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Parish Announcements

Celebrating the 10th Anniversary at Saint Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral

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Opening Blessing of Water-St. Nicholas Orthodox Church English Language Orthodox Church Services Toronto in EnglishToday with gratitude and joy, we give thanks to Our Saviour as we begin to celebrate our ten year Anniversary of Saint Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral. It was ten years ago, on January 23/February 5 (church/civil) that we served the very first Liturgy at Saint Nicholas after having read the special prayers for the opening of a new Church, blessed with holy water, and served the all-night Vigil on the evening before. That Sunday ten years ago, was also celebrated the Commemoration of all the new Martyrs of Russia which we kept in the Liturgy this morning. Through the intercessions of all the New Martyrs of Russia, we ask Our Saviour to bless our labours in His holy Church and to receive the humble hymns and prayers that we offer to Him.

This hymn from the Service of the Consecration of the Holy Sepulchre is a fitting prayer for us all to say today:

“Thou hast set Thy Church as a tower of strength, O Christ, Thou Word before the ages, for Thou has founded her upon the rock of faith….. Therefore, as we give thanks, we praise Thee with hymns, saying: Thou art He Who before the ages and beyond the ages art yet our King. Glory be to Thee.”

St. Nicholas Orthodox Church Scarborough, English Language Orthodox Church Toronto, Orthodox Services in EnglishOver the coming months, we will mark the celebrations with an Anniversary Luncheon, a Molieben Service of Thanksgiving, and also share several brief “Recollections” of inspiring Orthodox faithful and events, that we are sure will provide uplifting reflections on Orthodox piety.

“O Lord, I have loved the beauty of Thy house, and the place where Thy glory dwelleth. Alleluia.”

The Finding of the Canticle Hymn of St. Xenia of Petersburg

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It is most timely, in memory of our dear Father Rodion of Three Pillars Orthodox Church in Carlisle, Pennsylvania and the upcoming feast of St Xenia of Petersburg, that we share the story of how Father Rodion obtained the compunctionate hymn of the Canticle of St. Xenia, translated and sung by the nuns of Holy Nativity Convent, Brookline, MA, USA. (it is used with permission and is copyright).

Message from Father Anthony on the Nativity of Our Saviour 2021

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Christ is Born! Glorify Him!

In his Nativity Sermon, Saint John Chrysostom proclaims:

“I behold a new and wondrous mystery! My ears resound to the Shepherd’s song, piping no soft melody, but chanting full force a heavenly hymn. The Angels sing! The Archangels blend their voices in harmony! The Cherubim hymn their joyful praise! The Seraphim exalt His glory! All join to praise this holy feast, beholding the Godhead here on earth, and man in Heaven. He Who is above, now for our redemption dwells here below; and he that was lowly is by divine mercy raised up.”

And so, dear and faithful Orthodox Christians, since the Feast of Nativity began three days ago, our voices have also been joined with the Angelic Choirs giving glory to Our Saviour Jesus Christ.  And today on the Feast of Saint Stephen let us resolve to continue praising Christ each day until until the next Great Feast of Theophany a few days from now.  Asking Him to come into our hearts and enlighten us and bless us all.

You can listen to a recording from St Nicholas Cathedral of the Kontakion hymn for the Nativity of Christ here.

Grotto Church of Nativity of Jesus-St. Nicholas Orthodox Church Scarborough, English Orthodox Church Service
Grotto-Church of the Nativity of Jesus Christ, Bethlehem

Saint John Chrysostom encourages and instructs us at Nativity to consider the gifts of the Magi and how we should come before Our Saviour. He says, “Approach, then, bringing gifts – not gifts like the Magi brought but ones that are much more solemn. They brought gold; you must bring temperance and virtue. They brought incense; you must bring pure prayers which are spiritual incense. They brought myrrh; you must bring humility and a humble heart and love.”

His Eminence Metropolitan Gregory, the Locum Tenens of Toronto sends fatherly blessings upon us all and greetings for the Feast!

Christ is Born! Glorify Him!

Father Anthony

Many Years for the Feast of our holy Patron, Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker!

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Dear and Faithful Orthodox Christians,

‘Saint Nicholas exhibits the perfect balance of meekness and zeal!’  
–Gregory, Metropolitan, Locum Tenens of the See of Toronto – Sermon on the Feast of Saint Nicholas, Dec 6 / Dec. 19, 2021

Truly Our Saviour blessed us with a beautiful and grace-filled Feast of Saint Nicholas, our holy Patron!

With light snow falling since the early morning, our Church, the trees, homes, and parks were all covered with beautiful white snow, as we came together with our beloved Metropolitan Gregory, the locum tenens of the Holy Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto, for the Vigil on the Eve of Saint Nicholas.  We were honoured to have Father Sergey with us, and joyous indeed, that Father Isaac, Abbot of Holy Transfiguration Monastery traveled from Boston to Toronto to share in the brilliance of the Feast.

St Nicholas Feast Vespers Orthodox Services in English Toronto

In the Sermon, our Metropolitan encouraged us all to imitate the meekness of Saint Nicholas, together with the firmness of his witness to the Truth of our holy Faith.  ‘This is what we see in all the holy fathers, when it came to matters of the Faith they were like lions, they stood and there was no compromise.’  Gregory, Metropolitan, Locum Tenens of the See of Toronto

Following the Liturgy, we continued our celebrations with a Parish Luncheon and a talk on various subjects from Metropolitan Gregory and Father Isaac.  Inspired by their instruction on topics that included our offering of candles with prayers, the Kollyvades Fathers including Saint Nicodemus of the Holy Mountain, Saint Macarios of Corinth, and Saint Arsenios of Paros, who were persecuted in their day, and yet beacons of the true traditions of Orthodoxy and their teachings remain so important for us today.Orthodox Church near me in English in Toronto

I ask Our Saviour to bless all those who helped in preparing the Church and the meal for the Feast, and to bless the chanters, the bell-ringers, and those who provided hospitality to our clergy and guests from out of town, and to everyone who came to offer their prayers and honour Saint Nicholas.   Let the light of this Feast strengthen and encourage you, as we continue with prayers and fasting in preparation for the Great Feast of the Nativity of Christ which is now just a few weeks away.

O holy Hierarch, Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, intercede before God in our behalf!
Father Anthony

Our Metropolitan Gregory serves the Hierarchical Diving Liturgy at Saint Nicholas Cathedral

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Dear and Faithful Orthodox Christians,

‘Right and correct spiritual progress always produces humility‘
–Gregory, Metropolitan of Boston – Sermon on the First Sunday of Luke, Sept. 27 / Oct. 10

We were so grateful to have Gregory, Metropolitan of Boston and Locum Tenens of Toronto with us this past week, from Friday morning, October 8th to Monday morning October 11th. How many insights! What spiritual bonds! And great blessings!

Hierarchical Visit-Clergy and all-St. Nicholas Orthodox Church Scarborough, Orthodox Services in English Toronto

Arriving in Toronto early on Friday morning, the Metropolitan went directly to Saint Seraphim of Sarov Russian Parish in Toronto and celebrated the Divine Liturgy for the Feast of Saint Sergius of Radonezh, the great light of Russia! The day and festive meal that followed, were particularly special as the Metropolitan was together with Father Sergey and Matushka Vera for Father’s Nameday.

Father Sergey served the Divine Liturgy at Saint Nicholas Cathedral on Saturday, Oct 9/Sept 26, the Feast of Saint John the Theologian. Metropolitan Gregory spoke of the beloved Apostle during the sermon which you can listen to here.

After the Divine Liturgy, Metropolitan Gregory presided at the Memorial Service where we remembered all the faithful reposed and especially, our beloved Metropolitan Andrew. Vladika, eternal memory!

We gathered with the Metropolitan after Liturgy for conversation and blessings and the hours passed so quickly, it was time to begin the Vigil.

Sunday morning was beautiful with the first leaves of Fall all golden and shining around the Church. We gathered for the Divine Liturgy, greeting the Metropolitan, and after vesting him, it was a joy to hear the prayer for our brother-in-Christ and long-time parishioner and founder of our parish, John, as he was elevated to the position of Ecclesiarch for the Cathedral. John has served and contributed to the Church for over 30 years with diligence and dedicated service. With his wife Sarah recently becoming our leader of the Sisterhood, whose patron is Grand Duchess, Saint Elizabeth the Martyr, John has now received the blessing to serve Our Saviour as Ecclesiarch. Axios!

How blessed it was to have our Metropolitan celebrating the Divine Liturgy together with Father Anthony and Father Protodeacon George of Saint Nicholas Cathedral, Father Demjan of Saint Andrew’s Parish, and Father Sergey of Saint Seraphim’s Parish. Together, with the many chanters, servers, and with the prayers of the parishioners, we offered praise to God!

At the sermon, Metropolitan Gregory reminded us that, ‘When we say “I have trust in God”, we are saying “we have faith in God.”‘ You can listen to his edifying Sermon here.

Metropolitan Gregory 2021 Visit-St. Nicholas Orthodox Church Scarborough, English Language Orthodox Church Toronto, Orthodox Services in English

Following Divine Liturgy, the faithful gathered in the Church Hall for a delicious meal prepared by the Sisterhood of Saint Elizabeth the Grand Duchess and we celebrated the 10th Anniversary of the ordination of Father George to the Deaconate. Many years Father Deacon George and Deaconissa. Please accept our gratitude and appreciation for all you do for us and Christ’s holy Church!

As the meal concluded Metropolitan Gregory provided great insights through a Question and Answer period. It was a wonderful talk that covered how and why we pray for the reposed, Christian stewardship, the Angels, and many other topics. I encourage everyone to listen again to this Q&A here.

“Preserve, O Lord, our Master and Hierarch. Many years to you, Master!”

Let us ask the intercessions of the Saints whom we commemorated during Metropolitan’s visit, Saint Sergius of Radonezh, Saint John the Theologian, and Saint Callistratus the Martyr, as we pray that our Metropolitan’s journeys to the Canadian Parishes be blessed, and that he return to us again soon, as God wills.

We are grateful for your visit Your Eminence!

With prayers in Christ,
Father Anthony