Christ is Risen!
On May 28th and May 29th at the evening Vigil and Hierarchical Liturgy for the Feast of Mid-Pentecost, we were blessed with the visitation of the Holy Relics of New-martyr Grand Duchess, St. Elizabeth and Nun Barbara.Â
The Relics which are currently on tour across Canada were brought by Archbishop Gabriel, Protodeacon Alexander and Hieromonk Father Spyridon.
St. Elizabeth the Grand Duchess was the granddaughter of England’s Queen Victoria.
The holy relics were carried to the church entrance over a walkway strewn with petals and herbs from parishioners’ gardens. The brisk afternoon breeze swept the flowers in a continuous kaleidoscope of colour.
The beautiful Reliquary of the two Saints was venerated by the faithful. Many could detect it emitting a gentle, heavenly fragrance of roses.
Before the tonsuring of Reader Theodore.
Tonsuring of Reader Theodore. Axios! Axios! Axios!Â
For his many years of dedicated service, Priest Philosoph was awarded the right to wear the kamilavka hat which is to remind us of our Saviour’s Crown of Thorns. Axios! Axios! Axios!
After Divine Liturgy, a Molieben to St. Elizabeth was served, culminating with a Procession around the church… where all four walls (and the congregation) were blessed with refreshing, copious showers of Holy Water!
The Service concluded with Protodeacon Gordian intoning Many Years for Archbishop Gabriel, for parish clergy Archpriest John, Priest Philosoph, Deacon Olexandr, reader Lucas, reader Igor, the newly tonsured reader Theodore; and the visiting clergy Father Hieromonk Spyridon, Protodeacon Alexander, Priest Evgeny, and all the parishioners of St. Sophia parish.
A warm thank you to choir director, reader Lucas and to the parish sisterhood.
Truly He is Risen!
Quote by Grand Duchess, St. Elizabeth: We work, pray and hope every day to experience God’s mercy. Every day we experience a continuous miracle. Others begin to feel this and come to our church in order to give their souls a rest.Â
She was a rare combination of exalted Christian spirit, moral nobility, enlightened mind, gentle heart, and refined taste. She possessed an extremely delicate and multifaceted spiritual composition and her outward appearance reflected the beauty and greatness of her spirit. Upon her brow lay the seal of an inborn, elevated dignity which set her apart from those around her. Under the cover of modesty, she often strove – though in vain, to conceal herself from the gaze of others, but one could not mistake her for another. Wherever she appeared, one would always ask: “Who is she who looketh forth as the morning, clear as the sun” (Song of Solomon 6:10)? Wherever she would go she emanated the pure fragrance of the lily. Perhaps it was for this reason that she loved the colour white – it was the reflection of her heart. All of her spiritual qualities were strictly balanced, one against another, never giving an impression of one-sidedness. Femininity was joined in her to a courageous character; her goodness never led to weakness and blind, unconditional trust of people. Even in her finest heartfelt inspirations she exhibited that gift of discernment which has always been so highly esteemed by Christian ascetics… ~ Metropolitan Anastassy + (1965)
Beautiful Orthodox Folk Hymn about New-Martyr Grand Duchess St. Elizabeth, by Katina. (Memory Eternal)