CANADIAN DIOCESE: August 21, 2025
News from the the Canadian diocese

In July, 2025, the Orthodox youth camp “Ruskoka,” located on the picturesque banks of the Muskoka River, celebrated the 25th anniversary of its founding, as well as the 20th anniversary of the consecration of the chapel in honor of the Royal Passion-Bearer, Tsarevich Alexei Nikolaevich. On August 6, the feast day of the Holy Princes and Passion-bearers Boris and Gleb, on the eve of the Dormition of Righteous Anna, the mother of the Most Holy Theotokos, His Eminence Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada arrived at Rusoka.

Archbishop Gabriel led the evening service, and the next day, he celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Chapel of Holy Martyr Tsarevich Alexei. He was assisted by the cleric of the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Toronto, Priest Valentin Losev, along with Protodeacon Alexander Morin. The choir, conducted by Alexander Pushkin, the choirmaster of Holy Trinity Cathedral in Toronto, sang reverently and prayerfully. More than 70 campers aged 10 to 16, along with counselors and staff, partook of the Holy Mysteries of Christ.

The Most Reverend Vladyka addressed the worshipers with an archpastoral word, in which he reminded them of the prayerful feat of the Righteous Anna, as well as the role of the feat of faith and patience in the life of every Christian. After Liturgy, a communal meal took place, during which Archbishop Gabriel continued to engage in lively conversation with the children of the youth camp. During the conversation, issues of Orthodox upbringing were discussed, the necessity of youth participation in the life of the Church was emphasized, and answers were provided to numerous questions from the participants. In conclusion, the Most Reverend Gabriel congratulated everyone on the 25th anniversary of the founding of their camp and the 20th anniversary of the consecration of the chapel. As a memento of the visit, one of the founders and the long-time leader of the camp, Alexander Sakuta, presented the archpastor with a Ruskoka t-shirt.

On Saturday and Sunday, August 9-10, the day of the "Smolensk" Icon of the Mother of God, festivities took place in the temple dedicated to this miraculous image (Jackson's Point, Ontario, known throughout Russian Canada as "Berezki") to celebrate the church's patronal feast.

All-night vigil was led by Archbishop Gabriel, and on Sunday, August 10, Divine Liturgy was also celebrated. During vigil, the Ruling Bishop was joined by the Rector, Priest Maxim Abroskin, as well as visiting priests: Archpriest Vladimir Malchenko (Rector of the Holy Trinity Cathedral, Protodeacon Anthony Filchak (Church of the Great Martyr George in Toronto of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church), and Priest Evgeny Shchukin (Rector of the Church of St Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow, in Cambridge, ON). During the service led by Protodeacon Alexander Morin, Deacon Leonid Tismenko and Deacon Adam Zettler, participated. At the Sunday Liturgy, Priest Pavel Homar (Holy Trinity Cathedral) and Priest David Parker (Church of the Not-Made-By-Hands Image of Christ the Savior, London, ON) joined the Ruling Bishop and the clergy, along with Protodeacon Boris Sidorenko (St Nicholas Cathedral, Montreal).

During the minor entrance, by decision of the Episcopal Council, Fr Maxim was honored with the elevation to the rank of Archpriest. The parish choir, under the direction of Reader Gregory Montana, sang profoundly and prayerfully. After Divine Liturgy, a moleben was performed with a procession of the cross and the reading of a prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos. His Eminence greeted the parishioners and guests of the temple, and then expressed a few kind words addressed to the rector of the parish celebrating its name day.

At the festive lunch prepared by the Sisterhood in the banquet hall, parishioners and numerous guests were present, including Mrs Margaret Quirk — the head of the Georgina district, to which Berezki belongs, Counselor Naomi Davison, and Member of Parliament Jacob Mantle. In her welcoming speech, Mrs Quirk, among other things, said: "It is always nice to celebrate important events together with our community." Mr Mantle also addressed the attendees, presenting the priest with a letter of appreciation. The honored guest at the parish celebration was Maria Naumenko (the wife of Archpriest Grigory Naumenko, the Rector of Holy Virgin Protection Church in Rochester, USA), a grandniece of the late Archpriest Sergey Shchukin — the founder of the parish in Berezki, a parish which turned 68 this year.

Canadian Diocese