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Visit of The Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God in Waterloo, Ontario
10:05 AM
On June 22, 2013,the miraculous Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God first visited, the parish of St. Patriarch Tikhon, New Martyrs and Confessors in Waterloo, Ontario.
The church was very crowded on this day as many people from our parish and from other Orthodox parishes of the city came to participate in Moleben and Akafist that has been served in front of the Icon. Many parishioners could not hide their tears of joy, as they were so happy to see the Icon in our small temple. After the service, Fr. Nikolay, the keeper of the Icons, told us about his visit to Russia with the Icon and how thousands of people spent hours just to kiss the Icon and how we are lucky in the Diaspora, to see and pray in front of this Shrine way more often. Our entire parish hopes and pray that in the future we would be made worthy of hosting this great Shrine
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The Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God On Canada’s West Coast
03:08 PM
On May 20th, 2013, the miraculous Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God, accompanied by its guardian, the priest Nicholas Olkhovsky, a clergyman of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Sign, in New York, arrived in Vancouver from Montréal.
On Tuesday, May 21st, at 6:00 P.M., the first divine service in its honor was celebrated in the Church of St. Nicholas.
At the evening service, that of our church’s patronal feast, many of the faithful from all the Orthodox parishes in Vancouver were present.
Tens of parishioners from the Greek, Serbian and Rumanian churches, as well as parishioners of our neighboring Holy Trinity Church and from the Orthodox Church in America, came to venerate the holy image and to share this joy with all the parishioners of our church.
On May 22nd, the feast of the Translation of the Relics of St. Nicholas, i.e., our patronal feast, Fr. Michael Furik, rector of the Orthodox Church in America’s parish, Fr. Serge Overt, rector of our Holy Trinity Church, and Fr. Marko and his wife, from St. Savva’s Serbian Church, arrived before the beginning of the Divine Liturgy to congratulate us and to take part in the divine services.
Our small by very hospitable and warm church could barely hold all the guests who wished to greet the icon. More and more people arrived from all throughout Vancouver, patiently waiting in line to enter the church and kiss the miraculous icon. All approached to venerate it, bearing their pain, their love, their hope. A most sincere and general reverence, full of grace, rendered the service special. It was as if it were not only the Icon that was with us, but that the Mother of God herself was invisibly present throughout all the divine services.
No one wanted to leave the church and the Icon even after the conclusion of the service. A living stream again and again flowed toward it in silent prayer and could not be stopped. How many tears and heartfelt prayers she took to herself over these days, as throughout the Icon’s entire history!
Fr. Nicholas and all the clergy of the church waited and blessed everyone, giving each the opportunity to venerate the holy object.
At 6:30 P.M. of that day, the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God was present at a service of supplication at the St. John of Shanghai Orthodox Mission.
The following day, Thursday, May 23rd, the Icon visited the home of senior parishioners of our church, Vera Petrovna Omeyanets in Aldergrove, and Anna Alexandrovna Reno, who was celebrating her 100th virthday that very day.
On Friday, May 24th, the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God visited those parishioners who, by reason of frail health or advanced age, had been unable to be present in church. In the words of Fr. Nicholas, they strove to carry this great miracle to each of those who thirsted for it.
On the evening of May 24th, at 6:00, a service of supplication, with the akathist hymn to the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God, was celebrated in Holy Ascension Russian Orthodox Cathedral. And again the church was overflowing with parishioners from all the churches. They had followed the Icon, desiring to venerate it again and to feel once more the power of her grace in their hearts.
That evening, our church welcomed Vladyka GaBriel, Archbishop of Montréal & Canada, who visited us May 25th-26th. He was accompanied by Deacon Alexander Morin from Toronto.
The hierarchal service was most solemn, with Protopriest Serge Overt and the Priests Eusathius and Nicholas concelebrating with Vladyka.
At Sunday’s divine services, Vladyka Gabriel presented the gold cross to our rector, Fr. Eustathius, for his efforts in fostering the growth of our parish.
After the service, all were inveted to share a common meal and to visit the fair which is put on every year for our patronal feast, sponsored by the sisterhood of our church. Many of the parishioners of our church participated in it. Georgian, Russian, Ukrainian, Moldovan, Rumanian and Kazakh tables were organized, which not only served to strengthen and united our friendship, but also contributed to a good cause. For all profits from the sale of ethnic dishes are to be applied to the purchase and installation of new domes for our church.
As always, our oldest parishioners and faithful participants in the building of our church, the sisters Sophia and Olga Petruchik, were honored guests. With their attention and unfailing dedication to the church they continually serve as an example for us of sincere service and loving-kindness.
The celebratory festal luncheon was accompanied by a specially prepared concert by our parish choir and children of our church school, who sang Many Years and recited poems.
The day turned out to be warm and balmy, making it possible for all of us to mingle pleasantly in good spirits
The feast was also deemed a success thanks to the efforts of all the clergy of our church, of Fr. Eustathius personally, and of the incomparably talented members of our choir and their guests, the children of our church school, who helped put on the concert. And, of course, thanks also to the industrious and generous sacrifices of each parishioner who took part in the preparation and organization of the festal meal, first and foremost the sisterhood.
At 6:00, all who wished met again at Holy Trinity Church. Once more there was a great stream of the faithful and a fervent, festal atmosphere. Fr. Serge and his sisterhood also provided their guests with a marvelous supper.
The departure of the Icon of the Mother of God was very moving. It was a moment both of joy and of radiant sorrow; each of us sensed Her grace.
We accompanied it on a long procession through the province—to the city of Nanaimo, and afterwards to Alberta, B.C.
Tatiana Kuleshoff
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Paschal Epistle of His Eminence Gabriel, Archbishop of Montreal & Canada. 2013
08:48 AM
To the clergy and the entire beloved flock of the Canadian Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad
CHRIST IS RISEN!
Honorable fathers, beloved in the Lord brothers and sisters!
The grace-filled day of the Resurrection of Christ is come, when our faith is strengthened, hope increases, and love returns to life. Now, for the Holy Pascha of the Lord, as His Beatitude, Metropolitan Anthony, the founder of our Russian Church Abroad, remarks, “even the evil become good, the envious become joyful, the despondent are find consolation. And those who before were firm and God-loving believers desire to embrace the whole world and to greet even those whom yesterday they considered their enemies.” With our own eyes we observe how the words of the paschal canon, which is chanted in all our churches in the homeland and the Diaspora, become incarnate: “It is the day of the Resurrection! Let us adorn ourselves with the splendor of the festival and embrace one another! And let us say, O brethren, even unto those who hate us: “Let us forgive all things at the Resurrection…”
Whence comes this special paschal joy to us? Beloved brethren and sisters, this is a genuine gift of the grace of God. On the day when He opens the gates of paradise by His resurrection, it is bestowed upon us through His mercy, that we may in part taste the very joy that the souls of the saved are granted in paradise.
The joy of Pascha is the triumph over the soul’s turmoil, over weak faith and divisions. It is the hallmark of the spiritual integrity which is so essential to us Orthodox, to the Russian Orthodox people. Thus, exactly four hundred years ago, through great tribulations and great labors, was victory achieved over the Russian Troubles, or better to say, the Time of Troubles was overcome. The Russian people revealed themselves to be an Orthodox Whole. It is precisely for this reason that they found grace-bearing power—and only then was meek Tsar Michael Feodorovich summoned to the Russian throne—the first of the Romanov Dynasty, whose four hundredth anniversary we mark this year. Let us remember that neither Tsar Michael nor his mother contended for power: they did not take part in political intrigues, but on the contrary agreed to accept it only out of holy obedience to the Church of Christ, its hierarchs, submitting to the summons of the Local Council. And the young Tsar Michael did not wreak vengeance and slaughter the many followers of the but lately expelled alien power and the various pretenders of those times. The Orthodox sovereign, the bearer of the divinely established authority, brought to Russia loving-kindness and piety. And in Russia, so long as this trait remained the ideal in our everyday life, the divinely established authority of the Orthodox sovereigns was strong; and despite sinful human nature, nothing was able to destroy the Russian Whole, which had only become strong amid trials. Today, we ought not to forget this. “God will help us only if we show pliancy instead of greed, love and forgiveness instead of malice, obedience instead of self-will” (His Beatitude, Metropolitan Anthony). Only then will we be accounted worthy of the joy of Pascha, and the risen Lord will raise even us to a new, God-pleasing life, ” that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6: 4).
Truly Christ Is Risen!
Gabriel
Archbishop of Montreal & CanadaPascha of Christ, 2013
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Children’s Charity Luncheon in Ottawa.
09:35 PM
On the third Sunday of Great Lent, April 7th 2013, which was also the feast of the Annunciation of the Mother of God, in the Protection parish in Ottawa a benefit lunch was organized to help the orphanage attached to the Ascension Monastery in the Ukraine. This Lenten fundraiser has been held for many years and has become a good parish tradition. This year, like in the past, Archbishop Gabriel attended to offer his support to this good deed.The orphanage at the Ascension Monastery was founded only 17 years ago. Today over 250 children are cared for at this monastery. Many of the children have special
needs or are seriously ill. Bishop Longin, the superior of the monastery, who himself was raised in an orphanage, cares for all of the children and relies only on God for help. Мercy and love for one’s neighbour are truly exemplified by this orphanage. The children and young people of the parish were responsible for this fundraiser. They helped buy the food, prepare and serve it. They ran a lottery and after the meal washed the dishes and cleaned up the parish hall. Everyone is happy that the event collected a large amount of money (over three thousand dollars) which will be sent to the Ascension Monastery for the needs of the orphans. The children thank all of the parishioners for their generous donations. They are also happy that despite the distance that separates Ottawa and the orphanage, they could help their Orthodox brothers and sisters in the Ukraine.Sofia Vozzhova
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Pastoral Retreat & Assembly Of the Priests & Clergy of the Diocese of Montréal & Canada April, 2013
07:09 PM
The Lenten Pastoral Retreat
In the Diocese of CanadaFrom Monday, 8 April/28 March through Wednesday, 10 April/28 March 2013, the annual pastoral Lenten retreat and convocation of the clergy of the Diocese of Canada took place at St. Nicholas Cathedral (Montréal, Québec). Its meetings, sessions and liturgical services were presided over by the Most Reverend Gabriel, Archbishop of Montréál & Canada. During the course of the second day of the convocation, as always questions concerning the affairs of the Diocese, as well as questions of a general ecclesiastical nature, were discussed. The course of deliberations also included the regular session of the Diocesan Council, and the new roster of its members was confirmed. On Wednesday, 10 April/28 March, the feast day of St. Hilarion the New, a hierarchical Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts was celebrated, after which a fraternal farewell meal was provided. With the blessing of Vladyka Gabriel, participants in the meeting in Montréal adopted the following resolution:
Resolution
Of the Pastoral Retreat & Convocation
Of the Priests & Clergy of the Diocese of CanadaWe, the clergy of the Diocese of Canada, having assembled for the annual lenten retreat and convocation at St. Nicholas Cathedral in the divinely saved city of Montréal, under the presidency of the Most Reverend Gabriel, Archbishop of Montréal & Canada, note that this fraternal meeting, despite the poignancy of the questions discussed, proceeded in the spirit of concord. Hence, our fellowship enabled all of its participants to find strength of heart in anticipation of the approaching greatest Feast of Feasts—that of the Holy Resurrection of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ.
This year, the whole Russian world, both in the homeland and in the Diaspora, marks an important date for our history: the 400th anniversary of the accession of the Romanov Dynasty. This is not simply a noteworthy historical landmark, but one of the key events in Russia’s spiritual history. The Orthodox Church, the true savior of Rus’ during the Time of Troubles, at whose summons the first of the sovereigns of the Romanov Dynasty was called to the throne of Muscovy, marks this date as such. After this day we Russians did not take up the interpretation that Russia is a mere state, Russia is an empire: in the Romanov era it was formed, by the will of God, as an Orthodoxy whole (in the words of the remarkable ecclesiastical thinker of the Russian Diaspora, Archimandrite Constantine [Zaitsev]) It can be nothing else, and only from this vantage point ought one to view Russia, if we are to discover the key to clarifying its historical purpose. The participants in the meeting were delighted to learn that that the main celebrations of the “Romanov Days” will take place within the Diocese of Canada, at Holy Trinity Cathedral, in Toronto—the largest parish of the Russian Church Abroad. The celebrations will conclude in September, when the session of the Synod of Bishops will be held in Toronto.
In our Diocese other memorable days will also be marked this year, perhaps not so noteworthy for all of Russia, but of particular value to us here. We are speaking of the 75th anniversary of the Alexander S. Pushkin Russian Church School, attached to St. Nicholas Cathedral in Montréal, and of the 50th anniversary of the Church of the Kazan’ Icon of the Mother of God, in Rawdon, Québec. The participants in the meeting also extended heartfelt congratulations to their Ruling Bishop, the Most Reverend Vladyka Gabriel, on the 5th anniversary of his appointment to the now united see of Canada.
The churching of Russia is unthinkable without constant care for the Orthodox upbringing of the youth, its preservation within the bounds of the Church, which is particularly difficult in the Diaspora. Discussing the work of the Diocesan Youth Committee, the participants in the meeting called upon the flock to support in every way the efforts toward the successful organization of the St. Herman Youth Conferences, and never to forget that precious corner of Canadian Rus’: the Ruskoka Youth Camp, with its beautiful wooden church dedicated to the Royal New Martyr, the Tsarvich Alexei Nikolaevich Romanov. We also hope that the Orthodox youth of the Diocese of Canada will attend the St. Herman’s Conference and, of course, the Ruskoka Camp.
We were informed that this year the Church Musicians’ Conference will again be held within the Diocese of Canada, and it is our hope that singers and conductors from our choirs will take part in it.
In the course of our discussion of the affairs of the Diocese, Archbishop Gabriel reminded everyone that the restoration of our St. Nicholas Cathedral, which had suffered the affects of a destructive fire, is far from complete. The self-sacrificing generosity of its parishioners and well-wishers throughout the Russian Diaspora has permitted us to raise the church building literally from the ruins, but much work remains to be done: in particular, it is essential to repair the outer walls, not to mention the sanctuary and the interior appointments. The collection of funds to help our cathedral has now been taken up by the Diocesan Finance Committee, and this will be set forth in a special appeal.
From information provided by Archbishop Gabriel, we learned with spiritual joy that the miraculous Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God, the Directress of the Russian Diaspora, will soon visit our Diocese. We also anticipate that, by the mercy of God, the miraculous icon of the Mother of God, “The Softening of Evil Hearts”, which was present at the Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church in 2009, where His Holiness, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow & All Russia, was called to his present ministry, will finally visit us in autumn.
At the meeting in Montréal we also spoke of how the restoration of the unity of the Russian Orthodox Church has been providential: it has united us to the entire multitude of the new martyrs of Russia, who without ceasing intercede for us before the throne of the Lord. We hope that all who suffered for the Faith of Christ during the years of persecution will be venerated in the homeland and the Diaspora without exception, “For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? Even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.” (I Cor. 2: 11).
