Choir
Our choir leads the congregation in its worship. We sing a cappella (that is with no instrumental accompaniment), in four-part harmony and in Byzantine (Greek) chant. Our hymns are almost entirely in English, reflecting a variety of Orthodox traditions including Carpatho-Rusyn, Greek, Romanian, Russian and Serbian.
Our choir is open to anyone. Many of our members have no previous experience or musical training.
What is required is our priest’s blessing, and a commitment to monthly practices and to regular attendance, including at Lenten and Festal services.
We encourage children and youth to find their place in the choir and/or at the chanter stand.
Please speak to either Polina SanFilippo or Deacon Michael Luciuk after a service if you are interested in joining our choir.
To hear some sampling of our choir from over the years, visit our YouTube Channel
Our choir is open to anyone. Many of our members have no previous experience or musical training.
What is required is our priest’s blessing, and a commitment to monthly practices and to regular attendance, including at Lenten and Festal services.
We encourage children and youth to find their place in the choir and/or at the chanter stand.
Please speak to either Polina SanFilippo or Deacon Michael Luciuk after a service if you are interested in joining our choir.
To hear some sampling of our choir from over the years, visit our YouTube Channel
Liturgical formation
Each church service demands careful, prayerful preparation.
Vestments, altar linens, liturgical necessities such as candles, Prosphora, oil, wine, incense etc. all liturgical resources need to be considered, organized and planned with care to tradition and theological fidelity.
While from those who serve -- deacons, readers, servers – mindful dedication is required. From child to adult, we mentor and train those who wish to serve at the Lord’s table.
For more information on supporting this ministry or serving in the altar, please reach out to Sub. Deacon Aubrey Kissoon.
Vestments, altar linens, liturgical necessities such as candles, Prosphora, oil, wine, incense etc. all liturgical resources need to be considered, organized and planned with care to tradition and theological fidelity.
While from those who serve -- deacons, readers, servers – mindful dedication is required. From child to adult, we mentor and train those who wish to serve at the Lord’s table.
For more information on supporting this ministry or serving in the altar, please reach out to Sub. Deacon Aubrey Kissoon.
Parish Beautification
Many first-time visitors to an Orthodox church will comment on the rich beauty of the space. Icons, linens, candles, flowers, furnishings… all are instruments of worship. The beauty of the liturgical calendar is reflected in our humble mission parish of St. Silouan through the care, work, and contribution of our ministry members.
Our team regularly maintains the physical space, flowers and greenery of our church. Special feasts such as Pascha, Christmas, Dormition and our patron, St. Silouan’s feast day, receive our special attention to reflect the beauty of each feast.
Throughout the year, ministry members work to enhance and maintain the beauty and cleanliness of all parish spaces, so our busy church feels prayerful and inviting to all.
From sweeping, and scraping wax to selecting flowers; from polishing icon stands to mopping and drywall patching we also look forward to long term projects such as painting icons, decorative motifs and banners as well as construction endeavours to improve the beauty and function of our space.
Help us to draw out the profound beauty of God in his temple.
For more information please reach out to Katya Wlasenko
Our team regularly maintains the physical space, flowers and greenery of our church. Special feasts such as Pascha, Christmas, Dormition and our patron, St. Silouan’s feast day, receive our special attention to reflect the beauty of each feast.
Throughout the year, ministry members work to enhance and maintain the beauty and cleanliness of all parish spaces, so our busy church feels prayerful and inviting to all.
From sweeping, and scraping wax to selecting flowers; from polishing icon stands to mopping and drywall patching we also look forward to long term projects such as painting icons, decorative motifs and banners as well as construction endeavours to improve the beauty and function of our space.
Help us to draw out the profound beauty of God in his temple.
For more information please reach out to Katya Wlasenko
Woodworking and Maintenance
Woodworking and Maintenance offers us an opportunity to put the created matter God gave us into use. In Liturgy, we offer back to God what he gave us for His glory and we say “Your own of Your own, we offer on to You on behalf of all and for all!”
Our small team typically meets on Tuesday afternoons and works closely with Beautification and Liturgics to maintain our parish.
We welcome all who wish to help; experienced or novice alike. Welcome!
If interested please reach out to Reader Mena.
Our small team typically meets on Tuesday afternoons and works closely with Beautification and Liturgics to maintain our parish.
We welcome all who wish to help; experienced or novice alike. Welcome!
If interested please reach out to Reader Mena.
Agape
Agape is the first activity of “the liturgy after the liturgy”. Having received God’s rich blessings, we seek to distribute them to one another.
After every Sunday service (and many others, especially during the lenten and other festive seasons), we break bread and share a meal together. Our goal is to create a welcoming environment where the whole community can gather in fellowship.
Each Agape team always tries to ensure that hospitality is extended to newcomers and to those in need, so that the time after the service is a meeting place for the community that’s vibrant and welcoming.
Each Sunday has an assigned team that prepares and serves food and then cleans up. Teams have between 5-10 members. In the week leading up to Sunday, the Agape group distributes duties to its various members. Most people will bring food potluck style, but the contribution of cleaning and dishwashing is also greatly appreciated!
Would you like to join a team and help out one Sunday a month? Many hands make quick and joyful work!
Contact Alexei after the liturgy or by email!
After every Sunday service (and many others, especially during the lenten and other festive seasons), we break bread and share a meal together. Our goal is to create a welcoming environment where the whole community can gather in fellowship.
Each Agape team always tries to ensure that hospitality is extended to newcomers and to those in need, so that the time after the service is a meeting place for the community that’s vibrant and welcoming.
Each Sunday has an assigned team that prepares and serves food and then cleans up. Teams have between 5-10 members. In the week leading up to Sunday, the Agape group distributes duties to its various members. Most people will bring food potluck style, but the contribution of cleaning and dishwashing is also greatly appreciated!
Would you like to join a team and help out one Sunday a month? Many hands make quick and joyful work!
Contact Alexei after the liturgy or by email!
Prosphora Baking
Prosphora is a Greek word meaning “offering.” In one sense, all that we offer for the use of the Church is prosphora: wine, incense, charcoal, oil (for oil lamps), candles, flowers, and bread. Our offerings are never raw materials. In all these cases we take something and make it into something else. Grapes to wine, olives to olive oil, wheat to bread, etc. Generally speaking, prosphora refers to the bread offering. The baking of prosphora is a beautiful and humbling work of mercy that members of our parish community undertake as part of a prophora baking group. If you would like to join a regular rotation of baking prosphora please reach out to Mena Kamel or Katya Wlasenko
For more information on baking Prosphora please click here.
For more information on baking Prosphora please click here.