Remembering Summer 2025

As the summer draws to a close let's look back at some of our experiences this summer at St Silouan the Athonite Orthodox Mission Church, our sister Parish St Olga of Alaska Orthodox Mission Church and the beautiful work of mercy that is Noble Joseph House.

Concelebrated Divine Liturgy with Sts. Cyril & Methody Bulgarian Orthodox Church

The Summer started with a concelebrated Divine Liturgy with the clergy Sts. Cyril and Methody Bulgarian Orthodox Church on May 25, 2025. Our parish was able to get the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph and His Grace Bishop Clement of the Bulgarian Orthodox Diocese during their archpastoral visit to Sts. Cyril and Methody Bulgarian Orthodox Church​

Baptism of Sophie

June 1, 2025 we gathered together to witness the baptism of Sophie. Axia to Sophie and Axia to her godmother Anna. ​Those who have been baptized in Christ have put on Christ forever!

Memory Eternal to our mother Lee

On Monday June 2nd we had both joyful and sad news.

​We were saddened to hear of the passing of one of the founders of our parish, Erifili (Lee) Fleischman. Lee is truly a mother to us and is remembered for her loving and prayerful presence in the church, always sharing a kind word or a joyful smile with others and especially with the children of the parish. Memory eternal.

Axios to Fr Basil Roccas

The joyful news on that same day was to witness the ordination of our dear friend and brother Basil to the holy priesthood of the Orthodox Church! Axios to Fr Basil Roccas!

Archpastoral Visit of HE Metropolitan Gregory of Nyssa

On the weekend of June 6th we were blessed with the annual visit of our beloved father and hierarch, His Eminence Metropolitan Gregory of Nyssa.

​On Friday, June 6, His Eminence had a Potluck with Young Adults from the GTA at Regent Park. Many young adults from around the GTA attended and spent some time in fellowship and conversation with His Eminence. 

On Saturday,  June 7th, His Eminence blessed the new mission parish of St Olga of Alaska in East Gwillimbury and brought an antimension to officially consecrate the mission. After the divine liturgy the congregation and founders of the holy mission spent some time with His Eminence in a community BBQ. 

On Sunday, June 8, His Eminence Metropolitan Gregory of Nyssa celebrated Hierarchical Divine Liturgy for the Feast of Pentecost at St Silouan the Athonite Orthodox Church and encouraged the evangelical and missionary work of the Church to share the Gospel through works of mercy, outreach to the community and in prayerful life of love that is guided by the Holy Spirit.

On Monday, June 9, Noble Joseph House had the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Gregory of Nyssa at the evening community dinner. During the meal many in the community had an opportunity to converse with His Eminence. After dinner His Eminence also prayed Orthodox Compline with the community.

The Glorification of St Olga of Alaska

June 21 to June 22, 2025
Through many prayers and with the blessing and permission of Metropolitan Gregory, Father Paul and Father Deacon Michael were able to travel to Alaska and the village of Kwethluk and the city of Anchorage to attend the glorification of the patroness of our mission parish in East Gwillimbury. Fr Paul and Fr Dn Michael were also able to bring back relics of our mother St Olga. 

Father Paul was also able to leave a list of names of our parish and mission. May the prayers of St Olga be with all of us. 

The Glorification at Kwethluk, the hometown of St Olga of Alaska.

As pilgrims both were in awe at the hospitality of the Alaskans and of the warm and loving witness of the Orthodox faith. 

One of the most moving accounts of their trip was during Divine Liturgy in Kwethluk during the Glorification where the pilgrims beheld this beautiful witness of the Christian faith, the hope, joy, love and life in Resurrection. In the words of Fr Paul:

"This was perhaps the shining moment for me. During the pre-communion preparation, the community, without seemingly any planning began to sing from  Paschal Canon in Yupik. I could understand the word 'Pascha'. I could understand it wasn't planned because they had exhausted all their other pre-communion hymns. Then, just before the chalice had been brought out the room shook when everyone began singing 'Christ is risen'... Out of season! It reminded me of a word from St Seraphim of Sarov who said "... And in that day they will sing Christ is risen, out of season."

I'm not sure I had ever been in a room where death trembled so much and so honestly. Gathered around the holy body of a beloved mother, who lived in obscurity, she was now magnifying the Lord's triumph over death and hell. A small glimpse of what awaits. Hell was overthrown in that tiny church at the edge of the world. All pain, sighing, and sorrow had fled away from Kwethluk that day... Chased out by the living proclamation of a small woman, Mother Olga, who taught us to sing from the depth of our hearts, Christ is risen!"
​
​https://www.youtube.com/shorts/WoptQ5n49Gw

Indeed He is Risen! God is wonderful in His saints! Holy Mother Olga, Tanqilria Arrsamquq, pray for us!

After the Divine Liturgy there was a feast hosted by the village of Kwethluk. Fr Paul and FrDn Michael then said farewell to the friends and newfound spiritual family that they'd been blessed with during their pilgrimage to Kwethluk.  May God allow more pilgrims to come and taste the Orthodox life that is witnessed among the saints. 

After the trip to Kwethluk, Fr Paul and FrDn Michael travelled to Anchorage to attend the glorification and the reception of some of the relics of St Olga of Alaska.

Screening of Sacred Alaska

On Wednesday June 25th there was a special screening of "Sacred Alaska" by Simon Scionka. 

Fr Paul and FrDn Michael who had recently returned from their trip from Kwethluk to attend the Glorification of our mother St Olga, spoke about their trip after the screening. 

Diaconal Typika for the Feast of St Peter and St Paul

On Sunday June 29, Father Deacon Michael celebrated the Diaconal Typika for the feast of St Peter and St Paul. There was also a memorial prayed for the uncle of our sister Theda and many of the her extended family attended to pray for the soul of the dearly departed uncle. Memory eternal.

Welcoming Fr Timothy

July 1 to July 6th  the parish welcomed Fr Timothy, the new and second priest serving our parish community. Axios.

Read more about Fr Timothy's welcome: https://www.stsilouan.ca/news-events/welcoming-fr-timothy-mikhail​

Tradition of blessing vehicles on the feast of the Holy Prophet Elias

On Sunday, July 20th, the Church blessed vehicles (cars, bikes, strollers and other modes of transportation) in honour of the feast of the Holy Prophet Elijah. The blessing was to remember the fiery chariot that carried the Prophet Elijah to heaven, and for us to lift up these everyday tools of travel and ask the Lord to sanctify them and use these gifts given to us by God in accordance to His will.

Monastery Young Adult Trip

On August 2, 2025, Fr Timothy participated in a Young Adult retreat hosted by Hieromonk Fr Policarp at Holy Cross Orthodox Monastery in Mono. Many of the young adults from the parish also attended and spent time in prayer, reflection and fellowship.
​
To hear the talks from the retreat:
https://doxalpha.wordpress.com/.../young-adult-questions.../

Visit of Fr Jim and Pani Kathy Dutko and Sister Theresa at Noble Joseph House

On Monday, July 21, 2025, Noble Joseph House, the house of hospitality that extends the Liturgy after the Liturgy was blessed with a visit from Father Jim and Pani Kathy Dutko and sister Theresa from St. Michael Orthodox Church in Binghamton, NY, USA. Fr Jim also prayed compline with the community. 

"You must know that there is nothing higher, or stronger, or sounder, or more useful afterwards in life, than some good memory, especially a memory from childhood, from the parental home. You hear a lot said about your education, yet some such beautiful, sacred memory, preserved from childhood, is perhaps the best education. If a man stores up many such memories to take into life, then he is saved for his whole life. And even if only one good memory remains with us in our hearts, that alone may serve some day for our salvation." + Alyosha in Fyodor Dostoevsky's Brothers Karamazov

Father Jim Dutko also wrote about his visit in the bulletin of St. Michael’s, Binghamton NY:

Blessing Joshua

On Sunday July 27, 2025 Joshua was blessed as he journeys to the Philippines. The parish community keeps him in prayers and prays for his speedy return.

Camp Nazareth Summer Camp

Camp Nazareth Summer camp occurred during the month of August. On July 27, Fr Timothy blessed Fr Paul, Presbytera Naomi and all the campers before their drive to our diocesan summer camp, Camp Nazareth (www.campnazareth.org/ ).

Our campers arrived safely at our Diocesan Camp and completed the registration after being welcomed by all the camp staff. After registration all the campers were greeted by Metropolitan Gregory, Fr Stephen and the camp staff and took part in sports and games. Evening prayers were prayed in Sts Cyril & Methodios Church located on the camp grounds and then processed with candles in a special blessing of the camp cabins that all the campers will be staying in throughout the week.  

Our first set of campers returned after the first week of Camp. On week 3 of the summer camp, we had two additional campers from our parish who were able to attend Camp Nazareth.

Feast of the Procession of the Holy Cross

The feast of the Procession of the Holy Cross was celebrated on Thursday August 1, 2025. The church also commemorated St Joseph of Arimathea the patron of our mission ministry, Noble Joseph House. St Joseph's feast day was the night before (July 31st)
​
"The Noble Joseph, when he had taken down Your most pure Body from the tree, wrapped it in fine linen and anointed it with spices, and placed it in a new tomb. But You rose on the third day, O Lord, granting the world great mercy."

A short reflection on holiness and deification

Feast of the Transfiguration

For the feast of the Transfiguration the Church blessed the first fruits.

We were also blessed with two homilies. One on the feast day by Fr Timothy.

The second homily by Fr Dn Michael which was preached on the Sunday of the afterfeast of the the feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord.

On the afterfeast of transfiguration we also welcomed Jay to the catechumenate of the Holy Orthodox Church. May God bless, guide and protect him as he deepens his walk with our Lord Christ and his journey towards Holy Illumination.

Feast of Dormition

"In giving birth, you preserved your virginity, and in falling asleep you did not forsake the world, O Theotokos. You passed into life as the Mother of Life, and by your prayers, you deliver our souls from death."

On August 14th the parish celebrated the Vigil for the Feast of the Dormition and also processed around the streets of Regent Park proclaiming joy to the world. 

Baptism and Reception of Maria

On Sunday, August 17, 2025 we welcomed Maria into the Orthodox Church through the sacrament of Baptism and Chrismation. After a long journey, Maria has now taken up the yoke of Christ, and is beginning her journey as one of His disciples. Glory to God, who's blessings are always new, born before our very eyes.

Many blessed years to Maria, and her God-mother!

---

New Catechumens

On Sunday August 25th both our reverend fathers and the parish community welcomed three new catechmens, Stephanie, CJ and Markus, into the catechumenate of the Holy Orthodox Church. May God bless, guide and protect them as they deepen their walk with our Lord Christ and their journey towards Holy Illumination.

Visit of Fr Joseph & Pani Kathy Fester

On Sunday, August 31st we were blessed by the visit of two faithful servants our God fearing diocese who have laboured with love for many years in the Lord's vineyard. Father Joseph concelebrated the divine liturgy with Father Paul, Father Timothy and FrDn Michael.

Father Joseph gave a reflection on mission parishes and of the joy of the great commission to share the Gospel witnessed by the Holy Orthodox Church. After the Divine Liturgy, Fr Joseph blessed the teachers and students of the parish as they start the coming school term. Fr Joseph and Pani Kathy also celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary! Many years!!

Blessed Liturgical New Year

As we look back at the summer of 2025 we thank God for the beauty of the Church and the life that is witnessed in the Living Tradition. Wishing you and your families a wonderful and blessed Liturgical New Year (Indiction) and a blessed year. Glory to the Holy Trinity!

"O Creator of the universe, Thou didst appoint times by Thy power; bless the crown of this year with Thy goodness, O Lord. Preserve in safety Thy rulers and cities: and through the intercessions of the Theotokos, save us!" + Troparion

"O Creator and Master of time and the ages, Triune and Merciful God of all: grant blessings for the course of this year, and in Thy boundless mercy save those who worship Thee and cry out in fear: “O Savior, grant blessings to all mankind!” + Kontakion