"Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel"
"Ось Діва в утробі зачне, і Сина породить, і назвеш ім’я Йому: Еммануїл"
Isaiah 7:14
A GUIDE TO CELEBRATING
AT HOME
РЕСУРСИ ЩОБ СВЯТКУВАTИ
ВДОМА
Due to restrictions in gatherings we have prepared this guide to celebrating the Nativity of Christ at home. If you wish to join us on line- Christmas Services will be streamed live on YouTube. Please use the resources below and on the parish website to celebrate the feast with joy. Services schedules are posted below and on our parish website. Please take a moment to read a message from Fr Roman (below)Serving with us this Christmas is our Bishop Bryan Bayda who (like many) could not travel home to his family. We are honoured to have you join our parish family and hope you feel the warmth of home. 2021 Church Calendar is now availalable in the church vestibule (next time you are able to come to church).
PRAYING AT HOME
Click on the images below to download everything you need to celebrate at home. These resources + some bonuses will also be available on our parishwebsite.
AT HOLY SUPPER
CHRISTMAS EVE
Prayers /Readings
Tropar of the Feast without a priest
FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD
To use with Typica
December 24 Christmas Eve (Strict Fast)
8:00 pm- Christmas Royal Hours-Царські Часи
3:00 pm -Christmas Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil the Great
8:00 pm -Christmas Great Compline-Велике Повечеріє
9:00 pm -Christmas Matins-Утреня Різдв
December 25 NATIVITY OF CHRIST - РІЗДВО ХРИСТОВE
9:30 am - Hours/Confession
10 am - Christmas/Різдво Divine Liturgy
7 pm - Vespers (Klyros Singers)
December 26 Собор-Synaxis of the Mother of God
7:00 am – Matins (Klyros Singers)
9:30 am – Hours/Confession
10:00 am – Divine Liturgy-Synaxis of Mother of God
7:00 am Sunday Vespers
The New Year will be observed with a Vigil (Vespers and Matins) on December 31 and a Festal Divine Liturgy on January 1
FROM THE PASTOR Christmas Eve -Святвечір 2020
Dear Parishioners, Family and Friends!
Христос Раждаєтся! Славіте Єго! - Christ is Born! Glorify Him!
Christmas this year is one we will never forget. So often in the past we have been warned not to let the sights and sounds of the holiday season distract us from the true meaning of Christmas. This year, it is as if God Himself has decided to remind us that He is the “Reason for the Season. read moreThe world as we know it has ground almost to a halt. Compliance with government health protocol has in places closed our churches to public services, or, as in our case, limited the number of worshippers to 10. It has prevented our children from coming home for Christmas, from sharing in the rituals of the traditional Ukrainian “Свята Вечеря-Holy Supper“ and then, after the “Коляда-Carolling“, from joining the greater community in welcoming the new-born Christ-child in church. Yes, Christmas-2020 is one that we will never forget.
Can anything good be found in this year’s celebration? Scripture tells us “All things work together to good for those who love God” (Romans 8: 28). As believers, this should cause us to pause and in faith consider what good might come out of the present situation. I will leave it to you to discuss with your family and friends, in person or by various means of modern communication, what that benefit might be. One thing for sure however; if absence indeed makes the heart grow fonder – if it causes us to appreciate what has been taken away, then for sure, when next Christmas arrives, we will celebrate as never before.
In the meantime, it is important that we carry on to the best of our ability. The food will be prepared, the table will be set, the candle will be lit, and when the first star is announced, the ritual (attached below) will be observed once again. Different this year, but still, essentially the same. And perhaps even if you are alone, you won’t be, because God has a way of being especially close when we experience adversity.
Afterwards, if you can, access the Services taking place in church and made available to you through live-streaming. Know that when I look up at the camera, when I incense, when I bless, I see – you. Please God, next year, I will be able to embrace you as well. Until then, let us count our blessings.
