48th CONVOCATION OF THE PATRIARCHAL PARISHES

OF THE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH IN CANADA

The Message of Bishop Iov of Kashira,

Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada

(Jan 12, 2013 at St. Mary Parish – Nisku)

Христос Рoждается! – Славим Его! Christ is born! – Let us glorify Him!

                             Dear Reverend Fathers, dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ!

Our Lord Jesus Christ granted us an opportunity to meet again at our annual assembly of the Patriarchal parishes in Canada, which is taking place this year in Nisku, Alberta.

This time I have decided to change the traditional format of my yearly report and write it in the form of an epistle on those burning spiritual problems that are essential for us as a community.

The year 2012 was full of very significant and noteworthy events. They all were covered and well discussed on the website of Patriarchal Parishes in Canada under the headings “News” and “Events,” and also in the monthly Parish bulletins. That is why, without listing all those already old “news”, I will allow myself here to touch only the questions that are most vital for us all.

The main difficulty that we, as a community, encountered this year was the problem with some representatives of our clergy. Two clerics, who could not manage to serve with peace and created problems and misunderstandings in our parishes, were released and called back to Russia, and their places are still left open.

I am well aware that the bishops of other dioceses in our Church often experience similar problems of lacking a necessary number of good shepherds for taking a proper spiritual care of their congregation… The words of Our Lord Jesus Christ, pronounced about 2000 years ago, are still ringing today: “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few” (Math.9:37). However, it appears to me that the solution to this problem exists. Let us pray God for help to find the deserving candidates for our clergy from the members of the Patriarchal parishes – from those, who recently arrived from Ukraine or Russia and already know English language well, have Russian and Canadian citizenship, a secular job and – the most important thing – want to devote their life to serving God, our Lord, His people and His Church.

The second imperative task for our Patriarchal parishes is to preserve our unity, to protect it and value it above all. Remember that: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.” (Math.12:25). In order to preserve and not destroy the parishes, created by your great-grand parents and forefathers, let us always remember the main Commandment of Our Lord Jesus Christ: “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:25)

Let us always remember that life will be ideal only in the Heavenly Kingdom: troubles and problems then will be left on the earth…While still living in this imperfect world – even though we are belonging to the Christ’s Church, – we unavoidably are subjected to hardships, created by humans’ passions and temptations, which we should overcome by goodness and kindness, patience and condescension, understanding and truly Christian love to each other, as Saint Apostle Paul put it: “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Gal.6, 1-2). If we see the imperfections of other men, we may censure only the sin by itself, and not the person, because we ourselves are far from being ideal … Apostle Paul teaches us that: “So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.” (Rom.14:12-13).

In the Church we should completely forget about our false self-esteem, about all quarrels, divisions and controversy on deciding who might be better and who is worse, who is higher and who is lower by state or position. We should concentrate only on one thought: “What can I do for our Church, for our Parishes, how can I help and improve existing situation and things around me?”

I address with the words of gratitude to everyone, who, by the means of either diligent hard-working, devotional prayers, or both, supported the life of our Patriarchal Parishes. I especially thank my closest colleagues – the Reverend Fathers – all priests and the clergy of our Canadian congregation- for their honest Serving to God and people! I also would like to acknowledge the work of all presidents and the members of the parishes’ councils, as well as the work of all volunteers, who sing to glorify God, maintain cleanliness and order in our churches and beautify them! I appreciate all financial help, donations and offertory to the Church and all good deeds that you perform for the well-being of our parishes! I thank and pass my blessing to all our God-loving parishioners in Canada for their truly Christian conduct of life and their clean faith.

We pray Our Lord, Jesus Christ, who is the Spiritual Chief and Shepherd of all bishops and priests of the Church, to help us to work assiduously and conscientiously, honourably performing our service with awe and reverence, for the well-being of His Church and our Patriarchal Parishes in Canada.

Let us ask in our prayers The Holy Mother of God, and all Saints, for their intersession to procure that the Grace of God continue to abide among the people of the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada forever! Let the Blessing of God be with you all endlessly!  “Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.” (2 Cor.13:11; 14)

Thank you very much for your attention!

I sincerely welcome all participants of this meeting and give my archpastoral blessing for its working! May the Lord help all of us in our efforts.

+Iov, Bishop of Kashira

Administrator of Patriarchal Parishes in Canada