest Alexis Pjawka, acting rector of the Protection church in Ottawa, Priest Ephraim Willmarth, cleric of Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, Protodeacon Vasily Milonow, cleric of St. Xenia church in Kanata, and Protodeacon Alexander Zakharov. During the Divine Liturgy Fr. Alexis was raised to the rank of archpriest. After the singing of ‘It is truly meet,’ subdeacon Andrey Anishchenko was ordained a deacon. The choir sang prayerfully under the direction of the parish choir director, Julia Krukovskaia. After the service, Archbishop Gabriel addressed the faithful with a sermon and congratulated the parishioners with the feast.  Following the sermon, a moleben was served with procession around the church.

After the conclusion of the Liturgy, a festive meal, prepared by the parish sisterhood, was held in the church hall.

On Saturday and Sunday, October 15-16, His Eminence Archbishop Gabriel led divine services at the Church of St. Blessed Xenia of St.-Petersburg in Kanata, a suburb of Ottawa. The archpastoral visit to this church, which turned a quarter of a century this year, was of particular importance. As we have already reported, the parish of the Church of St. Blessed Xenia of St.-Petersburg, this summer, on July 7, on the Nativity of the glorious Prophet, St. John the Baptist, after many years of belonging to an uncanonical entity, returned, by the grace of God, to the bosom of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad, and again became part of our God-saved Canadian diocese. During the Saturday All-Night Vigil and at the Sunday Divine Liturgy, His Eminence Archbishop Gabriel served with the rector of the Church of St. Blessed Xenia, Prot. Oleg Mironov and Protodeacon Vasily Milonov. In his sermon at the end of the Liturgy, Archbishop Gabriel first congratulated all clergy and parishioners of the Church of St. Blessed Xenia on their return to the bosom of ROCOR, and also noted that he reported on this important event to the Council of Bishops, which was held in September in New York. This message evoked joyful responses from all the participants in the Council. Thanking the Lord, they, in turn, asked to convey their greetings to Very Rev. pastor and all parishioners. Archbishop Gabriel dwelled in particular on the necessary condition for our salvation: the presence within the enclosure of the Holy Apostolic Church. 

Vladyka in Ottawa

День Всех Святых в Земле Российской просиявших в Почаевской общине в Грасси.

26 июня 2022 года, в День Всех Святых, в Земле Российской просиявших, протодиакон Андрей Псарев, профессор русской церковной истории и канонического права, директор бакалавриата Свято–Троицкой Духовной Семинарии (Джорданвилль, Нью–Йорк, США), посетил миссионерскую общину во имя чудотворной иконы Божией Матери «Почаевския» в Грасси, Онт. (настоятель: о. Марк Люмес) Относительно недавно возникшая в Канадской епархии, общиной, состоящей из людей разного происхождения и православного опыта. Накануне, субботу протодиакон Андрей сослужал на Всенощной о. настоятелю, а в воскресенье, после праздничной Литургии им была прочитана лекция «Ключевые моменты истории Русской Зарубежной Церкви». Таким образом молодой общине была предоставлена возможность больше узнать об истории русского Православного Зарубежья и таким образом способствовать их трудам по распространению Православия среди своих сограждан.

 The weekend of June 26th, 2022, Protodeacon Andrei Psarev, Professor of Russian Church History and Canon Law, Director of the Undergraduate Studies Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary visited the community of Our Lady of Pochaev Orthodox Church in Grassie Ontario. Our Lady of Pochaev is a missionary parish in the Montreal and Canadian diocese of the Russian Church Abroad, with a community consisting of people diverse in both background and Orthodox experience. On Saturday, Fr. Andrei joined some parishioners for a day of visiting a museum and other sites dedicated to the history of the Niagara region of Ontario in which the Church resides, followed by a lenten lunch with Fr. Mark Luimes, the parish rector. After this, Fr. Andrei served Vigil and Liturgy with the Parish community in commemoration of all the saints of Russia.

After Liturgy on Sunday, Fr. Andrei gave a lecture for the parish community on the Pivotal Points of the History of the Russian Church Abroad, giving the young parish an opportunity to learn more about the history of their jurisdiction. The lecture left a strong impression on many of the parishioners, who found that there was much inspiration and introspection to be found in the history of ROCOR as the parish community continues their work of spreading Orthodoxy to their neighbors in the Niagara region and their country as a whole.

Fr.Andrei Psarev in Canada

Parish Feastday at the the Protection of the Mother of God Parish in Ottawa.

On October 14th, the Protection of the Holy Virgin Church in Ottawa celebrated its parish feast.
His Eminence Archbishop Gabriel, presided at the festive services. He was assisted by the parish clergy Fr. Alexis Pjawka and Protodeacon Fr. Vasily Milonow, as well as visiting clergy: Fr. Anthony Kadyshev, a cleric of the Moscow Diocese, and Fr. Nicholas Perekrestov and Fr. Deacon Daniel Bonev, both from the diocesan cathedral in Montreal. The choir sang under the direction of Julia Krukouskaia.

A moleben and procession took place after the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy. After the service, a banquet was held in the Pushkin Cultural Centre.

Parish Feastday at the the Protection of the Mother of God Parish in Ottawa.

On Saturday the 13th and Sunday the 14th of October, the feast of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos, Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada led the divine services for the patronal feastday of Holy Virgin Protection Church in Ottawa, Ontario.

Concelebrating with the hierarch at the Divine Liturgy was the parish clergy: Priest Alexis Pjawka, and Protodeacon Vasily Milonow, as well as Archpriest Peter Perekrestov (Dean of Holy Virgin Cathedral, San Francisco), Abbott Anthony (Kadyshev) (cleric of the Moscow Diocese), Hieromonk Sergius (Gusakov) and Deacon Daniel Bonev.

The Gospel was, as is customary in our parish, read in both Church Slavonic and in English.

Archpriest Peter Perekrestov delivered a sermon, in which he told the story of a successful, beautiful young woman who suffered because she had not experienced the love of her parents, who had given her up for adoption as a child. The priest was able to help the grieving, explaining that in the Church she managed to find both her father’s participation through her spiritual father, help from her brothers and sisters, in the person of the parishioners, and of course, the maternal love that we can all receive from our common mother, the Most Holy Theotokos. Father Peter said that when we come to church, it is important for us not only to ask for our earthly needs, but also to participate in the life of the Church and the parish. Previously, it was customary to tithe, and this is very little, if we give only ten percent of our time and God-given talents to serving the Church.

Due to the large number of communicants, the Holy Gifts were administered from two chalices. Upon completion of Liturgy, a procession was held around the church.

There followed an abundant luncheon for all in the Pushkin hall.

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