OCA- December 2014
Christ is born! Glorify Him!
To the honorable Clergy, Venerable Monastics, and Pious Faithful of the Orthodox Church in America,
My Beloved Brethren and Blessed Children in the Lord,

I greet all of you with the joy of the most glorious Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ! As Saint Leo the Great reminds us in his sermon on the Nativity, “in adoring the birth of our Savior, we find that we are celebrating the commencement of our own lives, for the birth of Christ is the source of life for the Christian people, and the birthday of the Head is the birthday of the Body.”

Indeed, we rejoice and celebrate on this great day. Yet we must never fail to recall those for whom the earthly sojourn seems to be anything but joyful—the lost and searching and seeking, the lonely and forgotten, the sick and imprisoned and persecuted, the hungry and thirsty, and those who, like the Christ Child, “have no where to lay their heads.” If the birth of Christ is the commencement and source of our lives, then it is not only our duty, but our blessed honor, to share the light of the newborn Christ with those who sit “in the valley of the shadow of death,” thereby revealing the love God so richly and unconditionally pours out on all who would accept it.

Our Lord proclaimed good news to the poor, gave sight to the blind, and healed every manner of infirmity. How well we know the spiritual poverty and blindness and infirmity that fills our world today. And how crucial it is to be continuously reminded that “with God, all things are possible,” (Mt 19:26) precisely because “God is with us” (Mt 1:23) and calls us to become “partakers in His divine nature.” (2 Peter 1:4) Even our most seemingly insignificant expressions of love and compassion for “the least of the brethren” (Mt 25:40) make the impossible, possible and the mundane as miraculous as the divine birth we celebrate today.

The angelic hosts called out to the simple shepherds: “Tarry not in the field, O ye that shepherd the nurslings of the flocks! Cry aloud and sing praises, that Christ the Lord hath been born in Bethlehem!” Let us not tarry in singing praises to our incarnate Lord, not only with our voices, but also with our unconditional acts of love and kindness and compassion. Such is the fruit of the good news proclaimed over two thousand years ago. And such is the very heart of our common ministry to incarnate Him in our hearts and our lives, and in the hearts and lives of those whom He continually prepares to encounter Him.

Please be assured of my prayers for all of you, that Our Lord will not only equip us in our common ministry as His Body, but bring our efforts to fruition. May the divine blessing that He so freely brings into the world remain with all of us now and throughout the new year to come!

With love in the New-Born Christ,

+ Tikhon
Archbishop of Washington
Metropolitan of All America and Canada

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From February 12-17, 2015, Metropolitan Yurij of Winnipeg led a delegation of Ukrainian Orthodox clergy and laity to the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The delegation included Bishops Ilarion and Andriy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Chruch in Canada, Protopresbyter Victor Lakusta, Dr. Peter M. Kondra, Mr. Vasyl’ Balan, Mr. Daniel Bilak, Mr. Peter Bayrachny and Mr. Alexander Ochrym.

During their pilgrimage, the delegation was received by His All-Holiness, held discussions with the Synodal Committee for Inter-Orthodox Affairs, met with other hierarchs of the Ecumenical Throne, visited various sacred sites of the City, and on Sunday, February 15, 2015, Bishops Ilarion and Andriy presided over the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Metropolis of Derkoi’s St. Stephen’s Church in Yeşilköy, during which the Ukrainian Orthodox community of Istanbul was present, together with Ukrainian Consul General Serhii Kravchenko and his staff.

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April 2015 – http://www.gagrule.net

The foreign relations committee of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic unanimously passed Tuesday, April 14, a resolution commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, the press office of the Armenian Foreign Ministry reported.

Citing the UN Convention for the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, as well as the resolutions of the legislative and executive authorities of the states and international organizations that have already recognized the Genocide (European Council, Uruguay, Canada, France, Sweden, Lithuania, Poland, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Argentina, Russia, Venezuela, Slovakia, Vatican and others), the document condemns the policy of genocide denial.

Urging the international community to prevent crimes against humanity, Czech lawmakers offered condolences to Armenians across the globe and also honored the memory of the mass killings of Assyrians, Pontiac Greeks and Yezidis.

The Armenian Genocide

The Armenian Genocide (1915-23) was the deliberate and systematic destruction of the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire during and just after World War I. It was characterized by massacres, and deportations involving forced marches under conditions designed to lead to the death of the deportees, with the total number of deaths reaching 1.5 million.

The majority of Armenian Diaspora communities were formed by the Genocide survivors.

Present-day Turkey denies the fact of the Armenian Genocide, justifying the atrocities as “deportation to secure Armenians”. Only a few Turkish intellectuals, including Nobel Prize winner Orhan Pamuk and scholar Taner Akcam, speak openly about the necessity to recognize this crime against humanity.

The Armenian Genocide was recognized by Uruguay, Russia, France, Lithuania, the Italian Chamber of Deputies, majority of U.S. states, parliaments of Greece, Cyprus, Argentina, Belgium and Wales, National Council of Switzerland, Chamber of Commons of Canada, Polish Sejm, Vatican, European Parliament and the World Council of Churches.

© 2015 Assyrian International News Agency.

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Fr. Lawrence Farley – May 2015

Those for whom ancient history is irrelevant and who equate “old” with “out-dated” (or better yet, “medieval” with “barbarically primitive”) will have trouble appreciating the Fathers of the First Council of Nicea, since they met and produced their work well over a thousand years ago, in 325 AD.  How could a creed so old be remotely relevant today?  Accordingly, some churches have produced their own creeds, such as the United Church of Canada, which produced its own creed for alternative use in 1968.  It is a cautionary tale, for it began “Man is not alone; he lives in God’s world” and they soon enough found that political correctness demanded its alteration to “We are not alone; we live in God’s world”.  Among other things, the Fathers of Nicea declared the full divinity of Jesus of Nazareth by saying that He was homoousios with the Father—of the same essence as Him.  Later attempts to create consensus would suggest that maybe it could be said that Jesus washomoiousios with the Father—“of like essence.”  After all, it has been pointed out, it only involves the difference of one letter, and a tiny one at that.  Why fight over a single iota, a single “i”?  Who would care?  Why should any sensible person get worked up over whether the pre-incarnate Word was homoousios with the Father or homoiousios?  The ruckus of Nicea and afterward only went to prove how miserable and contentious those Christians were.

A moment’s thought however will reveal the nonsense of saying that Jesus was homoiousios with the Father.  He was of “like essence”?  What could that possibly mean?  That He was divine-ish?  God in an honorary kind of way?  Sort of God?  Almost God?  Anyone not obviously drunk and who thinks for a second will realize that the distance between God and His creation is infinite, so that one is either absolutely God or not God at all.  The eternal Creator, without beginning or limit, stands on one side of an ontological abyss, and all creation stands on the other side.  One can’t be a little bit God any more than one can be a little bit pregnant.  Like pregnancy, divinity is an all or nothing kind of thing—either one is completely divine or not divine at all.  Either Jesus was God and homoousios with the Father or He was created and of a completely different essence than the Father.  Even Arius, the villain of the Nicene piece, got that much.  But still one may ask:  why should we care?  Sure, we confess His divinity, but what does it really matter?

This is why it matters:  salvation consists in giving one’s life, heart, and soul to God, living and dying for Him down to one’s last breath and one’s last drop of blood.  The issue is:  may we give such loyalty, allegiance, love, and commitment to Jesus of Nazareth, or not?  If He is not truly God, then giving Him such allegiance would be idolatry.  No one sensibly would live and die so totally for a mere celebrity.  And if the Nicene Fathers were wrong and Jesus is simply just an ancient celebrity, we ought not to give Him our lives.  Our admiration, perhaps, but not lives and our worship.  But in fact the Fathers of Nicea were right, and Jesus of Nazareth is God in the flesh—Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten, not made, homoousios with the Father.  It is through Him that all things were made, and to Him that all things shall return with bowed knee.  It is our salvation that we bow the knee in love to Him even now before that final end, and confess that the road to His city runs through our heart.

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24/5/15

The Holy Assembly of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church on today’s session brought its final decision in which His Grace Bishop Filaret of Canada was permanently released from administering the Diocese of Canada.

The Diocese of Milesheva is administered by Bishop Joanikije of Budimlje-Niksic.

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His Holiness Aram I met with the Right Honourable Mr. Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, on 03 June 2015, in Ottawa-Canada.

On the occasion of the hundredth anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, the Pontiff expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister for Canada’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide. He also shared with the Prime Minister his concerns and perspectives regarding the actual situation in the Middle East in general and the Syrian crisis in particular.

At the end of the meeting, His Holiness Aram I decorated the Prime Minister Harper with the Catholicosate’s insignia Prince of Cilicia. After his private meeting with the Prime Minister, His Holiness was joined by the members of his delegation Bishop Meghrig Parikian, Prelate of the Armenian Prelacy of Canada, Krikor Der Ghazarian, Chairperson of the Executive Council of the Armenian Prelacy of Canada, Dr. Girair Basmadjian, member of the Executive Council of the Catholicosate, Raffi Donabedian, Chairperson of the Armenian National Committee of Canada, Hagop Der Khatchadourian, President of the Armenian National Committee International Council and V. Rev. Father Housig Mardirossian, Ecumenical Relations Officer of the Catholicosate.

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His Holiness Irinej, Serbian Patriarch,  pays an archipastoral visit to the Diocese of Canada from June 5-23, 2015.

According to the decision of the Holy Assembly of Bishops in May of this year His Holiness was asked to administer the Diocese of Canada.  Serbian Patriarch arrived at the seat of the Diocese on 5 June 2015. His Holiness was accompanied by protodeacon Damjan Bozic.

Nearly 350 faithful, together with a large number of clergy of the Diocese of Canada welcomed His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Irinej, Administrator of the Canadian Diocese, at the airport on Friday, June 5, 2015. Serbian children in folk dress served His Holiness the traditional bread and salt upon his arrival. The faithful approached His Holiness to receive a blessing in the hope that with the arrival of the first hierarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church unity be restored in this diocese.

The Patriarch, in his brief greeting, noted that he has visited Canada on many prior occasions but this was a very important visit. He reminded the faithful in attendance that the Holy Assembly of Bishops appointed him as administrator of this diocese, with all rights and priviledges of a diocesan bishop, and he has come to call all to mutual love, harmony, unity and joy.

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June 2015

During his visit to Ottawa, His Holiness Aram I met with Dr. Andrew Bennett, the Ambassador of the Office of Religious Freedom in Canada. Among the attendants at this meeting were, Jeremy Adler, Deputy Director, Office of Religious Freedom, Office of Religious Freedom, Mark Gwozdecky, Director General, Middle East & Maghreb, Kevin Hamilton, Director, Europe & Eurasia Relations Division and Brent McCamon.

During this meeting, His Holiness and Dr. Bennett discussed how freedom of religion is fundamental. Dr. Bennett noted how they are focusing on the Middle East and watching with deep concern what the Armenians and Christians are facing today in Syria and looking to raising awareness rather than taking a robust approach, emphasizing that tolerance and diversity are key.

In turn, His Holiness said that “we need to engage in in-depth conversations about the issues in the Middle East and it needs to be predominant in global issues. They should be addressed in a broader perspective and a comprehensive approach. The political regimes and the religious freedoms are interconnected and we need a contextual approach.”

His Holiness Aram I also expressed to the Minister his wish for the House of Commons of Canada to adopt a resolution anchored on a declaration by its Religious Freedom Minister, urging Turkey to end all forms of religious discrimination and to return places of worship, monasteries, schools, hospitals, monuments, relics, holy sites, and other religious properties within Turkey to its rightful owners. His Holiness informed Dr. Bennett about the lawsuit the Catholiocsate of Cilicia has filed in the Turkish Constitutional Court, demanding the return of the historical Catholicosate of Sis, which was forcefully taken by the Ottoman government of the day, as were many Armenian churches and institutions.

His Holiness was accompanied by Bishop Meghrig Parikian, Prelate of the Armenian Prelacy of Canada, Most Reverend Father Housig Mardirossian, Ecumenical Relations Officer of the Catholicosate, Krikor Der Ghazarian, Chairperson of the Executive Council of the Armenian Prelacy of Canada and Dr. Girair Basmadjian, member of the Executive Council of the Catholicosate.

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His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Irinej, administrator of the Diocese of Canada, visited on Monday, June 8, 2015 the Serbian community and the Sts. Peter and Paul parish in Oakville, Ontario.

The Serbian Patriarch was welcomed by the dean of the church, V. Rev. Zlatibor Djurasevic and a large number of parishioners. Following the Doxology service, served by Fr. Zlatibor and Protodeacon Damjan Bozic, the parish priest welcomed the Patriarch saying: “It is a rare occasion to welcome the first hierarch of our holy Church. We know that you bring us peace and love, and to your fatherly care we return our great joy. In this time of unrest, this time of troubles, you have come before us to encourage us, to strengthen us and to stabilize us. Today you are with us as a father who with divine wisdom teaches his children. You shower us with gifts of love, peace and harmony. I give thanks to God and to you together with my entire flock. Thank you for your visit, Holy Bishop!”

Patriarch Irinej addressed the faithful afterward saying: “And I also give thanks to God that I am with you today. I am grateful for your hospitality and your joy. We remember today the migration of our people throughout the centuries. The Church was always with the people, for she cared for her children.  Our ancestors, in those migrations driven out of necessity, always carried with them their sanctities: the holy relics and icons. In their new homelands they built churches. The first thing they did – they built churches. First, small churches, wooden ones, and then later, magestic churches. And so it is here. Preserve your faith and traditions, preserve your name. Be a beautiful flower in God’s garden. Preserve your language and fill the whole world with the scent of your language and faith. Do not deny the world these two things. We are called to witness our holy Orthodoxy among these people, and so we should act, you Serbs of St. Sava…”

A meeting was held with the diocesan clergy in the church hall.

The beginnings of church life among the Serbs in Oakville dates back to 1980 when, upon the initiative from Oakville and surrounding areas, a decision was made with the blessing of the then bishop of Eastern America and Canada, His Grace Christopher, that a church-school congregation be established. The church property was purchased in 1983 and twelve months later it was blessed by Bishop Georgije. The Sts. Peter and Paul Church, for Oakville and surrounding areas, was consecrated in 1993, when a permanent priest was appointed. Between 2008 and 2012 a beautiful parish home was built. Plans are underway of reconstrucing the church, expanding the hall, building a pavilion and home for the elderly. Beside the Serbian school, the Kolo Sestara “Carica Jelena” and the “Kosovski bozuri” folklore group, are also active in this parish.

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June 2015

His Grace Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom will be conferred the honour of Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to International Religious Freedom by Her Majesty The Queen as announced in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List, published in the London Gazette on 13 June 2015.

Bishop Angaelos, who is conducting and speaking at the inaugural young adult’s convention in Vancouver, Canada, said the following in response to the announcement:

“I am humbled by this award because I see it as my role and duty to advocate for religious freedom as part of my ministry. While I am thankful for this great honour, it also comes with a sense of sadness that in the 21^st Century we still need to defend people’s God-given rights and freedoms in this way. I consider this an award to every person who has worked with and supported me along the way and pray that God rewards and blesses them for all they have done and all they will continue to do. I must also express my sincere gratitude to Her Majesty The Queen and the Prime Minister for considering this cause worthy of such public acknowledgement.”

The formal investiture will take place in the coming months.

Media coverage re HG Bishop Angaelos:

•  ITV: Campaigning bishop is among people honoured in Hertfordshire
•  BOB FM: Home Counties Recognised In Queen’s Birthday Honours 2015
• The Guardian: Queen’s birthday honours list 2015: OBE
• Herts & Essex Observer: Queen’s Birthday Honours
• Heart: Queen’s Birthday Honours List Released

Resources regarding HG Bishop Angaelos on international religious freedom:

• Video coverage of events/interviews with HG Bishop Angaelos: www.YouTube.com/CopticMediaUK

• Statements by HG Bishop Angaelos www.CopticMediaUK.com

• Twitter feed: @BishopAngaelos @CopticMediaUK

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His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Irinej, administraror of the Diocese of Canada, visited the Serbian community and the St. George parish in Niagara Falls on Wednesday, June 10, 2015.

Protonamesnik Dejan Obradovic, the parish priest, welcomed His Holiness, together with Episcopal Deputy V. Rev. Stavrophor Vasilije Tomic, V. Rev. Stavrophor Lazar Vukojev, V. Rev. Stavrophor Prvoslav Puric, V. Rev. Dobrica Obradovic, V. Rev. Stavrophor Vojislav Pavlovic, V. Rev. Stavrophor Milovan Sredojevic, V. Rev. Stavrophor Milojko Dmitric, Fr. Djuro Samac, Protonamesnik Aleksandar Crnogorac, secretary of the Diocesan Council, and Fr. Jovan Marjanac.

Together with the clergy, welcoming the Serbian Patriarch was a large number of parishioners who filled the church and awaited His Holiness’ blessing. The St. George choir made His Holiness’ welcome all the more magnificent with their singing of the tropar to St. George. Following Vespers, which was served by the parish priest Protonamesnik Dejan Obradovic and Protodeacon Damjan Bozic, the host priest welcomed His Holiness with words of greeting. He thanked His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Irinej and His Grace Bishop Mitrophan of Eastern America in his own name and on behalf of his parishioners.

“Welcome Holy Bishop,

“This is the day which the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Ps. 117:24)

Today is indeed a great joy for the Niagara parish, though small it is one of the oldest in Canada. This parish know you, Your Holiness, by your blessing, your love and care which you show towards all of us.

We are joyful for you bring us peace, love, joy and the grace of the Holy Spirit, and for this reason do we beseech you, Your Holiness, that you bless us and this parish in Niagara with the blessings of St. Sava and all the holy archbishops and patriarchs of Serbia on whose throne you wisely lead us that we remain the people of God as our holy ancestors were.

On behalf of the St. George parish and the church school congregation and all the parish organizations, and in my own name, I greet you, asking Your Holiness’ blessing.

Many Years Holy Bishop.”

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Assyrian Church of the East – June 2015

Congratulations to His Grace Mar Emmanuel Yosip, Bishop of Canada of the Assyrian Church of the East who this week received a PhD in Syriac Studies from the University of Toronto. His dissertation is entitled ‘The Book of Resh Melle By Yohannan Bar Penkaye: An Introduction to the Text and A Study of Its Literary Genres’. In addition to his undergraduate studies, His Grace also holds a Masters Degree in Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations from the same University.

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His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Irinej, administrator of the Diocese of Canada, visited the northern most Serbian community, the St. Sava parish in Edmonton, on Frida and Saturday, June 12-13, 2015. This is Patriarch’s first visit to the city of Edmonton and the Province of Alberta.

Clergy and faithful welcomed His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Irinej, administrator of the Diocese of Canada, at the airport in Edmonton on Friday, June 12. Accompanying the patriarch were: V. Rev. Stavrophor Vasilije Tomic, Protodeacon Damjan Bozic and Milan Lesic.

Serbian children, donned in traditional folk dress, awaited His Holiness with flowers and the customary bread and salt at this unique and magnificent welcome. The faithful, joyous at the patriarch’s visit, approached him to receive the blessing from their Spiritual Father. Welcoming His Holiness was the parish priest V. Rev. Desimir Vidovic, together with Episcopal Dean V. Rev. Stavrophor Obrad Filipovic, V. Rev. Stavrophor Dragomir Ninkovic, and V. Rev. Stavrophor Radovan Maric. The patriarch greeted everyone with a few words.

Afterwards, Vespers was seved at the overfilled St. Sava Church, served by V. Rev. Desimir Vidovic who greeted the patriarch with words of welcome. The Patriarch greeted everyone, thanking them for the warm welcome. After Vespers the Patriarch visited students of the Serbian school and folklore group “Opanak”.

BLESSING OF THE FRESCOES AT ST. SAVA CHURCH

On Saturday, June 13, before the beginning of the Holy Hierarchical Liturgy, His Holiness blessed the completed frescoes in the St. Sava Church. Iconographers who worked on the frescoes were: Dragan Marunic, Nemanja Marunic and Dragan Stankovic. Kuma for the fresco work was Rosa Banovic, member of this church school congregation since its founding.  The holy hierarchical Divine Liturgy began after the blessing, with His Holiness officiating and the concelebration of: V. Rev. Stavrophor Vasilije Tomic, V. Rev. Desimir Vidovic, V. Rev. Stavrophor Dragomir Ninkovic, former priest in Edmonton and currently in Kitchener, Episcopal Dean V. Rev. Stavrophor Obrad Filipovic from Calgary, V. Rev. Stavrophor Radovan Maric from Regina, Protodeacon Damjan Bozic, Archimandrite Philip Speranza (OCA), Fr. John Kaoukakis (Greek Orthodox Church), Fr. Mircea Panciuk (Romanian Orthodox Church), and Protodeacon Jesse Isaac (OCA) and Subdeacon Nenad Vojvodic.

Following the Divine Liturgy, His Holiness awared the parish priest the right to bear a cross. In his homily His Holiness spoke to the faithful of perserving their faith, of regularly coming to church. In life we all have many temptations with which we must fight as soldiers of Christ.

A formal banquet was prepared after liturgy at the Ramada Hotel where the host, Milan Mrdjenovic, accommodated everyone. The meal was prepared by our hard working Circle of Serbian Sisters, ‘Kosovska Devojka’ from Edmonton. Speaking during the program were: V. Rev. Stavrophor Desimir Vidovic, parish priest, Savo Bozickovic, president of the church board, Dusan and Jelena Savic of the Serbian-Canadian Cultural Society. His Holiness addressed everyone in a very warm and instructive address. Nejdo Leka greeted His Holiness and all present with a folk toast.

Taking part in the program was also the Serbian folklore group “Opanak” from Edmonton, students of the Jovan Jovanovic Zmaj Serbian school and the Actor’s Society from Edmonton. Leading the program were Zeljko Sulaver and Jasmina Boskovic-Nikic.

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On Saturday, June 13, 2015 His Holiness Patriarch Irinej, administrator of the Diocese of Canada, arrived in Vancouver, British Columbia. Vancouver is the largest city in the western part of Canada, and the largest and busiest port is found in this city.

His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Irinej was welcomed by a large number of faithful and clergy at the airport. Long time parish priest in Vancouver, V. Rev. Stavrophor Miroslav Dejanov, and V. Rev. Malis Milovanovic, parish priest of St. Archangel Michael in Vancouver, V. Rev. Stavrophor Drago Knezevic and Fr. Marko Radmanovic from St. Sava in Vancouver. Accompanying His Holiness were the Episcopal deputy V. Rev. Stavrophor Vasilije Tomic and Protodeacon Damjan Bozic and Milan Lesic, president of the St. George church-school congregation in Kitchener. His Holiness spent the rest of the evening with the clergy. The conversation was cordial and filled with understanding in regards to the new situation.

On the following day, Sunday, June 14, Patriarch Irinej served the Holy Hierarchical Liturgy in the newly constructed and beautiful St. Archangel Michael Church.

This church-school congregation was founded in 1953. The first place of services, the chapel, was blessed by Bishop Dionisije in 1955. Bishop Longin gave his blessings for the construction of the new church in 2002 when they received a building permit. The magnificent church was built in record time. Metropolitan Amphilohije and Bishop Longin consecrated the church in 2005 with the concelebration of many clergy. The beautiful wooden, carved iconostasis was done at Monastery Tvrdos. The iconography on the iconostas was done by Mirko Toljic, dean of the Art Academy in Nis. The church is decorated with three mosaics: Christ the Savior and St. Archangel Michael and a third one above the doors at the entrance to the church of St. Archangel Michael.

The Church Choir “Obilic”, the Circle of Serbian Sisters “Kosovska Devojka”, the Serbian National Defense, Folklore group “Mlada Srbadija” and soccer team “Beli orlovi” are all auxiliary groups of this parish. The church also has a rich library.

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June 2015

His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Irinej, administrator of the Diocese of Canada, visited on Thursday, June 18, 2015 the city of Montreal. During this visit the Serbian Patriarch visited the Holy Trinity church-school congregation.

This is the first time in the history of the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Diocese of Canada that a first hierarch of our church visited Montreal and the Serbian community that has existed here since 1954.

The Montreal church-school conregation is made up of one parish with a church dedicated to the Holy Trinity. The church was originally a Presbyterian church and has been renovated for the needs of an Orthodox church. This beautiful church, of recognizable Protestant features, was built in 1901, the church plans were signed by the famous architect Edward Maxwell. The church and parish home are in a very dignified part of town and are protected by the state as an object of cultural significance in the Province of Quebec.

Accompanying the Serbian Patriarch were His Grace Bishop Mitrophan of Eastern America, V. Rev. Vasilije Tomic, Episcopal Deputy to His Holiness and Protodeacon Damjan Bozic from Belgrade.

Welcoming His Holiess at the international airport in Montreal was the Holy Trinity parish priest Protonamesnik Djordje Cimesa, together with long time parish priest in Montreal V. Rev. Stavrophor Zivorad Subotic. Fr. Subotic, retired priest of Montreal serves today the mission parish in Sherbrooke, some 150 kilometers east of Montreal.

In the church hall His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Irinej met with Her Excellency Ambassador to Bosnia and Hercegovina in Ottawa, Koviljka Spiric and His Excellency Ambassador to the Republic of Serbia in Ottawa, Mihailo Papazoglu. The conversation with the esteemed representatives was very cordial. The Serbian Patriarch informed the state officials of the new situation in the Diocese of Canda. The ambassadors, besides offering their verbal support, also offered support in writing, that is, announcing to all state institutions in the Canadian province of the decision of the Holy Assembly of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

During his visit to Montreal, His Holiness met also with the following hierarchs: Archbishop Irenee of the OCA and His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian of Vicina, Vicar Bishop to His Eminence Archbishop Nicolae of the Romanian Orthodox Church in North and South America.

Children welcomed His Holiness at the doors of the church, together with many Orthodox clergy from this part of Canada. Patriarch Irinej was welcomed as is the custom, with bread and salt.

In the crowded church the parish priest Protonamesnik Djordje Cimesa and Protodeacon Damjan Bozic served Vespers. Singing at the chanter’s stand were members of the church choir. The verses were chanted by Bishop Mitrophan of Eastern America, V. Rev. Stavrophor Vasilije Tomic and V. Rev. Stavrophor Zivorad Subotic, retired priest of Montreal.

The Montreal church school congregation was founded on December 9, 1954. The first church was consecrated by Bishop Stefan (Lastavica). Today’s church, purchased from the Presbyterians, was purchased in 1976.

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June 2015

His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Irinej, administrator of the Diocese of Canada, visited St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church in Hamilton on Barton Street.

St. Nicholas Church is the spiritual nucleus of the oldest Serbian Orthodox parish in east Canada. Serbs began to settle in Hamilton already in 1904. At the initiative of a group of Serbs, mostly from the former Austro-Hungarian empire, a parish was formed in 1913. The parish was founded under the auspices of the Russian Orthodox Church, but it came under the jurisdiction of the Serbian Orthodox Church in 1920.

A large number of faithful welcome His Holiness in front of the church. Young Serbs, donned in folklore dress and lined up, made a magnificent-traditional welcome for their hierarch. With flowers, bread and salt they welcomed HIs Holiness Serbian Patriarch Irinej. The dean of the church V. Rev. Stavrophor Vojislav Pavlovic, at the entrance of the church, he greeted the Serbian Patriarch. This is the fourth visit of His Holiness to this church. At seven o’oclock the service of the Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos began with His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Irinej, administrator of the Diocese of Canada, officiating. The church was filled with the faithful who were filled with spiritual joy and happiness.

After the service the dean of the church welcomed His Holiness: “Every prayerful meeting with you, Your Holiness, is a special event for the honorable and pious people of Hamilton and surrounding areas. We believe and know that this evening’s meeting with you and your blessing will strengthen us more to endure God’s way and the path of Orthodoxy on which our people have traveled for centuries. Every era has its own burdens, problems. And this era of our’s is burdensome, difficult, where life is always placing new tasks before us. We are confident that this prayerful gathering this evening in Hamilton will be of a great help to us, through God’s grace. We believe that we will all be united under the omophorion of St. Sava and your wise leadership. We will hold each other’s hands more and believe deeply that God will help us in all troubles that find us. You Holiness, this evening you are in a very good church school congregation. Tonight you are in Hamilton with its good, honorable, peaceful and pious faithful who built two beautiful church who live in unity and love. Allow me to once again warmly greet you and wish you many more years of service to God, for the good of the Serbian Orthodox Church. Many years!”

His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Irinej, administrator of the Diocese of Canada, thanked him for the welcome and delivered a homily to the faithful.

The St. Nicholas church-school congregation in Hamilton celebrated their 100th anniversary in 2013. The beginnings of this parish are connected with the rented house on Sherman Street which was the first place of worship for the Serbs in this city. The first priest was Fr. Georgije Milosavljevic. This house only a temporary solution. Construction of the first church on the corner of Beech and Northcot began in 1917. The Serbian communty in Hamilton became larger before and during World War II. Namely, the city began to develop as an industrial center and Serbs began settling here in large numbers. The new Serbian home was built in 1952 and was blessed by Bishop Dionisije. The new church was constructed through the hard work of the honorable Serbs of Hamilton as well as through the dedication of the long time parish priest Prota Djura Vukelich. The church was consecrated on September 21, 1975 by Bishop Irinej. The project was completed by architect Radovan Radovic from Toronto. A new era began with the coming of Prota Vojislav Pavlovc in 1995. Fr. Pavlovic continued the work of his predecessor. The roof was completely renovated which allowed work on the frescoes to begin. In only five years the entire church was done in frescoes, done by the well known Russian iconographer Fr. Theodore Jurewicz. Bishop Longin blessed the frescoes in 2005. A copy of the Hilandar icon of the Mother of God of Three Hands is in the church. Life in the church is very active. The Circle of Serbian Sisters “Mala Gospojina” have been active in this parish since 1952, the choir “Stevan Mokranjac”, Serbian school,  and the folklore group “Kolo”, founded in 1975.

After the service an agape meal was prepared in the church hall. His Holiness was welcomed by nine hundred people, filled with excitement. Fr. Vojislav addressed the faithful once more towards the end of the meal. He said, among other things, “….The all merciful God and the good will of our Patriarch has gathered us here at this banquet in honor of His Holiness Serbian Patriarch. I am given the opportunity and honor to given in short a history of the 100 years of the intensive and fruitful life of this Serbian community in Hamilton. Our ancestors built this church and have kept it through the decades. Here they prayed to God, poured out their troubles and difficulties, before the All-Seeing and His Saints they prayed for help that they continue. Not only that they continue physically but that they preserve their faith of St. Sava, as our ancestors taught us…Holy Bishop. This church school congregation is, so to speak, the first and everything started here. What Pec and Kosovo are for the Serbian people and Serbian church as a whole, that’s what Hamilton is for Canada… Good people live here. The people who founded the first church school congregation and later the second. A people who built two beautiul churches, purchased properties. Here we have our Chetnik organization, here Bishop Georgije was enthroned and the Diocese of Canada was founded. This 100 year old parish and this city were and have remained the source of the spiritual, cultural and national life in Canada out of which clear streams later appeared our which generations drank, and God will, will continue to drink. Whether others would like to to admit that or not, but that’s how we see it. Only God knows all. He recognizes all efforts, sacrifices and all the love of individuals, bishops, clergy and lay people, for this zeal towards God and His Orthodox Church. And, thus, in God eternal book everything is written, everything done correctly and righteously. Your Holiness, on the occasion of this beautiful day and meeting offer your blessings on all the donors and benefactors, all founders and establishers, all members in the past, present and future. Bless us and strengthen us that we continue together with you that we work with you for the good of the Serbian Orthodox Church and our people. Bless us, Holy Bishop”.

His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Irinej blessed all the faithful and addressed everyone, speaking of the importance of keeping our Serbian indentity.

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June 2015

The Serbian Patriarch, His Holiness Irinej, administrator of the Diocese of Canada visited on Sunday, June 21 the St. Nicholas Cathedral in Hamilton.

There are two church-school congregations in this city and three parishes. This church, on Nash Street and dedicated to St. Nicholas is proclaimed a cathedral church. Bishop Georgije was enthroned in this church as bishop of Canada on the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos in 1984.

Concelebrating with His Holiness was: His Grace Bishop Christopher, vicar to His Eminence Metropolitan Sotirios (Greek Orthodox Church); His Grace Bishop Mitrophan of Eastern America, V. Rev. Stavrophor Vasilje Tomic, Episcopal Deputy and parish priest of the north Toronto parish, V. Rev. Stavrophor Stevo Stojsavljevic, long time parish priest of this church (1976-2005), V. Rev. Stavrophor Lazar Vukojev, long time parish priest of this churc (1988-2012); V. Rev. Stavrophor V. Rev. Milojko Dimitric, cathedral dean, V. Rev. Stavrophor Vojislav Pavlovic, dean of the other Hamilton church, V. Rev. Djuro Samac, parish priest and Protodeacon Damjan Bozic and Deacon Djuradj Kojic.

This church school congregation was founded in 1913 and the first church was built in 1917. The new church on Nash Road was built in 1965. The foundation of the church was consecrated by Bishop Stefan (Lastavica) as well as the church. The beautiful parish home was blessed by Bishop Georgije in 1988.

After communion, of which many partook, the parish priest V. Rev. Stavrophor Milojko Dimitric welcomed His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Irinej and administrator of the Diocese of Canada saying: “We are all joyful today for we can welcome you as the first hierarch of our Church and our Diocesan bishop….Welcome Your Holiness to this Cathedral church which today marks and celebrates its fiftieth anniversary. On June 17, 1965 this church was consecrated and from then to this day, for half a century, this holy church has been gathering the faithful people of Hamilton. We can freely say that already the third generation of Serbs find their spiritual nourishment here. Our faithful and members have given the greatest contribution to the founding of the Diocese of Canada and the Holy Transfiguation Monastery in Milton, today’s diocesan see. With your coming you have gathered us, not only our faithful and members, but the faithful from our sister church St. Nicholas on Barton Street who are with us today together with their priest at this liturgical gathering. All of us gathered here await Your Holiness’ blessing for peace and love in the community with our Church, which, be assured, the people here nurture in their souls. This is your first visit to our community as Serbian Patriarch, therefore we ask that you bless us and teach us that we might remain true to the path on which St. Sava taught us and on whose throne Your Holiness leads our church.” Surrounded by clergy and a multitude of faithful, His Holiness addressed every present from the Bishop’s throne indicating God’s concern and the concern of the Church for her people.

The choir has been a part of the St. Nicholas Church since 1964 taking part regularly in the services, helping with various church activities and their Serbian community. The folklore group “Avala” has been a part of this parish since 1975 and today has five different age groups. The Serbian school has children from pre-school to 8th grade while the older children are active in assisting the teachers. The Circle of Serbian Sisters is the main driving force of this community. Their hard working members from the very founding of this parish are active in the life of their church. This church-school congregation publishes a church bulletin “Glasnik” which includes information of activities of all organizations that are active in this church.

At the banquet hall a formal luncheon was prepared in honor of the Serbian Patriarch on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of this church-school congregation. The program was led by  V. Rev. Djuro Samac, parish priest. Fr. Samac, in his introductory remarks, reminded everyone of the beginnings of this Serbian community. The founding of the parish, purchase of the property, buildling the hall, church, forming the various organizations, frescoes… The choir sang a few selections and the folklore group performed. At the very end Patriarch Irinej addressed the congregation.

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August 2015

TO THE CLERGY AND FAITHFUL OF THE HOLY UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH BEYOND THE BORDERS OF UKRAINE AND ALL UKRAINIANS IN UKRAINE AND THROUGHOUT THE WORLD CELEBRATING THE GREAT ANNIVERSARY OF UKRAINIAN INDEPENDENCE – 24 AUGUST 2015

The Grace of God has brought Ukraine and all her faithful people to this, the twenty-fourth Anniversary of its exodus from the evil empire, its Declaration of Independence and the enjoyment of the fruits of freedom, righteousness and equality. Today our ancestral homeland faces another almost incredible challenge to this independence through the invasion of terroristic forces sponsored and supported, as the whole world knows, by the neighbor that simply cannot accept the loss of its illegal and illogical control domination the people-nation, which have been for that neighbor for over a millennium, the most profound example of spiritual, cultural and social life.

The Permanent Conference of Ukrainian Orthodox Bishops beyond the Borders of Ukraine prayerfully rejoices on this auspicious and significant anniversary and is joined by our clergy and faithful in conveying heartfelt congratulations to our brethren in Ukraine and to those of Ukrainian ancestry dispersed throughout the world at this day’s celebration of the sacred gifts of freedom, independence and sovereignty.  Ukraine has never backed away from the challenges confronting her throughout history. Even during the most difficult of times, when to speak Ukrainian could bring death as attempts were made to annihilate the very idea of a Ukrainian nation, beneath the surface – within the subconscious reality of the people – their identity was alive and preserved, waiting to rise from the ashes like the Phoenix of old to become the nation she is today. Other nations of the world have all experienced the same challenges during the infancy of their independence and have only benefited from lessons learned – and so shall Ukraine.

In commemorating with gratitude to Almighty God such a great and precious gift as independence and sovereignty, we remain convinced that such gifts are, indeed, from God and are beneficial for the nation and her people if fully embraced and responsibly lived by all who are privileged to enjoy them. Therefore, we call upon the citizens of Ukraine to be vigilant in the pursuit of freedom and to exercise it with a profound sense of responsibility and without abuse. We call all to a shared vision of a nation in which all have the opportunity to grow and develop in every aspect of their lives by their own hard work, without corruption and greed, which destroy from the inside out.

Mindful of the immense responsibility, which is placed upon those called to govern, we prayerfully commend to Christ, the Way, Truth and Life, through the prayers of His Holy Mother and all the Saints, the Honorable President of Ukraine – Petro Poroshenko, all civil authorities and those who serve in the military. We remind them that the sacred trust of governing and safeguarding, which they exercise, is from God – the Giver of every good and perfect gift – and is to be exercised so that all the inhabitants of Ukraine might lead a calm and peaceful life in all Godliness and sanctity under the tranquil guidance of those who govern – for which we pray at every Divine Liturgy.

May God-loving and God-protected Ukraine, continue to develop under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. May she ever be that bastion of Faith and Righteousness envisioned by those sainted Fathers and Mothers – many of them martyrs – who journeyed with Sts. Ol’ha and Volodymyr on that path which leads to Christ and fullness of life.  May she be a land of justice based on a sound and honest legal system.  May she be a home from which her citizens no longer feel the need to flee. May she be a beacon of light to all the developing nations of the world

For our God-loving and God-protected Ukraine, her government, armed forces and all her people, we pray to the Lord.

† YURIJ, Metropolitan

Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada

† ANTONY, Metropolitan

Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA

Locum Tenens of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Diaspora

† IOAN, Archbishop

Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Diaspora

† JEREMIAH, Archbishop

Ukrainian Orthodox Eparchy of Brazil and South America

† ILARION, Bishop

Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada

† ANDRIY, Bishop

Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada

† DANIEL, Bishop

Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA

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