St.Vladimir Orthodox Church

May 26, 2023

Seventh Sunday of Pascha

Saturday May 27th 6:00pm Great Vespers
Genesis 14:14-20; Deuteronomy 1:8-11, 15-17; Deuteronomy 10:14-21

Sunday May 28th
10:00am Divine Liturgy
Tone 6
Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council
Acts 20:16-18, 28-36
John 17:1-13

Saturday June 3rd
Saturday before Pentecost
Commemoration of the Departed
Liturgy 10am
Acts 28:1-31; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17
John 21:15-25; John 5:24-30

I made a mistake. I squashed the weeks that David Decaire was to be away. It is this Sunday that he will be flying home. So pray again and this time more earnestly and this time he, God willing, will appear in the Halifax Airport. Just think how happy his family will be.

There have been, or are about to be several changes in the officers of the parish. Since Abraham has moved to be a part of the Hermitage of the Annunciation (pray for him and the other three monks), Dan Wilband has taken over the role of Secretary of the Parish. Oksana has asked to be released from the position of Treasurer (which she has so beautifully filled for many years - Thank you Oksana!), Jarod Payne has agreed to take this over.

You may remember that we had a visit some weeks back from a gentleman, Alexander. He has been in touch with Katereyna Lukiian. Alexander is presently involved in a walking project. He aims to cover 200 kilometers in an effort to raise funds for surgical apparatus that Ukrainian doctors can use to treat the wounded, including children. There are several pictures sent by those accompanying Alexander on his venture.

https://giftofwalking.ca/?fbclid=IwAR3hfmq1PDsEynDz OKhu1kOddYt6GL4Kq2xBJ_V0KfZZng7Q- AcOuAHD4Fg

Parish Photograph. It was a year ago on Pentecost that we took the last Parish Photograph and it is time for a new one. I'm a little concerned because on the Sunday of Pentecost, we follow the Liturgy with the Kneeling Prayers, which take a little time to complete, and is a part of that evening's Vespers. I suggest therefore that we take the photograph after the Liturgy on the Sunday of the Parish Picnic at York Redoubt. I want to make sure that the entire parish is present on that Sunday. The Archdiocesan Assembly will be over, the Parish Camp will be concluded, the celebration of Great Saint Vladimir Prince of Kiev will be celebrated on that Sunday July 30th and God willing, the sun will be shining. All the parish will be gathered to celebrate so that is when we take the photograph. Please, please be present for the photo and the Parish Celebration of our Patron Saint. (Just to confirm, there will be a Liturgy on the morning of the actual feast of Saint Vladimir Friday July 28th.)

Thank you to all who do kindnesses for me like: bread, construction, dinners, clean up, hugging, newel posts, and general support. May God bless all of us.

Love in Christ
-- Father David

May 19, 2023

Sixth Sunday of Pascha

Saturday May 20th 6:00pm Great Vespers
1 John 3:21-4:6, 1 John 4:11-16, 1 John 4:20-5:5

Sunday May 21th
10:00am Divine Liturgy
Tone 5
Sunday of the Blind Man
Acts 16:16-34
John 9:1-38
Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian
1 John 1:1-7
John 19:25-27, 21:24-25

There seem to be no announcements this week. But I would remind you of the Monks' Vegetables. I would also remind you of the Parish Camp. Dan and Heather can give you the details.

You will recall that I announced that Father Alexander will be serving the next two Sundays at St. Antonios Church. He will be with us for Saturday Vespers. Because of this I shall not be hearing any Confessions on Sunday. To go to Confession you will have to come to Saturday Vespers. As a general rule we expect monthly confessions. We do not expect people to confess every Sunday before receiving Communion. Once a month, and we should receive Communion every Sunday.

Subdeacon David returns on Sunday so please pray for his safe return. I hope Braidyn will get to see him in Edmonton before he leaves. I did write to Father Brian Lehr rector of St. Herman of Alaska Parish in Edmonton, asking that they be permitted Communion. I hope they were able to get there. The smoke from the "wild fires" is probably quite bad in that area. May God bless all of us

Love in Christ
-- Father David

May 12, 2023

Fifth Sunday of Pascha

Saturday May 13th 6:00pm Great Vespers

Sunday May 14th Sunday of the Samaritan Woman
10:00am Divine Liturgy
Tone 4
Acts 11:19-26,29-30
St. John 4:5-42

Some news

Abraham (Josh Richardson or New Josh) has been accepted as a postulant into the Community we know as the Hermitage of the Annunciation. He will leave us on May 20th (leaving Brother Lazlo (his cat) in the care of his grandmother), May God Bless him.

We have received a request from a Ukrainian woman who will be arriving in Halifax during June. She needs interim accommodation until she can find a job after which she will bring her son from Ukraine. If anyone can offer accommodation please let Father Alexander know. This is someone who has a PhD in Pedagogy and is used to teaching university level.

This is Mothers' Day in North America. It is also the day we commemorate the Samaritan Woman. That is the story about Jesus and the apostles stopping at a well in Samaria and Jesus asking the Samaritan woman for a drink from which ensued a conversation about Living Water. Listen carefully to the dialogue between Jesus and the Samaritan woman, it is apparently one of the longest conversations that Jesus has with anyone and it is with a Samaritan woman. The woman becomes known as St. Photine and we celebrate her on March 20th and on the fifth Sunday of Pascha

Kontakion of Photine, the Samaritan Woman
Tone 3

Photine the glorious, the crown and glory of the Martyrs, hath this day ascended to the shining mansions of Heaven, and she calleth all together to sing her praises, that they might be recompensed with her hallowed graces. Let us all with faith and longing extol her gladly in hymns of triumph and joy.

Mothers are special and are celebrated on this Sunday. Fathers are special too but they are celebrated on another Sunday.

Mother to Son
Langston Hughes

Well, son, I'll tell you:
Life for me ain't been no crystal stair.
It's had tacks in it,
And splinters,
And boards torn up,
And places with no carpet on the floor-
Bare.
But all the time
I'se been a-climbin' on,
And reachin' landin's,
And turnin' corners,
And sometimes goin' in the dark
Where there ain't been no light.
So boy, don't you turn back.
Don't you set down on the steps
'Cause you finds it's kinder hard.
Don't you fall now-
For I'se still goin', honey,
I'se still climbin',
And life for me ain't been no crystal stair.

This Poem written by Langston Hughes, an American poet, seems to sum up what the life of a Christian is all about; the struggle, the temptation to sit on a landing and wait it out, and the times when we voyage as in the dark forgetting that Christ is there and is our Light.

May God bless all mothers those living, and those who are amongst the departed, and may God give them strength.

Love in Christ
-- Father David

May 05, 2023

Fourth Sunday of Pascha

Saturday May 6th 6:00pm Great Vespers

Sunday May 7th Sunday of the Paralytic
10:00am Divine Liturgy
Tone 3
Acts 9:32-42
St. John 5:1-15

Tuesday May 9th Mid-Pentecost 6:00pm Vespers
Micah 4:2-3,5;6:1-5,8; Isaiah 55:1-13; Proverbs 9:1-11
Lesser Blessing of Water

You will note that on Tuesday evening there is a Vespers service for Mid-Pentecost. Wednesday is the feast day, so we shall precede the feast with the Vespers and the Lesser-Blessing of the Waters. Since we do not have a spring and depend on the neighbours well and waters provided in large bottles, which I am sure are filled at some well, somewhere, we shall bless a bottle or two of water. I just have to convince several of the parish's young men to carry them. It will be David or Mark who will do the convincing.

Advance warning: Pentecost or Trinity Sunday, the great feast of the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Disciples is Sunday June 4th and that is the Sunday when we take our annual Parish Photograph. Please make sure you are there, in church.

Anyone who is included in that photo automatically agrees that the photo may be displayed in the church and in other places agreed to by the Parish Council.

Panier du moine subscriptions

Subscribe to the Panier du moine 2023

There are plenty of subscriptions still available for the Panier du Moine food box.

This year we are happy to offer a 20 week subscription! That means you will be able to have fresh vegetables from the beginning of June to the middle of October!

Delivery to Bridgewater, South Shore and Tantallon, and Halifax.

(see delivery details below)

You can also find information about the 2023 Panier du Moine at https://www.goosechasemonastery.ca/garden. Please contact us if you have any questions.

Markets and Monastery-Direct

There are several ways to get fresh vegetables from the monks besides the Panier du Moine.

1. Order Online (sign up below)
   • Fill out the order form each week, and we will harvest and deliver your order! (delivery to Bridgewater, South Shore and Tantallon, and Halifax)
2. New Germany Farmers' Market
   • 2pm to 4pm - Fridays - Starting May 19
3. Bridgewater Farmers' Market
   • 9am to 12pm - Saturdays - Starting May 13
4. Farm Stand @ the Monastery
   • Wednesday 2:00 to 4:00 pm

Email Sign-up

Parish Camp

Have you signed up for the Parish Camp? Please make sure you speak to Heather Decaire or Morgan or Dan Wilband. The Camp is July 24-27, is in the Annapolis Valley at the Ste. Anne's Camp on Gibson's Lake and the cost is $10 per night.

The camp is followed, the next Sunday July 30th with our Patronal Festival and visit to the York Redoubt Fort for our parish Celebration of the feast of St. Vladimir Prince of Kiev, our Patron Saint - God willing.

A lot to look forward to.
May God bless all of us.
Love in Christ,
-- Father David

April 28, 2023

Third Sunday of Pascha

Saturday April 29th 6:00pm Great Vespers

Sunday April 30th Sunday of the Myrrh-bearing Women & St. Joseph of Arimathea, and Nicodemus, Mary Magdalen; Mary, the wife of Cleopas; Joanna; Salome, the mother of the sons of Zebedee; Susanna; Mary and Martha, the sisters of St. Lazarus; and Mary, the mother of the Apostle James
10:00am Divine Liturgy
Tone 2
Acts 6:1-7
St. Mark 15:43-16:8

You will find attached to this Bulletin, full of light, the advertisement for the Assembly of the Archdiocese of Canada. The last one was missed due to the occurrence of a Virus and our not being able to assemble. It is really important that we attend. As it says, anyone of the parish may attend; it is essential that the clergy attend. If at all possible the parish should cover the costs. This is the opportunity for the clergy to meet other clergy from across the country, to become reacquainted with friends, and similarly for the laity as well. You will notice that the Assembly (July 19- 21) takes place the week before the St. Vladimir Camp 2023 (July 24-27). What an exciting 2 weeks this will be along with St. Vladimir Feast, our Patronal Festival (July 15/28). We will celebrate that with a Picnic after church on July 17/30 at the York Redoubt National Historic Site. Let hope that the weather is a nice as it was last year. My, but what a busy time we have had this Lent and Pascha. May God bless all of us.

Love in Christ,
-- Father David

Assembly of the Archdiocese of Canada 2023
The Person, the Family and the Church:

Living as The Body of Christ
Chateauguay, Québec - 17-21 July 2023

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: Glory to Jesus Christ!

At the request of His Eminence, Archbishop Irénée, and on behalf of the 2023 Canadian Archdiocesan Assembly Planning Committee, I would like to invite all of you to join us in Chateauguay, during the week of July 17-21, 2023 at Manoir D'Youville in Chateauguay, Quebec, south of Montreal. Travel from Trudeau Airport is 24 kms, 34 minutes - taxi approx. $45. If you're booking flight with Air Canada, use Promotion Code G87QZ681

Registration July 17th & 18th - Clergy Synaxis July 18th - Assembly July 19th-21st

Please note that the Assembly requires a three-step registration:

Step 1: Book rooms directly to Manoir D'Youville

• Please use code DIO170723 when booking your room at the Manoir D'Youville
• Unfortunately there are no hotels/motels close by.
• Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included in the room rate (*BANQUET EXCLUDED)

Banquet will consist of a 4 course meal, including wine, and dessert

Step 2: Assembly Registration - for all participants (clergy, delegates, and observers)

• Clergy synaxis and assembly registration forms
• Lay delegate registration form
• Observer registration form

Step 3: Certification Form - for all lay delegates and observers

• Lay delegate and observer certification form

Registration and Payment

Send the two forms (registration/certification) to the Archdiocese: secretary@archdiocese.ca

Payment may be done by e-transfer (secretary@archdiocese.ca or treasurer@archdiocese.ca) or by cheque to the Archdiocese of Canada (OCA), 3441 15th Avenue, Rawdon, QC J0K 1S0

Other Information

• Good news: share your parish stories of encouragement and inspiration
• Are you bringing children?

If you have any questions, please feel free to call me directly at 514-912-5926, or email paulwkara@gmail.com

We look forward to seeing you in Chateauguay!

Yours in Christ,
Fr Paul Kara and the Assembly Planning CommitteeFr Paul Kara and the Assembly Planning Committee

April 21, 2023

Second Sunday of Pascha

Saturday April 22nd Bright Saturday
6:00pm Great Vespers

Sunday April 23rd Thomas Sunday
10:00am Divine Liturgy
Tone 1
Acts 5:12-20
St. John 20:19-31

(If there are pictures of Holy Week and Pascha, please send them to me for inclusion in the next bulletin. Thank you Leslee for filling in when my computer decided not to send emails.)

Message from Alina. There is a basket with authentic Ukrainian wooden Easter eggs "Pysanky" at the church entrance. Suggested price $15 each. Anyone wanting real painted eggs at $30 please contact Alina. All proceeds go to Victims of the Ukrainian war.

Message from Taran. He is still preparing and feeding the homeless hidden in the various bushes and places, mostly in tents. He needs vegetables and those candles he has described, available from the Dollar Store. Please speak to him about this really important ministry. He and Anton and I think Morgan are still ministering to the Chechen Lady who appealed to us for food some time ago. Have a word with Taran, Anton, or Morgan.

Message from Dan. We will next meet on Saturday, April 29 at 4:30pm (before Vespers) to discuss the Paschal season. We'll consider the shape and meaning of this special, joyous 50-day liturgical season that runs from Pascha to Pentecost. In doing so, we will also take a brief look at an ancient liturgical poem you may enjoy: On Pascha by Melito of Sardis (found on pages 37-68 of this document). This remarkable text was written around 170 A.D. and is one of the earliest writings we have showing us how the very early Church understood its celebration of Pascha.

We will then resume our regular schedule on the second Saturday in May. At that time, we will begin a new series on the Divine Liturgy. We'll work our way slowly through the Liturgy and discuss each of its parts. Pray that this project may help enrich our engagement with the Church's worship, both for those who are new and those who are experienced. While our main focus will be on the words and movements of the Divine Liturgy itself, we will use as a guide a short, accessible book called Let Us Attend by Father Lawrence Farley. Copies will be made available.

Pascha this year has been a Parish Miracle! Pascha; the Resurrection of Christ is a Miracle - The Music, the setting up of the shrine with the Body of Christ, the preparation and organizing and cooking of Food, the cleaning of the church both before Pascha and after the services, the organizing of the processions, the walking around the church singing, the conducting of the services including the altar servers, and more. I can't get over it at all. It has been splendid. There were more than a hundred people walking around the church singing Christ is Risen. On Great Friday when we took the Body of Christ from the Cross and processed the Shroud around the church, there were lots of us who walked under the Shroud. Did you notice those beautiful lights being carried around? Did you notice all of it? The smoke, The Baptism and Chrismation, the Choir. This has been a Parish Miracle and it is thanks to all of you. Thank you Father Alexander for being my feet and so much more. And it's the love in this parish - it shows, Glory to God. It is as the New Commandment - That you love one another - and that's what we do.

May God bless you, and love in Christ.

Christ is Risen!
-- Father David

April 15, 2023

Pascha The Bright Resurrection of Christ

Saturday April 15 Great Saturday
10:00am Baptism of 3 Catechumens (dried fruit, nuts and wine allowed)

Saturday evening, April 15, 11:00pm, Matins and Liturgy of Pascha (with blessing of baskets); followed by a Potluck dinner downstairs. All are welcome to bring contributions to the dinner (non-fasting food). For more information, contact Heather.

Sunday April 16 4:00pm Pascha: The Bright Resurrection of Christ - Agape Vespers (with blessing of baskets)

Message from Alina: There is a basket with authentic Ukrainian wooden Easter eggs "Pysankys" at the church entrance. Suggested price $15 each. Anyone wanting real painted eggs at $30 please contact Alina. All proceeds go to Victims of the Ukrainian war.

Love in Christ,
-- Father David

April 6, 2023

6th Sunday of Great Lent

Friday April 7th 10:00am Liturgy
Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos

Saturday April 8th 4:30pm Adult Discussion Group
6:00pm Vigil
Blessing of Palms
Genesis 49:1-2, 8-12
Zephaniah3:14-19
Zachariah9:9-15
Matthew 21:1-11, 15-17

Sunday April 9th 10:00am Divine Liturgy
The Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem, Palm Sunday
Philippians 4:4-9
St. John 12:1-18
Tone 2

Check carefully the Schedule of services for Holy Week; The two services that were added on Tuesday and Wednesday have been REMOVED. The Visit of the Archbishop really has used more of our energy than we thought.

A message from Dan Wilband about the Adult Discussion Group:

Dear all:

Another reminder that we'll meet downstairs this Saturday April 8 at 4:30 p.m. (before Vigil), which will be the afternoon of Lazarus Saturday, nearing the eve of Palm Sunday. This will be a special discussion on the Church's worship in Great and Holy Week. All are encouraged to attend, as we prepare to enter into the most sacred week of the liturgical year, to follow Christ from Bethany into Jerusalem and to Golgotha, to witness His Suffering, Death and Glorious Resurrection.

Please try to arrive on time for this one. We have much to discuss and we'll start at 4:30 sharp. For those at a distance, we will stream our session here: https://meet.google.com/oyt-mxpn-nhr. I attach again a reading* that may be of interest. All are welcome, including those with children, newcomers and guests.

Love in Christ,
-- Dan

*(There is an attachment not included here. Please ask Dan to send it to you.)

Calendar reminder for between now and Pascha

Thursday April 13 10:00am Vesperal Liturgy Great Thursday The Mystical Supper of Christ
6:00pm Reading of the 12 Passion Gospels

Friday April 14 Great Friday 2:00pm Great Vespers
6:00pm Matins and procession of the Shroud

Saturday April 15 Great Saturday
10:00am Baptism of 3 Catechumens (dried fruit, nuts and wine allowed)
11:00pm Matins and Liturgy of Pascha (blessing of baskets)

Sunday April 16 4:00pm Pascha The Bright Resurrection of Christ Agape Vespers (blessing of baskets)

Message from Alina. There is a basket with authentic Ukrainian wooden Easter eggs "Pysankys" at the church entrance. Suggested price $15 each. Anyone wanting real painted eggs at $30 please contact Alina. All proceeds go to Victims of the Ukrainian war.

Message from Taran. He is still preparing and feeding the homeless hidden in the various bushes and places, mostly in tents. He needs vegetables and those candles he has described, available from the Dollar Store. Please speak to him about this really important ministry. He and Anton and I think Morgan are still ministering to the Chechen Lady who appealed to us for food some time ago. Have a word with Taran, Anton, or Morgan.

I want to thank everyone for their cooperation and work for and during the visit of Vladyka Irénée. An incredible amount was accomplished by the women of the parish and all those who set up and cleaned up after the feast. The food was excellent and the Hall looked beautiful. Thank you everyone, the Archbishop was impressed. A particularly thank you to Father Alexander who mostly ferried Vladyka around. I also want to thank The Monks for lending us the Eagle rugs and the Dikirion and Trikirion. It was good to see Father Jean-Baptiste and Father Nathanael at our Altar.

We are coming very close to Holy Week. Please plan to attend as many of the services as possible. It will all start, as with the procession into Jerusalem on a donkey, we will hold our palm leaves to greet The Lord, as we hear the Gospel, and then hear the crowd reject Him later in the week and demand that he be Crucified. We will stay with Him, and rise with Him at His Glorious Resurrection. We will experience it all in the services and live it with HIM as we hear the readings. May God give us the necessary strength and Bless us!

Love in Christ,
-- Father David

March 31, 2023

5th Sunday of Great Lent

Saturday April 1st 6:00pm Vigil
St. John 20:19-31

Sunday April 2nd 10:00am Divine Liturgy
Hebrews 9:11-14
St. Mark 10:32-45
Commemoration of St. Mary of Egypt
Galatians 3:23-29
St. Luke 7:36-50
Tone 1

We welcome His Eminance Archbishop Irénée. Vladyka will serve the Liturgy this Sunday. We will be starting the Hours well before 10, so it would be a good idea if people could arrive and be in place by 10 o'clock. Vladyka will be greeted at the entrance to the church at 10 o'clock.

Just a little hint: after Communion, the little ones may need something to keep them going until the dinner.

The Pot Luck Dinner following the Liturgy will be at the Olympic Hall, which is the hall associated with Father Maximos' church. Father Maximos has very kindly let us use the Hall for this occasion. The dinner will start at 1:30pm, or as close to that time as possible. All are welcome. The address is 2304 Hunter Street.

Thank you to all who have arranged the food and all who have arranged the tables and setting the room up for the dinner.

Thank you Sergey for making those 4 candle holders so that altar boys can carry lights without them blowing out when we go outside.

A message from Dan Wilband about the Adult Discussion Group:

A reminder that we won't be meeting this weekend (the Archbishop will be with us). However, we strongly encourage everyone to join our next session on the afternoon of Lazarus Saturday, April 8 at 4:30 pm, downstairs before Vigil. We will make tea! But more importantly, we will be at the very threshold of Holy Week. By then, Lent will have come to its end and the Church will have begun her annual solemn commemoration of the Suffering, Death and Glorious Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Our talk this time will focus mostly on Orthodox worship during Holy Week, which is our response to Christ's invitation to us to go with Him to the Cross. Pray that this discussion would help prepare our hearts and minds to enter into the richness of the most sacred week of the year, that we may obtain the new life and Paschal joy to which it leads, as in His perfect love, humility and suffering our Lord tramples down Death by Death.

Please find attached* a commentary that some may find helpful to review in advance. It was written by Fr Alexander Schmemann, whose book on Lent we have recently been reading.

All are welcome. I will send out a reminder and streaming link for those at a distance next week.

Love in Christ,
-- Dan

*(There is an attachment not included here. Please ask Dan to send it to you.)

Calendar reminder for between now and Pascha. Please note below the two added services for the start of Holy Week:

Friday April 7 10:00am Liturgy Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos

Saturday April 8 6:00pm Vigil with Blessing of Palms

Sunday April 9 10:00am Liturgy Palm Sunday Procession with Palms

* Tuesday April 11 6:00pm Presanctified Liturgy

* Wednesday April 12 6:00pm Office Of Holy Oil - Unction

Thursday April 13 10:00am Vesperal Liturgy Great Thursday The Mystical Supper of Christ
6:00pm Reading of the 12 Passion Gospels

Friday April 14 Great Friday 2:00pm Great Vespers
6:00pm Matins and procession of the Shroud

Saturday April 15 Great Saturday
10:00am Baptism of 3 Catechumens (dried fruit, nuts and wine allowed)
11:00pm Matins and Liturgy of Pascha (blessing of baskets)

Sunday April 16 4:00pm Pascha The Bright Resurrection of Christ Agape Vespers (blessing of baskets)

*Look for news of added services during Holy Week*

We are coming very close to Holy Week. Please plan to attend as many of the services as possible. It will all start, as with the procession into Jerusalem on a donkey, we will carry palm leaves to greet The Lord and then hear the crowd reject Him and demand that he be Crucified. We will stay with Him, and rise with Him at His Glorious Resurrection. We will act it all out and live it with HIM. May God give us the necessary strength and Bless us!

Love in Christ,
-- Father David

March 24, 2023

4th Sunday of Great Lent

Saturday March 25th 10:00am Liturgy Commemoration of the Departed
(Prepare your list and bring with you as you attend the service)

6:00pm Vigil
St. John 20:11-18

Sunday March 26th 10:00am Divine Liturgy
Commemoration of St. John of the Ladder
Hebrews 6:13-20, St. Mark 9:17-31
Tone 8

Wednesday March 29 6:00pm Presanctified Liturgy

Saturday April 1 6:00pm Vigil

Sunday April 2 10:00am Liturgy Fifth Sunday of Lent St. Mary of Egypt

Friday April 7 10:00am Liturgy Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos

Saturday April 8 6:00pm Vigil with Blessing of Palms

Sunday April 9 10:00am Liturgy Palm Sunday Procession with Palms

Thursday April 13 10:00am Vesperal Liturgy Great Thursday The Mystical Supper of Christ
6:00pm Reading of the 12 Passion Gospels

Friday April 14 Great Friday 2:00pm Great Vespers
6:00pm Matins and procession of the Shroud

Saturday April 15 Great Saturday
10:00am Baptism of 3 Catechumens (dried fruit, nuts and wine allowed)
11:00pm Matins and Liturgy of Pascha (blessing of baskets)

Sunday April 16 4:00pm Pascha The Bright Resurrection of Christ Agape Vespers (blessing of baskets)

Please pray for the father of Katereyna Lukiian whose father Fell Asleep in the Lord Monday evening. She won't be able to be at the funeral in Russia due to circumstances making that country inaccessible. He will be commemorated at the Panikhida following this Saturday's Liturgy for the Departed. Remember, that Liturgy is at 10am this Saturday.

Friday this week, the Catechumens will meet at my apartment at 6pm. Father Alexander will speak about a subject very dear to Anton, Jarod, and Taryn who will be baptised on Holy Saturday morning so they can receive their first Communion at the Great Paschal Liturgy.

Please remember that the Adult Discussion Group under the excellent guidance of Dan Wilband, will meet at 4:30pm on this Saturday. If you are not attending these sessions, you are missing discussing the book Great Lent Journey to Pascha, written by Father Alexander Schmemann. You don't have to do anything, just come and listen to the discussion and add any insights you may have.

St. Vladimir Church Camp 2023: Join us for a family-oriented summer retreat for members and friends of St Vladimir Orthodox Parish! We will spend 3 nights together at Ste Anne's Camp, located on Gibson Lake in the beautiful forest of Annapolis County, NS. July 24 - July 27, 2023 (Monday - Thursday).

The Archbishop is visiting. We will be picking him up at the airport on Friday March 31st. and delivering him back to the airport on Monday April 3rd. This is an occasion of great joy to us. Plan to attend everything.

I have invited Father Maximos, Father Peter, and Father Theodore to the after Liturgy Dinner. I've also invited the Monks of the Hermitage of the Annunciation.

We have now passed the halfway point of Great Lent. Lend ends with Palm Sunday and then the even greater fast begins, that of Holy Week leading to The Celebration of the Glorious Resurrection of Christ. You will want to make that journey. Please check your schedules. There is also a schedule on the notice board of the church.

Ivan Making crosses for Father David and Father Alexander

May God Bless all of us,
-- Father David

March 17, 2023

3rd Sunday of Great Lent

Saturday March 18th 6:00pm Vigil
St. John 20:1-10

Sunday March 19th 10:00am Divine Liturgy
Veneration of the Holy Cross
Hebrews 4:14-5:6 St. Mark 8:34-9:1
Tone 7

Saturday March 25th 10:00am Liturgy Commemoration of the Departed
(Prepare your list and bring with you as you attend the service)

Can you believe that we are almost half way through the Great Fast leading to the brightness of Pascha. This is the 3rd Sunday of the 5 Sunday fast. It is amazing how quickly the Fast goes, and all those plans you had to lose weight during the Fast are skipping away. I encourage all of us for the remaining weeks, plus Holy Week, to see what we can do.

I am sorry to have missed the Presanctified on Wednesday, I had what Father Alexander had the previous week, not too serious but Father Alexander insisted that I stay home. Instead, he dosed me with Strepsils and honey; the Strepsils numbed and the honey soothed, a good combination.

We continue to pray for the victims of the war in Ukraine, all the victims and I mean all of the victims whether they are from Ukraine or Russia, or elsewhere, and if you have read or watched the news stories, you know there are victims all over. We are blessed to have refugees in our parish and we welcome them. We are also blessed to have a priest who speaks Russian, and people who speak Ukrainian and Russian; this is a definite blessing to us.

Remember the Adult Discussion Group a week Saturday.

Please pray!
Love in Christ,
-- Father David

March 10, 2023

2nd Sunday of Great Lent

Friday March 10th 6:00pm Catechumen meeting at Father David's apartment

Saturday March 11th 10:00am Liturgy Commemoration of the Departed
(prepare and bring your list)
1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 St. John 5:24-30
6:00pm Vigil

Sunday March 12th 10:00am Divine Liturgy
St. Gregory Palamas
Hebrews 1:10-2:3 St. Mark 2:1-12
Hebrews 7:26-8:2 St. John 10:9-16
Tone 6

It's worth listening and watching Father Lawrence Farley's talk about gender. If you search "Father Lawrence Farley Gender," I'm sure you will find it. It's a talk he gave at St. Tikhon's Monastery and Seminary. It is so informative that I wish I could show it to everyone as a sermon, but since it lasts more than an hour, we'd all be wanting our coffee, so please watch it. If you read in Genesis, you will note that God made two genders, Male and Female; Man, it seems, has made seventy or so more.

Notices

In the church you will notice pamphlets about the St. Vladimir Parish Camp. This is a new venture and very good initiative that I hope everybody will take advantage of. This is not just for children and families that have children, but is for all of us even if we are single or single parent, or are blessed with many children. This is for the parish to have fun and get together. As the pamphlet says, "It will be a time for adults and children to make memories together, strengthen the bonds of friendship and build up the Body of Christ."

There is a Liturgy on Saturday morning at 10. It is one of two Liturgies for the blessed departed. For this, it is the policy of this parish that we include Orthodox and non-Orthodox. You will remember that for inclusion on the Discos during the Proskomedia, it must be only living and departed Orthodox.

We are blessed to have a number of Catechumens. We shall be meeting on Friday evening at 6 at the apartment of Father David. Subdeacon David will be there to talk with the Catechumens and to answer questions about how we do things both in the parish and in the Orthodox Church in general.

The Baptism of Anton, Taran and Jarod is getting close now. The Saturday before Pascha, Great Saturday is their big day. There should be a feast of dried fruits, nuts and wine for this occasion, perhaps buns of some sort could be included. Remember that we are fasting for the big feast that starts at 11 that evening, Glorious Pascha, the Resurrection of Our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ.

I also draw your attention to the Adult Study Group which meets on Saturday at 4:30pm before the Vigil, speaking of the Vigil, you do not have to stay for the whole of it. I noticed fewer people at the Vespers part of the Vigil this past Saturday. You can come for the Vespers part and perhaps stay for the first part of Matins, which is the reading of psalms. Please don't be afraid of the Matins part, I'm learning as well.

I didn't get any pictures of the Vespers for the Triumph of Orthodoxy at St. Antonios Church, but we were well represented. If you were not there you missed the procession around the block with all of us carrying Icons. The Lenten food afterwards was really nice. They gave me a bag of food to bring home and I have been enjoying it during this week.

Thanks also to Father Theodore and Presvetera Joy for the lovely food they have been sending to me. So delicious! Father Theodore is not well yet, please pray for him and for Presvetera Joy. Pray also for their son Peter who comes to us frequently.

If you are wondering about the new format of the Bulletin . . . if you print it back to back (short side) you will find that it prints into a nice pamphlet with the parish details on the front. (Cool Huh! That's if I get it right!) Oh! Speaking of new formats, We've made it to Spring Forward time. That means don't forget to put your clocks forward one hour before you go to bed on Saturday night. If you forget, you'll arrive about time for the end of the Gospel and the rest of us will be bleary eyed.

May God Bless all of us.
Love in Christ,
-- Father David

March 3, 2023

1st Sunday of Great Lent

Saturday March 4th 6:00pm Vigil

Sunday March 5th 10:00am Divine Liturgy
Sunday of Orthodoxy
Hebrews 11:24-26, 11:32-12:2
John 1:43-51
Tone 5

Please note: Great Vespers with Procession of Icons
Sunday 5pm St. Antonios Church

The Baptism of Baby Lucas

May God bless all of us as we struggle with fasting.

Love in Christ,
-- Father David

February 24, 2023

Week 37 after Pentecost

Saturday February 24th 6:00pm Vespers

Sunday February 25th 10:00am Divine Liturgy followed by Forgiveness Vespers
Cheese-fare (Forgiveness) Sunday
Romans 13:11-14:4
St. Matthew 6:14-21
Tone 4

Monday February 27th Great Lent Begins

We have almost made it to Great Lent, so now let's make it to Pascha. Monday is the beginning of the Great Fast and I wish all of us the courage to persevere during this time of spiritual renewal. Remember that the fasting is a means to spiritual renewal; it is a time to perhaps look into ourselves and assess where we could make improvements. We could look at our family prayer time, perhaps add a reading from the Scriptures; make a list of those who need our prayers, and pray for them and the Church.

Saturday at 4:30, the Adult Discussion Group will meet in the basement

Remember that next Sunday is the First Sunday of Great Lent and therefore the Sunday we celebrate the Triumph of Orthodoxy, the restoration of the Holy Icons.

Thanks to the people who bring such delicious food for us to enjoy after Liturgy, those who vacuum and clean the floors, clean the tables, look after the dirty dishes and those who sing. Thanks to all who make the church a beautiful place.

Immediately after receiving Communion, the children should go downstairs for a small snack, some colouring and a rest before returning upstairs for the Vespers service, which no one, not even the children, will want to miss. It is different, unusual and involves us all.

How to transfer money from your bank account to the church account:

• Log in to your online or mobile banking app.
• Find and select the option "Send an Interac e-Transfer."
• On the next screen, select an option "Interac e-Transfer Recipient."
• Insert halifaxorthodox@gmail.com
• Insert donation amount.

I've just received a request from Father Alexander. This is what he wrote (edited):

Dear Father, Your blessing! I've been in touch with Gennady - a gentleman from Ukraine who came to St. Vladimir's two weeks ago. Back then, he was looking for a place to stay... So the question is if there is anyone who could rent a room for a reasonable price to Gennady in the Halifax area (Dartmouth included) - basically somewhere where he could take a bus to go to work? Gennady is currently staying in Annapolis valley - at the Annapolis Basin Conference Centre. This is a place where they provide temporary housing for Ukrainian refugees. The problem is that there are no jobs in the area, so he is contemplating coming back to Halifax to look for jobs there, but in Halifax, it's difficult to find a place to stay. Love in Christ, pr. Alexander

Please help if you can.

May Christ our God Bless us especially during this time of fasting and bring us to the Glorious Resurrection.

Love in that same Christ,
-- Father David

Schedule of Services for Lent, Holy Week, and Pascha is on the notice board. Please look at it.

February 17, 2023

Week 36 after Pentecost

Saturday February 18th 6:00pm Vespers

Sunday February 19th 10:00am Divine Liturgy and Baptism, followed by Coffee Hour
Meat-fare Sunday, Commemoration of the day of the Second Coming of Christ The Day of Judgement
1Corinthians 8:8-9:2
St. Matthew 25:31-46
Tone 3

We have finally been able to set the date for the visit of Archbishop Irénée to our parish. He and Deacon Denis will be with us on March 25th until the 27th.

We are in the preparation for the great fasting time that of Great Lent. This is the Sunday we call Meat-fare and is the last day we eat meat and fish. Meat, is any animal that has a back bone including fish. There are marine animals that can be eaten for example, squid, octopus, shrimp, crab, lobster, scallops and most shell fish. If you look on your calendar, you will see that occasionally there is the image of a fish. This means that on that day fish is acceptable. Occasionally there will be the image of grapes, which again means that we can drink wine.

This week which is called Cheese-fare week, ending with Cheese-fare Sunday, we can eat cheese and eggs and milk, ice cream, and all those good things, to clean them from our refrigerators. But remember that Children, the elderly, those who are sick, on medications, may not fast.

Peanut butter is a staple during this time as well as hummus, chick-peas, lentils, all sorts of vegetables, beans, peas. There is a folder in the church with recipes and there are lots of recipes on line, we do not need to starve, in fact many would claim that this is the healthiest eating time of the whole year, especially after Cheese-fare.

Dan has just reminded me that the next session of the Adult Discussion Group will be Saturday February 25th at 4:30pm as usual. He has also noted that the children's choir, in which his daughter sings, will be singing Evensong at All Saints Anglican Cathedral on Sunday February 19th at 4pm.

You may notice that Cameron is not with us. He has asked for a time off. The job of leading the Choir and working as a Medical Doctor is very stressful. Please pray for Cameron and Katie. You probably don't know that Cameron has completely reorganized all the music and choir services. It has taken him quite a while. Thank you Cameron!

Next Sunday, Cheese-fare, we not only serve Liturgy but we follow the Liturgy with Vespers because this is also Forgiveness Sunday when we are all prepared to forgive each other. If you have never experienced the forgiveness ceremony, you will not want to miss this.

Just to pre-warn all of us that during Great Lent, the number of services will increase. The first weekday indication of that will be the Great Canon of Saint Andrew of Crete. This is usually recited during the first week of Great Lent so watch out for a notice about this and other added services.

Another pre-warn, and this one is about the Clergy Synaxis on Tuesday July 18th. This is a clergy get together, and is followed on Wednesday and the rest of the week, by the Archdiocesan Assembly, at which parish clergy and one lay delegate should attend. Anyone can attend the Assembly as an observer, more information about all this will follow.

It seems that Symeon's talented mother made a pair of sweaters for her son and Taran. The title of the picture is "Twins," I bet they don't wear those into the water.

Courage for the Lenten Fast and may God bless all of us.
Love in Christ,
-- Father David

February 10, 2023

Week 35 after Pentecost

Friday February 10th 6pm adult catechumen meeting at Father David's apartment

Saturday February 11th 4:30pm Adult Discussion Group
6:00pm Vespers
Deuteronomy 10:14-21, Deuteronomy
10:14-21, Wisdom 3:1-9

Sunday February 12th 10:00am Divine Liturgy, followed by Coffee Hour
Sunday of the Prodigal Son
1Corinthians 6: 12-20
St. Luke 15:11-32
Synaxis of the Three Hierarchs: St. Basil the Great, St. Gregory the Theologian, and St. John Chrysostom
Hebrews 13:7-16, St. Matthew 5:14-19
Tone 2

Tuesday February 14th 6pm Vespers with Litia
Reading 1 Exodus 12:51-13:3, 10-12,
14-16, Exodus 22-29, Leviticus 12:1-4,
6-8, Numbers 8:16-17
Reading 2 Isaiah 6:1-12
Reading 3 Isaiah 19:1-5, 12 16, 19-21

Wednesday February 15th The Meeting of Our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ

These are the sort of candles that Taran hopes to give to the homeless, with the food. They are available from Dollorama, and here is a list of things that would be useful: Pallets, Fire wood, Scrap wood, Tarps, Duct Tape, Tuck Tape, Emergency type Blankets (that's the blankets that look like thin aluminum foil).

If there is anyone who could help by reading or intoning the responses, in other words the choir's part, weekdays when we have no choir, Please let Father David know. We could then schedule weekday morning liturgies.

May God bless all of us,
In Christ,
-- Father David

February 4, 2023

Week 34 after Pentecost

Saturday February 4th 5:30pm Panikhida for the victims of the war in Ukraine, followed by Vespers
Isaiah 43:9-14, Wisdom 3:1-9,
Wisdom 4:7-15

Sunday February 5th 10:00am Divine Liturgy, followed by Coffee Hour

Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee
Beginning of the Lenten Triodion
2 Timothy 3:10-15
St. Luke 18:10-14
Sunday of the New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia
Romans 8:28-39
St. Luke 21:12-19
Tone 1

Small bulletin this week.

Reminder of the Family Fun and Sunday School this Friday evening starting at 5pm in the basement of the church. All those involved had a wonderful time last time we got together and this time will be fun too. Anybody can come, especially the children.

I'd like to meet with the Catechumens on Friday 10th February at 6pm, probably at my apartment. We shall be discussing St. Theophan the Recluse on Prayer, and Great Lent and what are the Orthodox expectations as regards fasting.

A great thank you to all who have phoned, visited, shown concern, and supplied lovely food.

Waiting for Daddy and Grandad.

Love in Christ,
-- Father David

January 27, 2023

Week 33 after Pentecost

Saturday January 28th 5:30pm Adult Discussion Group followed by Vespers
Sunday January 29th 10:00am Divine Liturgy, followed by Coffee Hour

Zacchaeus Sunday
1Timothy 4:9-15
St. Luke 19:1-10
Veneration of the Precious Chains of the Holy and All-Glorious Apostle Peter
Acts of the Apostles 12:1-11
St. John 21:15-25
Tone 8

Please note that in the same way we have sprinkled the church with Holy Water, we need to sprinkle your home with Holy Water. Please ask me or Father Alexander and arrange a time for the blessing of your home.

Let me say right away how thankful I am that I was not hurt more than I was. Your care was incredible, thank you. At the moment my back aches and is sore. I could have broken something and I am really thankful that no bones were broken except perhaps the dorsal left side floating ribs being bruised, cracked or perhaps broken. There is little one can do for that except bind and use pain medication. Both of these measures I am using. I want to thank all who have suggested that they do house-work, some have even provided me with soup, and meals and even a very delicious cheesecake. Delicious!

I may not be able to be at church on Saturday and Sunday because of the ache. There is a baptism during the Liturgy. Please give Father Alexander as much help as possible. I do not like leaving him alone. Please remember that he works full-time at the University and this is just a further worry for him. He is a wonderful priest.

A few moments ago, I was speaking with Braidyn-Spyridon and it seems that his Grandma Maggie has had a stroke. She is over a hundred, please pray for her and her family.

Don't you just wish you had gone down to the blessing of the Atlantic. I didn't go for obvious reasons but Father Alexander went and blessed the Ocean and 6 of the parish's young men jumped into the water to retrieve the cross. I see from the photographs that Sergey had the cross in his hand. Brilliant? Josh had to jump in after the others - he was doing the prayers. I understand the bottom of the water was complete mud. I know that at least two slipped. This is now a St. Vladimir Parish tradition. I refuse to have an accident before the next year dip. (God willing!) The whole set of photos can be seen on our parish Website. Alina will have put everything up including the two videos. If there are any more photos or videos, please forward them to Alina for inclusion on our web pages.

Thank you very much for the Christmas Gifts very thoughtful of you, as usual. God Bless all of us,

Love in Christ,
-- Father David

January 20, 2023

Week 32 after Pentecost

Saturday January 21th 6:00pm Vespers
Sunday January 22th 10:00am Divine Liturgy, followed by Coffee Hour
After Feast of the Theophany
Ephesians 4:7-13
St. Matthew 4:12-17
St. Philip, Metropolitan of Moscow
Hebrews 13:17-21
St. John 10:9-16
Tone 7

Please note that in the same way we have sprinkled the church with Holy Water, we need to sprinkle your home with Holy Water. Please ask me or Father Alexander and arrange a time for the blessing of your home. Theophany House Blessing is not the same service as the blessing of a new home. It is a short service where the priest says a short prayer then he and the people sing the Troparion of the Theophany while sprinkling the home with Holy Water:

When You, O Lord were baptized in the Jordan
the worship of the Trinity was made manifest
for the voice of the Father bore witness to You
and called You His beloved Son.
And the Spirit, in the form of a dove,
confirmed the truthfulness of His word.
O Christ, our God, You have revealed Yourself
and have enlightened the world, glory to You!

You are welcome to offer the priest a cup of tea or coffee afterwards. You could have a candle, an icon, and a bowl with Holy Water ready. It is all very simple and lasts about a half an hour, of course depending how large your home or apartment is; yes, apartments are bless as well, even tents and motor homes if that is where you live. What we are doing is sanctifying your home the same way we sanctify the church.

We have a number of Catechumens now. Please make sure they feel at home and feel a part of us. They are learning the Faith by being at the services after all that's where the real learning how to be Orthodox takes place. Father Nicholas Behr (Father John Behr's father) told me that, when I was becoming Orthodox a long time ago, that's was well into the last century. (Thinking of that, I now pause for a cup of coffee and a biscuit or two.)

I want to thank all those who gave Christmas Gifts, cards and wishes. Thank you. You spoil me!

Can you believe how many came for the Vesperal Liturgy and the Great Blessing of Water? We even had a feast afterwards, thank you Kristen, and those who brought food and drink. Thanks to Cameron, the music was beautiful and thanks to the altar crew, it all went smoothly, and a large thank you to Father Alexander who always makes sure I am not too taxed, and able to cope; he is always there to fill in.

Father Theodore continues to need our prayers. He is home and improving but perhaps not quite as quickly as he should.

With the Feast of the Theophany we conclude the Christmas season, so now we can remove Christmas Decorations storing them carefully for next year when hopefully, we can use them again, according to God's Will, of course. Thanks to those who decorated the church so beautifully this year, it was really lovely.

You can find most of these and many more pictures on our website, some I took but the majority were taken by Alina. It was amazing how many of the children came to the late evening service at Christmas. Some were awakened for Communion, and I suspect a couple didn't know exactly where they were. One, I remember, had to have his mouth opened to receive Communion; he was more asleep than awake. It was all really nice to see.

Father Alexander and I served with Father Maximos, Father Peter and the priest from Prince Edward Island, at the feast of St. Anthony, the Patron Saint of St. Antonios Church. It was a very nice service. I hadn't remembered that amongst the many Relics that St. Antonios has, is a relic of St. Anthony. What a blessing!

Well my Dear Friends,

May God bless all of us and protect us
from all evil and from anything that
might hurt us,
Love in Christ,
-- Father David

January 13, 2023

Week 31 after Pentecost

Saturday January 14th 6:00pm Vespers (Following the Adult Discussion Group)
Genesis 17:1-7, 9-12, 14; Proverbs 8:22-30;
Proverbs 10:31-32, 11:1-12

Sunday January 15th 10:00am Divine Liturgy, followed by Coffee Hour
Forefeast of the Theophany
2 Timothy 4:5-8
St. Mark 1:1-8
St. Seraphim Wonderworker of Sarov
Galatians 5:22-6:2
St. Luke 6:17-23
Tone 6

Wednesday January 18th 5:00pm Theophany Eve Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil, Great Blessing of Water (fill bottles and jars with Holy Water)

Saturday January 14th 4:30pm Adult Discussion Group. All welcome

Please remember that on Wednesday January 18th there is the Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil. This is the Liturgy to celebrate the Theophany. We will start at 5pm so we can get the Great Blessing of Water in and because many will be fasting before Communion.

Can you believe that we have just come through the Fast Free week. We were even permitted to eat meat on Wednesday and Friday following Christmas. Now we settle into the regular pattern of Wednesday and Friday fasting but be sure to consult your Calendar, which are for sale in the Foyer for $10; there are two sorts, all English and Slavonic and English.

Theophany is the Revealing of God. In this Icon Jesus is being Baptised by John the Forerunner but John is not looking at Jesus, he is paying attention to the descent of the Holy Spirit and the Voice of God the Father. The angels are waiting to clothe Jesus, the New Adam. God made Adam and Eve naked but through shame they put on clothing so Jesus is naked and not ashamed, undoing the shame of The Garden. You might notice the Ocean and the River Jordan giving way to the greater power as Creation is Baptised in the person of Christ.

Remember the shell and stone icons made by Father Theodore and Presbytera Joy. Pray for Father Theodore who is out of hospital, Glory to God.

Here is a note from Taran about the parish outreach to the homeless:

"Hello Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

I humbly wish to begin planning the next mission to the homeless. Since the situation is ever changing, I will go again to visit the parks and see where people are. I hope to pick a day of good weather to go out in this time. May God grant us this.

Also Morgan has been inspired through the grace of God to contact certain individuals already involved in similar outreach projects and has received some helpful advice from them. I think it would be great to have a meeting to discuss future plans and how to move forward with this Holy Ministry in the name of Christ. If folks could give me a rough sense of their schedule for the next couple weeks that would be great.

Also, It is worth mentioning that many other Parishioners have expressed interest in being involved in this ministry, so please don't feel pressured to participate in every occasion or every meeting. We are all One in Christ and together, with God's help, we will accomplish much.

Thank you all again for your hard work, your heartfelt concern for the needy, and most of all, for your prayers. Our Prayers are our primary weapons against the enemy of Mankind, and God is infinitely faithful and loving. He will provide us everything we need to take care of His Children.

I thank God for you all. May God bless you and be born a new in your hearts unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Christ is Born, Glorify Him!
Love in Christ,
-- Taran"

Some pictures taken by Alina at the Christmas celebration:

There are more photos at: https://photos.app.goo.gl/R7fiuhKpJcdLfGwL9

May God bless each of us,
Love in Christ,
-- Father David

January 6, 2023

Week 30 after Pentecost

The Nativity according to the Flesh of Our Lord, God, and Saviour Jesus Christ

Friday January 6th 9:00pm Matins followed by Liturgy
Galatians 4:4-7
Matthew 2:1-12

Saturday January 7th 6:00pm Vespers

Sunday January 8th 10:00am Divine Liturgy, followed by Coffee Hour
Sunday before the Nativity
Colossians 3:12-16
St. Luke 18:35-43
Tone: 5

Commemoration of the Holy Righteous Ones: Joseph the Betrothed, David the King, and James the Brother of the Lord
Galatians 1:11-19
St. Matthew 2:13-23

May God bless all of us who are the Parish of St. Vladimir Prince of Kiev. Father Alexander and I wish every one a Very Merry Christmas, "May God Bless Us, Every One" (Thank you Charles Dickens!)