Statement regarding Church Services in the Diocese of Canada

Click on the link below for a PDF copy of the statement.

Bp No 68 2020 Canada

 

Very Reverend and Reverend fathers,

 

In response to the newest developments regarding the COVID-19 virus we issue the following instructions and blessing:

Holy Liturgy, according to the Tipik, is still to be served in ALL churches of our Diocese on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays of each week. Due to the limitations placed over the weekend in the province of Quebec, and the limitations taking effect in the province of Ontario at midnight tonight, where most of our diocese gathers to pray, as well as the practice of our brethren Orthodox bishops worldwide, not the least the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Irinej, we instruct our clergy to perform all services with the help of a chanter, and altar server ONLY. The faithful are not to attend these services in person. We make this decision after consultations with the Public Health Departments of the City of Hamilton, Region of Waterloo, City of Niagara Falls, and the Premier’s office.

We have an obligation to strictly adhere to the instructions of our civil authorities, as we have done to date. If there are changes in this regard you will be duly notified. All priests must be available for their flock in this time of need to bless their homes, commune the sick, and comfort the scared – should it be requested.

Clergy who have indications of illness should, as all others, seek professional medical help and need to inform the Bishop of the same. Be reasonable and avoid unnecessary gatherings.

We continue to follow the developing situation worldwide, but especially in Canada, and unceasingly pray to the Lord, the only One who is capable of healing our souls and bodies, to aide us in keeping our faith strong. We must follow the instructions of civil authorities, but we cannot allow worldly temptations to shake our hope in the Omnipotent Lord. We clergy should be an example to the faithful of the need to multiply our prayers, fasting and petitions to the Lord. We pray for our leadership, all those working in the medical field, and all those directly afflicted in this difficult time.

 

With hierarchical blessing,

BISHOP OF CANADA

MITROPHAN

 

Schedule of Service for the upcoming Feast-days

18th (Thursday): FEAST OF HOLY CROSS (FAST): HOLY LITURGY AT 9.00 A.M; FOLLOWED BY THE LESSER BLESSING OF WATER.

19th (Friday): THEOPHANY – EPIPHANY (FAST FREE): HOLY LITURGY AT 9 A.M; FOLLOWED BY GREAT BLESSING OF WATER.

20th (Saturday): ST. JOHN THE PROPHET, FORERUNNER AND BAPTIST: HOLY LITURGY AT 9 A.M. SLAVA RITES AFTER HOLY LITURGY.

21st (Sunday) HOLY LITURGY AT 10 A.M.

27th (Saturday): ST. SAVA: HOLY LITURGY AT 9 A.M. FOLLOWED BY SLAVA RITES – KUMOVI RADOVAN AND LJILJANA ZDRAKANOVIC

28th (Sunday): HOLY LITURGY AT 10 A.M., FOLLOWED BY SAINT SAVA CHILDRENS PERFORMANCES – KUMOVI RADOVAN AND LJILJANA ZDRAKANOVIC WILL BE DISTRIBUTING GIFTS FOR ALL CHILDREN.

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

Christmas Eve 2017

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Christ is born – Glorify Him!

Glory to God, we have celebrated Christmas Eve in a great number at our Church property, gathering for prayer at the Christmas Eve Vespers service, followed by the lighting of the Badnjak (Serbian Yule log). After this a delicious lenten dinner was prepared and served by our sisters from the Kolo. We thank everyone who participated in the organization for this event, as well as all of our patrons!

The next day, on Christmas Day, we celebrated the Birth of Christ by a Holy Liturgy served at 8:00AM that day.

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