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The Deacon

Gregory, Metropolitan of Boston confirmed Locum Tenens of Holy Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto

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Bless!

Dear and faithful Orthodox Christians,

As we proclaimed in the Divine Liturgy this morning at Saint Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral, the Holy Synod has confirmed Gregory, Metropolitan of Boston as the Locum Tenens of the See of Toronto.

Following the repose of our blessed Vladyka Andrew, Metropolitan of Toronto on May 24/June 6, the commemoration of the Glorification of Saint Xenia of Saint Petersburg, we now commemorate Metropolitan Gregory as the holder of the seat of the Metropolitan of Toronto of HOMT.

Please see the attached letter issued yesterday by the Holy Synod of the Holy Orthodox Church in North America.

Eternal be the memory of our beloved Hierarch, Metropolitan Andrew!

Many Years to Gregory, Metropolitan of Boston, and Locum Tenens of the See of Toronto!

In Christ,
Father Anthony
Saint Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral
Toronto, Canada

Eternal Memory to our Beloved Metropolitan Andrew

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Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!

To all faithful and Orthodox Christians,

St. Nicholas Orthodox Church Scarborough, English Language Orthodox Church Toronto, Orthodox Services in EnglishEarlier this evening, our beloved Metropolitan Andrew reposed in the Lord.

By the mercy of God, he served the Divine Liturgy at Holy Nativity Convent in Boston on Saturday morning. Later that day, he suffered a heart attack and received immediate care at the hospital. He was monitored throughout the day. Then earlier this evening, Metropolitan Gregory was able to read the “Prayers of the Departure of the Soul” and be by his side in his final moments.

In July of 1968, he entered Holy Transfiguration Monastery and was ordained deacon in November of 1972; he was raised to the episcopy in March of 2013. Having served Christ’s Holy Church for over 50 years, may our Saviour grant him rest among the just.

God grant unto our father and chief-shepherd, Andrew, Metropolitan of Toronto, eternal memory!

Fr. Anthony
Fr. Protodeacon George

Holy Week message from Father Anthony: “Behold, we go up to Jerusalem”

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Dear and faithful Orthodox Christians,

Extreme-Humility Icon St. Nicholas Orthodox Church Scarborough, English Language Orthodox Church Toronto, OrthodoxWe have entered together into the sacred time of Holy Week, and begin to hear the Scripture readings and hymns of the holy Passion of Our Saviour.  In the Matins of Holy Monday we chanted, “Our Saviour said to His Apostles along the way, ‘behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and the Son of man shall be delivered up, as it is written concerning Him.’ Come therefore, with minds purified, let us go with Him.”

Throughout Great Lent, having prepared ourselves through fasting, confession, almsgiving, prayers, and good works, we stand as the ten Virgins in the parable, watching intently for the Bridegroom who comes in the middle of the night. And so, each night of this week, let us keep Vigil in our homes, in our Churches, and in our hearts, patiently attending with prayer the coming of Our Lord.  Let us keep watch, guarding ourselves, and together go up with Christ to Jerusalem commemorating His saving Passion, sacrifice upon the Cross, and holy Burial.  That we may be found to be faithful servants, and that He may open to us the doors to enter the mystical Wedding Feast.

I would ask each of us to pray for one another, and for our beloved Metropolitan Andrew, that together we may experience a soul profiting Holy Week, receive enlightenment through the hearing of the Scriptures, and share together in the light of His holy Resurrection from the dead.

Metropolitan Andrew sends his love and episcopal blessing to all of us that we have a blessed Holy Week.

With prayers, in Christ,
Father Anthony

Spiritual Pearl: The Life-Giving Cross

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“…Every action, therefore, and performance of miracles by Christ are most great and divine and marvelous: but the most marvelous of all is His precious Cross. For no other thing has subdued death, expiated the sin of the first parent, despoiled Hades, bestowed the resurrection, granted the power to us of contemning the present and even death itself, prepared the return to our former blessedness, opened the gates of Paradise, given our nature a seat at the right hand of God, and made us the children and heirs of God, save the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. For by the Cross all things have been made right.”

St. John of Damascus