St.Vladimir Orthodox Church

3163 Purcell's Cove Road, Halifax, NS

News and Events

November 14, 2024

Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost

Saturday November 16 6 pm Vigil
Sunday November 17 10 am Divine Liturgy
Tone 4
Saturday November 16 6 pm Vespers (St. Michael the Archangel)

There will be catechumen lessons at the mission and also at the parish this Sunday at 1pm. We are continuing with our study of the booklet - I am Orthodox, What Does that Mean? - We will cover fasting - questions 23 and 24 this week.
Join here over zoom as usual.

Where are our clergy this week?

Fr. David is away until the end of the month on holidays - We miss you Fr. David.
Fr. Stelian will be going to the mission on Saturday and serving liturgy there on Sunday.
Fr. Alexander and Deacon Michael will be looking after the parish and the services this weekend.

Confessions
If you would like to go to confession, please try and come on Saturday evening or early Sunday morning as Fr. Alexander will be on his own and won't have time to hear confessions during liturgy on Sunday.

There will be a work day at Church on Saturday November 16 starting around 9 am

Just around the corner:

Saturday November 16 - Work Day
Wednesday November 20 - Vespers 6 pm St. Michael the Archangel
Saturday November 23 - Singer's Saturday
November 28 - Nativity Fast begins (there's a binder of recipes at the back of the church and lots of recipes on line).

Way - Way ahead

December 4 - Entry of Theotokos into the Temple
- Tuesday December 3 - Vespers 6 pm
- Wednesday December 4 - Liturgy 10 am
December 19 - St. Nicholas the Wonderworker
- Wednesday December 18 - Vespers 6 pm
- Thursday December 19 - Liturgy 10 am
Wednesday December 25 - Divine Liturgy 10 am St. Herman of Alaska

On Saturday November 23, the choir will be participating in an all day practice. We will be covering technical advice for singer's, polishing some things that we struggle with, reviewing how services are put together and learning new music. After all that work, we will sing the vigil together and also the liturgy on Sunday morning. If you have thought about joining the choir but are shy, this is your chance to try it out. We will gather at church at 11 am and work through until 5 pm. Vigil will be at 6 as usual. Food will be provided. If you would like to participate please let us know so we have enough copies and enough food. If you would like to hear the results of our efforts, come to church for vigil and pray with us.
Thank you
M. Lena and M. Maria

The OCA at large is organizing a virtual Christmas Concert that will be live streamed on YouTube, December 25th (New Calendar Christmas Day). Choirs from OCA churches across North America will be participating. We are hoping to be able to send in a submission representing our parish. We would like to also include the children. If your children would like to participate, please send an email to Matushka Maria at mrsmariacherry (at) gmail (dot) com. Rehearsals will be held on Sundays upstairs in the church after children have had a bite to eat. The children will need to spend a little time practicing with a recording and learning the words with parental help. We will be recording sometime in December to send our submissions in.
Mat. Lena and Mat. Maria

If you would like something included in the bulletin, please contact Deacon Michael before Thursday, until Fr. David's return.

- Dcn. Michael

Civic Calendar with Service Schedule

November 7, 2024

Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost

Saturday November 9 6 pm Vigil
Sunday November 10 10 am Divine Liturgy
Tone 3

The Archbishop has granted permission for me to be away from the parish for most of the month of November. I shall be visiting friends in BC and my Niece and her family in Cochrane, Alberta.
-Father David

St. Catherine Discussion group led by Dan Wilband will meet in the basement at 4:30pm this Saturday.

There will be a work day at Church on Saturday November 16

Just around the corner:

Saturday November 16 - Work Day
Wednesday November 20 - Vespers 6 pm St. Michael the Archangel
Saturday November 23 - Singer's Saturday
November 28 - Nativity Fast begins (there's a binder of recipes at the back of the church and lots of recipes on line).

Way - Way ahead

December 4 - Entry of Theotokos into the Temple
- Tuesday December 3 - Vespers 6 pm
- Wednesday December 4 - Liturgy 10 am
December 19 - St. Nicholas the Wonderworker
- Wednesday December 18 - Vespers 6 pm
- Thursday December 19 - Liturgy 10 am
Wednesday December 25 - Divine Liturgy 10 am St. Herman of Alaska

On Saturday November 23, the choir will be participating in an all day practice. We will be covering technical advice for singer's, polishing some things that we struggle with, reviewing how services are put together and learning new music. After all that work, we will sing the vigil together and also the liturgy on Sunday morning. If you have thought about joining the choir but are shy, this is your chance to try it out. We will gather at church at 11 am and work through until 5 pm. Vigil will be at 6 as usual. Food will be provided. If you would like to participate please let us know so we have enough copies and enough food. If you would like to hear the results of our efforts, come to church for vigil and pray with us.
Thank you
M. Lena and M. Maria

If you would like something included in the bulletin, please contact Deacon Michael before Thursday, until Fr. David's return.

- Dcn. Michael

November 1, 2024

Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Friday November 1 6 pm Vespers
Saturday October 26 10 am Divine Liturgy
St. Demetrius Saturday
6 pm Vigil
Sunday October 27 10 am Divine Liturgy
Tone 2

The Archbishop has granted permission for me to be away from the parish for most of the month of November. I shall be visiting friends in BC and my Niece and her family in Cochrane, Alberta.

There has been considerable concern about Leslee. I can tell you that her son called an ambulance and that she was discharged from the emergency department and that all the tests were OK. She is presently under the care of and staying with her son.

Just around the corner:

November 2 - St. Demetrius Saturday
- Friday November 1 - Vespers
- Saturday November 2 - Liturgy
November 2/3 Clocks go back an hour.
November 23 Singer's Saturday

Way - Way ahead

November 28 - Nativity Fast begins (there's a binder of recipes at the back of the church and lots of recipes on line).
December 4 - Entry of Theotokos into the Temple
- Tuesday December 3 - Vespers
- Wednesday December 4 - Liturgy
December 19 - St. Nicholas the Wonderworker
- Wednesday December 18 - Vespers
- Thursday December 19 - Liturgy
December 25 - St. Herman of Alaska

It has been really nice to see Taran (Silouan). He has decided to live in New Brunswick, and to look after his parents and sister. He'll visit often - I hope!

I have been in contact with Anton, through his mother. He is working and has to deal with milk deliveries to a cheese factory. He currently works in caseiculture (a wonderful word for cheese making!). Sunday is the time when milk is delivered to the factory and only certain trained persons can accept the milk and perform the organoleptic testing, amongst other tests; that is what Anton does so it is difficult for him to get to church. I'm working on it!

The HMCS Shawinigan is back alongside so we shall look forward to seeing both Andrew and Noah amongst us again. Welcome home!

The Party went well with a fire and hot dogs to roast along with potatoes roasting in an open fire, cookie decorating as well as mask decorating. Thank you to those who organized, especially Shauna and Julian and to those who brought food. I think we all had fun and it was attended well enough to repeat.

May God bless us all,
Love in Christ,
-- Father David

October 25, 2024

Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Saturday October 26 6 pm Vespers
Followed by General Panikhida
Sunday October 27 10 am Divine Liturgy
Tone 1

The Archbishop has granted permission for me to be away from the parish for most of the month of November. I shall be visiting friends in BC and my Niece and her family in Cochrane, Alberta.

St. Catherine Discussion group led by Dan Wilband will meet in the basement at 4:30 pm on Saturday.

We should be aware that there are parish shut-ins and some who need things like transportation to and from hospital appointments. Father Alexander has been silently doing this. It really is time for the parish to undertake these tasks. I'm not going to put the names of those shut-ins here but there are several folk you can ask: Father Alexander, Heather and Alina, who will tell you who and where these important parishioners are. There are some shut-ins who speak only Russian or Ukrainian. They must all be cared for by us, they are a part of us. I ask for a volunteer to be the coordinator of shut-in visits. I would like a volunteer please. This is a very worthwhile ministry to the parish and to the shut-in.

What an impressive Annual General Meeting. I think it was a good idea to have the Pizza and coffee before the meeting. We will continue that practise, God willing. The weather was good so the children were occupied outside, thanks to the supervision of Yan and Michelle and perhaps others.

Don't forget that on the evening of the 31st, (that's a Thursday), we will be having a party. Children of all and any age are welcome. Even those children that may be receiving pensions are welcome.

Just around the corner:

October 26 - 4:30 pm Society of St. Catherine
October 31 - Youth group at the church - there will be lots of goodies.
November 2 - St. Demetrius Saturday
- Friday November 1 - Vespers
- Saturday November 2 - Liturgy

Way - Way ahead

November 28 - Nativity Fast begins (there's a binder of recipes at the back of the church and lots of recipes on line).
December 4 - Entry of Theotokos into the Temple
- Tuesday December 3 - Vespers
- Wednesday December 4 - Liturgy
December 19 - St. Nicholas the Wonderworker
- Wednesday December 18 - Vespers
- Thursday December 19 - Liturgy
December 25 - St. Herman of Alaska

Rector's Report October 2024

Can you believe that another year has sped by? This year, instead of going directly from the Liturgy to the Parish Meeting, we have paused for pizza and coffee. Now the business of the parish is almost complete

No decision will be made regarding the future of this building or parish without you. You are the people of this parish and you must know and vote - that I can promise you

I asked the people of the parish to tell me their inmost thoughts and feelings about the future of the parish and its relationship to this building. If you look around you will see the incredible work of the Holy Spirit. We are never without catechumens. Why is that? We have people who are really ready and willing to work. You put up with me week in and week out. You tolerate my inability to walk well. You put up with my forgetting things and I do forget things. But look around. Look at all the things that say that this is St. Vladimir Prince of Kiev Orthodox Church. You it was that made this Anglican stone church, with its stone, indicating that it was built by people of a Masonic Temple, into an Orthodox Church. It was you, who gave it, the building, courage, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to attract people, older - and children, to call this building 'A Church,' a place for Baptism, Panikhidas, Liturgies, Icons, Security, and Love. And it has been successful, it has attracted lots of people and children and visitors. All of that success has meant that we have outgrown ourself and we must do something about it.

No decision will be made regarding the future of this building or parish without you as the people of this parish knowing and voting - that I promise you.

There are three things open to us:
1. We could completely revamp this building - add on to it - drill a well and septic system - install a toilet - completely reinvent the electrical system - switch the altar to the east end of the building - fill the surrounding areas with rocks for parking.
2. We could continue to look for church properties in the surrounding communities that are for sale. The closer those properties are to Halifax, the more expensive they become. We've looked at Tantallon, an Anglican Church for sale - not exactly conducive to becoming Orthodox, but a lot of space and a lot of money. There's another church at Lake Echo, that the Catholics gave up on but its further away and much less cost. The question here is, who would we lose by moving further out? I don't wish to lose anyone, each of you is far too special to God and to me.
3. We buy a piece of land and build a purpose-built church - to our specification - that would be a real Orthodox Church right from the beginning. It could start with a basement to serve as a Proto-church. There are great advantages to a community coming together to build. Have you ever heard of 'Barn-Raising?' As I said, the decision will eventually be yours. Think and pray really hard for an answer to this. What shall we do? I know what I think - but, I'll not reveal that - yet.

As I stand before you Sunday by Sunday, I look at the people gathered in front of me and I see their love for me and this parish and each other. I am reminded of that evening in Florence Italy when I texted Archbishop Irene, added some pictures of the various paintings or sculptures I had seen that day and told him how nice it would be if he could have joined me in Florence. His reply came back almost immediately explaining to me that although he would love to be in Florence, he was far too busy fixing a problem in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Then came my big and brave move, a move that gave the Holy Spirit a big chance to work, not for the first time in my life I might add, I lifted my finger and texting back, I uttered that phrase 'Is there any way I can help?' And so, I had to give notice to my Ottawa apartment people and say goodbye to my apartment, say good bye to my niece and her husband, and goodbye to my friends Father Stelian and his family, and head to Halifax, arriving on November 1st 2019. Have I looked back since? Yes! But not very seriously. Believe it, the whole of my life has led me to this parish, at this time, and it is not by accident that I am here. Do you know the work of the Holy Spirit? It has pushed me twice that I know of - and neither time did it do what I wanted. Not only did it push me into Orthodoxy forty years ago, it pushed me to be here amongst you.

Now, The Holy Spirit is pushing you, all of you, to decide where this parish goes from here. Can you believe it, the Holy Spirit is actually pushing you and you must listen to it. Eventually there must to be 80% agreement as to what must happen - not today - but soon. You and I have time to pray, and that is of even more importance.

Now I want to thank people: There is Father Alexander who has supported me since November 1, 2019, and Matushka Ksenia with their four children. Thank you and love to you. There's Father Stelian, full of ideas, and Matushka Lena who has taken the choir, so successfully, in hand, (and alters my vestments!). There is the newly ordained Deacon, Michael with Matushka Maria and their four and a bit children. There are the Sub-Deacons - David and James, there are the choir members, the altar boys, the ladies who look after and arrange the flowers, those who bring food, those who clean up the basement and the church, there are those who come to 'clean-up Saturdays', there are those who repair and look after linens, and the building itself, there are the People of the Mission of St. Seraphim of Sarov, and then, of course, there are the faithful who come Sunday by Sunday - that's you, all of you, and that's me, too. Thank you and may God bless you and the Holy Spirit fill your lives with joy.

Now I want to turn my attention to one of the founders of this parish. Leslee Mansour, who has been part of the parish since it was founded. She has held most positions on the Parish Council. We are not saying goodbye to Leslee but we are recognizing the contribution she has made to this parish. I received a little note that says 'Retired!' and although one does not want to accept that, if that is what Leslee wants - that is what Leslee gets and we will continue to love her and look out for her. Thank you, Leslee for all that you have done over the years. May God bless you and Grant you Many, Many Years.

Love in Christ,
Father David

Saturday October 26 - 10am Baptism of Nathan Eliot, Julie and Ben's son.

May God bless us all,
Love in Christ,
-- Father David

October 17, 2024

Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost

Saturday October 19 6 pm Vigil
Sunday October 20 10 am Divine Liturgy
Tone 8

Annual General Meeting of the Parish of
St. Vladimir Prince of Kiev
Halifax Nova Scotia
stream as usual here

The Archbishop has granted permission for me to be away from the parish for most of the month of November. I shall be visiting friends in BC and my Niece and her family in Cochrane, Alberta.

Just around the corner:

October 20 - Parish Annual General Meeting It is really important that you make sure your Membership is up to date. Attached is a link to the Membership forms for 2024/2025, there are also copies at the back of the church. This must be filed before the meeting. Give it to Dan or other member of the Parish Council.
October 31 - Youth group at the church

Way - Way ahead

November 2 - St. Demetrius Saturday
November 28 - Nativity Fast begins
December 4 - Entry of Theotokos into the Temple
December 19 - St. Nicholas the Wonderworker
December 25 - St. Herman of Alaska (Western Christmas - possibly Liturgy with Western Christmas Carols - the ones that talk about Jesus' Birth!)

Thank you to all those who mixed, baked and distributed Thanksgiving baked goods. They were wonderful and have added about $1,000 to the coffers of the Parish. If we plan, perhaps we could do a similar thing at Christmas. They say that the Russian and Ukrainian churches in Winnipeg were built on Perogies. Who knows, our parish could be built on cakes and the like.

I want to thank the two ladies who prepare such beautiful displays of flowers for our feast days. They really are startlingly beautiful.

I also want to thank the members of the committee who have been looking at churches for sale. You have done a good job showing us the church buildings that become available. Thank you.

Many thanks to everyone who helped out with the bake sale fundraiser! We sold out Sunday morning after Liturgy and had none left to bring to the other Orthodox churches in Halifax to sell. We raised $1368 for our church! Special thanks to Stephen (who did all the advertising and some baking) Matushka Lena (for baking), Heather and Julian (helping with boxing up the treats). We couldn't have done it without you! And extra thanks to all who purchased pie bars!
-Matushka Maria

Here is something worth looking at. The OCA has produced A five-session Study and Activity Guide for young people. You can access these files here. Please look it up.

Website: dce.oca.org
Email: christianeducation@oca.org

Here is what you will find on the website:

Resources

Unit: Saints in Action (temporarily removed for revision)

Unit: All of Creation Rejoices
Introduction
Lesson 1
Lesson 2
Lesson 3
Lesson 4
Youth Supplement

Unit: Let Your Light So Shine
Introduction
Unit One
Unit Two
Unit Three
Unit Four

The Earth is the Lord's: Caring for God's Creation
A five-session Study and Activity Guide for young people

Orthodox Christian Education Commission [OCEC] Web: orthodoxchristianed.com

There is no plan to move from this church building, or buy a church or renovate a church or build a church. Remember - you will be part of the decision. You will know and will be part of the vote. Nothing will be done in secret - I promise.

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

October 11, 2024

Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Saturday October 12 6 pm Vigil
Sunday October 13 10 am Divine Liturgy
Tone 7

Society of St. Catherine Saturday 4:30pm before Vigil*
stream as usual here
*Catechumen should attend these lessons.

Monday October 14 Protection of the Theotokos
Liturgy 10 am
(This is also Thanksgiving)

The Archbishop has granted permission for me to be away from the parish for most of the month of November. I shall be visiting friends in BC and my Niece and her family in Cochrane, Alberta.

Just around the corner:

October 14 (Monday) - Liturgy 10 am Protection of Theotokos (Thanksgiving)
October 20 - Parish Annual General Meeting It is really important that you make sure your Membership is up to date. Attached is a link to the Membership forms for 2024/2025, there are also copies at the back of the church. This must be filed before the meeting. Give it to Dan or other member of the Parish Council.
October 31 - Youth group at the church

Way - Way ahead

November 2 - St. Demetrius Saturday
November 28 - Nativity Fast begins
December 4 - Entry of Theotokos into the Temple
December 19 - St. Nicholas the Wonderworker
December 25 - St. Herman of Alaska (Western Christmas - possibly Liturgy with Western Christmas Carols - the ones that talk about Jesus' Birth!)

Did we have fun at Noggin's farm? Did we pick a lot of apples? I think the answer to both of those is a definite - 'YES!' I have to admit that I went because I was invited by Kareryna, Sergey, young Mark and Luke. I wasn't expecting it to be fun. There was the threat of rain and there were drops while we were there, but thankfully not enough to even really wet us. I think that if it had poured, we would still have had a good time - but just with wet clothes. Some photos were taken so I'll place them here. A kind person took the photo of most of us all together

The top picture was missing Jessica, Ryan, Ivan and Andrei. They were too busy picking apples.

I'm ordering a number of Pie Bars and I'll freeze some for Noah and Andrew. I'm certainly looking forward to tasting them. Thank you, bakers! Speaking about the boys on the ship, Noah is going to be living along with Jarod and Stephen in the house managed by Mark.

Reminder: Because of the Annual General Meeting, there will not be a Catechumen meeting Sunday October 20.

I may have mentioned that Friday October 11th, I shall be seeing a surgeon to discuss, at long last, what we can do about the numbness in my left leg. The Friday following that, I shall be undergoing an ultra echocardiogram to make sure my heart is still beating.

Do you remember Peter Togni? He was a member of our congregation and choir. Perhaps you know that Peter is a composer of music. A couple of years ago, I asked Peter to compose a Liturgy as Rachmaninoff and Tchaikovsky had done. On October 10, that's the day I am writing this, Peter's Liturgy is being performed in Toronto by the Elmer Iseler Singers. I can't wait to hear it. It will be spectacular if I know anything about Peter's works. May God bless him.

May God bless all of you,
Love in Christ,
-- Father David

PS I've made 2 Christmas Cakes - one more to go (one that David will eat!).
Tomorrow after the surgeon - Apple Pie!

October 4, 2024

Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Saturday October 5 6 pm Vigil
Sunday October 6 10 am Divine Liturgy
Tone 6
Catechumens meet after coffee at approximately 1300 that's 1pm
stream as usual here
If you are a Catechumen, you must attend these lessons if you wish to become member of the Orthodox Church and members of this parish.

Youth group initial gathering at the church on Friday was very good and enjoyable. I certainly enjoyed one of the peanut-butter and jam sandwiches and the marshmallows, which for some of us caught fire and were black. Did they taste good? Oh Yes! We played several rounds of 'I Spy' and some of the kids came up with real interesting things they spied. I don't think any of us got the one starting with the letter 'G,' which turned out to be Grey Clouds. The bonfire was really fun. We asked everyone what sort of activities they would like in the future and we heard things like: Rambles, Hikes, Movies, Camping, Skiing, Tobogganing, Games, Church Trivia, Orienteering in the Woods, Setting-up Tents, Hiking, Games Night, how to Bake Prosphora, making Prayer Ropes. This, I think is only the first few things. You should come to the next one and give us your ideas. Next one - SOON watch and listen for announcements. (Be prepared - there will be one on the evening of October 31, that's a Thursday night.)

Just around the corner:

October 11 - Youth - Young Adults group? (to be confirmed)
October 14 (Monday) - Liturgy 10am Protection of Theotokos (Thanksgiving)
October 20 - Parish Annual General Meeting It is really important that you make sure your Membership is up to date. Attached is a link to the Membership forms for 2024/2025, there are also copies at the back of the church. This must be filed before the meeting. Give it to Dan or other member of the Parish Council.
October 31 - Youth group at the church

Way - Way ahead

November 2 - St. Demetrius Saturday
November 28 - Nativity Fast begins
December 4 - Entry of Theotokos into the Temple
December 19 - St. Nicholas the Wonderworker
December 25 - St. Herman of Alaska (Western Christmas - possibly Liturgy with Western Christmas Carols - the ones that talk about Jesus!)

Do you remember that we set up a committee to look in to the possibilities of our moving the Parish or revamping where we are now. This committee will be reporting this Sunday, October 6 right after Liturgy. I think somehow that you will want to be present for this and you will want to have a say in they process. You are aware that we have been looking at a quite suitable Anglican Church in Tantallon. We have also been getting information about the revamping of our present premises. Mark and the committee have all the details.

I hope that we can switch from the sheets for the living and the departed to the family remembrance booklets, (donation of $8 per booklet). Every family or individual should have a booklet to list the Orthodox living and departed you wish remembered. Soon, we will be introducing small individual prosphora that will be sent up to the priest serving the Proskomedia, who will take a small portion for the living and a small portion for the departed - those Orthodox Christians you want to be remembered, the prosphora will then be returned to you and you can consume it at home, remembering those you have remembered. More about this later.

Aboard the Shawinigan:
"I am proud of His Majesty's Canadian Ships Shawinigan's crew for their dedication, flexibility and professionalism during the international monitoring effort that was recently conducted in concert with our NATO allies. The ship's company continues to showcase on a global stage that sailors of the Royal Canadian Navy are some of the best in the world, and we will continue to remain focused on our mission alongside our NATO allies for the remainder of our deployment."
Lieutenant-Commander Andrew Foran, Commanding Officer HMCS Shawinigan

We have 2 Catechumens aboard the Shawinigan. I hesitate to include names and positions and any of that sort of information. It's probably OK but you never know how far this bulletin goes and you never know what sort of information is 'classified.'

Church Musician Sunday October 6 (St. Romanus the Melodist on the new calendar).

To the Clergy, Monastics, and Faithful of the Orthodox Church in America,

My Beloved Children in the Lord,

On this third annual Church Musician Sunday, we once again honor our Church's singers, choir directors, composers, arrangers, chanters, readers, bell-ringers, hymnologists, translators, hymnographers, and all who help our parishes and their congregations to make a "joyful noise to the Lord" (Ps. 99:1).

Despite a proliferation of musical resources-printed music books, online scores, web-based tutorials and distance trainings, new on-site programs at our institutions-in many places, our parishes and missions are struggling musically. Qualified choir directors are often difficult to find; ensembles are routinely short on voices; and, both outside our choirs and within them, there is an increasing unfamiliarity with the basics of Orthodox church singing.

This reminds us that, even though we devote this Sunday to honoring musical "specialists," in fact, church music is the responsibility of the entire Orthodox Christian community. "Let us sing to the Lord, for gloriously has he been glorified," the holy prophet and God-seer Moses exhorts us. "Bless the Lord, O children of men; let Israel bless the Lord," sang the Three Holy Children, calling us to join them in praise. The Psalmist, too, commands us: "Praise the Lord, for a psalm is good" (Ps. 146:1); "Sing unto the Lord a new song, his praise in the church of the saints" (Ps. 150:1).

In the same way that we share responsibility for our temples' visual beauty, making sure that they are clean, neat, radiantly adorned with holy images, so do we share responsibility for the beauty of our church music. St. Tikhon of Moscow once reminded his flock that, when we truly wish to honor someone's deeds, we must do so with more than kind feelings: rather, we must do as that person did, as that person would wish us to do. "If you love me, keep my commandments," says the Lord (Jn. 14:15).

Therefore, today, in order to honor our church musicians, let us-all of us-redouble our own commitment to our community's life of sacred song and worship. Can we join the choir? Can we use an online tutorial from the Department of Liturgical Music to hone our skills? Can we encourage our children, grandchildren, godchildren, nieces, or nephews to sing? Do we support compensation for our choir directors and funding for choir activities? Has our community supplied itself with honorable Orthodox liturgical bells, and have we encouraged bell-ringers to learn how to use them? Do we sing at home - "Our Father," "O heavenly King," "Christ is risen," the troparia for the great feasts? And this is but a short list of suggestions concerning what we, each of us, could do to support an abundance of musical vocations and the flourishing of sacred music in the Church.

Let me conclude then with this challenge: as we celebrate this Church Musician Sunday, I encourage each parish or mission community, each family, and each individual to find one new way to support our common life of music and worship in the year to come. Sacred song is a major part of our Church's holy Tradition, one of the most important expressions of our timeless Orthodox faith, and it is up to all of us to preserve and propagate ecclesiastical music for the edification and salvation of generations to come.

To all our Church's singers, choir directors, composers, arrangers, chanters, readers, bell-ringers, hymnologists, translators, hymnographers, and to all who support the liturgical and musical life of our holy Church: my primatial blessing and many years! Sincerely yours in Christ,

Tikhon

We join the Metropolitan in thanking the music makers of our Church and particularly of our Archdiocese and even more we thank our choir, all who sing, conduct, duplicate, search the internet for music, compose, and all of us who sing along.

I actually got to meet my brother for breakfast on Monday morning. Julian was with us hence the photo.

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

The Mission of St. Seraphim of Sarov

September 27, 2024

Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Saturday September 28 6 pm Vigil
Sunday September 29 10 am Divine Liturgy
Tone 5
Society of St. Catherine meet on Saturday at 4.30pm
stream as usual here

Youth group initial gathering at the church on Friday
I happen to know two things - First that if you arrive hungry, there will be peanut butter and jam sandwiches - Second, later, a fire with marshmallows (when and if a fire is legal!) The weather forecast says rain, so, bring or wear rain appropriate gear.

Please remember Father Theodore's plea that there be someone living in his and Presbytera's home while they are spending the cold months in Greece. Leslee would be very relieved to have someone there.

Sunday October 6. Immediately after Liturgy the Parish meets to hear the report of the Committee looking for a new church. You will want to hear this.

Warning: Parish General Meeting directly after Liturgy on October 20. It is vital that you be present for this meeting. You can have your say and you must vote for your Parish Council. This is when you approve the officers of the Parish Council. This is when you say to them: 'I approve of what you are doing and I have confidence that you will work for the good of the Parish.'

Just around the corner:

October 14 (Monday) Liturgy 10am Protection of Theotokos (Thanksgiving)
October 20 Parish Annual General Meeting It is really important that you make sure your Membership is up to date. Attached is a link to the Membership forms for 2024/2025, there are also copies at the back of the church. This must be filed before the meeting. Give it to Dan or other member of the Parish Council

Way - Way ahead

November 2 - St. Demetrius Saturday
November 28 - Nativity Fast begins
December 4 - Entry of Theotokos into the Temple
December 19 - St. Nicholas the Wonderworker
December 25 - St. Herman (Western Christmas)

Thank you, ladies who do the beautiful flower, arranging.

Sunday School this Sunday.

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

September 20, 2024

Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Friday September 20 6 pm Vespers
Saturday September 21 10am - Divine Liturgy
Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos
6 pm Vigil
Sunday September 22 10 am Divine Liturgy
Tone 4

Catechumens meet after coffee at about 1pm.
Please be present in person, or via the internet
stream as usual here

I want to thank all those who came to the Clean-up morning last Saturday. I also want to thank those who provided food and coffee. I certainly enjoyed the morning and a lot got done.

The exchange seems to have been a success again. I saw that there was an exchange of toys, at least I noticed there were some excited new toys being played with.

Wasn't it a lovely time outside the church last Sunday afternoon. The children were playing and the adults chatting until 3pm. The weather was just the right temperature with a gentle breeze and the right amount of humidity. It was very comfortable. Glory to God on High!

A small cross was found in the parking lot. Matushka Maria put it on the notice board.

Father Theodore and Presbytera Joy will be returning to Greece for the colder months and would like someone to live in their home while they are away. Please let one of the priest know if you can do that.

I'm not giving up on the organization of a fun youth group ranging in age the same as the Sunday School -that's ranging from 5 to Father David's age. Here is what I shall be proposing to Shauna and Julian - that there be an organizational meeting with boys and girls - soon while the weather is warm; that there be a fire in our little fire pit, and Marshmallows to roast. Then the second meeting for fun activities be on the eve of October 31, that's a Thursday, when we can celebrate the Prophet Joel, St. John of Rila and St. John of Kronstadt and distribute treats of some kind- rather than other options that society may try to throw at us.

It's time that we started taking our departed families seriously. On the last Saturday of each month, we will serve a Panikhida for all the departed and remembered members of this parish and our families. We'll take turns making Koliva. This is an important service, not to be hurried, therefore, until we get used to it, we will shorten Vigil to Great Vespers on those Saturdays.

Services to the Theotokos. We really need to ask the Most Holy Theotokos to pray for us particularly as we choose the path to follow in seeking new quarters for the Parish. May the Holy Theotokos save us! The Small Paraklesis is a short service to the Theotokos that may suddenly pop up after of before a service. Pray for the committee and for our important decisions. Most Holy Theotokos Save us!

Stuff coming up

September 20 - Vespers 6pm
September 21 - Liturgy 10am Nativity of Theotokos
September 26 - Vespers 6pm
September 27 - Liturgy 10am Exultation of the Cross

Way - Way ahead

October 14 - Liturgy 10am Protection of Theotokos (Thanksgiving)
October 20 - Parish Annual General Meeting It is really important that you make sure your Membership is up to date. Attached is a link to the Membership forms for 2024/2025, there are also copies at the back of the church. This must be filed before the meeting. Give it to Dan or other member of the Parish Council.
November 28 - Nativity Fast begins
December 4 - Entry of Theotokos into the Temple

This is US As of September 15, 2024
May God bless each of one

Love in Christ,
-- Father David

September 13, 2024

Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

Saturday September 14 6 pm Vigil
Sunday September 15 10 am Divine Liturgy
Parish Photo right after Liturgy Please be in the photo*.
Tone 3

*Note: by being in the photo, you are giving permission for your image to be on the Parish Website.

Stuff coming up

September 14 - 4:30pm Dan's Discussion Group
September 15 - Parish Photo - please be present also - Children's Clothing exchange (See Alina's email below)
September 20 - Vespers 6pm
September 21 - Liturgy 10am Nativity of Theotokos
September 26 - Vespers 6pm
September 27 - Liturgy 10am Exultation of the Cross

Way - Way ahead

October 14 - Liturgy 10am Protection of Theotokos (Thanksgiving)
October 20 - Parish Annual General Meeting It is really important that you make sure your Membership is up to date. Attached (to the newsletter) is the Membership forms for 2024/2025. This must be filed before the meeting.
November 28 - Nativity Fast begins
December 4 - Entry of Theotokos into the Temple

Alina's Email Clothing Swap

Following our first successful event in June, we are going to repeat the children's clothing/gear swap after the Liturgy this Sunday, September 15th, weather permitting.

Let's focus on fall and winter clothing, cold weather and snow gear, and dance or sports equipment for after-school activities.
Bring your unwanted items to the church that day. Also have a tarp or an outdoor blanket with you.
Please don't bring them in advance as there is no space for storage in the church.
Right after the Liturgy and Parish Photograph, spread your items on a blanket outside the church, then get coffee and a snack.
During the coffee hour anyone can come and choose what they need for their growing children.
At the end, either pick up your remaining items, or we collect what is left and donate to local charities.

The rules are simple:

All items are free. Give freely without expectations, pick what you need without anyone expecting anything from you.
Kids and maternity items only: clothes, shoes, toys, books, dinnerware, bedding, baby-rearing equipment, sport gear for kids.
All items should be clean and in good working order, safe and useful for other families (zippers working, Velcro closures holding, puzzles with all pieces, toy cars with all wheels, and so on).
No recalled items and no regulated safety equipment (car seats, bike helmets etcetera).
No reselling of items you have received. You can donate items to a charity or give them to somebody else when you are done with them.

Dan's Email about: The Fellowship of the Holy Great Martyr Catherine of Alexandria**

Dear all: Another reminder that we will restart our meetings this Saturday, September 14, at 4:30 p.m. before Vigil, in the basement at St Vladimir Parish. We will continue to meet on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month, as we did before the summer. Before moving on to a new reading this fall, we will continue our discussion of Way of the Ascetics by Tito Colliander. This classic little book is a short, profound and practical distillation of some essential teachings of the Holy Fathers of the Orthodox Church on the spiritual life. We will try to summarize where we've come with this book so far, and then pick up where we left off around Chapter 17, in the midst of the author's extended reflection on prayer, the foundation of our life in Christ. We look forward to hearing your comments.

Those who can should try to read in advance, but don't rush through it. All are most welcome, including newcomers, visitors, and those who have not had time to read. For those who cannot come in person, we will stream as usual here. Please forward to anyone who may be interested.

**The Fellowship of the Holy Great Martyr Catherine of Alexandria is a parish adult education group that meets before Vespers twice per month. We meet to nourish and strengthen our faith by reading and discussing together classic books and important subjects in the Orthodox Christian tradition, helping one another to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18). Past topics have included: On the Incarnation by St. Athanasius the Great of Alexandria, Great Lent by Fr. Alexander Schmemann, On Pascha by Melito of Sardis, various aspects of the Divine Liturgy using Let Us Attend by Fr. Lawrence Farley, etc.

Love in Christ,
Daniel

It was so good to see so many Catechumens in Halifax and the Cape, and others, at the first of the current discussion sessions preparing Catechumens for entry into the Orthodox Church. Again, we were blessed to receive a number of candidates into the Catechumenate. If there are any others who wish to become Catechumens and learn about the faith of the Church and eventually be admitted into the Orthodox Church, please contact one of the Clergy - it is not too late to join for this session. The next discussion group meeting for Catechumens is September 22 at approximately 1 pm. It is important that others besides Catechumens attend these meeting both to welcome but also to share experiences with the candidates. We all learn as we go along.

Reminder: The downstairs toilet is no longer to be used, by anyone. We have that beautiful, outdoor, clean, spacious, flushing toilet. You will like it (as much as anyone can like any toilet).

We are still anticipating the start of a youth group. Your ideas would help. Talk to Shauna and Julian. +There is, attached to this bulletin, a Membership Form for 2024-2025. If you fulfil the requirements for membership in this Parish, please do not hesitate, fill in the form, sign it and give it to Dan, or one of the other members of the Parish Council. Only member of the parish can vote at the Parish Annual General Meeting on October 20. Your membership in the parish must be renewed every year.

The committee investigating our future as regards buildings and properties has been extremely busy investigating churches and properties for sale, as well as assessing the site we occupy presently. There will be a reporting to the parish very soon. For there to be any decision regarding the future of the parish, the Parish must vote with a decent majority (please pay attention to that - not the clergy, not the parish council alone, but everyone in the parish and that is YOU).

A difficult problem. Finances and giving are always a difficult and delicate subject. I want to point out a couple is things that you may not know. The Church does not belong to the clergy. Although Father David is the Rector of the parish, and Bishop Irйnйe is the Archbishop of the Archdiocese to which we all belong, neither owns the Church, nor do they own this church building, nor the property upon which it stands. This site, the building and the land used by St. Vladimir Orthodox Church, (that's us) belong to a local parish of the Anglican Diocese of Nova Scotia and PEI. We rent the church for a nominal sum each year. You may have noticed that this church building is not big enough for us, now. That is why there is an active committee looking for a new church site. They are looking at land and at churches for sale, they are also looking into the buying and restructuring of the site we presently occupy. At some point very soon, they will be making a report to us. It will be up to you - the Parish, to vote and decide what to do. There will be guidance, but in the end, it is you who will decide by a majority vote (I think 80%) and it will be the PARISH - YOU who will own the new property and church building. Now comes that delicate part: we all have to look at our personal finances, our purses and be prepared to revise our giving to the parish, or it won't work. The benefits of this over when we bought our own house, or rented our house, or apartment is that we are in it TOGETHER, as a PARISH, as a family, and you know, we are never alone - God is always with us and will help US provide.

Love in Christ,
-- Father David

September 6, 2024

Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

Saturday September 7 6 pm Vigil
(if the temperature is very hot - Vespers)
Sunday September 8 10 am Divine Liturgy
Tone 2

Tuesday September 10 6 pm Vespers
Beheading of St. John the Baptist

Stuff coming up

September 8 - Catechumen meetings resume
September 14 - Dan's Adult Discussion Group
September 10 - Vespers 6pm
September 11 - Beheading of St. John, the Baptist (Liturgy canceled)
September 15 - Parish Photo - please be present also - Children's Clothing exchange (See Alina's email below)
September 20 - Vespers 6pm
September 21 - Liturgy 10am Nativity of Theotokos
September 26 - Vespers 6pm
September 27 - Liturgy 10am Exultation of the Cross

Way - Way ahead

October 14 - Liturgy 10am Protection of Theotokos (Thanksgiving)
October 20 - Parish Annual General Meeting It is really important that you make sure your Membership is up to date. Attached (to the newsletter) is the Membership forms for 2024/2025. This must be filed before the meeting.

Catechumens - There are two things to note: The first is that the sessions for Catechumens and the 'Newly Illumined' will start on Sunday September 8, that's this Sunday, at approximately 1pm, after the usual coffee hour. If you live at a distance, for example on Cape Breton, you can join us by using this Internet connection: Join same zoom address as in Dan's email Zoom Meeting (stream as usual here).

Catechumens are obliged to attend Catechumen instruction, to become Orthodox.

Second - Dan has a group - the Saint Catherine Study Group which meets at 4.30pm before Vigil on the Saturdays in-between the Catechumen meetings. This meeting is for Catechumens as well as for everybody who is interested in discussing the Faith. Speak to Dan about this group. Anyone can attend Catechumen sessions. Here is his email:

Message from Dan - After a break during the summer months, please note that we will restart our meetings on Saturday, September 14, at 4:30 p.m. (next week) before Vigil, in the basement at St Vladimir Parish. We will continue to meet on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month.

Before moving on to a new reading this fall, we will continue our discussion of Way of the Ascetics by Tito Colliander. This classic little book is a short, profound and practical distillation of essential teachings of the Holy Fathers of the Orthodox Church on the spiritual life. We left off last time at Chapter 17, in the midst of the author's extended reflection on prayer, which is of course the foundation of our life in Christ. We look forward to hearing your comments.

Those who can should try to read in advance. All are most welcome, including newcomers and those who haven't had any time to read. For those who can't come in person, we will stream as usual here. Please forward to anyone who may be interested.
Love in Christ,
Daniel

Please remember that if you would like to contribute to John's (Nolan's) trip to St. Tikhon's Monastery to learn chanting - which will be a great aid to the Mission on Cape Breton, place your donation in an envelope marked with the word 'John' and, of course your name to identify you for Income Tax purposes. (I'm taking the opportunity to order books from St. Tikhon's Book Store for John to bring back, remembering that the cost of postage from the US is frequently more than the items ordered.) International postage cost has become prohibitive!

From Alina: Following our first successful event in June, we are going to repeat the children's clothing/gear swap after the Liturgy on Sunday, September 15th, weather permitting.

Let's focus on fall and winter clothing, cold weather and snow gear, and dance or sports equipment for after-school activities.
Bring your unwanted items to the church that day. Also have a tarp or an outdoor blanket with you. Please don't bring them in advance as there is no space for storage in the church.
Right after the Liturgy and Parish Photograph, spread your items on a blanket outside the church.
And then during the coffee hour anyone can come and choose what they need for their growing children.
At the end, either pick up your remaining items, or we collect what is left and donate to local charities.

The rules are simple:

All items are free. Give freely without expectations, pick what you need without anyone expecting anything from you.
Kids and maternity items only: clothes, shoes, toys, books, dinnerware, bedding, baby-rearing equipment, sport gear for kids.
All items should be clean and in good working order, safe and useful for other families (zippers working, Velcro closures holding, puzzles with all pieces, toy cars with all wheels, and so on).
No recalled items and no regulated safety equipment (car seats, bike helmets etc).
No reselling of items you have received. You can donate items to a charity or give them to somebody else when you are done with them.

Dear all:
For encouragement, I wanted to share the new top story on the Archdiocesan website. Check out the Archdiocesan website - Glory to God!
From Father Stelian

Long Bulletin but no pictures this time.
Love in Christ,
-- Father David

August 30, 2024

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

Saturday August 31 6 pm Vigil
(if the temperature is very hot - Vespers)
Sunday September 1 10 am Divine Liturgy
Tone 1
September 1st is the beginning of the Yearly cycle of feasts - known as The Church New Year (look on the OCA website).

Stuff coming up

September 1 - Orthodox New Year
September 8 - Catechumen meetings resume
September 14 - Dan's Adult Discussion Group
September 11 - Beheading of St. John, the Baptist
September 15 - Parish Photo - please be present
September 21 - Nativity of Theotokos
September 27 - Exultation of the Cross

Way - Way ahead

October 14 - Protection of Theotokos (Thanksgiving)
October 20 - Parish Annual General Meeting

I had the pleasure of meeting Ben and Julie's new baby when I went to their home to bless Julie after giving birth. This is a very important little ceremony. I could tell you the name of the baby (Nathan Elliot) but the naming ceremony hasn't happened yet. It will happen on Monday. Mother and baby will have 40 days to get used to their schedule before coming to church for the first time.

Catechumens - There are two things to note: The first is that the sessions for Catechumens and the 'Newly Illumined' will start on Sunday September 8, that's next Sunday, at approximately 1pm, that's after the usual coffee hour. If you live at a distance, for example on Cape Breton, you can join us by using this Internet connection: (please see the buliten or contact one of the clergy for the connection details)

Second - Dan has a group - the Saint Catherine Study Group which meets at 4.30pm before Vigil on the Saturdays in-between the Catechumen meetings. This meeting is for Catechumens as well as for everybody who is interested in discussing the Faith. Speak to Dan about this group.

Please remember that if you would like to contribute to John's (Nolan) trip to St. Tikhon's Monastery to learn chanting - which will be a great aid to the Mission on Cape Breton, place your donation in an envelope marked with the word 'John' and, of course your name to identify you for Income Tax purposes. (I'm taking the opportunity to order books from St. Tikhon's Book Store for John to bring back, remembering that the cost of postage from the US is frequently more than the items ordered.)

The flowers arranged for the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos were beautiful. Thank you Tatiana and two helpers.

I can't get over the look of complete adoration on the face of this beautiful little baby. I don't recall the circumstances of this picture but I bet Father Alexander does.

Speaking about the young of our parish. I've been thinking about how we can involve them in activities. We have a lot of children and we did try a Friday evening activities session which went well for a short while but petered out. Thinking about this and finding out that we have amongst us a Scout leader (Scouts now being a boy and girl society) and also someone who has recently been supervising teen campers and would like to be involved in this project. I suggest that we investigate starting up a youth group that could come under the umbrella of the Scouting movement. I've asked the two adults I've mentioned to look into this. I will keep you informed as we discover more. Any comments should be addressed to me and I'll pass you on to the two adults involved.

Have a good week
Love to all, in Christ,
-- Father David

August 23, 2024

Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

Saturday August 24 6 pm Vigil
(if the temperature is very hot - Vespers)
Sunday August 25 10 am Divine Liturgy
Tone 8

Dormition of Our Lady Theotokos
Tuesday August 27 6 pm Vespers
Wednesday August 28 10 am Divine Liturgy

When we have a Weekday feast and serve a Liturgy at 10am, it is very difficult for those who work, to come to celebrate that feast day. It has been suggested that we serve the Liturgy at 6 in the morning so it would conclude at about 7.30. I could also suggest that it might start at 7 and so conclude at about 8.30. Perhaps those who this would affect would have a word with one of the clergy - it would affect the families that are able to come for 10 and those who work and for whom 10 is far too late.

An appeal - you know John from the Cape - he sometimes comes to us at St. Vladimir. He is going to visit St. Tikhon's Monastery in South Canaan Pennsylvania. His visit is to learn chanting; lessons for which has been arranged. They have agreed to give him breakfast and lunch but he will have to find supper. South Canaan is isolated and does not have a restaurant nearby, as I remember, so he will have to drive to find a place for dinner, unless he is invited somewhere. Because of this and the cost of the fuel, I've blessed a collection both in the Mission and in St. Vladimir, for his travel expenses. Please help with this. Please put the money for John in an envelope and mark 'For John' and your name so you will get tax benefit. Thank you.

Saturday past, there were Baptisms for two of our families living is New Brunswick. The two babies: Sophia and Miron. May God bless them and their families. Please pray for them.

Stuff coming up

August 28 - Dormition (Theotokos)
September 1 - Orthodox New Year
September 8 - Catechumen meetings resume
September 14 - Dan's Adult Discussion Group
September 11 - Beheading of St. John, the Baptist
September 15 - Parish Photo - please be present
September 21 - Nativity of Theotokos
September 27 - Exultation of the Cross

Way - Way ahead

October 14 - Protection of Theotokos (Thanksgiving)
October 20 - Parish Annual General Meeting

Transfiguration and the blessing of fruit

Alina asked me to include the following:

May God Bless all of us.
-- Father David

August 16, 2024

Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

Saturday August 17 6 pm Vigil
(if the temperature is very hot - Vespers)

Sunday August 18 10:00 am Divine Liturgy
Tone 7

Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Sunday August 18 6 pm Vespers
Monday August 19 10:00 am Divine Liturgy

Axios! Axios! Axios!

I had a note from Andrew on the ship; he sent some pictures a couple of which I am sharing with you. He, Noah and a couple of others of the crew are delivering supplies to a Latvian ship which was enacting a fire drill. You will notice Andrew and perhaps you can identify Noah by the back of his head. In the second picture, Andrew is laid-back and Noah is there too.

There are a couple of really important things for us to consider:

First - the chemical toilet downstairs is now completely out of use. At the moment, it is dangerous, it leaks and is unsanitary. We are looking into changing the existing outside toilet to a larger toilet suitable for handicapped. During the winter, we shall have to install a small heater. Everyone will have to use that toilet from now on. Don't be put off, the kids are already using it.

Second - We want to establish a committee to make a decision regarding our building, whether to buy the present building and renovate or other possibilities. Do not delay - Please a be part of this committee - talk with Mark today. You have just 48 hours to volunteer. Please let your voice be heard - talk to Mark (the tall one). The future home of this parish is at steak {sic} and we need the opinions of as many parishioners as possible. Please volunteer.

There is a new charge machine. You can now donate to the church, or buy stuff from the book store using your credit or debit card. The machine is really to make donating to the church more convenient for all of us. Just as a note - there is less of a usage charge to us if you use a Debit Card and the more that get charged, the less we have to pay for the machine, so don't be afraid to use it. Jarod/Michael (the parish treasurer) is the person who knows all about this.

There are two shut-ins who are members of this parish and who need visiting. Please ask Heather for the details and please visit is you are able. We must not forget them - they are really important.

So that's it for now.

Please read the bulletins

- I do my best to make them interesting.

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

August 9, 2024

Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

Saturday August 10 6 pm Vigil
(if the temperature is very hot - Vespers)

Sunday August 11 10:00 am Divine Liturgy
Tone 6

Tuesday August 13
6 pm Vespers

Wednesday August 14 10:00 am Divine Liturgy
Dormition of the Theotokos

Just a reminder that Dormition Lent begins on Wednesday August 14, also a reminder that Pregnant women and those taking medications must be very careful how they go about fasting. The normal fast is no meat, dairy, oil, or wine (there are exceptions, check your calendar). You will decide how you will fast, remembering that children who can not make their own decision and the elderly, similarly, must be extra careful about the fast. Fasting is an individual or family decision. The rules are a guideline to help us to holiness.

A message from Deacon Michael and his family:
Dear parish family,
Thank you so much for the beautiful and delicious cake.
We feel so very loved.
With all our love,
Dcn. Michael, Mat. Maria, and family

You may have noticed a poster (linked here) with the images of Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton. It's not Kenny Rogers and it is not Dolly Parton. I don't know the lady but I know the Kenny Rogers imitator very well - it's my youngest brother, Martin, known as 'Marty.' He has taken his act as 'Kinda Kenny' all over the world and is well known for it. My blessing is that he will be performing here in Halifax. Tickets will soon be on sale, (I've asked Deacon Michael to include a copy of the poster).

I've heard from Noah the sailor. He was in Copenhagen Denmark but the ship is 'under way' again. I hope he will send a picture with him and Andrew. It would be nice to see them. I think they get the Bulletin and we are certainly praying for them.

We have received information regarding the Lebanese Festival from September 6 to 9 at the Olympic Community Centre at 2304 Hunter Street. I'm sure they would be pleased to see everyone.

An appeal from Father Stelian:
Hi everyone.
We are at the final stages of getting our house ready to move into.
If the weather holds off, the plan currently is to move what we can in cars and vans on Friday throughout the day and evening, and to rent a small U-Haul trailer for some of the bigger items on Saturday.
Any help would be appreciated both days. I have pop and beer to offer as a thank you. There might even be some pizza on Saturday.
Plus. You would have the benefits of a workout without having to go to the gym (ha ha).
Addresses are:
(Phone Father Stelian or Deacon Michael for address)
Should weather be inclement, then who knows....
Thank you to any and all that might be able to help in any way.
God Bless you all.

May God bless all of us
Love in Christ,
Father David

PS. I have back MRI at 11am August 10, please pray

Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Sunday August 18 6pm Vespers
Monday August 19 10am Divine Liturgy

August 2, 2024

Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
St. Mary Magdalene

Saturday August 3

Baptism of the Rouleau family - Olivier, Jessica, Jack, Charlotte, Abigail.

If you want to witness the baptism of this family in the tidal waters of the Bay of Funday, you will need to be at the Rouleau home at 10 am from whence we will proceed to the baptism site. You will need the address of the Rouleau family and this can be learned by phoning one of the Clergy or Dan Wilband who is one of the Godparents.

A message from Matushka Maria:
Dear parish family,
We would like to express our gratitude for all your prayers, well wishes and support in regards to Michael's ordination to the deaconate this past Sunday. We can feel the difference your prayers make and also feel so very loved. We humbly ask for your continued prayers as we learn to walk on this new path within our parish.
With all our love,
Dcn. Michael, Mat. Maria and children.

6 pm Vigil
(if the temperature is very hot - Vespers)

Sunday August 4 10:00 am Divine Liturgy
Tone 5

After the blessing of the food downstairs (please take the food outside to eat), we will go around and sprinkle all the cars, inside and out, with Holy Water. Please open your car, trunk and hood, for a comprehensive blessing.

Thursday August 8 6 pm Vespers
Great-Martyr Panteleimon
Holy Unmercenary Healer
St. Herman of Alaska

Stuff coming up

August 4 - Blessing of Chariots (cars) - see note
August 14 - Start of Dormition Fast
August 19 - Transfiguration
August 28 - Dormition (Theotokos)

Way - Way ahead

Sunday September 1 - Orthodox New Year
September 8 - Catechumen meetings resume
Wednesday September 11 - Beheading of St. John, the Baptist
Sunday September 15 - Parish Photo - please be present
September 21 - Nativity of Theotokos
September 27 - Exultation of the Cross
October 14 - Protection of the Theotokos
October 20 - Parish Annual General Meeting

The photograph below, taken by Father Stelian, is the actual moment that God blessed Subdeacon Michael, through the laying on of Archbishop Irenee's hands, to be a Deacon in God's Holy Church.

We, as a parish, congratulate and wish Deacon Michael and his family, a wonderful ministry here amongst us.

Now we have to get used to serving with a Deacon!

At the moment I don't have any pictures of the Parish Picnic or of the ordination, to share. I hope there will be some forthcoming for inclusion in the next bulletin. It was an incredible success. The food was brilliant and so much of it. I'm sure we shall see some of the remnants this next Sunday coffee time.

Speaking of coffee time after Liturgy, we have forgotten some of the rules that were introduced to help with the distribution of foods. To start with, we decided some time ago that Coffee hour was not to be a meal, but a snack to prevent fasting parishioners from fainting on the way home. Somehow that has changed into a three-course banquet. Don't get me wrong, the food is really lovely and I thoroughly enjoy it, my waist-line attests to that. I'm asking that the new executive of the St. Olga Sisterhood make decisions regarding this when the new Chairperson has been elected.

Secondly there is the problem of serving the little ones. There was a decision that the younger children would not line-up for food, but that they would sit at tables and be served by older brothers and sisters, or other adults. The reason for this was two-fold, the first being that knowing what the little ones will eat, there will be much less wasting of food. It also takes the smaller children much longer to decide what they want to eat and to butter their bread etc. Adults should not be shy to go around the children, you might even be able to help them as you pass them. That would be really helpful. We should be minimizing the wasting of food.

May God bless all of us,
Love in Christ,

-- Father David

July 26, 2024

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
and
Patronal Festival
Holy Great Prince Vladimir
Prince of Kiev - Equal to the Apostles

Saturday July 27 6 pm Vigil
(if the temperature is very hot - Vespers)

Sunday July 28 10:00 am Divine Liturgy
Tone 4

Ordination to the Diaconate of
Subdeacon Michael Cherry

The Liturgy at the Mission went well - 3 new Catechumens! The Mission is growing. Glory to God.

We remember to pray for:

Theresa and Ludmilla (shut-ins and need visiting)
Andrew and Noah (on the Atlantic)
Father Alexander, Matushka Ksenia and the children (in Russia)
The Mission of St. Seraphim on Cape Breton
Catechumens
Visitors
Father Panagiotis and his people
Father Maximos and his people
The Hermitage of the Annunciation
Subdeacon Michael Cherry
There must be others.

Here are two reminders from Heather:

1.) For our patronal feast day on Sunday July 28th, we will have a picnic at York Redoubt (if the weather cooperates) after Liturgy. Hotdogs, sausages, and drinks will be provided, and we ask that everyone brings side dishes for the potluck. Please, also bring your lawn chairs and picnic blankets!

2.) Because of life circumstances (moving, pregnancy, travel, etc.), our number of available people in the food groups will be diminishing soon. After the church picnic, and going forward, we will change the responsibility of the "food group of the week" to only bringing cream for coffee, making the coffee and tea, set up of dishes, and complete clean-up after coffee hour. We will turn food provision back to a general potluck every week. The food groups will keep cycling and overseeing the coffee hour, but everyone in the parish will bring food again each week. I think this will alleviate stress on smaller food groups. This change will take place the first Sunday after the church picnic.

Thank-you so much!
Love in Christ,
Heather

Stuff coming up

July 28 - Feast of St. Vladimir - Picnic at York Redoubt All Welcome - See reminder
August 4 - Blessing of Chariots (cars)
August 14 - Start of Dormition Fast
August 19 - Transfiguration
August 28 - Dormition (Theotokos)

Way - Way ahead

Sunday September 1 - Orthodox New Year
September 8 - Catechumen meetings resume
Wednesday September 11 - Beheading of St. John, the Baptist
Sunday September 15 - Parish Photo - please be present
September 21 - Nativity of Theotokos
September 27 - Exultation of the Cross
October 14 - Protection of the Theotokos
October 20 - Parish Annual General Meeting

Please remember to pray for Michael Cherry as he faces his ordination to the Diaconate.

Welcome Vladyka Irenee

Thank you for blessing us with your presence on this, the Feast of St. Vladimir Prince of Kiev - our patronal festival.

Love to all,
May God bless us,

-- Father David

July 19, 2024

Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

Saturday July 20 6 pm Vigil
(if the temperature is very hot - Vespers)

Sunday July 21 10:00 am Divine Liturgy
Tone 3

We remember to pray for
the shut-ins, Theresa and Ludmilla
Andrew and Noah on the Atlantic
Father Alexander, Matushka Ksenia and the children - in Russia
I'm sure there are others.

Have you heard the Good News?

Vladyka Irenee will be with us for our Patronal Festival July 28. Several things will be happening and you will not want to miss any of them (I shall try not to faint this year - with Father Stelian and the Archbishop there, I'm not likely to!). To start with there will be the Greeting of Vladyka Irenee at the door of the church. He is presented with a tray containing a cross, a loaf of bread and some salt; he is welcomed by the Parish President and the clergy, then Vladyka blesses us. The choir will sing 'Eis Polla Eti Despota' (Many years to you, Master). The Liturgy will continue with the robing of the Archbishop, and so the Liturgy will commence. You will notice that the Archbishop will be situated in the centre of the church, on a platform, with a throne. This is who he is.

There is a very good possibility that you will witness something very important at this Liturgy. You know that Subdeacon Michael has been studying to be a Deacon. There is a good chance that Vladyka will ordain him to the Diaconate during this service. It will happen before the Lord's Prayer. Watch carefully, and when called upon - shout:
Axios! Axios! Axios! (Worthy!)

Saturday July 20. Liturgy at the Mission of St. Seraphim of Sarov. I'll have Sergey and Julian with me, or properly said, I'll be with them. They will do the driving and I shall be relaxing getting ready for the services. There will be two admitted to the Catechumenate, a Liturgy, some food, and a lot to discuss. We have changed the service day from Sunday to Saturday and the venue to an old unused United Church, which we are being allowed to use with no charge, Glory to God for that. We may have to change back to Sundays sometimes because one of our people works on Saturday, but that will be fine, we will work it out. I really appreciate Julian and Sergey undertaking the driving, choir duties and alter-servant duties.

Mary, please make a nice prosphora, and everyone please coordinate the coffee and lunch after the Liturgy, nobody should go home hungry.

Parish Camp. It seems that the interest was not there this year. I can understand this, with some families being away and others having very sad family problems to deal with. We didn't even get to see Father John Behr. It turned out that there was too much going on.

I received a message with photos and even a video from the ship that Noah and Andrew are on. They are still somewhere on the Atlantic. I hope their adventure is interesting but safe.

Noah as an Engineer.
Where is Andrew?

Heather has sent me a message about the Barbeque that is planned for the Picnic at York Redoubt. I'll copy it and paste it here:

For the Bulletin:
For the Parish Feast on Sunday, July 28th, we will be having a BBQ potluck. There will be hotdogs and sausages on a bun, and the parish is asked to bring side dishes. Please bring something to share with everyone to celebrate!

So, there we have it.
May God Bless all of us
Love in Christ,

-- Father David

(Now off I go to Subdeacon Michael to be distributed!)

July 12, 2024

Third Sunday after Pentecost
All Saints of North America
All Saints of Rus

(Rus is an old name for Ukraine, Russia, Belarus and more)

Saturday July 13 6 pm Vigil

Sunday July 14 10:00 am Divine Liturgy
Tone 2

We must remember that the Orthodox Church in itself, existing over large areas, is not political but often embroiled in the politics of the lands, as in Rus, Turkey, and elsewhere. We pray earnestly for the peoples of Rus and elsewhere, that God will protect them.

We must remember is that when Russian Orthodoxy came to North America in 1794 (sent by Catherine the Great), Alaska was owned by Imperial Russia. During the time of the Martyr Juvenaly, more than 6,000 Sugpiaq natives were baptized on Kodiak.

We are very blessed to have an influx of baptisms of small children and babies. I'm hoping we may reach 6,000, but we would need a much larger building, several families have come to us from New Brunswick and we certainly welcome them.

We are still working on the problem of this building. We have requested the Anglican parish that owns this church, to estimate the cost if they were to sell it to us. We await their estimate.

Mark has just reminded me that there is a work day tomorrow, that's Saturday July 13. He will be there at about 8.30am. You'd be surprised at what needs doing.

The day after our Parish Celebration, (which is Sunday July 28, St. Vladimir Day and we are hoping that the Archbishop will be with us), the Parish Camp is planned to start, if there is enough interest. For details, please consult Dan, or the Decaire family.

I blessed, via email, for safe travel, the Decaire family who are returning from Winnipeg.

We blessed at Vespers on Thursday evening or at the Liturgy on Friday morning, Father Alexander and his family who are heading for Russia for a month, Noah and Andrew who leave aboard a ship for a 3-month voyage to various places on the other side of the Atlantic.

Please make sure you pray for all of them and others.

May God bless all of us,

Love in Christ,

-- Father David

Stuff coming up

July 28 - Feast of St. Vladimir
July 29 - Parish Camp (pending interest)
August 4 - Blessing of Chariots (cars)
August 14 - Start of Dormition Fast
August 19 - Transfiguration
August 28 - Dormition (Theotokos)

Way - Way ahead

September 1- Orthodox New Year
September 8 - Catechumen meetings resume
September 11 - Beheading of St. John, the Baptist
September 15 - Parish Photo - please be present
September 21 - Nativity of Theotokos
September 27 - Exultation of the Cross
October 20 - Parish Annual General Meeting

July 5, 2024

Second Sunday after Pentecost
Nativity of St. John the Baptist

Saturday July 6 6 pm Vigil

Sunday July 7 10:00 am Divine Liturgy
Tone 1

Holy Apostles Peter and Paul

Thursday July 11 6 pm Vigil

Friday July 12 10:00 am Divine Liturgy

The Infant Saint John with the Lamb Bartolome Esteban Murillo

A beautiful picture painted by Murillo showing St. John the Baptist, obviously after his birth, holding a lamb. If you look closely, you will see that St. John's left hand is upon the lambs back and his finger it pointing towards heaven, towards God. You will also notice that the lamb has placed its front, right leg over John's right arm. You might also notice the look of sublime love on the faces of John and the lamb. Do I need to tell you who the Lamb is and why John is holding the Lamb and pointing to Heaven?

You may ask why it is that St. Peter and St. Paul are usually celebrated together. In the icon above we see St. Peter on the left and St. Paul on the right and they are jointly holding a model, a miniature representation of a church, in fact the church.

You will remember that Jesus commissioned St. Peter three times to care for His sheep - look in St. John's Gospel chapter 21 verse 15 and following 'Feed my sheep - Tend my sheep - Feed my sheep.'

You will further remember when Saul was on his way to Damascus, something happened to him and Jesus spoke to him (Acts 9:1-9). In Damascus, Jesus spoke to Ananias telling him what Paul's mission was to be (Acts chapter 9 verse 15) 'Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.'

That is why St. Peter and St. Paul are holding up the church - that was their direct commission from God and that is why they are celebrated together.

There is a plead from our parish treasurer Jarod (Michael): Please do not put foreign coins into the collection basket or other collection boxes. The bank will not take foreign coinage even if it looks somewhat like Canadian coins.

Please remember to use the outside toilets.

Note from Dan and Michelle that all is as could be expected. They expect to return for this Sunday and we will welcome and make a gentle fuss of them.

The Parish Council meeting was cancelled this Wednesday but will happen next Wednesday.

Cape Breton Mission Liturgy delayed until July 20.

May God bless each and every one of us,

Love in Christ,

-- Father David

June 28, 2024

First Sunday after Pentecost: All Saints

Saturday June 22 6 pm Vigil

Sunday June 23 10:00am Divine Liturgy
Tone 8

Monday July 1 Start of Apostles Fast

Sad message from Dan, (from his mother's obituary https://www.fundyfuneralhome.com/obituary/ElizabethBeth-Wilband):

With great sadness, we announce the death of Elizabeth Ann Wilband (Gorman) on June 25, 2024. Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and teacher, she passed away peacefully with family by her side, after a long illness.

May God bless Her and all the family!

Please also remember, in your prayers, Michelle's father, James, who has now been admitted to Palliative Care.

Reminder - Please use the outdoor toilet.
The inside toilet was placed as a convenience when there were few people. It was designed to accommodate a small family. We are a family, but we are now a large family and we should not be using that toilet at all. There is the outdoor toilet which we rent and which is cleaned every week by the company that installed and owns it, (even in winter!) so please do not be afraid of it. Use the downstairs toilet only in an emergency - please - girls, boys, men, and women - we can all use it - I have to use it.

This past Wednesday, the apartment complex I inhabit, was blessed with its annual celebration of Canada Day. The owner of the complex, Danny Chedrawe, was there and spoke with Mark and me. He is an experienced entrepreneur and has agreed to visit our church building to help make an assessment of its worth and what can be done to make it habitable and perhaps upgraded to become our future, larger home. I won't describe his face when I mentioned that we don't have running water. He will help as best he can - I know.

The Mission on Cape Breton is beginning to develop itself into a real living entity. They have petitioned, and have been permitted a form of service that can be served without a priest. They are keen to implement that, so are meeting and doing that service. May God bless the Mission.

The next time we serve Liturgy at the Mission will be July 13. We are taking the opportunity to move the Liturgy to a disused United Church, and also changing the day from Sunday to Saturday.

The owner of the old Cape Breton United Church is allowing the Mission to use the property with no charge. Thank you - we really appreciate that, and jump at the chance to further the Kingdom of God on earth.

Stuff coming up

July 1 - Start of Apostles Fast
July 12 - Peter and Paul
July 28 - Feast of St. Vladimir
July 29 - Parish Camp
August 4 - Blessing of Chariots (cars)
August 14 - Start of Dormition Fast
August 19 - Transfiguration
August 28 - Dormition (Theotokos)

Way - Way ahead

September 1- Orthodox New Year
September 8 - Catechumen meetings resume
September 11 - Beheading of St. John, the Baptist
September 15 - Parish Photo
September 21 - Nativity of Theotokos
September 27 - Exultation of the Cross
October 20 - Parish Annual General Meeting

So, which do you think will take precedence, Canada Day on July 1, or the beginning of the Apostles' fast?

It was interesting celebrating Canada Day with the apartment complex people. Mark and I, both residents, went and had several Hot Dogs, bags of chips and cake. Fortunately for us it was the Wednesday of the fast-free week following the feast of Pentecost. It still felt a bit naughty eating meat (or whatever it is that Hot-Dogs are made of) on a Wednesday. It was sort of fun though.

A secret - shh! I spoke with Vladyka Irenee this week and he is trying to arrange to be with us for our Patronal Feast on July 28. It will be fun to have him serve Liturgy, do whatever else he is prepared to do, and picnic with us at York Redoubt. Let us pray about this. I remember very well about prayer when I was little in school in England - hands together, eyes closed (hardly dare we peek through a crack in our eyelids?).

Sons and daughter, big and small
God has shown He loves us all
Look around and see His love
Here below and there above.

Let us love one another as He loved, and is loving us.

May God bless each one,

-- Father David

June 21, 2024

Pentecost

Saturday June 22
10:00 am Panikhida - Commemoration of the Departed
11:00 am Baptism
6:00 pm Vigil

Sunday June 23
10:00am Divine Liturgy
Tone Pentecost

Messages

Please note:

The Liturgy on Saturday will be replaced by a Panikhida at 10am followed by a Baptism at 11am.

From Dan:

Dear all:

A reminder that we meet this Saturday, June 22 at 4:30 p.m. before Vigil, in the church basement. We will continue our ongoing discussion of Way of the Ascetics by Tito Colliander. This classic little book is a short, profound and practical distillation of the teachings of the Holy Fathers of the Orthodox Church on the spiritual life. We left off last time at Chapter 17, in the midst of the author's extended reflection on prayer, which is of course the foundation of our life in Christ. We look forward to hearing your comments.

All are welcome, including newcomers and those who haven't had any time to read. For those who can't come in person, we will stream as usual here.

Also remember: Father John Behr, the world-renowned Orthodox scholar whose translation we have read together of On the Incarnation by St. Athanasius, will soon be visiting Halifax to deliver a talk and to conduct a seminar-style discussion on that same book of St. Athanasius, on July 3-4. More info here.

Love in Christ,

Daniel

Please use the outdoor toilet. The chemical toilet downstairs was OK when we were a small congregation. Now that we are much larger, it is being used beyond its ability to cope. If you have suggestions, please let David or Mark know how we could improve the toilet issue.

The trip to Cape Breton went very well, thanks to Father Alexander, Jarod and Jullian. There are even Catechumens there. Please pray for the Catechumens.

May God bless each and every one of us.

Lots of love in Christ,

-- Father David

June 14, 2024

Sunday of the First OEcumenical Council

Saturday June 15 6:00pm Vigil

Sunday June 16 10:00am Divine Liturgy
Tone 6

Look at the Icon:

Who do you suppose is hiding at the bottom of this Icon of the First Ecumenical Council? If you know the reason why the emperor Constantine called the bishops together in the first place, you will know the answer, that Arius was finally defeated. In the fourth Century the greatest controversy in the whole of the Christian world was: 'Who was Jesus and what was he?' Arius was a priest, and he was teaching that since Jesus was born of a human woman, he was obviously created. Can you believe it - The topic of conversation in the markets was exactly this. Those who followed Arius' teaching - 'Jesus was created by the Father' - and then the other side - 'No! He was not, He is God. It really was a hot topic. Finally, Constantine, the emperor got the bishops of the church together to sort out the controversy. Result - what we call The Nicene Creed -'This council, known now as the First Ecumenical Council, decreed that the Logos, the Word and Son of God, is uncreated, ever-existent, and fully divine. He is begotten-that is, "born" or generated-from the Father, and not made or created by Him. He is of one essence (in Greek, homoousios) with the Father. He is true God of true God, the Word of God by Whom all things were made (Jn 1.3; Heb 1.2). It is this uncreated, only-begotten, divine Son of God Who became man from the Virgin Mary as Jesus Christ, the Messiah of Israel and the Savior of the world.' (See the rest of this article on the OCA website).

Messages

This Sunday, June 16th: Children's Clothing and Gear Swap. Bring your unwanted baby and kids items to the church. Right after the Liturgy, spread your items on a blanket outside the church. During the coffee hour anyone can come and choose what they need for their growing children. All items should be clean and in good working order. No recalled items and no regulated safety equipment. No reselling of items you have received.

Sunday, June 23 Pentecost: There are plans to roast some chickens over the fire for our feast afterwards! Please bring a side dish or dessert. Also, there will be a donation box for the cost of the chickens.

St. Vladimir Family Retreat: Monday, July 29 - Thursday, August 1, 2024 at Ste Anne's Camp. Registration Forms are now available at church! Please fill in your registration form and send it with your payment to either David Decaire, Oksana Lunyov, or Daniel Wilband. Deadline: July 15th!

Remember, the day before the Retreat is St. Vladimir's Feast Day, that's Sunday July 28. When we celebrate with a picnic at York Redoubt and the kids run wild - well, almost wild.

Since the summer weather is upon us, we are asking that as many as possible, men and women and even children, use the outside toilet.

Catechumens and newly enlightened will meet after coffee this Sunday. Please attend.

Don't forget Mark's Church cleaning Bee this Saturday morning. Come with a will to clean and fix the church.

Pray for Father Alexander and those travelling to Cape Breton this Sunday, plus pray for the Mission.

Stuff coming up

June 23 - Pentecost
July 1 - Start of Apostles Fast
July 12 - Peter and Paul
July 28 - Feast of St. Vladimir
July 29 - Parish Camp
August 4 - Blessing of Chariots (cars)
August 14 - Start of Dormition Fast
August 19 - Transfiguration
August 28 - Dormition (Theotokos)

Way - Way ahead

September 1- Orthodox New Year
September 11 - Beheading of St. John the Baptist
September 15 - Parish Photo
October 20 - Parish Annual General Meeting

September 11-Beheading of St. John the Baptist
-- Father David

June 7, 2024

Sunday of the Blind Man

Saturday June 8 6:00pm Vigil

Sunday June 9 10:00am Divine Liturgy
Tone 5

Wednesday June 12 6:00pm Vespers

Thursday June 13 The Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ
10am Divine Liturgy

A Note from Dan

Dear all:

Christ is risen! Two things that might interest you:

1. A reminder that we will meet this Saturday, June 8 at 4:30 p.m. before Vigil, in the basement at St Vladimir Parish. We will pick up our discussion of Way of the Ascetics by Tito Colliander at Chapter 15, where the author begins an extended reflection on prayer in the tradition of the Holy Fathers. All are welcome, especially newcomers. For those who can't come in person, we will stream as usual here.

2. As you may recall, a year and a half ago, we read together On the Incarnation by Saint Athanasius. I wanted to mention that the well-known Orthodox priest and scholar Father John Behr, whose own translation we read of On the Incarnation, will be visiting Halifax from Europe in early July for the Atlantic Theological Conference. During this conference he will conduct a seminar book study on that very same text of Saint Athanasius, which will happen at 2:30 p.m. on July 4. More information on this and on the conference in general is available here.

Love in Christ,

Daniel

Many of us have watched Father John Behr via the Internet and enjoyed his insight into the Gospel of Saint John the Theologian. This is our chance to see and hear him in person. Dan will inform us of the procedure to see and hear him live. The conference schedule is available here. But check with Dan or our very own presenter, Michelle. We speak a lot about Father John but let us not forget that one of the presenters is Michelle Wilband and I shall want to hear her presentation.

I notice that there are many of our families involved in Homeschooling and I'm convinced that we should be doing something to help them. It must be a struggle to keep current with curricula and activities. In internet searching for Orthodox Homeschooling, I notice that there are resources. I notice that there are even Canadian Homeschooling workbooks in various subjects and various levels. I would like to meet with all homeschooling parents to get ideas on how we can all work together. This would be best on a Sunday when all the children are occupied with each other. Shall we say this Sunday, in the upstairs, while the children are getting their food. This will be a very short meeting just to establish basically who we are. I look forward to meeting all of you. We can then share resources.

Stuff coming up

June 13 - Ascension
June 23 - Pentecost
July 1 - Start of Apostles Fast
July 12 - Peter and Paul
July 28 - Feast of St. Vladimir
July 29 - Parish Camp
August 4 - Blessing of Chariots (cars)
August 14 - Start of Dormition Fast
August 19 - Transfiguration
August 28 - Dormition (Theotokos)

Way - Way ahead

September 15 - Parish Photo
October 20 - Parish Annual General Meeting

With all that, may God bless all of us - Christ is Risen!
-- Father David

May 31, 2024

Sunday of the Samaritan Woman

Saturday June 1 6:00pm Vigil

Sunday June 2 10:00am Divine Liturgy
Tone 4

After Coffee - Catechumens and newly illumined meet

Please look up the story of Saint Photini and her sons who lived during the Neronian persecutions (54-42). This is a story well worth reading.

St. Photini pray for us.
Love in Christ,
-- Father David

Pray for those who are absent from us, and for the sick: James and Jeannine, Andrea, Colin and his family, Silouan and Savannah, Monastics, Father Panagiotis, Father Maximos, Theresa, Braidyn, and many others.

May 24, 2024

Sunday of the Paralytic

Saturday May 25 6:00pm Vigil

Sunday May 26 10:00am Divine Liturgy
Tone 1

Wednesday May 29 Mid-Pentecost
10am Liturgy

2 Messages from Dan

Dear all:

Christ is risen!

Please join us as we restart our bi-weekly meetings this Saturday, May 25 at 4:30 p.m. before Vigil, in the basement at St Vladimir Parish. We are continuing our discussion of Way of the Ascetics by Tito Colliander. We will pick up where we left off, somewhere around Chapter 13, and our discussion will focus mostly on Chapter 14. All are welcome, especially newcomers. For those who can't come in person, we will stream the discussion as usual at: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84462331463?pwd=NLFDnjMtzdVPfretIBFaOp6m4aauVq.1

Love in Christ,

Daniel

Friends:

In case someone is interested, we wanted to mention that the choral group our Stella sings in, Capella Regalis, is doing their season finale concert this Sunday May 26 at 4:00 p.m. Stella works very hard with this group and wanted us to spread the word! This year they will perform a diverse mix of secular and sacred music inspired by nautical themes. Their year end concert is always a good show.

Tickets must be purchased, but if you're so inclined it's a good way to support the group. They are a charity dedicated to free musical education and to offering excellent choral music presentations to the public. No pressure of course! See a little write-up about the concert here. Tickets and more info are available at https://capellaregalis.com/.

Love,

Dan

Here is an idea via Alina and Heather:

Dear all,

We now have many families with young children in our parish. Some came to Nova Scotia recently, some don't have much resources or support. Kids outgrew their stuff quickly and then their parents have to deal with piles and boxes of unwanted items. Let's do a swap!

Here are my suggestions:

We choose a Sunday few weeks from now - say, June 2. June 1 is celebrated as Children's Day in many countries so even the date fits! We only need good sunny weather for it, so if rain is predicted we would have to reschedule.
Bring your unwanted baby and kids items to the church that day. Also have a tarp or an outdoor blanket with you. Please don't bring them in advance as there is no space for storage in the church.
Right after the Liturgy, spread your items on a blanket outside the church.
And then during the coffee hour anyone can come and choose what they need for their growing children.
At the end, either pick up your remaining items, or we collect what is left and donate to some charities. I personally like to support The Ukrainian Store (but we need to double-check with them in advance what they will accept) or our local St.Margaret's Bay Food Bank.

The rules are simple:

All items are free. Give freely without expectations, pick what you need without anyone expecting anything from you.
Kids and maternity items only: clothes, shoes, toys, books, dinnerware, bedding, baby-rearing equipment, sport gear for kids.
All items should be clean and in good working order, safe and useful for other families (zippers working, Velcro closures holding, puzzles with all pieces, and so on).
No recalled items and no regulated safety equipment (car seats, bike helmets).
No reselling of items you have received. You can donate items to a charity or give them to somebody else when you are done with them.

Best regards,

Alina

Another message from Alina:

Dear Fr David,

Please add this to the newsletter: The Ukrainian Store (1 Regency Drive, Dartmouth) will have a Traditional Ukrainian Food Bake Sale this Saturday, May 25, 2024, between 11am and 1pm. Come and try home made Ukrainian desserts and finger food! The Ukrainian Store helps families of Ukrainians fleeing the war and coming to Nova Scotia. The proceeds of the bake sale will support the store and the services provided by its volunteers, including picking up and delivering furniture and household items for the families settling in HRM. If you cannot make it to the bake sale but still want to support the store, you can always donate directly to them, either by EMT or with gas gift cards. More info here: https://www.halifax-ukrainian-store.ca/

Best regards,

Alina

We have had a lot of messages this week. It's good that we have a newsletter where people can post messages. I might have to change the name of the Bulletin and make it the Message-board. There is such a lot going on and my Wifi is acting up rather badly. That is acting up and the company that sends out our Bulletin is acting up. There is obviously something that does not want us communicating. Ssh! You know who.

There are people to pray for:

Andrea
James and Jeannine
Theresa
Silouan and Savannah
Kristin, Colin and their family
The Mission of St. Seraphim
The 10 plus Catechumens
The Newly illumined
The Clergy
Each other
There may be others which we won't know about until you tell us or remind us.

May God bless us

Love in Christ,
-- Father David

May 17, 2024

Sunday of the Myrrh-bearing Women

Saturday May 18 6:00pm Great Vespers

Sunday May 19 10:00am Divine Liturgy
Tone 1

Tuesday May 21 St. John the Theologian
10am Liturgy

Message from Matushka Lena:

Christ is Risen! From the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank all the members of the choir for all your hard work both during Great Lent and during all the services of Holy Week and Pascha. You all took the job very seriously and it is amazing how far our choir has come in a few short months. Of course, as I keep saying, this is just the beginning and there are many great feasts and much awesome music in our future. I look forward to continuing this journey together.

I need to thank my daughter Maria. Without her dedication and work, we could not have achieved this level of competence. I also would like to thank all relatives of choir members, you put up with someone who was maybe not there when you needed them, this is your sacrifice also.

Again, Christ is Risen! Thank you.

Matushka Lena

Mary Pemberton from Cape Breton and her family had a beautiful addition to their family. I don't have any of the details as to gender etc. but it looks good.

We celebrated the Baptism of eight and Chrismation of 2 Catechumens, who now become the Newly-illumined of the parish. Slowly, they will find their places within the parish. We welcome them into the Family of God.

Thank you to the ladies, Alena and Tatiana, who arranged the flowers for the tomb of Christ. They were beautifully arranged.

We were blessed to have someone in Ukraine who was willing to buy and send us a complete set of Liturgy Vessels. They were displayed so that we could look and touch before they were blessed.

Message from Dan:

Dear all:

Christ is risen!

A reminder that after taking a short and glorious break for Pascha, we will restart our bi-weekly meetings not this week, but next Saturday, May 25 at 4:30 p.m. before Vigil, in the basement at St Vladimir. From there, we will resume our regular schedule of meeting every second and fourth Saturday of the month.

There seems to be consensus that we should continue our ongoing discussion of Way of the Ascetics by Tito Colliander into the Paschal season, helping each other reflect on what this short book has to say about the spiritual life. We'll pick up where we left off at around Chapter 13. All are welcome. I'll send another reminder next week, but for those who can't come in person, we will stream the discussion as usual at: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84462331463?pwd=NLFDnjMtzdVPfr etIBFaOp6m4aauVq.1

Love in Christ, Daniel

Catechumens and Newly-illumined

There will be the meeting of Catechumens and Newly-Illumined after coffee this Sunday.

This is not a usual view of the church, from the steps right through the nave and into the altar. Because it is usual to leave all the doors open at Pascha, we can see right through to the altar. Thank you to Father Alexander for suggesting that I take this picture. The open doors of course represent the open tomb that shows Christ is Risen. That is, of course, the great cry of the Paschal Feast - Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!

Pascha Lamp Roast

And the cry of the last 2000 years - Christ is Risen!

Love in Christ,
-- Father David

May 11, 2024

Thomas Sunday

Saturday May 11 6:00pm Great Vespers

Sunday May 12 10:00am Divine Liturgy
Tone 1

What a wonderful celebration. There are all sorts of photographs. If you took some, please forward them to Alina so she can include them onto the website. Did you see the numbers on Pascha Night? I'm told that there were more almost 130 communions. The service was broadcast to the people of the Mission on Cape Breton, to Braidyn in Alberta and to my brother in St. Albert. Comments have been nothing but positive. And so thank yo9u to the ladies who arranged the flowers, those who worked hard to provide food when necessary, the choir and directors, the children's choir, those who cleaned up, those who roasted the lamb (what a good idea that was), the altar crew and everyone who contributed.

There are two messages from Heather:

First one:

Hello Friends,

Just to start to get the word out... Church Camp date and location have been confirmed! St. Vladimir Orthodox Church Camp 2024 will take place July 29 - August 1st at St. Anne's Camp (same venue as last year). More details to follow.

Love in Christ,
Heather on behalf of the Church Camp Planning Committee

Second one:

Saturday, May 18th at 4pm at church - Baby Party to celebrate our four new baby boys, Andrei (Ryan and Jessica), Luke (Sergei and Kateryna), Alexei (Donald and Maegan), and Theo (Brandon and Hilary). This is an opportunity to bring a gift for each baby to bless the family. Outfits should be at least size 9 months (for Luke and Andrei) or 24 months (for Alexei and Theo). The boys are growing fast! Onesie shirts and light pants are good for the upcoming summer. But, I'm sure the parents will be happy with anything you choose to give. Also, please bring a snack to share for the party! Fr Stelian is going to say a few words. It's gonna be fun!! This is for men, women, and the kiddos, so we can all fellowship together.

And now the Paschal Message from our dear Archbishop:

Pascha 2024

Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!
Le Christ est ressuscit! En vrit, Il est ressuscit

Dearly beloved Pastors, Monastics and Faithful of the Archdiocese of Canada, Orthodox Church in America

Of all the great feasts of the liturgical year of the Church, none is celebrated and joyful as the bright Feast of Feasts, the Resurrection of Christ.

Hearing the words of Saint John Chrysostom: "Where O Death, is your sting? Where O Hades is your Victory? Christ is Risen and you have fallen. Christ is Risen and the demons have fallen down. Christ is Risen and the Angels rejoice. Christ is Risen and the Life reigns. Christ is Risen and the tomb is empty of its dead for Christ is Risen from the dead and has become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep," let us find consolation from the burden of this world.

Today Heaven and earth is united in rejoicing for all of creation is renewed, for Christ is Risen. May the peace and joy of our Risen Lord fill our hearts, that it may be the beginning of true life for our suffering world.

Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!

+IRÉNÉE
Archbishop of Ottawa and Canada (OCA)

Christ is Risen

Love in Christ,
-- Father David

May 3, 2024

Pascha

May 4 Great and Holy Saturday
10:00am Liturgy (Blessing of baskets)
11:00pm Matins, Procession, with Liturgy of Pascha (blessing of baskets)

Sunday May 5 Pascha
4:00pm Agape Vespers with Dinner following

Monday May 6 Bright Monday
10:00am Liturgy

Congratulations to Father Alexander who has been awarded the Gold Cross by the Holy Synod and Archbishop Irne.

Wow! The Baptism pictures that Alina took are brilliant. The collection of photos is an almost complete record of the baptisms and chrismations that took place last Saturday. Since they are somewhat personal, Alina won't post them to the website and I won't pass them to the archdiocese until each of you gives permission for that to happen. Please let Alina know that you agree to the posting of these pictures.

I'm sure there will be sharing of Baskets after the Paschal Liturgy - there usually is. Just remember - that late at night after a fast - go easy on the eating - we may not be used to eating lots by the end of Holy Week.

I happen to know that there is a whole lamb in a freezer waiting to be thawed and then roasted. I also happen to know that there is a roasting spit all ready to receive the lamb and for the roasting to start. That will start in the church grounds before noon on the Day of Pascha - May 5th. The Party follows Agape Vespers which starts at 4pm on May 5th.

Speaking of that, please contribute to the cost of the lamb and the electric spit, Julian knows the details and will be pleased to let you know if you ask. The spit will be ours to keep, but the lamb won't (because it will be in our tummies). Speak with Heather Decaire about what else you can bring. We will need some beverages and other foods to complete the feast.

And so, Dear Brothers and Sisters, From Father Stelian, Father Alexander from me, and from each other - CHRIST IS RISEN - CHRISTOS VOSKRESE - CHRISTOS ANESTI - LE CHRIST EST RESUCITÉE - KRISTE AGHDGA - HRISTUS A ОNVIAT - Al-MESEEH QAM - & etc. until the end of time.

Love in Christ,
-- Father David

April 26, 2024

Sixth Sunday of Lent: Palm Sunday

Saturday April 27 Lazarus Saturday
10:00 am Divine Liturgy.
Baptism or Chrismation of Catechumens.
All are welcome.
6:00pm Vigil and Blessing of Palms

Sunday April 28 Entry of The Lord into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday)
Divine Liturgy 10:00am
Tone 6
6:00pm Bridegroom Matins of Monday

Great and Holy Monday April 29
6pm Bridegroom Matins of Tuesday

Great and Holy Tuesday April 30
6pm Bridegroom Matins of Wednesday

Great and Holy Thursday May 2
10:00am Divine Liturgy Mystical Supper of Christ
6:00pm Reading of the 12 Passion Gospels

Great and Holy Friday May 3
2:00pm Great Vespers
6:00pm Matins

Great and Holy Saturday May 4
10:00am Liturgy (Blessing of baskets)
11:00pm Matins, Procession, with Liturgy of Pascha (blessing of baskets)

Sunday May 5 Pascha
4:00pm Agape Vespers with Dinner following

Heather has sent two messages:

Hello Friends,

Here is a food update, to keep us all on the same page. Please note - we have a new celebration dinner after Agape Vespers on May 5th! There will be lamb and potatoes and salad... and a potluck! Sounds delicious.

Sunday, April 28th - Food Group 1

Saturday, May 4th - after 10am Liturgy- Please bring dried fruits and nuts!

Saturday, May 4th - after 11pm Pascha Liturgy- early morning PASCHA POTLUCK!! (bring something special! Meat, fish, cheese, eggs - it's Pascha!)

Sunday, May 5th - after Agape Vespers - Lamb dinner- Everybody - Please bring something to share for the potluck!!

Sunday, May 12 - Food Group 2

Sunday, May 19 - Food Group 3

Sunday, May 26 - Food Group 4

If you are not in a Food Group, and would like this opportunity, please let me know!!

Love in Christ,
Heather

The Lord has blessed our parish with a few new babies! We would like to throw a party for them, to show our love and support. Men, ladies, and children are all invited to come to church Saturday, May 18th in the afternoon. Please bring a snack to share along with your gifts. More details to follow.

Well, we made it through Great Lent and now the Fast really begins as we start Passion Week. Let us make an effort during this week of real fasting in preparation for the great feast of Pascha and the Celebration of the Resurrection of Christ our Lord, God, and Saviour.

Love in Christ,
-- Father David

April 19, 2024

Fifth Sunday of Lent: St. Mary of Egypt

Saturday April 20 Vigil 6:00pm

Sunday April 21 Divine Liturgy 10:00am
Tone 5

Wednesday April 24 10:00am Presanctified Liturgy

Saturday April 27 Lazarus Saturday
10:00 am Baptism or Chrismation of Catechumens
Followed by Liturgy (first Communion)

Please pray for the Catechumens who will be Baptized or Chrismated: Chris, Evangeline, Jennifer, Julia, Julian, Rory, Shane, Sasha, Shawna, Steven. We have spent a lot of effort preparing these 10 candidates and I pray that they will flourish as Orthodox Christians in the parish.

There are more Catechumens who will be baptised later, as the occasion warrants. I'm looking forward to admitting the next set of Catechumens into the church as well.

"This year again, we have a collection of authentic Ukrainian hand-painted wooden eggs Pysanky for sale. They are at the church entrance. The suggested donation is $15 per egg. Please put money into a special collection box next to the basket. All proceeds will be forwarded to help Ukrainian families fleeing the war."

Thank you for arranging this, Alina

Notices:

Pysanky

The Pysanky cost $15 and the proceeds go for the support of the victims of the Russian/Ukrainian war.

Clean up

Saturday is Clean up day. I understand that there will be refreshments available. Come and help to make the church a more and nicer, cleaner place to worship.

St. Catherine Discussion Group

Dear all:

A reminder that we will meet again this week, Saturday, April 20 at 4:30 p.m. before Vigil, in the basement at St Vladimir. This will be our last meeting before we conclude Lent, enter into Holy Week, and celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord at Pascha. We will continue our discussion of Way of the Ascetics by Tito Colliander, picking up our discussion from last time at around Chapter 10. Please join us as we enter the final period of the Great Fast, and help each other reflect on what this little book has to tell us about prayer, fasting and the life in Christ. All are welcome.

For those who can't come in person, as usual we will stream the discussion at:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84462331463?pwd=NLFDnjMtzdVPfretIBFaOp6m4aauVq.1

Love in Christ,

Daniel

Catechumens

They will meet after Coffee Hour this Sunday. This will be their final meeting before they are Baptised and or Chrismated.

St George Church

You are aware that Father Panagiotis has asked Father Alexander to fill in for him on the Sundays of this month, so please pray for Father Alexander and Father Panagiotis. This has caused us to have to modify our service schedule for the rest of Great Lend and Passion Week. Please make sure to read and note the Supplementary Bulletins as they are issued. I don't want you to turn up expecting a service that we have had to cancelled.

Holy Unction

The service of Holy Unction that was planned for Wednesday, May 1, has been cancelled. It will be rescheduled at a quieter time of the year.

Saturday May 4 (Eve of Pascha)

A Liturgy was scheduled for 10am. This is now cancelled.

Be careful not to confuse that cancellation with the great Paschal Liturgy at 11pm that evening. That is the Liturgy of Great and Holy Pascha and no matter what - that is still on!

Blessing of Baskets

You may remember from Last year and from Christmas, that there will be lots and lots of people attending the Paschal Liturgy. The church will be bursting at its seams. If all goes to plan, there will be a tent set up for the placing of baskets to be blessed at the end of the Paschal Liturgy. Please put your basket there but do not light basket candles until right before they are to be blessed. We will welcome all of our visitors; they are important to us. May God bless them and us. If you would like advice about Baskets and what to include, and why those things are included, have a word with one of the two Matushkas who, I'm sure will be pleased to give advice.

A Proposal

Some of the young men have suggested that we roast a Lamb for a Paschal meal after the Agape Vespers (which is at 4pm on Pascha Sunday, that's Sunday May 5). We can do that if there are enough people and food to make a decent Paschal Dinner. There will be a signup sheet.

If you would like to learn about the making of Pascha bread and that delicious Cheese Pascha, please have a word with Matushka Lena, or Maria (both of whom are usually found in and around the choir). I first came across Cheese Pascha in Paris and have never forgotten it. I happen to know that Matushka Lena makes very good Cheese Pascha.

Love in Christ and wishing us strength for the last little while of Great Lent
May God Bless is all
-- Father David

April 13, 2024

Fourth Sunday of Lent: St. John of the Ladder

Saturday April 13 10:00am Liturgy of the Departed
Vigil 6:00pm (notice how short the Vigil is! When I came to the parish Vespers took just over an hour. Now, the Vigil (Vespers and Matins) takes about an hour and a quarter!) Try it.

Sunday April 14 Divine Liturgy 10:00am
Tone 4

Wednesday April 17 6:00pm Presanctified Liturgy

Friday April 19 6:00pm Akathist to the Mother of God

This week we were blessed to celebrate the Baptism of two of our youngest; Andrei and Luke, the babies of Vladimir (Ryan) and Martha (Jessica); and Sergey and Kateryna.

There were so many of the parish to welcome the new members of the congregation. Absolutely brilliant! Pray for them.

Just look at all of the services for next week - exciting! Please come as you can.

Notices

John from the St. Seraphim Mission on Cape Breton is looking for somewhere to stay so he can celebrate Passion Week and Pascha with us. Anyone willing to put him up from April 26 to May 6, please contact him at 902 308 6433. Thank you.

Confessions

I'm sure you have noticed that the priest hearing confessions on Sunday morning is there for almost the whole of the service until he has to go into the altar to receive communion. That means that the priest, usually Father Alexander, is not involved in the priestly prayers and preparations in the altar. It is the priests ordained task to be part of the Liturgy, in the altar. Because of this, I have decided that Sunday confessions will stop just before the Gospel. The time for confessions is from the beginning of the hours at about 9:30 until the Gospel, or before, during, and after Vigil, by telephone, or by arrangement. You may remember my mentioning that we do not expect people to confess each time they go to communion. Communion should be every Liturgy, but confession once a month, unless there is something urgent, of course.

Bulletin

I think the problem with the bulletin has been fixed. Apparently, there was some sort of problem with the backlog of messages. Alina has worked hard to get it all corrected. Thank you, Alina.

Wi-Fi

It is evident that there is a television monitor in the basement of the church. This is not for playing video games or anything like that - it is so that when we have the St. Catherine meeting every two weeks, that's the adult discussion group, parishioners who can't get to us easily can join in the discussion that Dan Wilband leads. It also provides a connection for the Catechumens who can't get to us each week. While we have no intention of making the connection public, we are going to allow the people of the Saint Seraphim Mission on Cape Breton, and Braidyn (Spiridon) in Alberta to join the Paschal Liturgy. His church in Alberta is Ukrainian.

Thanks

Yes. Thanks to Subdeacon James for installing the Wi-Fi and for the lights around the church. Thank you, Jimmy!

Thank you to all the women who have formed the Sisterhood dedicated to the new, or about to be new Saint Olga, a wonderful saint. You know that the women of the church do such wonderful things like organizing food, cleaning, dishwashing, and it is all behind the scenes. Thank you, Heather, for organizing and all for joining in.

Thank you, choir, and altar servants. Thank you, Father Stelian and Father Alexander - where would I be without you all?

Take nothing for granted - we are all God's children!

Love in Christ, and may He bless all of us as we approach Holy Pascha,
-- Father David

April 6, 2024

Third Sunday of Lent: Veneration of the Precious Cross

Saturday April 6 11:00am Baptism
4:30pm Fellowship of St. Catherine (Study Group)
Vigil 6:00pm (notice how short the Vigil is! When I came to the parish Vespers took just over an hour. Now, the Vigil (Vespers and Matins) takes about an hour and a quarter!) Try it.

Sunday April 7 Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos
Divine Liturgy 10:00am
Tone Annunciation
Catechumens after Coffee

Wednesday April 10 10:00am Presanctified Liturgy

Please note that we are alternating mornings and evenings for the Presanctified liturgies - that gives us all a chance to attend.

Please pray for the people of this parish, those who can't get to us for various reasons, pray for Father Panagiotis, Father Maximos, the Catechumens who will be baptised that they will remain with us, those who work tirelessly to make our coffee hour a success, clean, serve the liturgies, work in the altar, sing, bake the prosphora, supervise the young, teach Sunday School, sweep the floor, wash the dishes, repair and clean the altar cloths, vacuum the carpets, and supervise the young, and others you will remember.

Confessions: You have noticed that on Sunday morning, there are many, many confessions. While I do not want to discourage us from making regular confessions, we must come to some agreement when Confessions are appropriate. If you are burdened down with something, confession is appropriate, otherwise we normally say communion every week but regular confession once a month. We do not have to go to confession every time we go to communion. There are times for confessions other than during the Sunday liturgy: at vigil on Saturday evening - before the liturgy, during the Hours - we even in this 21st Century hear confessions over the telephone (phone numbers of the three priests are at the head of this Newsletter).

Please try to ease the Sunday morning confessions. It is really difficult for a priest to be hearing confessions one minute and then suddenly have to go into the altar to receive communion. My sons and daughters, please consider this and help.

The Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos

When the Angel Gabriel told the Theotokos that she was chosen to bear in her womb, the Son of God and she readily agreed. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. (Luke 1:38)

The Veneration of the Cross

Courage and perseverance. We are already at the Third Sunday of Great Lent, almost half way through.

Love in Christ,
-- Father David

March 29, 2024

Forty Third Sunday after Pentecost

Saturday March 30 Liturgy for the Departed followed by a panikhida 10:00am
Vigil 6:00pm

Notice how short the Vigil is! When I came to the parish Vespers took just over an hour. Now, the Vigil (Vespers and Matins) takes about an hour and a quarter! Try it.

Sunday March 31 St. Gregory Palamas
Divine Liturgy 10:00am
Tone 2

Wednesday April 3 6:00pm Presanctified Liturgy

Please note that we are alternating mornings and evenings for the Presanctified liturgies - that gives us all a chance to attend.

We have been having difficulty with the sending of the bulletin. Alina is onto the case now and we believe it will be solved shortly.

It is really encouraging that so many of us have been in attendance at the services, including St. George on the evening of Orthodox Sunday. I promised a procession but as Father Panagiotis pointed out, there is nowhere to process around St. George church. We will make up for the lack as the Lenten Fast progresses. There will be the Procession of Palms and others, as long as the weather permits, of course. Don't get discouraged. It will all come together.

Spring sneaked up on us. Happy Spring!

If you don't know about the Sisterhood, have a word with Heather, or one of the other women. We seem now to have both an active Sisterhood and a Brotherhood. That is a blessing.

If you want to know how the trip to Cape Breton went, ask either Father Stelian or Silouan. There is a story to tell and it is interesting.

Love in Christ,
-- Father David

March 22, 2024

Forty Second Sunday after Pentecost

Saturday March 23 Vigil 6:00pm

Sunday March 24 Triumph of Orthodoxy
Divine Liturgy 10:00am
Tone 1

6:00pm Vespers at St. George Greek Church
1146 Purcells Cove Road B3N 1R4

Wednesday March 27 10:00am Presanctified Liturgy

Please remember St. Catherine Fellowship meets at 4:30pm on Saturday (may be accessed via WiFi).

Catechumens after coffee on Sunday (again with WiFi).

This is also a Sunday School Sunday so Mrs. Blaauw and the 5 and older children receive Communion first and then escape to the downstairs.

Message from Heather: THIS SUNDAY after Liturgy, we would like all of the ladies of the parish to stay upstairs for a brief meeting. We would like to discuss the formation of a Sisterhood for our church for the purpose of looking after our parish people and building in a more organized fashion.

Have you ever witnessed a miracle? I have; the people of this incredible parish. The church was cram packed on Sunday morning when, right after the Liturgy, we served the Vespers of Forgiveness and we all asked forgiveness of each other; a spiral reaching right into the centre of the church. Adults, children, and clergy all asking each other to forgive and knowing that when requested, God forgives both. There were almost 80 communicants and over a hundred attending. If everyone had been there, we would have extended out the door; if you looked around, you noticed that we do indeed need new facilities, a larger building.

Now the big question:

HOW DO WE DO THAT?

Mark has made a suggestion and a plan has been circulated. He is also trying to be in touch with the Anglican authorities that own our present building. Others have suggested that we buy a plot of land and build a church to our own specifications. Here's the problem - what ever we decide, eventually - it will cost money and that is something we have very little of. Visiting that United Church a couple of weeks back, showed us the problem in dollars and cents $5.5 million with no mention of cents at all.

We have to do something and we are the solution. The Parish Council needs your suggestions. It needs to know how we are to go about this and about the raising of money.

The time really has come

You saw the numbers. You know the inadequacy of the church and the basement, you saw the problem and now together, we must face the problem and find the solution. May God inspire, prepare, and bless us in this incredible challenge. (Please pray, chat with each other, and speak with Mark, David, Dan, or Jarod - the inner Parish Council.)

Parish Council meets at my apartment at 7pm this Wednesday.

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

PS If we can (weather!), we will go around the church singing and carrying icons. You may bring favourite icons from home if you wish.

March 8, 2024

Fortyth Sunday after Pentecost

Saturday March 9 Commemoration of the Departed
Divine Liturgy 10:00am

This is when you bring, not send, your list of departed friends and family to be read out, and commemorated
followed by a Panikhida

Saturday March 9 Vespers 6:00pm

Clocks jump forward

Sunday March 10 Sunday of the Dread Judgement
Divine Liturgy 10:00am
Tone 7

Pray for: Presvytera Joy, Therese, and others

There are two good news items to proclaim. The first is the formation of the Sisterhood, and the second is the deciding of a saint sponsor for the Adult Discussion Group. It will continue under the sponsorship of "The Great Martyr Catherine of Alexandria."

Speaking of this, here is a message from Dan:

Dear all:

The Fellowship of St. Catherine (Great Martyr Catherine of Alexandria) is the new name of our adult education/discussion group that meets before Vespers on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. A reminder that our next meeting is scheduled for this Saturday, March 9 at 4:30 p.m. in the basement at St. Vladimir Church.

For the Lenten season we are currently reading together Way of the Ascetics by Tito Colliander. This little book is a concise distillation of teachings of the holy Fathers of the Orthodox Church on Christian prayer, fasting and spiritual struggle. We discussed the first two short chapters last time and will pick things up from there this week.

We try to be warm and inviting, and we encourage all parishioners and interested guests alike to attend, especially newcomers.

As usual, for those who can't come in person, we will stream the discussion at:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84462331463?pwd=NLFDnjMtzdVPfretIBFaOp6m4aauVq.1

Meeting ID: 844 6233 1463
Passcode: 43839568

With Love in Christ, Daniel

There is also an important message from the Monks of the Hermitage regarding the new Season of Garden Produce:

Dear Friends,

We are excited once again this year to provide fresh vegetables for you and your families. Our work is our prayer. Knowing that our hidden monastic work (and prayer) feeds people and brings friends and family together gives us great joy.

We are making some changes...

Over the winter we realized we had to make some decisions. The garden was too large, and the work too much, for 3 monks. We were over-extending ourselves. A stable and healthy monastic life requires that we reduce our activities.

We have to say good-by to:

the Panier du Moine, our weekly subscription food box,
farmers' markets,
regular deliveries along the South Shore and to Halifax.

Instead, this year we will focus on

a smaller production and the simplicity of monastic life,
improving the quality of our vegetables,
and taking better care of the soil.

We are still going to have lots of vegetables! All directly at the monastery.

Fresh vegetables
every Saturday morning at the monastery
9am to 12 noon
(starting May 11)
172 Goose Chase Road
We look forward to seeing you !

What are our Growing Practices?

Monastic life is a constant striving to live a unified and simple life. Our growing practices match the same spirit as our monastic life. This means we strive to grow vegetables in an ecological manner, with simplicity and quietude:

Our produce is grown chemically free, using practices accepted by organic farming.
We prioritize soil health over harvest quantity, remembering the smallest of creatures.

How long will the season be?

This past year we were able to continue selling vegetables until Christmas. And we can likely expect to do the same this year. In fact, our climate is quite amenable to winter gardening: with hoop tunnels and some row covers, the garden is still now providing some fresh vegetables for the monks!

Our mailing address is:

Goosechase Monastery
P.0. Box 155
172 Goosechase Rd
New Germany, NS B0R 1E0
Canada

Schedule of services for Great Lent and Passion Week 2024

Monday - March 18
6pm Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete (parts 1 and 2 without Compline)
Wednesday - March 20
6pm Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete (parts 3 and 4 without Compline)
Saturday - March 23
6pm Vigil (Vigil is Vespers plus Matins with a Gospel)

First Sunday in Lent - March 24
10am Divine Liturgy First Sunday of Great Lent Triumph of Orthodoxy
Great Vespers 6pm
Wednesday - March 27
10am Presanctified Liturgy
Saturday - March 30
10am Liturgy Commemoration of the Departed (prepare and bring your list of departed)
6pm Vigil

Second Sunday in Lent - March 31
10am Divine Liturgy Second Sunday of Lent
Wednesday - April 3
6pm Presanctified Liturgy
Saturday - April 6
6pm Vigil (Cross brought from altar for the Veneration of the Precious Cross)

Third Sunday in Lent - April 7
Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos, Veneration of the Precious Cross
10am Divine Liturgy Third Sunday of Lent
Wednesday - April 10
10am Presanctified Liturgy
Saturday - April 13
10am Liturgy Commemoration of the Departed (prepare and bring your list of departed, Orthodox and others)
6pm Vigil

Fourth Sunday in Lent - April 14
10am Divine Liturgy St. John of the Ladder
Wednesday - April 17
6pm Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete
Thursday - April 18
6pm Presanctified Liturgy
Friday - April 19
6 pm Akathist to the Most Holy Mother of God
Saturday - April 20
6pm Vigil

Fifth Sunday in Lent - April 21
10am Divine Liturgy St. Mary of Egypt
Wednesday - April 24
10am Presanctified Liturgy
Friday - April 26
6pm Matins
Saturday - April 27 Lazarus Saturday
10am Liturgy with Baptism of Catechumens
6pm Vigil with Blessing of Palms

Passion Week
Sunday - April 28
10am Divine Liturgy Palm Sunday Procession with Palms
6pm Bridegroom Matins of Monday
Holy and Great Monday - April 29
6pm Bridegroom Matins of Tuesday
Holy and Great Tuesday - April 30
6pm Bridegroom Matins of Wednesday
Holy and Great Wednesday - May 1
6pm Holy Unction
Holy and Great Thursday - May 2
10am Vesperal Liturgy Great Thursday Mystical Supper of Christ
6pm Reading of the 12 Passion Gospels
Holy and Great Friday - May 3 Great Friday
2pm Great Vespers
6pm Matins and procession of the Shroud
Holy and Great Saturday - May 4
10am Vesperal Liturgy
11pm Matins and Liturgy of Pascha (blessing of baskets)

Sunday - May 5
Bright Resurrection of Christ
4pm Agape Vespers (blessing of baskets)
Monday May 6 - St. George
10am Liturgy

That's pretty well it for this week. I try to make sure we are all up to date. We did investigate that United Church that is for sale. When we get the 5.5 million dollars that they are asking, we will consider it.

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

Reminder: Fellowship of St. Catherine on Saturday 4:30pm - Sunday School week - and Catechumens meet after coffee on Sunday.

February 23, 2024

Thirty-eightth Sunday after Pentecost

Saturday February 24 Vespers 6:00pm

Sunday February 25 Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee
Divine Liturgy 10:00am
Tone 5

Reminders:

Saturday 4:30pm Adult Discussion Group. Catechumens should attend and all are welcome. Wifi is available.

Catechumens meet after Coffee on Sunday, Wifi is available. Again all may attend

You could Zoom into both of these!

This is Sunday School Sunday!

Father Alexander has made a request on the behalf of a new parishioner:

Dear Father,
Your blessing!

I'm writing about one of our newest parishioners - Anna Terekhova from Berdyansk. She is the woman who lives in Bedford that Julian the Catechumen has been kindly giving rides to.

On her request, I introduced her to everyone last Sunday during the coffee hour. She is looking for a job. In Ukraine she used to work as a nurse. Here in Halifax, she has received a "Food Handler Certification". She is looking for some kind of job in a restaurant, cafe, or bakery; alternatively, she can take care of the elderly, wash the dishes, do cleaning (in a house or a hotel) etc. She is looking for an employer who could potentially help with obtaining permanent residency in Canada.

In case people have any suggestions for her, her email is: a.terekhova.71 (at) gmail.com.

I hope there is some way we can help Anna. We are blessed to have people coming to us from Ukraine, Russia and other countries.

This week of the Publican and Pharisee is a Fast Free week. That means that meat, eggs and dairy etc. are eaten even on Wednesday and Friday, which are normally fasting days. That tells us that next Sunday, March 10 will be Meat-fare, the last day to eat meat before the Lenten Fast and that the Sunday after, March 17 will be Cheese-Fare, the last day to eat cheese, eggs and other dairy products before the Lenten Fast. It's all happening in our parish. The following OCA site will explain fasting and help us understand it: https://www.oca.org/orthodoxy/the-orthodox- faith/worship/the-church-year/lenten-fasting.

We, the three priests of the parish, being optimistic, have proposed a heavy schedule of Lenten Services. Optimistically, they will all be served; realistically, there may be changes, so please listen for announcements.

Listen carefully to the Gospel this Sunday, it's the Parable that Jesus used to teach about the arrogance, self-aggrandizement of the Pharisee and the humility, modesty, and unpretentious stance of the Publican. Jesus was telling this story in front of Pharisees who knew that He was telling it for their benefit - I'm sure He hoped they would learn, but their arrogant stance probable prevented any learning, I know it does with me.

Remember that Great Old Testament Book for Great Lent - the Book of Psalms. If you don't know the Psalms, you are in for a surprise. They are attributed to David the young Shepherd but were added-to by others. Every emotion possible is reflected in these incredible poems. Try them and see; we use them in the services all the time.

Schedule of services for Great Lent and Passion Week 2024

Sunday - May 5
Bright Resurrection of Christ
4pm Agape Vespers (blessing of baskets)
Monday May 6 - St. George
10am Liturgy

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

February 16, 2024

Thirty-seventh Sunday after Pentecost

Saturday February 17 Vespers 6:00pm

Sunday February 18 Zaccheus Sunday
Divine Liturgy 10:00am
Tone 4

I'm sorry that the Bulletins stopped. The modem supplied by Bell, suddenly stopped working. They tried all sorts, (those ladies in the Philippines are very kind and patient), eventually sending a technician and then sending another technician. Now it is working, well not that modem but another one that they sent.

When we reach Zacchaeus Sunday, we know for sure that Great Lent is getting near, and that's the truth - it is. Great Lent begins after Vespers on Forgiveness Sunday, that's March 17.

Father Stelian and Matushka Lena have both returned to their house in Ottawa to hasten the selling of that property. They can't make offers on houses nearby to Halifax before the sale of their house in Ottawa. Subdeacon Michael, Maria and their family are now settled in Hammonds Plains, as is Subdeacon James, Katy and their little family.

Listen carefully to the story of Zacchaeus and see how Zacchaeus went from being a tax collector to eventually becoming the Bishop of Caesarea in Palestine. Sins can be forgiven with true repentance.

That brings me to the problems of Confession time. All of us sin in small ways like being impatient, losing temper sometimes, or a hasty rebuff. That is why we all (priests as well!) go to confession about once a month - to clean out the cobwebs from our souls. Think about it; do it. It is the Orthodox thing to do! No one will judge you; no one will notice you - once a month and Communion every Sunday.

Love to all. May God bless each of us,
-- Father David

February 9, 2024

Thirty-sixth Sunday after Pentecost

Saturday February 10 Discussion Group 4:30pm
Vespers 6:00pm

Sunday February 11 Divine Liturgy 10:00am
Tone 3
Sunday School
after coffee Catechumens

Wednesday February 14 6:00pm Vespers with Litia

Thursday February 15 The Meeting of our Lord, God, and Saviour Jesus Christ in the Temple
10:00am Liturgy

May God bless all of us.

February 3, 2024

Thirty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost

Saturday February 3 Vespers 6:00pm

Sunday February 4 Divine Liturgy 10:00am
Tone 2

January 26, 2024

Thirty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost

Saturday January 27 St. Sava of Serbia,
St. Nina, enlightener of Georgia
Vespers 6:00pm

Sunday January 28 St. Paul of Thebes,
John Calabytes "The Hut Dweller"
Divine Liturgy 10:00am
Tone 1

Monday January 29 Vespers 6:00pm

Tuesday January 30 St. Anthony the Great
Divine Liturgy 10:00am

Catechumens meet after coffee this Sunday.

This Sunday I am going to make a remembrance of the Feast of St. Nina (Nino) The Enlightener of Georgia (which is actually celebrated the day before). We have Georgians who faithfully attend the parish and Georgian is one of the languages we hear when we recite the Lord's prayer Sunday by Sunday. Please be sure to specially greet the Georgians at coffee time this Sunday. Georgia is very special to me; I have visited there several times and still have friends there with whom I communicate regularly. It is an incredible country and I love it. On my second visit, I was privileged to serve with His Holiness Ilia II in his cathedral in Tbilisi. That was a memorable occasion. I was privileged to present to His Holiness, a hand written icon of St. Silouan the Athonite; he gave me a silver bracelet, like the ones he presents to those he baptizes. His Holiness speaks English perfectly.

I look back at that time and thank God for the privileges he has granted me, including the Georgian friends I have met and still hold dear. We are blessed to have on our altar, myrrh from St. Gabriel Urgebadze, of Georgia, whose Icon graces our Georgian corner. A saying of St. Gabriel: "If you could see what grace descends during the Divine Liturgy in church, you would gather the dust and wash your face with it!"

Good news from Ryan and Jessica: Ivan's new brother Andrei Seraphim has been born.

I wonder what Ivan thinks of his new brother. Has he met him yet? We will certainly welcome him into the Church and into the parish when the time comes. Congratulations and Thanks be to God that he was delivered safely.

Now we are waiting for altar boy Mark's brother to arrive. God bless Katerina and Sergey for a safe delivery.

We now have Wifi in the church. How very modern of us. How do I know? I was there to let them on this Thursday morning as two gentlemen installed it, with great difficulty - mainly in the drilling of the hole in the wall to let the cable in. It's digital, optical, much more modern than my apartment.

Here are the photos of the blessing of the Water on Theophany and the adventure into the water to retrieve the cross https://photos.app.goo.gl/ypjQb82eXhexFVdn9. There were not quite as many young men chasing the cross as last year, but there was fun. The waters of the Atlantic Ocean got blessed and 4 young men got wet. I'm going to put Sergey in charge of the blessing of the Atlantic; next year he will decide how and where it will happen. I hope also that we can have a similar ceremony for the Mission on Cape Breton, after all they are surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean.

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

(PS The waters didn't part!)

January 18, 2024

Thirty-third Sunday after Pentecost

Friday January 19 Feast of Theophany
Liturgy and Great Blessing of Waters 10:00am

Saturday January 20 After-feast of the Theophany & Synaxis of St. John the Baptist
Vespers 6:00pm

Sunday January 21 After-feast of the Theophany & St. George the Chozebite
Divine Liturgy 10:00am
Tone 8

On Wednesday, I received a document from Archbishop Irne, transferring Father Stelian Liabotis from the Holy Annunciation Cathedral in Ottawa, Ontario, to the parish of St. Vladimir 'Prince' of Kiev in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Therefore, I would like everybody to welcome Father Stelian and Matushka Lena officially into our midst.

I want to point out that Father Stelian was ordained before Father Alexander and so appears in our title banner before Father Alexander. This does not mean that Father Alexander is in any way replaced or reduced, he is listed under Father Stelian due to order of ordination.

Father Alexander with Taran (Silouan) and Jarod (Michael) are travelling to Cape Breton to serve Liturgy and bless water. There will not be the opportunity for rescuing the Cross in Cape Breton, but I've promised Mary that next year at their celebration of Theophany it will be an entirely different matter. They now have time to collect fluffy warm towels for the dippers.

In our case: After the Liturgy, we will go to the place chosen by Subdeacon David where we will toss in the cross after the blessing of the Atlantic Ocean and see which of the young men (and young women) find it (we'll attach fishing line to it just in case no one finds it!). BRING WARM TOWELS - I don't want anyone freezing or catching a chill.

May God bless all of us and keep us in His love,
In Christ,
-- Father David

January 12, 2024

Thirty-second Sunday after Pentecost

Saturday January 13 Apodosis of the Nativity of Christ
Vespers 6:00pm

Sunday January 14 Circumcision of the Lord
Divine Liturgy 10:00am
Tone 6

Monday January 15 St. Seraphim of Sarov and Forefeast of Epiphany
Divine Liturgy 10:00am

Thursday January 18 Eve of the Theophany
Vespers and Liturgy and Great Blessing of Water 10:00am

Friday January 19 Feast of Theophany
Liturgy and Great Blessing of Waters 10:00am

Our celebration of the Nativity of Christ was a splendid occasion. Starting with Confessions at 9pm and starting Matins followed by Liturgy at 9.30, we managed to have a house full. Someone passed the comment, "Standing Room Only!" and that is the truth. Father Jean-Baptiste, wrote: "We heard you were sold out, last night. No tickets left." and that is again the truth. Glory to God!

It has been good having Father Stelian with us over Christmas. Subdeacon Michael and his family are with us permanently now. Maria has taken Timothy back to Ottawa just to finish packing up their home. They have bought a home here. Matushka Lena will be here; their home has yet to sell in Ottawa. Prayers are in order!

I want to thank you for the gifts I received. There was the gift from the parish and others. Thank you! I'm absolutely sure that Father Alexander would want me to say thank you on his behalf as well. We are looking forward to the time when Vladyka Irénée Transfers Father Stelian to us; all in God's time. (We will have to redesign the business cards.)

Please take note of the services leading up to Theophany and I will remind you again that it is customary for Orthodox homes to be blessed each year at Theophany. More on that and more on the blessing of the Ocean and the cold dip.

Members of the Mission on Cape Breton should take special note of the Feast of The Venerable Seraphim, Wonderworker of Sarov, the patron saint of the Mission. We will be serving Liturgy on Monday morning. Please make sure you pray with us, even if you can't get to the church.

Master and Lord of Heaven and Earth and King of the ages. Deign to open the door of repentance to me, for in anguish of my heart I pray to Thee, our true God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Light of the world. Look upon me in Thy great loving-kindness and accept my prayer. Incline Thine ear to my prayer and forgive me all the evil that I have done by the abuse of my free will.

Catechumens meet after coffee this Sunday. Join them and Learn about Forgiveness Sunday.

A note from Daniel Wilband:

Dear all:

Christ is born! We will resume our meetings this Saturday, January 13, 2024 at 4:30 (before Vespers) in the church basement. We'll continue from there as usual, on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month.

For now, we'll continue our ongoing discussion of the structure, history and spiritual meaning of the Divine Liturgy. This week, we will pick up where we left off, with the Cherubic Hymn, and see how far we get. I've attached some relevant chapters from Fr. Lawrence Farley's book, for those who don't have a copy.

For those at a distance, we will stream our discussion here (https://meet.google.com/moc-uqzu-pam). The church basement has recently had a major tech upgrade, and if we can figure out how to use it, the streaming should be much higher quality.

Believe it or not, we are not all that far off from the pre-Lent period, around which time we will take up a different reading to discuss. Stay tuned.

Love in Christ, Daniel

So there's the Bulletin for this week. Next week will be busy. Please come to as much as you can. Don't forget you will need to collect Holy water.

Love in Christ,
-- Father David

January 5, 2024

Thirty-first Sunday after Pentecost

Saturday January 6 Matins 9:00pm
Followed by Liturgy of Christmas

Saturday January 6 NO Vespers

Sunday January 7 NO Liturgy

Monday January 8 Synaxis of the Theotokos
Liturgy at 10:00am

Metropolitan Tikhon - Nativity of our Lord 2023

To the clergy, monastics, and faithful of the Orthodox Church in America, my beloved children in the Lord,

Christ is born! Glorify him!

At the Vigil for today's feast, we sang with the words of St. Germanus of Constantinople: "Today the Virgin gives birth to the Maker of all. Eden offers a cave and a star discloses Christ, the Sun, to those in darkness" (second sticheron at the aposticha).

In a supreme paradox, the created world today offers shelter to the one who contains all things in the palm of his hand. Coming among us in obscurity, "born of a woman, born under the Law" (Gal. 4:4), in the form of a tiny baby, "in the form of a servant" (Phil. 2:7), hidden in a dark cave, nevertheless he shines his light upon our gloom.

Becoming small, he allows us to touch his greatness. Clothing himself in our weakness, he permits us to rest in his strength. Embracing obscurity, he brings enlightenment to the ends of the earth. Ministering as a servant, he shows his love as our Master, our Lord, and our King.

In our present day, as the gloom waxes and the darkness closes, as "wars and rumors of wars" abound (Mt. 24:6), the icon of the Nativity - Eternity laid as a baby in a crib, Salvation in the form of a newborn child, Redemption in the weakness of infant flesh - is as timely as ever. As an American hymn writer wrote over a century and a half ago, in the dark streets of Bethlehem, "the hopes and fears of all the years" are met together on the night of the Savior's birth. If we seek an answer, a solution, to the questions of our age and every age, that Answer, the very Word of the Father, can be found lying in a manger, sleeping, yet with his heart awake (Songs 5:2); resting in his tiny human body, but at work as God (Jn. 5:17).

Once the wise men journeyed, not to meet Herod in his court of splendor, nor to seek Caesar on his Roman throne, but to find a Child in his Mother's arms. Likewise, we do not seek peace, salvation, and joy from the hand and works of "princes and sons of men" (Ps. 145:3), but from the Lord who appears to us in silence, showing us the way of humility, stillness, forgiveness, meekness, and mercy.

Today, as we join the righteous Joseph, the magi, and the shepherds in worshipping the Lord at his Nativity, enthroned in the lap of his Mother, we place our trust in his care, his providence, his justice, which transcend all human comprehension. Setting aside our own righteousness, we repent and embrace the peace and silence of the manger. Setting aside the grand and distracting worries of the world, we concern ourselves with generosity and forbearance towards our brethren and neighbors.

As St. Porphyrius of Kavsokalyvia writes, "Only prayer, silence, and love are effective." Resting in prayer and silence, through faith and trust we encounter the love of the one who became flesh for our sake, in whom every conflict and battle ceases, the Peace and Power of God, come to reign in our hearts through his Incarnation. May we always accept that love with repentance, humility, and gratitude, and joyfully share it with others, this day and every day. To Christ our God and Savior, born this Christmas day, be all glory, together with his Father who is without beginning and his All-holy Spirit, unto the endless ages of ages. Amen.

Christ is born! Glorify him!

I remain as ever,
Sincerely yours in the joy of our newborn Lord and God and Savior,

+ Tikhon
Archbishop of Washington
Metropolitan of All America and Canada

Next week Fast Free!

Merry Christmas!
Love in Christ
Father David & Father Alexander
Grant Peace, Lord! Please protect the innocent!

News and Events

November 14, 2024

Civic Calendar with Service Schedule

November 7, 2024

November 1, 2024

October 25, 2024

October 17, 2024

October 11, 2024

October 4, 2024

September 27, 2024

September 20, 2024

September 13, 2024

September 6, 2024

August 30, 2024

August 23, 2024

August 16, 2024

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August 2, 2024

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June 21, 2024

June 14, 2024

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