Category: Uncategorized

Details for Christmas Eve Day and collecting the Badnjak on Jan 6

Zoran Radisic

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

On Christmas Eve day, January 6th, the Divine Liturgy will be served at 10AM, followed by the blessing of the Badnjak (Yule log) – for scheduling your attendance at the service that day, please email Sasha Cviejetinovic at sashacvijetinovic@gmail.com to ensure that we keep the 10-person limit in the chapel.

Parishioners will be able to come and pick up their Badnjak branch between 12-6PM that day on a drive-through basis by entering the property though the first gate, passing by the garage where, without leaving or parking their vehicle, a Badnjak branch will be handed out by the on-duty volunteer, and proceed to the exit through the second gate. The Badnjak branches will not be distributed after 6PM!

In order to decrease the number of vehicles, we recommend that our parishioners plan to also pick up the Badnjak branch on behalf of their friends and family too.

Donations prepared in an envelope can also be handed in at that time to the volunteers at the property, or they can be sent by e-transfer at treasury@arhangelgavrilotoronto.com, or mailed in to the address St. Archangel Gabriel Serbian Orthodox Church, 49 North Lake Rd, P.O. Box 2918, Richmond Hill, ON, L4E 1A8

Parishioners unable to come that day, or who have no one to bring the Badnjak branch for them should reach out to Fr. Ljubo at 416-828-4447.

The 10-person quota for the Christmas Eve Vespers starting at 6PM is already full!

On Christmas day, January 7, two Divine Liturgies will be held: the first at 5AM and the second at 10AM. On the second day of Christmas, January 8, and the third day of Christmas, January 9, the Divine Liturgy will be held at 10AM. For scheduling your attendance at any one of the Christmas Liturgies, please email Sasha Cviejetinovic at sashacvijetinovic@gmail.com.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

–  Governing Board of St. Archangel Gabriel Parish in Richmond Hill

Lockdown in York Region, St. Nicholas Day

Zoran Radisic

Dear brothers and sisters,

As of December 14, York Region has applied the “Gray-Lockdown” measures to control the spread of COVID-19 with additional restrictions that also apply to our Parish.

Worship services will be held with a limit of only 10 people in the chapel, mandatory maintenance of a physical distance of 2m and wearing of face masks (more details here: https://www.york.ca/wps/portal/yorkhome/health/yr/covid-19/publichealthsafetymeasures/).

The Governing Board has made the decision to have two Divine Liturgies held on Sundays and feast-days:

  • The first, starting at 8:30AM, will be celebrated by Fr. Vasilije Tomić
  • The second, starting at 10AM, will be celebrated by Fr. Ljubo Rajić

Parishioners who want to attend one of the services must contact Aleksandar Cvijetinović in advance by email at sashacvijetinovic@gmail.com to be added to the schedule so that the prescribed maximum number of people in the chapel can be maintained. We kindly request that in case of a change in plans that you please contact Aleksandar in time so that others would be allowed to attend the worship service.

For the feast of Holy Father Nicholas on Saturday, December 19:

  • The cutting of the Slava Kolač will begin from 8AM, (only one) Divine Liturgy will be served at 10AM, followed by the cutting of any remaining Slava Kolač
  • All celebrating their patron saint are obliged to contact Aleksandar Cvijetinović in advance at sashacvijetinovic@gmail.com so that a schedule for the cutting of the Slava Kolač and attendance at the Divine Liturgy can be made.

We remind you again that for all contributions that arrive by the end of December 31st you will receive a receipt for your 2020 income taxes.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

–  Governing Board of St. Archangel Gabriel Parish in Richmond Hill

Additional Restrictions in York Region, Support for Parish

Zoran Radisic
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Recently York Region has applied the “Red-Control” measures to control the spread of COVID-19 with additional restrictions that also apply to our Parish.
Worship services will continue regularly, but with a limit of 30% of the chapel’s capacity, mandatory maintenance of a physical distance of 2m and wearing of face masks (more details here: https://www.york.ca/wps/portal/yorkhome/health/yr/covid-19/publichealthsafetymeasures/ and https://www.york.ca/wps/portal/yorkhome/health/yr/covid-19/mandatoryuseoffacemasksandcoverings/ ).
Until further notice, Sunday lunches will be canceled, as well as any gatherings in the upper hall after Divine Liturgy.
Penalties for non-compliance with these restrictions are very rigorous and could jeopardize the existence of our Parish.
This situation in which we are prevented from organizing lunches and other activities and events significantly reduces the revenue of the Parish, and thus we ask you all to help out:
  • One time donations:
    • electronically by interac e-transfer via your online-banking services directed to treasury@arhangelgavrilotoronto.com
    • by personal check, whether you bring it in person at church, or by mailing it to St. Archangel Gabriel Serbian Orthodox Church, 49 North Lake Rd, P.O. Box 2918, Richmond Hill, ON, L4E 1A8

We remind you that for all contributions that arrive by the end of December 31st you will receive a receipt for your 2020 income taxes.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

–  Governing Board of St. Archangel Gabriel Parish in Richmond Hill

Modified Stage 2 Restrictions Against COVID-19 starting October 19, 2020

Zoran Radisic

Dear brothers and sisters,

As you may already know, protection measures against COVID-19 in the York Region have been tightened since October 19 – published details can be found here: https://www.york.ca/wps/portal/yorkhome/health/yr/covid-19/ reopeningandresumingbusinessduringcovid19/

For now, places of worship and faith-based gatherings can either accommodate a maximum of 50 people indoors or 30% of the capacity of the room being used (in the building); whichever number is greater as long as physical distancing of 6ft/2m can be maintained and * everyone* wears face masks. Food and drinks will not be served until further notice.

We thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

– Governing Board of St. Archangel Gabriel Parish in Richmond Hill