CANADIAN DIOCESE: 24 July, 2025
Royal Days at “Berezki” in Canada

The so-called “Royal Days,” that is, the days of remembrance of the Holy and Righteous Royal Martyrs Tsar Nicholas and Tsarina Alexandra and their august children, are solemnly celebrated at the parish of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God Church (Jackson’s Point, ON, known in the Russian Orthodox community of Canada as “Berezki,” or “birches” in Russian) since 2017, when the ever-memorable Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York lay the foundation of the chapel to honor the 100th anniversary of the martyrdom of the Royal family.

The chapel was opened and consecrated by His Eminence Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada in 2018. On July 16-17, 2025, on the day of the memory of the Holy Royal Martyrs,

Divine Liturgy was held in the temple, after which all the parishioners joined a procession of the cross. The Rector of the church, Priest Maxim Abroskin, performed a moleben for the Royal Martyrs. Evening services were also held in the temple on July 17, and a Liturgy was celebrated on June 18 in memory of the Holy Martyr Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna.

On Sunday, July 20, after Liturgy, the sisterhood, named in honor of St Elizabeth, invited everyone to their annual festive lunch.

Canadian Diocese