St.Vladimir Orthodox Church
3163 Purcell's Cove Road, Halifax, NS
Welcome to the Orthodox parish of St. Vladimir Prince of Kiev
Christ is Risen!
The first thing you will want to know is something about our parish. Let’s start with our patron saint — St.Vladimir: It was through his efforts that the whole of that part of the world and its people known as The Rus, became Christian and Orthodox. Let me tell you that St. Vladimir Orthodox Church has more English language speaking parishioners than any other.
St. Vladimir Parish was started by Father Vladimir Tobin as an English Mission and you would feel right at home. St. Vladimir, our Patron Saint, the Prince of Kiev was instrumental in the conversion of that part of the world, Rus, to Orthodoxy, more than a thousand years ago? The Orthodox Church has been teaching about Jesus Christ for more than 2,000 years, and that it has not altered those incredible teachings? Frequently we get asked, “Do you believe in the Bible?” Our answer has to be, “Of course we do, Orthodox Christians wrote the New Testament!” Orthodox Christians wrote the Gospels, the Epistles, the Acts of the Apostles, and the great Revelation. The Orthodox Church (Orthodox meaning right believing) is the ancient and the modern Christian Church, which stretched and still stretches as far back as to St. Peter and St. Paul, and the other Disciples and Apostles, who, led by the Holy Spirit, traveled The Holy Land and far beyond.
The Orthodox Church may be more than 2000 years old, but we live now, by holding on to Traditional Christian teachings. We live in and are part of the 21st Century. Glory to God!
It would be an adventure to visit St Vladimir Prince of Kiev church, and you would be welcome. We don’t criticize, we don’t judge, and there are lots of children.
Saturday evening at 6pm we serve Vespers, which takes about an hour. Sunday 10am we serve Liturgy, which takes about two hours on a regular Sunday. The coffee time that follows lasts as long as people stay and chat, and eat, and drink tea and coffee. Our people love being in each others’ company so we don’t hurry away.
How did we learn about the Church? By being part of the community. So, we await — to welcome you.
In Christ,
Father David
Rector
Weekly News
May 16, 2025
Saturday May 17th
6pm Vigil
Sunday May 18th
Sunday of the Samaritan Woman
Tone 4
10am Divine Liturgy
Reminder: Thursday 29 May is the Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ. There will be Liturgy at 10am and Vespers on the evening before
Please note that from now onwards, the last Saturday of each month will be the day that we will perform Baptisms at 11am. This will mean that Subdeacon David and helpers will not be sourcing water for the Font each week (Please remember that we have to import bottled water for each baptism, as we are not blessed with running water in this location).
The last Saturday of each month will also be the time to attend Vespers for the parish Panikhida, which will follow Vespers. Private Panikhidas can be arranged for the various anniversaries we observe, by speaking to one of the priests.
The young man who we called 'New Josh' is being married to Cassandra this coming Saturday. We wish them the Greatest joy and Happiness. May God bless them and protect them.
Josh (Abraham), wrote a short meditation. He has given me permission to print it here:
During the Divine Liturgy, my gaze rested upon the Holy Icons, and a thought quietly stirred within me: what would it mean to see them with the eyes of Christ?
To look upon these sacred images not as distant artifacts or mere representations, but as one gazes upon a friend-with intimacy, with tenderness, with recognition. To approach them not as strangers or observers, but in imitation of Christ, whose eyes never failed to see the eternal in the ordinary, the divine in the human, the beloved in the broken.
Icons are often called "windows into heaven," yet they are also windows into the mystery of the Incarnation. They depict the created world suffused with uncreated light. They show us saints, martyrs, angels-not as they appeared in history alone, but as they are in glory. And Christ, above all, is made visible to us-God made man, clothed in flesh, now revealed in paint and gold, with eyes that see us even as we look upon Him.
It struck me, while venerating the icon of Christ, how He once knelt to wash the feet of His disciples. This same humility, this same love, permeates our relationship with the icons. We do not worship them-we venerate. We kiss them, not because wood or paint is holy in itself, but because Love has made Himself visible. We bow not out of superstition, but because we are known and loved by the One whose image meets our gaze. It amazes me to see what reverence we have for these friends of Christ, but now the challenge is to look at the living Icon next to me, and kiss them out of this same love.
To see with the eyes of Christ is to love as He loves. And to look at the icons with that same love is to realize: these are not just depictions of the holy-they are invitations into communion. They are reminders that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. And that even now, in this earthly liturgy, we are touching something eternal.
Your Son In Christ,
Abraham
Thank you, my son.
We had a visit from a wanderer this last Saturday and Sunday. It was difficult, he didn't like the 'graven images' surrounding us, on the walls etc. He was mistaken - look in any dictionary and you will find that 'graven images' are carved statues used as idols. He was wrong if he thinks that icons do not speak to us as much as we may say a prayer to the saint depicted. We do not pray to icons, ever - they bring to mind the saint depicted, somewhat as we remember through the family photographs on our walls and sideboards, our loves ones no longer with us.
That reminds me: We have a lot of children and we must protect them. All are welcome to visit us, but we must be vigilant. When we get to know visitors, they become part of us. It is best to greet visitors at the door, welcome them and make sure they are comfortable. Your instinct will tell you if someone needs keeping tabs on.
Heather has a notice:
Ladies, please save the date for the annual parish baby shower, happening on Wednesday, June 4th at 7pm. More details to come.
May God bless all of us - Love in Christ,
Father David
Service Times
Saturday: 6:00pm Vespers
Sunday: 9:30am Hours, 10:00am Divine Liturgy, followed by coffee hour
See special service times, feasts, and parish events in our online Calendar.
Our parish uses the Old Style Julian calendar.
Capital Campaign
St.Vladimir‘s has begun the journey towards owning a permanent temple. Join Us!
You can Interac E-Transfer your donations now to halifaxorthodox (at) gmail (dot) com.
Mission of St Seraphim of Sarov in Cape Breton
Saint Seraphim of Sarov Mission Facebook group
Due to unforseen circumstances, the liturgy on Sunday, May 18th has been canceled.
For further information, contact: stseraphimofsarovmission (at) gmail (dot) com