The Deacon

On November 11, 2018 at the setting of the sun, St. Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral will join communities across Canada marking the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War and all the pious Orthodox Christians that reposed in battle.  The City of Toronto and the Royal Canadian Legion’s “Bells of Peace” initiative invites churches across the country to ring their bells 100 times at sunset.

The ringing of bells emulates the moment in 1918 when church bells across Europe tolled as four years of war had come to an end.

All parishioners are welcome to participate.  We will meet at the Cathedral at 4:30pm and ring the bell 100 times starting at 4:56pm.

#100Bells

[Excerpt from the Great Litany commemorating reposed soldiers.]

Again we pray for this country, those in authority, all those in public services, and for our Christ-loving armed forces on land, sea and air, and that the Lord our God would continue to assist and accompany them in all things.

Again we pray for the repose, tranquility and blessed memory of the ever-memorable servants of God, the Orthodox soldiers who have courageously struggled, and for all that have laid down their life in battle for the Faith and the homeland.

‎Again we pray for the blessed memory and eternal rest of the souls of all who renownedly contested for the Faith and our Homeland and who have gloriously fallen in the sacred national struggles, those of old and of late and for the forgiveness of all their sins and transgressions, both voluntary and involuntary.