50th Anniversary of the Consecration of St. Mary’s Church in Nisku, Alberta

On Sunday, September 18, 2016, the Patriarchal parish of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin in Nisku, which is located near the Edmonton International Airport, solemnly celebrated the Patronal feast day and the 50th Anniversary of the consecration of the church.

50th Anniversary of the Consecration of St. Mary’s Church in Nisku, Alberta

On the eve of the Feast, the All-Night Vigil service was held. On the feast day itself, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated. At the invitation of the Rector and of the Parish Council, these services were headed by His Grace Job, Bishop of Kashira, Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada.

The co-servants at the service were parish priest V. Rev. Igor Kisil, who just returned back from his trip to the Ukraine, along with clergy from other parishes.

The Hours were read by the choir director of Orthodox 5 parishes, Andrea Zacharuk.

The beauty of the Divine Liturgy and Moleben was enhanced by the mellifluous singing of a church choir under the direction of Sergey Kuflefskiy.

After the reading of the Gospel, Deacon Andrei Boldireff read out in English, the festive message of Bishop Job, Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes. The message was dedicated to the Virgin Mary’s Nativity as God’s Temple, the construction and consecration of the temple, and the spiritual birth of Christians as “living temples of God.”

Upon completion of the Divine Liturgy, in which about 20 people received Holy Communion, the festive moleben was conducted with the small blessing of the water, proclamation of Many Years, and singing magnification before the icon of the feast.

At the end of the service, rector Father Igor warmly thanked all participants of the celebration: the clergy, parishioners and guests, for their prayers and love for the temple, and for their participation in the festive service.

Also, on behalf of the parishioners and guests, Fr. Igor Kisil thanked Bishop Job for his holy prayers, his archpastoral blessing, and his visit to the parish, and prayerfully wished His Grace bountiful health in his archpastoral service, and many years of life.

Then a group picture was taken on the church grounds.

Following this, a festive anniversary banquet and short jubilee program was held at the Parish hall.

The program was finished with a slide show of the 50-year-old pictures of the consecration of the new church by His Eminence, Archbishop Panteleimon of Edmonton and Canada, and the clergy of the Patriarchal Parishes, on June 19, 1966. There was also an awarding of Archpastoral Gramotas (certificates of merit) to the church board, the parishioners, and the Sisterhood of St. Mary’s Church in Nisku, on the occasion of the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the consecration of their church, and in recognition of their hard work and zealous efforts toward the consolidation of Holy Orthodoxy in Canada.

Also, Vladyka Job presented to the parish an icon of the Mother of God.

The celebration was ended with a closing prayer.

On this day, around 80 people participated in worship, including the clergy and many children.

May God Grant the parishioners of St. Mary’s Church in Nisku and all of us Many, Many Years!