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Father Anthony

Message from Father Anthony-Pascha 2023

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Dear and Faithful Orthodox Christians,

Christ is Risen!

Truly He is Risen!

May the truth of Our Saviour’s victory over Hades, trampling down death by death, and His glorious Resurrection from the dead, be for all of us a wellspring of enlightenment and hope throughout the year ahead.

How blessed we were throughout Holy Week and Pascha to hear together the instructive readings, so many lessons from the holy Gospels, and the prayers and hymns of the Services. And then as we gathered together late in the night in anticipation outside the Church, we heard from the holy Evangelist Mark how the Myrrh-bearing women encountered the Angel in the sepulchre who said to them, ‘Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: He is Risen; He is not here: behold the place where they laid Him.’ And recall also the words in the Gospel of Matthew: ‘Christ is Risen, He is not here… go quickly and tell His disciples that He is Risen from the dead.’

English Orthodox Services TorontoIn the stillness of the night we chanted together in joy:

“Christ is Risen from the dead, by death hath He trampled down death,
and on those in the graves hath He bestowed life!”

Renewed in spirit and in faith, let us all rejoice and come together each Sunday and Feast day ahead to honour and worship Our Lord Jesus Christ.

I share with you the 2023 Paschal Encyclical of our Metropolitan Gregory, the Locum Tenens of the See of Toronto. I encourage you to read it through several times in the coming days as it outlines for us so clearly the magnificent and wondrous work of salvation wrought by Our Saviour.

To Him be glory and dominion unto the ages! Amen.

Father Anthony

Our Saviour has blessed our 10th Year at Saint Nicholas

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Dear and Faithful Orthodox Christians,

In these final days of the Fast, as we approach the Feast of the Nativity of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, we rejoice together in all the blessings we have received from the Lord over the last twelve months as we celebrated our Ten Year Anniversary of the founding of Saint Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral.

And what a year of blessings it has been for us! Our beloved Metropolitan Gregory, our Father and Elder Isaac, Father Bohdan, and Father Sergey all joined in the Hierarchical celebration of our Ten Year Anniversary, during Great Lent, on the Sunday of the Holy Cross on March 27. In April, our brother Justinian was baptized into the Orthodox Faith and we celebrated together with him and his extended family following the Service. In June, my dear mother Patricia was baptized, and in August, Timothy and his family, Christine and Eva, were baptized the day before the Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God. During the year, we also received Elias and Peter as members of our Parish and Orthodox family.

We also ensured the improvement of the Cathedral replacing the entire, very large roof, in the fall. Six of our Parishioners joined the Metropolitan on a pilgrimage to the sacred places of Georgia. On that pilgrimage, through a number of donations, we commissioned and received a beautiful enamel Icon of the “Meeting in the Temple” made according to method of medieval Georgia enamel artists. And the Cathedral was further adorned with our Bishop’s throne hand-carved in Greece and received through the generosity of a few parishioners

Our Metropolitan Gregory celebrated with us again in May for the Feast of the Translation of the relics of Saint Nicholas during which he provided to Father Anthony a number of holy relics as most sacred treasures, including a relic of the Holy Chief Apostle Saint Paul. Father Protodeacon George and Father Anthony traveled to the Mother of God Church in Calgary as our brother in the Faith, Subdeacon Antony was ordained Deacon on October 16/29. Axios, Father Deacon Antony!

And just over a week ago, Metropolitan Gregory, Father Isaac, Father Sergey, and Father Deacon Antony served at the Cathedral on Sunday and Monday December 6/19 as we honoured our holy patron on the Feast of Saint Nicholas. We were all very excited as the servant of God, Nektarios, was ordained a Reader just before the Liturgy on Monday morning. All these blessings made our Luncheon together after Liturgy, and our spiritual talk with the Metropolitan even more special.

Strengthened and encouraged by all these blessings, dear Faithful, let us all prepare now to offer our Saviour our love and gratitude at the Feast of His holy Birth. And let us call to mind this wonderful hymn of the Forefeast of the Nativity:

“Behold, the time of our salvation is at hand. Prepare, O cave; the Virgin draweth nigh to give birth. Rejoice and be glad, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, for from thee our Lord is risen up as the sun….for Christ cometh.”

Glory to God for all things!

Father Anthony

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