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The Deacon

Message from Father Anthony on the Nativity of Our Saviour 2021

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Christ is Born! Glorify Him!

In his Nativity Sermon, Saint John Chrysostom proclaims:

“I behold a new and wondrous mystery! My ears resound to the Shepherd’s song, piping no soft melody, but chanting full force a heavenly hymn. The Angels sing! The Archangels blend their voices in harmony! The Cherubim hymn their joyful praise! The Seraphim exalt His glory! All join to praise this holy feast, beholding the Godhead here on earth, and man in Heaven. He Who is above, now for our redemption dwells here below; and he that was lowly is by divine mercy raised up.”

And so, dear and faithful Orthodox Christians, since the Feast of Nativity began three days ago, our voices have also been joined with the Angelic Choirs giving glory to Our Saviour Jesus Christ.  And today on the Feast of Saint Stephen let us resolve to continue praising Christ each day until until the next Great Feast of Theophany a few days from now.  Asking Him to come into our hearts and enlighten us and bless us all.

You can listen to a recording from St Nicholas Cathedral of the Kontakion hymn for the Nativity of Christ here.

Grotto Church of Nativity of Jesus-St. Nicholas Orthodox Church Scarborough, English Orthodox Church Service
Grotto-Church of the Nativity of Jesus Christ, Bethlehem

Saint John Chrysostom encourages and instructs us at Nativity to consider the gifts of the Magi and how we should come before Our Saviour. He says, “Approach, then, bringing gifts – not gifts like the Magi brought but ones that are much more solemn. They brought gold; you must bring temperance and virtue. They brought incense; you must bring pure prayers which are spiritual incense. They brought myrrh; you must bring humility and a humble heart and love.”

His Eminence Metropolitan Gregory, the Locum Tenens of Toronto sends fatherly blessings upon us all and greetings for the Feast!

Christ is Born! Glorify Him!

Father Anthony

Many Years for the Feast of our holy Patron, Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker!

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Dear and Faithful Orthodox Christians,

‘Saint Nicholas exhibits the perfect balance of meekness and zeal!’  
–Gregory, Metropolitan, Locum Tenens of the See of Toronto – Sermon on the Feast of Saint Nicholas, Dec 6 / Dec. 19, 2021

Truly Our Saviour blessed us with a beautiful and grace-filled Feast of Saint Nicholas, our holy Patron!

With light snow falling since the early morning, our Church, the trees, homes, and parks were all covered with beautiful white snow, as we came together with our beloved Metropolitan Gregory, the locum tenens of the Holy Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto, for the Vigil on the Eve of Saint Nicholas.  We were honoured to have Father Sergey with us, and joyous indeed, that Father Isaac, Abbot of Holy Transfiguration Monastery traveled from Boston to Toronto to share in the brilliance of the Feast.

St Nicholas Feast Vespers Orthodox Services in English Toronto

In the Sermon, our Metropolitan encouraged us all to imitate the meekness of Saint Nicholas, together with the firmness of his witness to the Truth of our holy Faith.  ‘This is what we see in all the holy fathers, when it came to matters of the Faith they were like lions, they stood and there was no compromise.’  Gregory, Metropolitan, Locum Tenens of the See of Toronto

Following the Liturgy, we continued our celebrations with a Parish Luncheon and a talk on various subjects from Metropolitan Gregory and Father Isaac.  Inspired by their instruction on topics that included our offering of candles with prayers, the Kollyvades Fathers including Saint Nicodemus of the Holy Mountain, Saint Macarios of Corinth, and Saint Arsenios of Paros, who were persecuted in their day, and yet beacons of the true traditions of Orthodoxy and their teachings remain so important for us today.Orthodox Church near me in English in Toronto

I ask Our Saviour to bless all those who helped in preparing the Church and the meal for the Feast, and to bless the chanters, the bell-ringers, and those who provided hospitality to our clergy and guests from out of town, and to everyone who came to offer their prayers and honour Saint Nicholas.   Let the light of this Feast strengthen and encourage you, as we continue with prayers and fasting in preparation for the Great Feast of the Nativity of Christ which is now just a few weeks away.

O holy Hierarch, Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, intercede before God in our behalf!
Father Anthony

Our Metropolitan Gregory serves the Hierarchical Diving Liturgy at Saint Nicholas Cathedral

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Dear and Faithful Orthodox Christians,

‘Right and correct spiritual progress always produces humility‘
–Gregory, Metropolitan of Boston – Sermon on the First Sunday of Luke, Sept. 27 / Oct. 10

We were so grateful to have Gregory, Metropolitan of Boston and Locum Tenens of Toronto with us this past week, from Friday morning, October 8th to Monday morning October 11th. How many insights! What spiritual bonds! And great blessings!

Hierarchical Visit-Clergy and all-St. Nicholas Orthodox Church Scarborough, Orthodox Services in English Toronto

Arriving in Toronto early on Friday morning, the Metropolitan went directly to Saint Seraphim of Sarov Russian Parish in Toronto and celebrated the Divine Liturgy for the Feast of Saint Sergius of Radonezh, the great light of Russia! The day and festive meal that followed, were particularly special as the Metropolitan was together with Father Sergey and Matushka Vera for Father’s Nameday.

Father Sergey served the Divine Liturgy at Saint Nicholas Cathedral on Saturday, Oct 9/Sept 26, the Feast of Saint John the Theologian. Metropolitan Gregory spoke of the beloved Apostle during the sermon which you can listen to here.

After the Divine Liturgy, Metropolitan Gregory presided at the Memorial Service where we remembered all the faithful reposed and especially, our beloved Metropolitan Andrew. Vladika, eternal memory!

We gathered with the Metropolitan after Liturgy for conversation and blessings and the hours passed so quickly, it was time to begin the Vigil.

Sunday morning was beautiful with the first leaves of Fall all golden and shining around the Church. We gathered for the Divine Liturgy, greeting the Metropolitan, and after vesting him, it was a joy to hear the prayer for our brother-in-Christ and long-time parishioner and founder of our parish, John, as he was elevated to the position of Ecclesiarch for the Cathedral. John has served and contributed to the Church for over 30 years with diligence and dedicated service. With his wife Sarah recently becoming our leader of the Sisterhood, whose patron is Grand Duchess, Saint Elizabeth the Martyr, John has now received the blessing to serve Our Saviour as Ecclesiarch. Axios!

How blessed it was to have our Metropolitan celebrating the Divine Liturgy together with Father Anthony and Father Protodeacon George of Saint Nicholas Cathedral, Father Demjan of Saint Andrew’s Parish, and Father Sergey of Saint Seraphim’s Parish. Together, with the many chanters, servers, and with the prayers of the parishioners, we offered praise to God!

At the sermon, Metropolitan Gregory reminded us that, ‘When we say “I have trust in God”, we are saying “we have faith in God.”‘ You can listen to his edifying Sermon here.

Metropolitan Gregory 2021 Visit-St. Nicholas Orthodox Church Scarborough, English Language Orthodox Church Toronto, Orthodox Services in English

Following Divine Liturgy, the faithful gathered in the Church Hall for a delicious meal prepared by the Sisterhood of Saint Elizabeth the Grand Duchess and we celebrated the 10th Anniversary of the ordination of Father George to the Deaconate. Many years Father Deacon George and Deaconissa. Please accept our gratitude and appreciation for all you do for us and Christ’s holy Church!

As the meal concluded Metropolitan Gregory provided great insights through a Question and Answer period. It was a wonderful talk that covered how and why we pray for the reposed, Christian stewardship, the Angels, and many other topics. I encourage everyone to listen again to this Q&A here.

“Preserve, O Lord, our Master and Hierarch. Many years to you, Master!”

Let us ask the intercessions of the Saints whom we commemorated during Metropolitan’s visit, Saint Sergius of Radonezh, Saint John the Theologian, and Saint Callistratus the Martyr, as we pray that our Metropolitan’s journeys to the Canadian Parishes be blessed, and that he return to us again soon, as God wills.

We are grateful for your visit Your Eminence!

With prayers in Christ,
Father Anthony

The Work of the Holy Spirit: Message from Fr. Anthony

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Dear and Faithful Orthodox Christians,Pentecost St. Nicholas Orthodox Church Scarborough, English Language Orthodox Church Toronto, Orthodox

I have been thinking about the many blessings we have received over the last year, and with this short note I wanted to ask that all of us take a moment to give thanks to Our Saviour Christ for His gifts of grace and mercy!  Some days have been challenging, complex and even frustrating, yet we know that Our Saviour has bestowed and continues to bestow innumerable blessings upon us all.  A few weeks ago we celebrated the Feast of Holy Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit.  We prayed together in the Vespers that the Holy Spirit come upon us all!  We celebrated the Sunday of All Saints and the Sunday of All Saints of Russia, the holy mountain Athos, and All Saints of North America.

Whether we have been participating in Services from home, or attending the Service in Church, let us keep the upcoming Feast of Saints Peter and Paul with reverence, remembering the action of the Holy Spirit and the preaching of the Apostles to every nation.  And just as the Upper Room where the Apostles were gathered became a grace-filled Church, and a great house of prayer, so may we also be blessed wherever we are found.   Saint Romanus reminds us of the work of the Holy Spirit amongst the Apostles in his Kontakion hymn for the Service for Pentecost:

“When he had spoken like this to the other Apostles, Peter roused them to prayer,
and standing in their midst, cried out,
Let us pray, let us bend the knee, let us ask,
let us make this room a Church!  For so it is and so it hath become!
Let us sing and cry aloud to God,
Send us Thy good Spirit,
that He may guide us all into Thine upright land
which Thou has prepared for those who honour and who glorify
the All-Holy Spirit.”

Our thanksgiving at Pentecost is of course mixed with sorrow at the repose of our beloved Metropolitan Andrew.  He has been in all our thoughts and prayers.  Within our loss, we also see a joy in that for over fifty years he dedicated himself to Our Saviour, and certainly loved and guided us all at Saint Nicholas through his prayers and witness to the Faith.  Eternal Memory!

How Metropolitan Andrew would also rejoice with us at the words, ‘This room is a Church, for so it hath become!’  How even now he encourages us to keep Vigil and celebrate all the Feasts and Saints of the Church.

We have received so many blessings!  Last August, with gladness, we received our brother, Liam Christian into the holy Church, and before Lent on Saturday March 13, Nicademus was baptized and added to the flock of Christ.  Then in April, Father Deacon George and I were honoured to travel to Calgary for the baptism of baby Cyprian and to celebrate the Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Mother of God of the Portal on Saturday April 10.  We are both grateful for the warm welcome and wonderful hospitality we experienced, and the opportunity to be together with the faithful and look forward to the next visit.

Father Protodeacon George celebrated his 10th Anniversary as a Deacon on April 30!  May God continue to bestow His grace on Father George, and reward him for his years of faithful service!

Blessings continued as we con-celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral with Father Demjan of Saskatoon on the Feast of All Saints!  With the blessing of Metropolitan Andrew, Father Sergey established the Saint Serpahim of Sarov Mission.   And last Saturday, we baptized baby Vladimir the nephew of our brother Alexandre, Novice while he was visiting in Toronto.

Let us then all remember Liam, Nicademus, Cyprian, Vladimir and the Saint Seraphim Mission in our prayers, and ask that God enlighten and strengthen all in the Orthodox Faith!

As we come to the final days of the Apostles Fast we pray for all the new members of our Parish, we pray that the Comforter, the Holy Spirit continue to guide and act amongst us for the glory of God and the salvation of our souls.

With prayers in Christ,
Father Anthony

In Memorium, Metropolitan Andrew

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t. Nicholas Orthodox Church Scarborough, English Language Orthodox Church Toronto, Orthodox Services in English

Metropolitan Andrew

1943-2021

t. Nicholas Orthodox Church Scarborough, English Language Orthodox Church Toronto, Orthodox Services in English

Metropolitan of Toronto
June 2019 – June 2021

Bishop of Markham, Suffragan Bishop of Toronto
March 2013 – May 2019

Metropolitan Andrew was born in 1943 in Washington D.C., USA where he and his younger brother grew up before spending some time in Arlington, Virginia. His father was from Washington D.C. as well, while his mother comes from Freeland, Pennsylvania – north of Philadelphia.

Metropolitan (Vladyka) Andrew is from a long-line of Herron Family descendants; his first ancestors immigrated to the United States in 1710 from Alsace-Lorraine, France. However, the generations that followed mostly included Irish and English lineage.

In 1963, at the age of 20, he became an Orthodox Christian and following this, he entered Seminary School at Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, New York in 1965 where he studied for two years.
In July of 1968 he entered Holy Transfiguration Monastery where he lived for most of his life before he moved to Toronto.

As he continued to live the Liturgical life of the Church, he was ordained Deacon in November of 1972 by St. Philaret, Metropolitan of New York. By 1988, he was raised to Archdeacon (highest rank of monastic deacons) and continued to serve at the Monastery, Convents and Parishes, including visits to Toronto, until he was ordained to the priesthood in October 2012.

Along the way, he had been fortunate to meet many holy people, including Archbishop Tikhon of San Francisco in 1962 (who held the See before St. John (Maximovitch) of San Francisco).

In addition to his love to his patron-saint, Saint Andrew the First-Called, St. Xenia of St. Petersburg, and St. Patrick, Enlightener of Ireland all held a special place in his heart. He loved so much to celebrate all the Feast Days of our Church, and always said he especially enjoyed the Feast of Theophany. He loved the Orthodox Saints of every land, and when it comes to favourite hymns of the Church, he was always moved by the “Glory of Matins for Holy and Great Monday”.

He was buried on June 9, 2021, at Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, Massachusetts, USA.

Eternal Memory for our beloved

Metropolitan Andrew
-June 6, 2021-

“We stand for the truth.
We say the truth…clearly.”

Said during his last sermon on Saturday June 5, 2021 (May 23. OS),
Saturday before Sunday of Blind Man
at
Holy Nativity Convent, Brookline, MA, USA

St. Nicholas Orthodox Church Scarborough, English Language Orthodox Church Toronto, Orthodox Services in English