On December 6 2025, Saint Silouan the Athonite Orthodox Church hosted our annual Saint Nicholas Day. The evening started with Carols woven into a Nativity Pageant. After the Pageant, the children in attendance were treated to a visit from Saint Nicholas of Myra who spoke about giving to the poor and works of mercy that are lived in the Christian experience. Saint Nicholas later gave out presents to all the children. Vespers was then prayed in celebration of the feast day of Saint Nicholas, Wonderworker and Bishop of Myra.

On a brisk and sunny November day, several parishioners made a pilgrimage to Holy Trinity Monastery in Smiths Creek, Michigan. They had the opportunity to venerate the relics of Sts. Peter and Paul, St, Gregory the Theologian, St. Lazarus, and St. Andrew.

The parishioners also had the blessing of having a solemn lunch with the monks, while they read from their favourite stories from the life of St. Silouan.

Highlights from the day included the beautiful Greek chanting, sipping lattes lovingly served by the monks, hearing Fr. Abbott Josephs words of benefit, hearing personal experiences about Elder Ephraim, and snuggling with farm puppies (and even goats!).

Their hospitality overflowed with love, and we all left inspired with a deeper yearning for Christ. Glory to God.

The Church doors will be opened by Neokoros Anthony on Wednesdays from 1pm to 6pm before Catechesis and Fridays 1pm to 5pm for anyone who desires to spend time in prayer and quiet contemplation of the heart. Come spend time in prayer in the Orthodox Church in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ.

On October 26, 2026, Anthony Siebold was blessed by the Church to be the Neokoros (Church Warden) of our Parish and our house of hospitality Noble Joseph House. Axios. Please keep Neokoros Anthony in your prayers. 
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Srećna slava! Happy Slava. This past weekend the Parish celebrated our annual Slava for the feast of our patron Saint Silouan the Athonite. Reader Aaron SanFilippo preached the homily at the Liturgy reminding us about the witness of the Holy Cross and our call to take up the Cross and follow our Lord Jesus Christ. 

​My soul thirsts for the Lord, 
and with tears do I seek Him.
How can I not seek You, 
For You sought me first,
And you granted me to delight in the sweetness of Your Holy Spirit.
My soul has loved you until now!

In the first year of my life in the Monastery, 
My soul encountered the Lord,
And this I learnt from the Holy Spirit,
That the Lord loves us greatly!

I have now grown old,
And I am preparing for death.
As a gift to all people,
I write the truth.

Oh, my brethren,
I fall on my knees and entreat you,
Believe in God,
Believe in the existence of the Holy Spirit,
Which bears witness concerning God,
To all of your Churches and in my soul.

I am a great sinner,
But I have seen the boundless Love and Mercy of the Lord.
The Gladsome and Meek sight of the Lord,
Has consumed my soul!

Oh, the Love of the Lord!
I am unable to describe it,
Because it is infinitely great and wonderful.
I will never forget You,
My soul yearns for You my Lord,
And with tears do I search for you.

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After the Liturgy and the distribution of Antidoron, the festivities continued in Regent Park beside the Church. In our annual tradition which we received from our parishioners of Serbian descent we commemorated our patron and protector Saint Silouan the Athonite and glorified God who is wonderous in the saints. 

On Monday there was a celebration and commemoration for Saint Silouan at Noble Joseph House.
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​On Tuesday September 23, 2025, Fr Paul Tadros, Fr Timothy Mikhail and FrDn Michael Luciuk concelebrated Vespers and Litya of the feast of Saint SIlouan with Fr Peter Avgeropoulos of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada, Fr Hieromonk Policarp Athenagoras of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada, and Fr Florian Ene of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America (OCA). We thank God for the blessing of all the visiting clergy and their pastoral love and prayers. ​

Excerpt from the procession during the Festal Vespers:
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​Artoklasia - The Blessing of the Five Loaves for Feast of St Silouan:

On Wednesday morning at the Divine Liturgy for the feast day, Fr Paul gave a short homily reflecting on one of the accounts in the life of Saint Silouan. May the prayers of our Holy Father Silouan of Athos be with us and may we desire, serve and love Christ as he did and continues to do. 

​During your life on earth you did serve Christ following HIs path;
and now in heaven you do contemplate Him Whom you have loved!
Dwelling with Him as He promised to His elect;
O holy Father Silouan instruct us in the way you have gone.

+ Kontakion for Saint Silouan the Athonite

Join us for a parish Slava this year between Saturday, September 20, 2025 and Wednesday, September 24, 2025.

Saturday, September 20, 2025 - 6pm - Young Adult Potluck at Regent Park. For more information contact [email protected]

Sunday, September 21, 2025 - 9:30am - Divine Liturgy followed by Parish Slava & Potluck.

Monday, September 22, 2025 - 5pm - Noble Joseph House - Commemoration and celebration of St Silouan.

Tuesday, September 23, 2025 - 7pm - Great Vespers and Litya for the Feast of St Silouan of Athos - Concelebration with visiting clergy.

Wednesday, September 24, 2025 - 9:30am - Divine Liturgy for the Feast of St Silouan of Athos

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​

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!

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.

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!

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.

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!"
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​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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.
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To hear the talks from the retreat:
https://doxalpha.wordpress.com/.../young-adult-questions.../

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:

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 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.

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)
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"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."

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

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.

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!

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.

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!!

This past week on July 1, 2025, Fr Timothy Mikhail was received into the Holy Orthodox Church by our loving father His Eminence Metropolitan Gregory of Nyssa at Christ the Saviour Cathedral in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. We thank God for the blessing of a new priest to serve the community and stand before the Altar of God at St Silouan Orthodox Church in Toronto and St Olga of Alaska in East Gwillimbury. Axios!!​

Fr Timothy also prayed Vespers last Wednesday for the feast of St John of Shanghai and San Francisco where a beautiful Icon painted by one of the iconographers of St Silouan Orthodox Church was unveiled. 

On Saturday, July 5, 2025, Fr Timothy celebrated Divine Liturgy at St Olga of Alaska Orthodox Church in East Gwillimbury (about 1 hour North of Toronto).  FrDn Michael also brought relics of St Olga (Tanqilria Arrsamquq) and a beautiful scarf made by Matushka Xenia Oleska. Panikhida was also prayed for the souls of family members of some of the parishioners.

​On Sunday, July 6, 2025, Fr Timothy and FrDn Michael celebrated the Divine Liturgy at St Silouan the Athonite Orthodox Church in Toronto.  The Church also prayed a Panikhida for our sister Lee

Please continue to pray for Fr Timothy and all the clergy of the Church as he begins and continues the fatherly work of mercy along with Fr Paul and FrDn Michael.  Axios!!!