"From thy Holy Icon, O Lady Theotokos, blessed myrrh has flowed abundantly.  Thou hast thereby consoled those, in exile, faithful unto thee, and hast enlightened the unbelievers by thy Son's light.  Therefore O Lady, with tears we bow down to thee.  Be merciful to us in the hour of judgment.  Lest having received thy mercy we be punished as those who have been contemptuous of it.  But grant us through thy prayers to bring forth spiritual fruit, and save our souls" -  Troparion to the Iveron Icon, Tone 7.

The Parish Annual General Meeting will be held on September 15, 2024, after the service following the first luncheon of the season offered by our most active Sisterhood and newly established Brotherhood. The Annual General Meeting is an opportunity to review the past year, look at plans for future years, ask questions and make suggestions.

This Major Feast Day commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ while they were in Jerusalem celebrating the Feast of Weeks. Pentecost marks to the Orthodox believer the coming of the Holy Spirit, the full revelation of the Trinity, and a day to celebrate membership in God's family. Fasting is forbidden because it is a time of great joy.

On the third Sunday after Holy Pascha, May 19, 2024, we will celebrate the Sunday of the Holy Myrrh-bearing Women. The Orthodox Church celebrates this day as a holiday for all Christian women. In honour of the Holy Myrrh-bearing Women, the Brotherhood of St. Xenia parish will host a luncheon in the Elizabeth L. Skok Memorial Hall immediately following the Divine Liturgy to honour all women of our parish. All are welcome to join us in celebrating and showing our appreciation for the women of our parish.

During Passion Week, we experience a journey through various lands before reaching the Holy Land. Finally, on Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week, we enter Jerusalem with Our Lord. During the Divine Services of Passion Week, we are thankful to experience the Gospel account of our Lord's passion, death, and, at the Midnight Paschal Matins, his Resurrection. The faithful parishioners at St. Xenia have been deeply moved by the powerful and meaningful experience of the events leading up to Pascha.

During Great Lent, effort is made to conduct the Mystery of Holy Unction in Orthodox parishes. Holy Unction is offered for the healing of soul and body and the forgiveness of sins.