Author: Zoran Radisic

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

On Christmas Eve day, January 6th, the Divine Liturgy will be served at 10AM, followed by the blessing of the Badnjak (Yule log), which has been provided, as each year, by our volunteers by their selfless efforts.

Parishioners will be able to come and pick up their Badnjak branch between 12-6PM that day handed out by the on-duty volunteer: The Badnjak branches will not be distributed after 6PM!

In order to decrease the number of vehicles, we recommend that our parishioners plan to also pick up the Badnjak branch on behalf of their friends and family too.

Donations prepared in an envelope can also be handed in at that time to the volunteers at the property, or they can be sent by e-transfer at treasury@arhangelgavrilotoronto.com, or mailed in to the address St. Archangel Gabriel Serbian Orthodox Church, 49 North Lake Rd, P.O. Box 2918, Richmond Hill, ON, L4E 1A8

Parishioners unable to come that day, or who have no one to bring the Badnjak branch for them should reach out to Fr. Ljubo at 416-828-4447.

The quota for the Christmas Eve Vespers starting at 6PM that day is already full!

On Christmas day, January 7, as well as on the Second Day of Christmas, January 8, the Divine Liturgy will be held at 10AM.

On the Third Day of Christmas, January 9, is the Feast of St. Stephen the Protomartyr, so those that celebrate their Krsna Slava can bring their Kolivo for blessing and Slavski Kolach for breaking between 8AM-12PM before or after the Divine Liturgy, which will be held at 10AM.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

–  Governing Board of St. Archangel Gabriel Parish in Richmond Hill

The Lord’s greeting to all!

I wanted to let you know that I have attended the enthronement of the Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral, Joanikije. Despite all the temptations and challenges, it was a magnificent event. Those are the kinds of moments when you wish time could stop: an event I will surely remember for a long, long time. The blessings that those of us who attended have received I wish to pass on to all of you and your families. You were all in my prayers!

I believe that we are all aware how much our monasteries financially struggle, and how difficult it is for the people who live in those areas. We also know how much the monasteries have helped and continue to help the poor: they were always with the people when it was hardest. This time, I also witnessed how many people come to the monasteries seeking assistance, and how many soup kitchens organized by the Church are there that feed the hungry.

We have launched a fundraiser to help the Eparchy of Budimlja-Nikšić, where the newly elected Bishop of Budimlja-Nikšić, our dear Bishop Metodije, was enthroned on September 26 this year.

The situation is not rosy here in Canada either, but we believe that there are still those who are able and willing to help. It is ours to do our best, and the Lord will arrange the rest.

The charitable Humanitarian Foundation “Stara Raška” supports this action: for all contributions of over $50, Stara Raška will issue a tax receipt. The list of all contributors will be submitted to Bishop Metodije.

If you are able to participate in this action, you can send your contributions by:

1. E-transfer: bgasovic@sympatico.ca – please send me your address
2. PayPal: bgasovic@sympatico.ca – please send me your address
3. Personal Check made payable to “STARA RASKA”. If you choose this option, please contact me directly by email at bgasovic@sympatico.ca, to provide you with the mailing address to send the check to.

Please feel free to forward this appeal to your friends and acquaintances.

All the best to you and your family!

Biljana Gašović

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We would like to inform you that on Sunday, July 25, 2021, on the Vespers of the Synaxis of St. Archangel Gabriel, the Feast-day (Slava) of our Parish, His Grace Bishop Mitrofan will serve the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at our Parish at 10AM, followed by the consecration of the wheat, breaking of the Slavski Kolač and choosing of the kum for the next year.

An outdoors BBQ will be served after that, maintaining all prescribed measures: indoor and outdoor religious services, rites and ceremonies are allowed with capacity limited to permit, while maintaining physical distancing of 2 m and wearing face masks (more details here: https://www.york.ca/wps/portal/yorkhome/health/yr/covid-19/publichealthsafetymeasures/).

On Monday July 26, 2021, the Feast-day (Slava) itself, Divine Liturgy will start at 9AM.

We invite you to join us in celebrating the Slava of our Parish Church on the Vespers of the Feast-day, so that together with our Bishop we may pray to the Lord and His Holy Archangel to bless us all.

– Governing Board of St. Archangel Gabriel Parish in Richmond Hill