Parish News – April 2024
5 April, Friday, 6 pm – Holy Unction for parishioners of St. Xenia and Holy Protection, 99 Stonehurst Ave, Ottawa
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. After the service of the Sacrament, the body is anointed with oil, and the grace of God, which heals infirmities of soul and body, is called down upon each person. The Sacrament is ideally performed by a gathering of priests. This year we are fortunate that our Canadian Diocese Hierarch, Archbishop Gabriel, will lead the service joined by clergy from both Ottawa ROCOR parishes. As part of your Lenten preparations, please make every effort to attend. Next year, Holy Unction will be held at St. Xenia.
7 April, Sunday, 10 am – The Annunciation – Divine Liturgy
This major Feastday marks the announcement by the angel Gabriel to the Mother of God, The Theotokos that she would conceive a son by the power of the Holy Spirit to be called Jesus (Luke 1:26-38). As usual, this service will be proceeded by an All-Night Vigil on 6 April, Saturday, at 6 pm.
8-10 April, Monday to Wednesday – The Relics of the New-martyr Grand Duchess Elisabeth will be at St Xenia
Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna of Russia was known for her charm and charitable nature. After the assassination of her husband, Elizabeth was drawn closer to the Russian Orthodox faith, led a life of charity and became a monastic. Ultimately, she lost her life at the hands of the Bolsheviks in 1918. An icon of New-martyr Elisabeth can be found on the left side of our iconostasis, commissioned in part by Elisabeth L. Skok. The Relics can be venerated at the following times:
- 8 April, Monday, 12 pm – 8 pm
- 9 April, Tuesday, 10 am -7 pm
- 10 April, Wednesday, 10 am – 6:30 pm
8-10 April – Annual Lenten Pastoral Retreat of the Canadian Diocese at St. Xenia
We are honoured to confirm that Father Oleg, Matushka Olga and with the support of our active Sisterhood, are hosting this Lenten meeting at our Parish. It will be Chaired by Archbishop Gabriel and attended by ROCOR clergy in Canada.
10 April, Wednesday, 10 am – Vespers, Hierarchical Divine Liturgy
While the Lenten Retreat meetings are closed, all parishioners are most welcome to attend this mid-week Hierarchical Divine Liturgy with Archbishop Gabriel and gathered Canadian clergy. We hope new members of our parish will attend and be introduced to Vladyka Gabriel.
18 April, Thursday, 7 pm – Monthly Meeting of the Parish Council
Your parish Council under Fr. Oleg and Starosta Mikhail Popovich meets monthly to help advance the parish and parish life now that we are back under ROCOR. The Council would be pleased to be approached by members of the parish with ideas, suggestions or offers of support. One new development is the forthcoming establishment of a parish Brotherhood. Men interested in joining can reach out to Peter Isyumov.
28 April, Sunday, 10 am – Palm Sunday
This major Feastday which proceeds Holy Week and Pascha is the commemoration of the Entrance of our Lord into Jerusalem following His glorious miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead. Having anticipated His arrival and having heard of the miracle, the people went out to meet the Lord and welcomed Him with displays of honour and shouts of praise.
On behalf of Fr. Oleg Mironov and the Parish Council
