Parish News
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- The Bazaar - July 25, 2010
- Announcements - July 18, 2010
- Letter from our Rector - July 10, 2010
- Letter from our Rector - July 3, 2010
- St. John of Sochava’s New Website - July 3, 2010
- Announcements - July 3, 2010
- Memory Eternal - June 26, 2010
- Garbage - June 26, 2010
- Pokrov Parish and The Cathedral - June 18, 2010
- The 2010 Canadian Archdiocesan Assembly - June 18, 2010
- Announcements - June 12, 2010
- Vladyka’s Diet - June 12, 2010
- Hidden Treasures Spring Giveaway - June 4, 2010
- Hundreds participate in 106th Pilgrimage to St. Tikhon’s Monastery - June 4, 2010
- Announcements (from the OCA website) - June 4, 2010
- Thoughts on Volunteerism and a Suggestion - May 30, 2010
- The Konevets Quartet - May 30, 2010
- Announcements - May 22, 2010
- Announcements - May 6, 2010
- Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh - May 6, 2010
- Announcements - April 28, 2010
- Chamber Music Concert - April 26, 2010
- Announcements - April 21, 2010
- St. Vladimir’s Seminary Announces Summer Learning Opportunities - April 9, 2010
- Security Reminder - March 31, 2010
- Three Holy Days of Pascha - March 31, 2010
- Pilgrimage Tour to Ukraine - February 7, 2010
- Three Deacon’s Church Store - October 31, 2009
The Bazaar - July 25, 2010
The Divas would like to put everyone, especially the artists, artisans, winemakers, bakers and makers of pickles, preserves and jams on alert
The Bazaar,
A Christmas Fair with Eastern European Flair
will take place on Saturday, December 4th, 2010.
Set up is on Friday, December 3rd.
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Announcements - July 18, 2010
BAZAAR. Before everyone disappears for the summer, please let me remind you that the Bazaar will take place. This should interest anyone who practices a craft and intends to rent a table; anyone who has a fantastic cookie, cake or preserve recipe in their collection to show off, anyone with “white elephants” sitting around waiting to be adopted and everyone who would like to have a little fun putting it all together
NOT QUITE TOO late but certainly worth noting is that in neighbouring Quebec, the Festival Pontiac Enchanté is taking place. “The goal of Festival Pontiac Enchanté is to give gifted young classical musicians and seasoned professionals from the Ottawa Valley a venue in which to work together, and to display their many talents and energies in a performance setting.” DO follow the link above for more information. And if you do go you
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Letter from our Rector - July 10, 2010
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Christ is in our midst.
I am writing just now, in view of the announcement made at the end of June that the Moscow Patriarchate parish of the Protection would begin to rent from the Cathedral on 1 August.
As often happens, plans change. Although Father Dmitri Sever has signed the Agreement with us on behalf of his parish, this arrangement is now delayed. It seems that there will soon be a meeting between that parish and four bishops, 2 from Moscow, and we must wait until after that to know the future.
Nevertheless, since there is such difficulty with our current service-time (we have heard about chronic lateness), and since we had already announced a time-change, let it be known that, from 1 August, the Divine Liturgy will commence at 10:00 am.
Some will be sad, and some will be glad, we know, but around the world this is the prevalent time for beginning (except in very hot countries, which we are mostly not). Sorry, to those who are sad ! Don’t gloat, to those who are glad !
Love in Christ,
+Seraphim
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Letter from our Rector - July 3, 2010
Dear brothers, and sisters in Christ,
I am writing just at this time, because I feel I must.
The life of this bishop has never been particularly easy. Some say a bishop’s life is a picnic, but if so, I find there are many army ants attending. The last more than seven years have been particularly difficult—-first, because a greatly increased volume of responsibility and travel in the USA, and abroad : second because of a multiplication of meetings during the OCA’s “time of troubles”. I am not about to defend any of my own contributions to the difficulties, but I am a member of the Holy Synod, and, nolens-volens, I did contribute somehow, and I am sorry for that. Regardless, pain has been the main characteristic of the last decade, for us all.
In this context, and also the context of the last 23 years, I feel it important that I make it clear to the Cathedral faithful how much I have valued, and do appreciate the steadfastness of you-all, and of your readiness to follow Christ, despite all sorts of human failings and faults. May the Lord bless you all greatly in your faithfulness.
Now that I am able again to be more frequently at the Cathedral, I notice how much it is consolation to me, and comfort, to every time return to our Cathedral. I notice how clear, prayerful, and and confident is the serving, and the singing. I notice how parishioners are hospitable, and how they welcome visitors. I notice how people try to be patient with the weaknesses of each other. I notice the lively sense of humour. I notice how parishioners are ready to work in, and to care for the Temple, and that they care. I notice how very alive the Cathedral is, and how it is more, and more, connected with the near neigbours. I notice how our faithful and clergy are ready to glorify God, and how they like to worship. I notice the peace and joy there is when we are worshipping together; how peacefully, and orderly is served the Divine Liturgy, and the Vigil. All this is gratifying, consoling, and comforting to this bishop.
Glory be to God that this is so. May the Lord enable us all to keep our hearts firmly rooted in His Love, joy, and hope. May the Lord protect, and save you all. May you truly persevere in Christ, in His love.
With love in Christ,
+Seraphim
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St. John of Sochava’s New Website - July 3, 2010
After a year of business we have moved to a more “user friendly” web site. The front page offers samples of the products we carry and to the right of the page (In the “Products” tab) is a list of the product categories http://shop.churchsupply.ca/collections/all.
You will notice as you browse, that many of our prices have been reduced and that there are many new products. In addition to this, we are accepting Credit Card purchases through a secure gateway. We will be updating the site on a daily basis. If there is something that you cannot find please email us and we will send you the information as soon as possible.
To date, there are over 400 items on the new site. Over the next three weeks an additional 300 plus products will be available on line. Please check-in regularly!
We would like to thank you for your prayers and patronage.
http://shop.churchsupply.ca/
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Announcements - July 3, 2010
Vladyka is in Rawdon this weekend therefore there will be a divine liturgy only on Sunday, and please note too, that there are no Vespers on Wednesday during the month of July.
For the next three weeks, Fr. James will only be available on weekends.
LIBRARY: The library is open on Sundays; for more information please contact Deacon Alexander Moisa
The FOOD BASKET: Many thanks for your gifts of food and clothing. Unfortunately the demand for both continues. Clothing can be left in the room two-thirds down the stairs on the way to the hall.
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Memory Eternal - June 26, 2010
Alla Jillions Wheeler (1958-2010)
Alla J. Wheeler, aged 52, fell asleep in the Lord on Tuesday, June 22, ending a two year battle with cancer. Her husband, Protodeacon Eric Wheeler, their two children Jack (John) and Azure (Alexandra) together with many members of her family were at her bedside at home when she died after weeks of palliative care, much of it given directly by Protodeacon Eric.
Alla was diagnosed with “Adenocarcinoma of unknown origin” in June 2008. It attacked her liver, bones and brain, but the oncologists could not pin down the primary site. She went through a barrage of treatments: including radiation, chemotherapy, and an operation on her back to insert steel plates and screws to prop-up her crumbling spine. On Holy Thursday this year she received a diagnosis of “carcinomatous meningitis,” an aggressive cancer that spreads through the spinal fluid attacking the central nervous system, causing weird symptoms, seizures and distorting muscles.
Alla was born April 28, 1958 in Montreal and was the third of five children. Alla met Eric at the St Vladimir’s Seminary College Student. Read More
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Garbage - June 26, 2010
The garbage is usually taken care of by the bachelors in the parish. Once in while they have other obligations and are unable to wait until the end of the meal and the garbage gets forgotten. This therefore is an appeal to all the gentlemen still in the work force to make a point of checking that the garbage bags and recycling boxes have been taken to the curb before you go home on Sundays.
Last week’s bags were left at the side of the door where they presented a malodorous welcome to our renters. They were re-bagged today and are now waiting in the room at the bottom of the staircase ready to be included in the garbage run to the curb. On long weekends, when the garbage is picked up a day late and the few times we have a “do” during the week, this room will have to be used until we have an animal secure garbage bin “depot” putside. PLEASE think about these irritating details and give a hand with them – we are all in this together.
Many thanks. Vera
PS. We need garbage bins with hinged lids and both blue and black recycling bins– any offers?
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Pokrov Parish and The Cathedral - June 18, 2010
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I am putting in writing what was announced last Sunday from the ambo.
The Cathedral Council has been asked many times by the Moscow Patriarchate Parish of the Pokrov (Protection) to be allowed space to worship in our Cathedral, because this parish cannot continue in its present location.
After a series of meetings regarding the details, it was agreed that this will be blessed. The Pokrov Parish will contribute to the Cathedral substantially, financially and otherwise. . The arrangement will begin Sunday, August 1. On that day, both parishes will worship together at 0930 hrs.
As of August 8th, the Pokrov Parish will begin Divine Liturgy at 0830 hrs and the Cathedral Parish will begin Divine Liturgy at 1000 hrs. Vigil or Vespers will be served together. Father Alexander will be present both Sundays. Archbishop Seraphim will serve 1 August.
A formal agreement about the practical details has been signed. It is clear to all that the Cathedral is an integral part of the Archdiocese of Canada.
If there are any questions, please address them to the Rector, the Archbishop.
Love in Christ,
+Seraphim
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The 2010 Canadian Archdiocesan Assembly - June 18, 2010
The 2010 Canadian Archdiocesan Assembly is being held in beautiful Victoria, BC, at the University of Victoria, from July 26 - 30. Please follow this link for further information http://www.orthodoxassembly.ca. Vladyka sent the following message:
About the Assembly..
I have been informed that no-one from the Cathedral, except the youth, and Nikita, has registered so far for the Assembly.
Time to hurry up….
Love in Christ
+Seraphim
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Announcements - June 12, 2010
Please note that on Sunday after the service there is a slide presentation of the pilgrimage to the Holy Land led by Vladyka early this Spring.
- The Dalhousie Food Cupboard met this past Monday. Among other things the Board, especially the coordinator, thanked the Cathedral for the food we collect. Dalhousie gets its main supply of food from the Ottawa Food Bank but relies heavily on cash donations and donations like ours to fill the gaps.
- The library is open on Sundays for further information please contact Deacon Alexander Moise.
- Fr. Alexander is off to Edmonton on Sunday afternoon and will not be back until early August.
- It’s official! As of August 1st, Fr. James will be with us full-time.
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Vladyka’s Diet - June 12, 2010
Fish: baked, boiled, broiled or fried (in butter or olive oil - as long as it is not breaded)
Eggs
Cheese: any type, except cream or cottage cheese
Salad: any type of green (lettuce, romaine, etc.) With olive oil, or real cream dressing.
Real mayonnaise, made with real eggs and olive oil (no sugar or sugar substitute).
Other: olives, celery, avocado, asparagus, cucumbers, green or red peppers, broccoli, green or yellow string beans, mushrooms, tomato (just a couple of slices, or a few of the grape/cherry tomatoes), green onions (as garnish - not too much).
The absolute NO-NOs:
- NO carbohydrates in any form : bread, rice, pasta, potatoes.
- No sugar, no legumes (lentils, kidney beans, etc.). No carrots, or parsnips, corn, etc.
- No fruit. Only lemons for dressings or garnish.
- No margarine.
- No desserts. A platter of cheese is a good substitute.
- And, of course, no meat, and as little salt as possible.
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Hidden Treasures Spring Giveaway - June 4, 2010
June 5 and 6
Immediately after Environment Week for more information please follow this link: http://www.ottawa.ca/residents/recycling_garbage/giveaway/index_en.html
Ottawa streets in the summer wouldn’t be the same without a detour or two. This one affects anyone using the #2 bus to get to church. Starting Monday, May 31st, after 9 am until approximately July 31st. Somerset Street West will be closed down to all traffic from Bronson Ave to Cambridge Street due to construction. Should the OCTranspo directions baffle you, all it means is you either get on/off the bus at Preston (Plant Baths) and Somerset OR Bronson & Somerset (Scotia Bank )
The following detours will be in effect:
Route 2 Westbound to Bayshore & Westboro: Travel Somerset Street West, right Bronson Ave, left Albert Street, left Preston, right Somerset Street West to regular route.
Route 2 Downtown: Travel Somerset Street West, left Preston Street, right Albert, follow Albert Street to right Commissioner Street, right Bronson Ave, left Somerset Street West to regular route.
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Hundreds participate in 106th Pilgrimage to St. Tikhon’s Monastery - June 4, 2010
SOUTH CANAAN, PA [by Monk Gregory, Aide to the Metropolitan]—Many Orthodox hierarchs, clergy and faithful gathered here on the weekend of May 28-31, 2010 to take part in the 106th Annual Saint Tikhon of Zadosnk Orthodox Monastery Memorial Day Pilgrimage.
The beloved “weekend of traditions” officially began on Friday afternoon when His Grace, Bishop Tikhon of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania celebrated the Blessing of Waters at the monastery well. This was followed by the daily celebration of Vespers, and a public meal provided by Igumen Sergius and the monastery brotherhood.
On Saturday, May 29 Bishop Tikhon was joined by His Grace, Bishop Alejo of Mexico City and His Grace, Bishop Michael of New York and New Jersey in the concelebration of the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at the Monastery church. Bishop Tikhon ordained Deacon Benjamin Tucci to the Holy Priesthood during the divine service.
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Announcements (from the OCA website) - June 4, 2010
Episcopal Assembly issues message, ends with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy Posted 05/28
NEW YORK, NY [OCA]—The Episcopal Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Hierarchs of North and Central America closed with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Cathedral here on Friday morning, May 28, 2010.
His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah, and the diocesan and auxiliary bishops of the Orthodox Church in America were among the hierarchs who communed at the Divine Liturgy celebrated by the Rev. Dr. Frank Marangos, Holy Trinity Cathedral Dean.
Assembly sessions came to a close on Thursday afternoon with the signing of a statement by the sixty-some hierarchs, the text of which reads as follows.
Episcopal Assembly Of the Canonical Orthodox Hierarchs of North and Central America
May 26-28, 2010
We glorify the name of the Triune God for gathering us at this first Episcopal Assembly of this region in New York City on May 26-28, 2010 in response to the decisions of the Fourth Pre-Conciliar Pan-Orthodox Conference held at the Orthodox Center of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Chambésy, Switzerland, from June 6-12, 2009, at the invitation of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. more
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Thoughts on Volunteerism and a Suggestion - May 30, 2010
There are endless reasons why people volunteer – to meet a need, indulge a passion, to be recognized, learn something, help the community, meet people, be happy, because the gospels urge us to… My reasons? I volunteer because I can and enjoy it. I am also aware of our circumstance and old enough to know that the Japanese are right “vision without action is a daydream and action without vision a nightmare. “
Volunteers are unsung heroes, rarely make the headlines, come free of charge and expect nothing but the occasional cooperation of others. Their contribution to the community is priceless and it is hard to imagine where we would be without the many hours they put in.
Attempts to reward volunteers are often clumsy because by singling out one, another is left out, so why not dispense with rewarding a few by rewarding all?
In 1985 the United Nations designated December 5th, the day before our second patronal feast, St. Nicholas, International Volunteer Day. The patron of children was a generous man who freely gave of his wealth and time and protected the young and the fragile. Why not use the latter occasion to spoil the children as well as the volunteers ? and at the same time give the people who are usually unable to volunteer, a chance to show their appreciation by looking after the catering and spoiling. Vera
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The Konevets Quartet - May 30, 2010
On Monday, May 31,2010 at 7:30 pm in the Auditorium of Saint Paul University,223 Main Street, Ottawa, The KONEVETS QUARTET will perform sacred Orthodox chants, classical romances and popular folk songs.
Tickets are $15 and available at 613-745-1688, or Watson’s Pharmacy and Wellness Centre at 192 Main Street.
The Konevets Quartet was founded by graduates and students of the St. Petersburg Music Conservatoire in July 1992. The Quartet takes its name from the Konevets Island and Monastery, some 160 kilometers northeast of St. Petersburg, on Lake Ladoga. It was there, over 600 years ago, that St. Arseny Konevsky founded a cloister in the honour of the birth of Mary, Mother of God. During Soviet years the island was occupied by the USSR military and was removed from all maps. The fabric of the Monastery was almost completely destroyed, but now it is being reborn. During the early years of the Konevets Quartet’s association with the Monastery, they sang mainly for those working on the restoration, as well as for pilgrims, tourists and “drop-outs” who sought shelter in the restored buildings. Also, the Quartet frequently sang in church services on Sundays and Feast Days. Members of the Quartet studied at St. Petersburg’s oldest musical conservatoire, the Municipal Choir School.
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Announcements - May 22, 2010
Tania has resigned from managing Hospitality. Thank you Tania for all your hard work for the past two years. Fr, Alexander will announce the name of her successor soon.
Thank you for using the side door at Eccles to leave the building. The door is quite easy to open and close once it is unlocked so there is really no reason to use the brick that is lying around to keep the door wide open. By the same token, the last person out should use the Allen key to lock it.
We installed a bell on the door which makes it easier to drop off contributions for the potluck lunch, it is surprisingly loud though and may disturb the Ethiopians at their prayers.
The FOOD BASKET: Many thanks for your donations of food and clothing- the need for more of each continuous. NB. Clothing can now be left in the room on the right as you go to the hall.
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Announcements - May 6, 2010
- GARAGE SALE– Many thanks to all volunteers, from Maria and sister Camilla to Jeremy & Sebastian Scratch and young helpers, to our bachelors, the Divas, the people who sorted, those who gave and those who bought; without them we would not be over $600.00 richer. Everything went off nicely and the only hitch came at the end of the day when a very incensed father suddenly appeared to declare we had sold his $30.00 stroller..
DON’T FORGET our friends, the St. Lawrence Valley Soloists (USA) Are holding a fund raising concert on May 8 at 7:30 p.m.
Chamber Music Concert featuring Trio by Haydn pieces by Chopin, Ravel, Kreisler, Elgar, Tartini.
- St. Luke’s Church, 760 Somerset Street, Ottawa
- Tickets at the door: adults $20, students $10
- Paul Wyse, piano - internationally acclaimed virtuoso soloist, Steinway piano artist
- John Lindsey, violin - Concertmaster of the Orchestra of Northern New York and the Hanover (NH) Chamber Orchestra
- Nina Gordon, cello - Principal Cellist of the Illinois Symphony Orchestra
- Francois Germaine, piano
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Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh - May 6, 2010
SUNDAY OF THE MAN BORN BLIND (14 May 1972)
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.
At the end of today’s reading, words stand that we pass by very often. The blind man says to Christ, “And who is the Son of God?” and Christ answers, “You have seen Him and He is speaking to you”.
For us, the first words are so natural; the first event of our life, the first event of a meeting is that we see a person, but what was this wonder of this man who had never seen anything in the world and who, touched by the life-giving hand of Christ, of a sudden saw! And the first person he saw was his Lord and his God, Christ, the Son of Man.
I remember a Romanian writer telling us in his biography what definitive, what profound impression the face of the first man he remembers made. He remembers himself as a child, and over him - the inexpressibly beautiful face of his father who was a priest, looking at him, with all human love, with all the tenderness, and all the depth of a human gaze. And he says that this was a first vision for him in the icon which a human face can be when it is lit from inside by love and by understanding, by depth and by eternity, a vision of God. Here this man saw God in the features of Him who was God and who had become the Son of Man.
I would like to attract your attention also to something different. On another occasion we read the story of a paralytic healed by Christ; and the Church, singing the praises of God on that occasion says, “As this man found no one to show mercy on him, the Son of Mary, God Himself, stooped down and met his need”. Because this man had not found another man to show mercy, to show compassion, to show concern, God has come down to him. Now we live in another time, we live in the time with God truly having become man in our midst, and more than this: He has made us to be living members of His body, an incarnate, concrete presence of His Incarnation, the temples of the Spirit, the place of the Presence. Now any man who is in need should at the same time find in each of us a man stirred to compassion, taught mercy and understanding by God become Man, and at the same time, simultaneously, meeting with us, he should be able to see the love of God in our eyes and to perceive the active, imaginative, creative action of divine charity in our words and in our deeds.
Since Christ has come into the world, the time of man has come; but not of man as severed from God, separated from Him, alien to Him, but a wonderful time when in man, in those who have discovered Christ, who have believed in Him, who have become one with Him - those men to whom God has entrusted the care of His world - people can both receive divine and human mercy and see human compassion, human love, human joy.
Is not this a great call, is not that something which should make us capable of great things? The time of God and the time of man is one, not only in the incarnate Son of God, but in this mysterious incarnate presence which each of us represents, the presence of God in the flesh, in human compassion, in human love, and this is an earnest claim and a challenge which the Gospel presents us with. Are we to one another and to those further afield that kind of humanity? New humanity, new creatures, new men with the newness of a renewed life, the life of God. This is what we are called to be.
Let us then reflect on it, make a decision, make a move and become an icon, a vision of God, not only in the shining of love in our eyes, not only in the words we speak, but also in every action and deed, so that the time of man should have become the day of the Son of Man, the day of the Lord. Amen.
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Announcements - April 28, 2010
MAY 8TH: 7:30PM THE ST. LAURENCE VALLEY SOLOISTS are holding a benefit concert for the Cathedral at St. Luke’s (corner Somerset West and Bell). The program includes music by Haydn, Ravel, Mozart and other composers. Tickets are available at the door, - $20.00 for adults, $10 for students.
- Enquiries (613) 261-9159 .
Also On May 8th, a Hope and Healing Ukraine fund raiser talk by Globe & Mail Columnist and producer of Listen Up TV Lorna Dueck on Human Trafficking; 7 pm at the Sunnyside Wesleyan Church, 58 Grosvenor Ave. in Ottawa South. For more information follow this link: http://www.sunnysideottawachurch.com
Please be considerate! Keep the Lebreton door to the church closed and use the main door of the temple to find your seat or way to the washrooms. The clergy find it distracting when people come through the side door during services.
Likewise, the Lebreton door to the basement should be kept closed if a service is in progress. This stops most of the noise from the Ethiopian kids filtering through. Keeping the doors closed presents few problems since it has been unlocked for some time now to enable people to use the washrooms without having to find someone with a key to open the door first..
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Chamber Music Concert - April 26, 2010
YOU ARE INVITED TO A Chamber Music Concert featuring Trio by Haydn, Additional pieces by Chopin, Ravel, Kreisler, Elgar, Tartini.
- Date: May 8 at 7:30 p.m.
- Location: St. Luke’s Church, 760 Somerset Street, Ottawa
This is a benefit concert for the Annunciation Orthodox Cathedral by the St. Lawrence Valley Soloists. Tickets at the door: Adults $20, Students $10
You are also invited to help with the distribution of flyers and to encourage friends and family to buy tickets. For information call 613-261-9159 or email:
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Announcements - April 21, 2010
May 1 - GARAGE SALE: between 8 am and 3 pm
- RAINCHECK: Saturday, May 8th
- LOCATION: Parking Lot, 15 Lebreton Street
- APRIL 21ST - deadline for letting the office know you need a pick up !
- DROP OFF: Saturday and Sunday, May 24th and 25th Between noon and 4: 00pm on Saturday and before and after the service on Sunday.
Please check the board on Lebreton. We need volunteers.
Note:
- IF you need help bringing your things to the sale, PLEASE LEAVE A MESSAGE at the office 613-230-2687 or
by Wednesday, April 21st.
- Don’t bother pricing your items. To simplify matters each table will have an asking price that applies to all items on the table. HOWEVER,
- Unsold items have to go back home with you as none of the charities will pick up garage sale items anymore.
- Pray for good weather – holding everything for a week is not too appealing.
FYI: St. Luke’s is holding a garage sale the same day.
Please leave a message in the office if you are able to lend a hand sorting things out after the weekend of April 25th.
MAY 8th: 7:30PM THE ST. LAURENCE VALLEY SOLOISTS are holding a benefit concert for the Cathedral. The program includes Hayden Trio, music by Ravel, Mozart and other composers. Tickets are available at the door - $20.00 for adults, $10 for students.
- Enquiries (613) 261-9159 .
Also On May 8th, a Hope and Healing Ukraine fund raiser talk by Globe & Mail Columnist and producer of Listen Up TV Lorna Dueck on Human Trafficking; 7 pm at the Sunnyside Wesleyan Church, 58 Grosvenor Ave. in Ottawa South. For more information follow this link: http://www.sunnysideottawachurch.com
FOUND – a copy of the PENTECOSTARION. To claim, contact the office. You might like to check the green lost and found basket nestled under the round table in the Lebreton entry
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St. Vladimir’s Seminary Announces Summer Learning Opportunities - April 9, 2010
YONKERS, NY [OCA/SVOTS] - During the month of June 2010, Saint Vladimir’s Seminary here will offer a wide array of educational opportunities to the public. Among the programs being offered are the following:
JUNE 3-9 — Iconography Workshops
Two master iconographers, one painting in the Russo-Byzantine style and the other painting in the Greek-Cretan School tradition, will offer iconography workshops. Protodeacon Nazari Polataiko of the Saints Alipij and Andrei Rublev Icon Studio, Winnipeg, MB, Canada, and Khouriya Erin Mary Kimmett, Norwood, MA, will limit each of their classes to 12 students. Iconographers with experience ranging from novice to master are welcome. Additional information is posted at http://www.svots.edu/2010-0603-iconography-workshops-upcoming
JUNE 10-12 — Summer Symposium
“Hellenism and Orthodoxy” will be the theme of the annual Summer Symposium. His Eminence, Archbishop Demetrios of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, will deliver the public keynote lecture on Friday, June 11, at 7:00 p.m. Orthodox clerics and scholars from Turkey, Greece, and North America will round out the program. Additional information is posted at http://www.svots.edu/2010-0610-summer-symposium-hellenism-upcoming
JUNE 14-16 — Orthodox Parish Renewal
This workshop for priests and lay leaders explores skills, insights, and tools for meeting the challenges of parish life today. Led by Priest J. Sergius Halvorsen, Assistant Professor of Patristics and Rhetoric at Holy Apostles College, and Mr. Joseph Kormos, OCA Midwest Diocese Parish Health Ministry Leader, the workshop will focus on the essential dimensions of healthy and hopeful parishes, using a method and model for spiritual vibrancy. Additional information is posted at http://www.svots.edu/2010-0614-continuing-pastoral-formation-upcoming
JUNE 13-19 — Summer Academic Program
Archpriest John Behr, renowned Professor of Patristics and SVS Dean, will teach a course titled—From Gospel to Creed.? The course will examine key Christian figures and explore the historical and thematic paths that led to the formulation and promulgation of the Creed of Nicaea. A course description and requirements, schedule, registration, and fees are posted at http://www.svots.edu/2010-0613-summer-academic-program-home
JUNE 20-24 — Diaconal Institute
Daily celebration of the divine services by participants with seminary clergy will support practical liturgical training for deacons and diaconal candidates. Additionally, faculty members will offer focused presentations about the deacon’s place in the liturgical life of the Church and his broader vocation as a symbol to the faithful of the ministry of Christ. Instruction in public speaking and vocal technique will also be offered. This practicum is held in conjunction with the Orthodox Church in America’s Diaconal Vocations Program and is highly recommended by the OCA Holy Synod of Bishops. Additional information is posted at http://www.svots.edu/2010-0620-diaconal-liturgical-practicum and http://www.oca.org/dvp.
JUNE 20-24 — Practical Liturgics
This program is intended for newly ordained priests and select college-age subdeacons that wish to participate in a week of intensive liturgical celebration and practical liturgics training. Attendees will celebrate and concelebrate the services, take part in general liturgics classes, and engage in various workshops on voice training, homiletics, and the practice of the Holy Mystery of Confession. Time will also be set aside for fellowship, discussion, and reflections on the ministry of the priesthood led by senior priests. Additional information is posted at http://www.svots.edu/2010-0620-practical-liturgics-upcoming
JUNE 20-24 — Music Program
This educational and fun workshop for youth will address the needs and talents of the Church’s future leaders in song. Students ages 13–18 with an interest in learning more about church music will have the opportunity to work with experienced church musicians to develop their skills and understanding of music notation, chanting, choral singing, and the structure of liturgical music.
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Security Reminder - March 31, 2010
The doors to the church, including the main entrance from the street, are locked after the service and not opened again until the next service. Once the main door and side door is locked they both become off limit. Old habits are hard to break but please work on this one - this request was and is made for valid security reasons.
Parishioners and visitors alike are therefore asked to take all their belongings with them after the services and to use the side entrance on Lebreton Street OR the side entrance on the Eccles side to exit the building.
As a rider to the above, the metal donation box has been moved into the vicinity of the candle desk. Please use it for cash payments, the price of candles is $1. There is an additional reminder.
Many months ago Vladyka put the choir loft off limits and told us to keep it locked. There is plenty of space available in the temple so please respect this request.
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Three Holy Days of Pascha - March 31, 2010
The three days of Great and Holy Friday, Great and Holy Saturday, and Pascha on Sunday, are the days when this journey or passage “from death to life and from earth to heaven” is revealed in Christ’s death, descent into Hades, and resurrection from the dead. It also foretells our resurrection from the dead and our ascension into heaven to be with Christ forever. As we participate in these services, we are conscious that this is not just a matter of remembering these events in Jesus’ life, but of being mystically present with our Lord and his followers as he trod the path from life, through death, and back to Life!
Whether you are visiting or a long time parish member, welcome! Please feel free to participate in the services as you wish, but do not hesitate to be relaxed about watching what others are doing. If you have questions, please ask them! We will endeavour to find answers as best we can.
· - Watch for the ways that you can participate in particular ways. These are pulled out and highlighted.
Great and Holy Friday
The Vespers on Great and Holy Friday is at 2:00 in the afternoon. Vespers begins as usual with hymns about the suffering and death of Christ. After the entrance with the Gospel Book and the singing of Gladsome Light, selections from Exodus, Job, and Isaiah are read. An epistle reading from First Corinthians (1:18-31) is added, and the Gospel is read once more with selections from each of the four accounts of Christ’s crucifixion and burial.
After more hymns glorifying the death of Christ, while the choir sings the dismissal song of St Simeon, the priest vests fully in his dark-coloured robes and censes the burial shroud, also known as the plaschenitsa, which lies upon the altar table. Then, after the Our Father, while the people sing the troparion of the day, the priest circles the altar table with the plaschenitsa carried above his head and places it into the tomb for veneration by the faithful.
At the end of this service, we come forward to venerate the plaschenitsa. We make two prostrations, kiss the Gospel Book and the feet of Christ, and make a third prostration. In our church, more than one person usually venerates the plaschenitsa at the same time: we are all brothers and sisters in Christ, families, friends, and strangers alike, and we all share in the sorrow of the crucified Christ.
The Lamentations service (officially the Great and Holy Saturday Matins) is served at 7:00 pm. In place of the regular Matins psalm reading, the entire Psalm 119 is read with verses praising the dead Saviour chanted between each of its lines. This particular psalm is the verbal icon of Jesus, the righteous man whose life is in the hands of God and who, therefore, cannot remain dead. The Lamentations, as the verses are called, glorify God as “the Resurrection and the Life,” and marvel at his humble condescension into death.
As more verses of praise are sung, the priest again vests fully in his sombre vestments and, as the great doxology is chanted, he once more censes the tomb of the Saviour. Then, while the congregation with lighted candles continually sings Holy God, the faithful—led by the Archbishop carrying the Gospel Book with the burial shroud of Christ held over his head—go in procession around the outside of the church building. This procession bears witness to the total victory of Christ over the powers of darkness and death. The whole universe is cleansed, redeemed and restored by the entrance of the Life of the World into death.
Following the Lamentations on Friday night, parishioners keep vigil over the tomb of our Lord. This vigil lasts until the Paschal services the following night. The church remains open during this time for visitors to come and worship before the tomb. Psalms are read during this time.
· - There is a sign-up sheet for those who wish to read over the tomb on the bulletin board at the LeBreton Street entrance. Anyone who wishes can participate in this vigil.
Great and Holy Saturday
Great and Holy Saturday links Christ’s death and Resurrection. It is on Great and Holy Saturday that we commemorate Christ’s conquest of death, which is sealed through the Resurrection. There is a Vesperal Liturgy at 2:00 pm on Saturday. Holy Saturday is the pivotal day in the Paschal celebration. It is on this day that sorrow begins to transform into joy. The path from death to life is being laid. This is an event not to be missed. There would be no victorious Resurrection without Christ’s descent into and defeat of Hades, and for that reason there can be no true celebration of Pascha without the celebration of that victory in Hades, which is Great and Holy Saturday.
On Great and Holy Saturday itself, Vespers are served with the Divine Liturgy of St Basil the Great. It begins in the normal way with the evening psalm, the litany, the hymns following the evening Psalm 141 and the entrance with the singing of the vesperal hymn, Gladsome Light. The clergy stand at the tomb in which lies the burial shroud with the image of the Saviour in the sleep of death. Therefore, the service takes place in the middle of the church: the tomb lies outside the altar after the burial services of Great and Holy Friday.
Following the evening entrance which is made with the Book of the Gospels, fifteen readings from the Old Testament scriptures are read, all of which relate to God’s work of creation and salvation which has been summed up and fulfilled in the coming of the predicted Messiah.
· - If you are interested in reading one of the Old Testament prophesies, please talk to Reader James Dale or Michael Holden.
After the Epistle reading, the most joyous moment of the liturgy of Great and Holy Saturday takes place when the Prokeimenon announces: “Arise, O God, judge the earth, for to Thee belong all the nations.” At this point, all the vestments of the clergy and servers, and the cloths on the Altar and icon stands are changed from black to white, for the resurrection has already begun in Hades and will soon be announced to us.
After the Liturgy, we break our fast together with breads, fruits, nuts, juice and wine in the church itself. In contemporary practice, these foods and drinks are blessed at the end of this Liturgy “for the sustenance of the faithful”.
· - All are encouraged to bring bread, fruits, nuts, juice or wine to share.
Pascha Sunday
At 11:30 pm on Saturday, the Nocturne service is chanted. The priest goes to the tomb and removes the burial shroud. He carries it through the Royal Doors and places it on the altar table where it remains for forty days until the day of Ascension.
The Midnight Service and Paschal Liturgy starts in a darkened church. The church is in full darkness representing the darkness of the Tomb and the Hades. Precisely at midnight, a single light emerges from the altar representing the victory of Christ over death, the defeat of the Prince of Darkness by Jesus, the Light of the World. As the light is passed from person to person, it pushes back the darkness of the church and defeats it completely.
At midnight the procession begins. The people leave the church building singing:
Thy resurrection, O Christ our Saviour, the angels in heaven sing: enable us on Earth, to glorify thee in purity heart.
The procession circles the church building and returns to the closed doors of the front of the church. Before the closed doors of the church, the resurrection of Christ is announced. The Gospel is read which tells of the empty tomb. The Easter Troparion is sung for the first time
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life.
The people re-enter the church building and continue the service of Pascha Matins.
Before the beginning of the Divine Liturgy, the Archbishop proclaims the famous Paschal Sermon of St. John Chrysostom. This sermon is an invitation to all of the faithful to forget their sins and to join fully in the feast of the resurrection of Christ. Taken literally, the sermon is the formal invitation offered to all members of the Church to come and to receive Holy Communion, partaking of Christ, the Passover Lamb, whose table is now being set in the midst of the Church. In our parish the sermon is literally obeyed and all of the faithful are encouraged to receive the Eucharistic gifts of the Passover Supper of Easter night. There are no special rules of preparation or fasting for this midnight communion.
At the end of the Liturgy, a special bread, called the Artos, is consecrated in memory of the Risen Christ, Who is “the Bread of Life Eternal descended from Heaven and nourishing us with the food of His divine mercies.” The Artos is broken and distributed at the end of the Divine Liturgy on Thomas Sunday.
Red eggs are distributed to all as they receive a blessing at the end of the Liturgy. There are many legends about why red eggs are distributed, including one about Mary Magdalene offering a red egg to the Emperor of Rome, and another that says that red eggs serve to remind us of the precious blood of God the Redeemer, which was shed on the cross for the salvation of all men. However, explanations that eggs symbolize new life, or that the cracking of eggs symbolizes the shattering of Hades by the victorious Christ, are pious explanations, but are not theological statements or actions.
· - There is a sign-up sheet to bring red eggs in the church hall.
Following the service in the church, the whole parish goes to the church hall to have our Pascha baskets blessed and to break the Lenten fast; the baskets are filled with foods we abstained from during Lent. The common table of foods shared by all is our way to break the fast as a community after the celebration of the midnight services that glorify Christ’s resurrection.
At 2:00 in the afternoon of Pascha Sunday, we serve the Paschal Vespers (also known as the Agape Vespers). This glorious service includes the reading of the Gospel account of the empty tomb (John 20:19-25). It is customary to read this Gospel in many different languages, demonstrating the universal nature of the Good News of Christ’s victory over sin and death.
· - If you are able to read the Gospel in a different language, please see Deacon Gregory.
After the Paschal Vespers, we hold a Paschal feast in the church hall. This is a pot-luck meal that befits the beauty and fullness of the Feast of Feasts. All are encouraged to bring a dish to celebrate Christ’s resurrection with their brothers and sisters in Christ.
· There is a sign-up sheet for the pot-luck in the church hall. Please contribute to our celebration of Christ’s Resurrection!
Whether you come for just one service, attend many or all of them, we trust that you will be blessed by walking with our Lord along this path from life through death to New Life!
CHRIST IS RISEN!
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Pilgrimage Tour to Ukraine - February 7, 2010
Archbishop Seraphim and Fr. Alexander
16 Day Tour
August 16-31
ITINERARY
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August 16
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Canada to Lviv
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August 17
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Lviv
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August 18
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Lviv to Pochaiv
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August 19
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Pochaiv Monastery - Transfiguration
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August 20 - 22
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Stoyaniv (Lutzk)
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August 23 – 24
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Volodymyr Volynsk
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August 25
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Carpathian Mountains (Kosiw)
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August 26
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Carpathian Mountains (Chernvtsi)
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August 27
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Chernivtsi
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August 28
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Chernivtsi – Dormition, evening departure to Lviv
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August 29 - 30
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Lviv
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August 31
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Lviv to Canada
TOUR INCLUDES
Return airfare, land transportation, Hotel accommodation (dbl.occupancy) Meals in Ukraine (bk.Sup), Optional Family visit, optional working at NAshi safehouse (Stoyaniv)
NOT INCLUDED:
Insurance , Special arrangements
COST OF TOUR:
Departure Western Canada
$3,900.00
Departure Eastern Canada
$3,700.00
DEPOSIT:
$500.00 – April 30, 2010
CONTACT:
Fr. Alexander 613 – 422- 9428
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Three Deacon’s Church Store - October 31, 2009
The Three Deacon’s is open Thursday to Sunday:
- Thursday: 12:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Friday & Saturday: 11:30 am – 4:30 pm
- Sunday: 02:00 pm – 4:00 pm
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