The celebration of the feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul is the culmination of the fast that precedes it, differing ever year in its length due to the date of Pascha. However, the fast is not only for preparation for a great feast, but also the Holy Church established this fast knowing very well our weaknesses and tendency to excess, especially after Pascha and the end of the Great Fast. Also, in keeping this fast, we united ourselves prayerfully to the holy apostles who fasted and prayed after Pentecost to prepare themselves to begin preaching the Gospel to the world.
This year as usually happens of late, our feast was made more joyous due to the presence of over thirty young men here in the monastery for the Summer Boys session. Of course, at this time of year, the monastery was filled with many pilgrims as well.
With the blessing of His Eminence, Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada, Vladyka Luke, who headed up the services on the feast together with the monastery clergy, ordained to the holy priesthood Deacon Valentin Lossev from Berezka, Ontario, to serve there in the Church of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God. Over the years, this parish has grown due to the migration of parishioners to that area from the Toronto metropolitan area.
We wish Fr. Valentin and his matushka and family God’s strength in his new obedience to the Holy Church.
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