In the last days of the 30th Church Musicians' Conference in Ottawa, Canada, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, celebrated Divine Liturgy on Sunday, October 8, the feast of Venerable Sergius of Radonezh, and on the eve prior officiated All-Night Vigil in the Church of Blessed Xenia of St. Petersburg in Kanata, ON.

In addition to the large choir of participants of the conference and visiting clergy, also participating were His Eminence Gabriel, Archbishop of Montreal & Canada and parish rector Archpriest Oleg Mironov. In his speech to the church musicians and parishioners, Metropolitan Nicholas especially noted the importance of the church singing ministry in our difficult times and the exceptional role that the love for the divine services has in our spiritual life. After the service, the parish sisterhood offered a meal to all conference participants, parishioners, and guests of the parish.

On Monday, 9 October, on the feast day of the Holy Apostle & Evangelist John the Theologian, for the first time in his capacity as First Hierarch, Metropolitan Nicholas visited the Memorial Church of the Protection of the Holy Virgin in Ottawa, dedicated to 1,000 years of Christianity in Russia.

Here, His Eminence celebrated Divine Liturgy, co-served by:

• Archpriest Valery Chemsky (cleric of St. Nicholas Diocesan Cathedral in Montreal)
• Archpriest Oleg Mironov (rector of St. Xenia Church)
• Archpriest Michael Metni (cleric of St. Nicholas Cathedral)
• Archpriest Alexis Pjawka (acting rector of the Memorial Church)
• Priest Maxim Abroskin (rector of the Smolensk Icon of the Virgin Mary Church in Jackson’s Point)
• Priest Nicholas Melnyk (cleric of Annunciation OCA Cathedral in Ottawa)
• Priest Valentin Losev (cleric of the Smolensk Mother of God Church)
• Protodeacon Boris Sidorenko (cleric of St. Nicholas Cathedral), and
• Deacon Andrey Anishchenko (cleric of the Memorial Church).

The parish choir, augmented by guests from neighboring churches, sang prayerfully under the direction of Julia Krukouskaya. On Monday, Canadians marked the Thanksgiving holiday, and therefore many parishioners, as well as guests from other parishes, were able to attend the service. At the conclusion of the service, His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas, addressed the faithful in a sermon and called upon them to follow the example of the Apostle John the Theologian in always remaining with Christ our Savior. He also congratulated the parishioners with their upcoming patronal feast day and exhorted them to always thank the Most Holy Theotokos for her constant protection of each and every one of us.

After Liturgy, a luncheon was prepared by the sisterhood for the clergy, parishioners, and guests. Before departing, His Eminence toured the church building, as well as the 63-unit St Vladimir’s Seniors Residence located beside the church.

A feeling of special grace, prayerfulness, and spiritual joy permeated Divine Liturgy, as well as the festive meal. The parishioners, sisterhood, choir members, and altar servers diligently prepared for the first visit of the new First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad to Ottawa. Warm memories of the Metropoltan’s visit will remain in the hearts of all those who participated in the festivities.

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