Blessed Saint Xenia of Petersburg Russian Orthodox Church

On September 28, the Patronal Feast Day in honour of Blessed St. Xenia of Petersburg was joyfully celebrated at St. Xenia Parish. The Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was led by Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada, with many parishioners and honoured guests in attendance. The service was further enriched by the participation of the choir from the local St. Stefan Serbian Orthodox Church, under the guest direction of Conductor Elias Dubelsten.

This Feastday commemorates the moment on Mount Tabor when Christ revealed His divine glory to His disciples Peter, James, and John. His face shone like the sun, and His garments became dazzling white, offering a glimpse of the uncreated light of God. This event, rich in theological meaning, also has a deeply sacramental and liturgical expression: the traditional blessing of fruits, especially grapes, on this holy day.

Father Oleg, accompanied by several parishioners from St. Xenia Parish, made a pilgrimage to Mount Athos in the spring of 2025. The holiness and beauty of this sacred place are beyond imagination and continue to reveal themselves in the heart long after the journey ends. These photos were taken during their blessed pilgrimage.

Every year, on the feast day of St. Herman of Alaska, the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad youth gather for a multi-day St Herman’s Youth Conference that includes lectures, beautiful hierarchical services, and social events. Each year, different parishes host the conference, providing resources to make this important gathering possible. The year 2024 marked the 45th anniversary of the conference, hosted by the Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church in Toronto, thanks to a dedicated organizing committee and an active Sisterhood.

This year, the Annual Lenten Pastoral Retreat of the Canadian Diocese took place from April 8 to 10 at the Church of Blessed St Xenia of Petersburg. The ruling Hierarch, Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada, presided over the retreat. It should be noted that our Vladyaka has been instrumental in organizing these sessions for more than two decades. During his opening remarks, His Eminence spoke about the history of the Canadian Diocese, which has had to endure many difficulties in the 21st Century. Despite this, the number of parishes and communities has been increasing, with new communities springing up in Vancouver, Alberta, and, Quebec City since 2023. This Fall,…

In the last days of the 30th Church Musicians’ Conference in Ottawa, Canada, His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Outside of Russia, presided at an all-night vigil and Divine Liturgy on the day of remembrance of St. Sergius in the Church of Blessed St. Xenia of Petersburg in Ottawa. Along with the large choir of conference participants, His Eminence Archbishop Gabriel of Canada, Archpriest Vladimir Morin, Archpriest Oleg Mironov, Archpriest Mikhail Metni, Protodeacon Serge Arlievsky, Deacon Andrey Anishchenko, and Deacon Seth Davidenko also participated in the service. In his remarks to the church musicians and parishioners, Vladyka Nicholas emphasized the importance of the church singing ministry…