A Challenging but Beautiful Lent

Our 2021 Great Lent coincided with Ontario's 2nd and 3rd Waves, leading to severely reduced attendance and splitting our church into small weekly and biweekly pods.  Despite the challenges, we were grateful to actually worship and all those who devoted their time to keep our prayer lives uplifted.  The Pre-sanctified Liturgies where somber and prayerful.  Despite only having 10 people for Pascha, a highlight was the dozens that showed up that night in their cars to sing Christ is Risen, have baskets blessed and bring home the light.  

Also this year has included both baptisms and funerals. A number of new faces joined with multiple people deciding to explore pitching their tent with us as Catechuman's and 3 adult baptisms planned this year.  Some people moved away from our community and some moved in.  All this without having our community face to face in over a year.    Despite all the darkness, life continued with great beauty and joy.   We continue our witness for Christ as a English Orthodox church in the heart of Toronto and Regent Park.    Christ is Risen!