Dear brothers and sisters, parishioners and friends of St. Barbara’s Cathedral!

Christ is in our midst!

With a heavy heart and out of extreme necessity we announce that due to the tight emergency restrictions on public gatherings and to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus infection, according to the cathedral church board decision ALL services and events in our Cathedral are cancelled starting on March 25, until further notice. Please share this news with any of the parishioners who might not have access to the internet.

Those who desire to receive the Holy Mysteries of Christ are instructed to contact Fr. Igor by phone: 780-429-5920 or cell phone: 780-983-7159 or by email: ikisil@telus.net to arrange a time for confession and to receive communion .

In the connection of the cancellation of all services in our cathedral, every effort will be made to Live-Stream (or video) the Divine Liturgies for the edification of the faithful. For more information, please contact Father Igor.

On the note of visitations, if you are in need of any help, be it with shopping, meal preparation, or anything else, please also reach out to Father Igor. This is not the time to be shy. If you would like to volunteer to help with this as well, contact Father so he knows that you are available.

I also wanted to inform you that at other Patriarchal parishes in Alberta, all services are canceled.

Also, I would like to mention that due to the current travel restrictions surrounding the Coronavirus outbreak, we have also received news that His Grace Bishop Matthew will NOT be able to make his trip to Canada and the USA at the end of March.

The parishioners of our cathedral are asked to offer fervent prayers for the deliverance of our country, province and city and all countries from this pestilence. They are also encouraged to spend this time of quarantine engaging in private devotions at their homes .

Pray and be safe, and God bless.

With love in Christ,
Father Igor Kisil,
Rector of St. Barbara’s Cathedral,
Dean of the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada

A prayer in the time of a Pandemic
O God Almighty, Lord of heaven and earth, and of all creation visible and invisible: In Your inexpressible goodness, look down upon us, Your people gathered in Your Holy Name. Be our helper and defender in this day of affliction, for You know all our weaknesses and hear our cry in repentance and contrition of heart. O loving Lord, deliver us from the impending threat of the novel Coronavirus. Send Your angel to watch over us and protect us. Grant health and recovery to those suffering from this virus. Guide the hands of the physicians and heal Your servants through them. Grant wisdom to those who are working on the vaccine for this virus. And preserve those who are healthy. Enable us to continue to serve our suffering brothers and sisters in peace that together we may glorify Your most honorable and majestic Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.