Happy 150 Canada!

The 150^th Anniversary of Canada

On July the1st, 2017, the clergy and members of the Patriarchal Parishes for the 28th time in the history of the Cathedral of Saint Barbara celebrated Canada Day and – in this particular year – the 150th Anniversary of the country’s founding. After the full Sunday Night Vigil, which began at 3:30 p.m. and was devoted to Saint John of Shanghai, all parishioners gathered in the basement of the Cathedral at 6:00 p.m. «With one heart and one mouth» they sang the Lord’s prayer «Our Father» in the Church Slavonic language and the hymn of Canada in English.

After the blessing of Vladyka Iov and the opening speech of the President of the Church Council — Roman Lopushinsky, Kerry Diotte — the Member of the Federal Parliament from Edmonton — warmly welcomed the participants of the celebration. After the official part of the Celebration in honor of the 150th Anniversary of the founding of Canada, a fraternal meal («barbeque») was offered to all participants, after which the guests continued their communication by exchanging the news of their parishes, as well as other news.

Clergymen — archpriest Igor Kisil, priest Evgeni Prokhin and deacon Andrei Boldireff — during the conversation with the newcomers answered their questions about the spiritual life in Canada. The feast, in which participated about 70 people of different nationalities — Russians, Ukrainians, descendants of the Carpatho-Russians and Ukrainians, Canadians, Georgians, one Ethiopian, one Chinese lady, as well as the representatives of other nationalities, — was conducted in a warm fraternal atmosphere of love and mutual understanding.

The next day, at the end of the Sunday Liturgy, a special prayer for Canada was read along with the glorifying to St. John of Shanghai, whose icon with a piece of clothing was exhibited on the lectern, in the center of the Cathedral.

Prayer for our God-protected Country of Canada on the occasion of her 150th Birthday (July 2nd, 2017)

 O Holy God, Father Almighty, Only-begotten Son and Holy Spirit, Who by Your most-wise Providence, has authority and dominion over all things. We thank You and pray to You for our God-protected country of Canada and her God-beloved people, government, and armed forces.

Grant us, O Lord, a deep and abiding peace. In our hearts instill a love for Your Holy Orthodox Church and all Your people, that we in peace and purity might conduct our lives in all piety and virtue.

 Protect, O Lord, our country of Canada on her 150th anniversary from famine, plague, flood, earthquake, fire, the sword, invasion by enemies and civil war.

Maintain our families in harmony and love, teach our children, guide our youth, support our aged, protect the poverty-stricken, heal the sick, remember those imprisoned, set upon the straight path those who are confused, and unite them with the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.

 For You are our God, and unto You do we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Photo source – http://edmontonrussianschool.blogspot.ca/2017/07/canada-150.html