It was the sight we now commemorate in the present Church service, and behold in the sacred image before our eyes. The sight was the Son of God, Who came down from the heavens, became Man for the salvation of the human race, and was mocked and scourged by men. Continue reading
The Entrance of the Lord into Jerusalem
May the great day of the Entrance of the Lord into Jerusalem remind us of His tears and sacred wrath, that we might never forget His bitter tears and words, directed not only to Jerusalem, but also to each one of us! Let us place it as a goal of our life to follow Christ, for He Himself said, If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be (Jn. 12:26). Let us follow Christ, through the straight gate and narrow way—and we shall find rest in the place where shines the eternal glory of the Holy Trinity.
St. Luke, Archibishop of Crimea
The true purpose of our Christian life
“The true purpose of our Christian life consists of the acquisition of the Holy Spirit of God. Fasting, vigils, prayer and alms-giving, and every good deed done for the sake of Christ are only means to the attainment of the Holy Spirit of God. Note, that only good deeds done for the sake of Christ bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Everything else that is not done for the sake of Christ, even if it is good, does not bring us a reward in the life to come, not does it bring the grace of God in this life. This is why our Lord Jesus Christ said, “He who does not gather with Me scatters” (Luke 11:23).
— St. Seraphim of Sarov, On the Goal of Christian Life
All Orthodox priests from Calgary serving together
Before Lent
The doors of repentance are opening, Great Lent is beginning. Every year Great Lent is repeated, and each time it brings us great benefit if we spend it as we should. It is a preparation for the life to come and, more immediately, a preparation for the Bright Resurrection.
Just as a stairway is built into a tall building in order to enable one, by climbing the steps, to easily reach the top, so too, the various days in the year serve as steps for our spiritual ascent.
This is especially true of the days of Great Lent and Holy Pascha.
Continue reading
God bestows mercy upon His humble servants
“Remember, God is love. Do as much kindness as you can to save yourself by this kindness. Be modest, as God bestows mercy upon His humble servants. Repent your sins and don’t wait for “tomorrow”, as it is the trap of the devil. Love each other, as loveless man cannot inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.”
St. Gabriel Confessor and Fool for Christ
Presentation of our Lord in the Temple
Speaking about the spread and celebration of Christmas, St. John Chrysostom says: ” Magnificent and noble trees when planted in the ground shortly attain great heights and become heavily laden with fruit; so it is with this day.” So it is with the day of the Meeting of our Lord in the Temple. Continue reading
Serbian Patriarch Irinej in Calgary
Dear parishioners,
As you already know, His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Irinej will visit our Church in Calgary. Below is some important information regarding this visit:
1. His Holiness will arrive at Calgary airport on Saturday February 13 at 7:15 PM. Everyone is welcome to come and greet the Patriarch.
2. We are gathering at 9:00 AM on Sunday February 14 at our Church. Patriarch is arriving at 9:30 AM and Holy Liturgy is starting at 10:00 AM. Seven priests will be serving.
3. We are expecting a great number of parishioners that day and are asking if you can please arrive with your family in one car. South gate (by the lake) will be open for overflow parking. Please do not park on the street.
4. A lunch will be prepared for all parishioners after the Liturgy. Please share the space and let someone seat after you are done eating.
Welcome to your Church welcoming your Patriarch.
Board of Directors of Church-School Congregation,
father Obrad Filipovic
Homily about Submission to the Will of God
“Your will be done, on earth as in heaven” (Mat. 6:10)
Blessed be John the Baptist, for he fulfilled the Gospel before the arrival of the Gospel! Going into the wilderness, he gave himself up completely to the will of God, both body and soul. The will of God was carried out in his body on earth as well as in the heaven of his soul. Neither hunger nor wild beasts did harm his body throughout the many years that he spent in the wilderness. Neither was his soul harmed by despair because of loneliness, nor pride because of heavenly visions. He did not seek from man either bread or knowledge. God granted him everything that was necessary for him because he gave himself up completely to the will of God.
Holy Theophany
The Baptism of the Lord is called Theophany [God Revealed] because in it the one true God, worshipped in Trinity, revealed Himself so palpably: God the Father—through the voice from heaven, God the Son, incarnate—through His baptism, and God the Holy Spirit—through the descent upon the Baptized. Here the mystery of the relationship between the persons of the Most Holy Trinity is also revealed. God the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and rests in the Son, but does not proceed from the Son. Here also is revealed the fact that the incarnate Divine economy of our salvation is accomplished by God the Son incarnate, con-substantial with the Holy Spirit and God the Father. And it is revealed that the salvation of each person can be accomplished in no way other than in the Lord Jesus Christ, through the grace of the Holy Spirit, according to the good will of the Father. All the Christian Mysteries shine here with their divine light and enlighten the minds and hearts of those who with faith celebrate this great festival. Come, let us mentally hasten on high and plunge ourselves into the contemplation of these mysteries of our salvation, singing, “When Thou, O Lord, wast baptized in the Jordan, the worship of the Trinity was made manifest”— a salvation which establishes us in the Trinity, and saves us in the Trinity .
Thoughts for Each Day of the Year by St. Theophan the Recluse