Celebration of Nativity at Blessed St. Xenia’s Community in Ottawa, Canada

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Christ is Born! Glorify Him!

Our Blessed St. Xenia’s community in Christ in Ottawa, Ontario most joyously celebrated the Great Feast of the Nativity of our Lord on January 6th/7th. Our community consists of those individuals, and their children and grandchildren, who remained with ROCA and Archbishop Andronik after our former Blessed St. Xenia parish was moved to the ROCOR-MP last July.

Father Nikita Grigoriev and matushka Joanne visited us for the Feast Day celebration for which we are extremely grateful. The services were conducted in a rented community hall and were attended by all members of our community, of which there are approximately 40, nearly half of whom are under the age of 14. For most of us, these were the first services with a priest since last summer. Nearly all present received Holy Communion and thus the joy that filled everyone’s hearts was deeply felt and seen. Father Nikita’s serving and inspirational sermons and matushka Joanne’s singing and conducting our small choir uplifted everyone.

Our community is also most grateful for the support provided by other parishes. Thanks to donations from the Holy Resurrection parish in Toronto, the St. Sergius of Radonezh parish in Valley Cottage, the St. Xenia parish in Kanata, all that Father Nikita and matushka Joanne brought themselves, along with contributions from our own members, all that was necessary for the services was provided.

On January 8^th, the Synaxis of the Theotokos, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the home of one of our members and was followed by a festive luncheon.

Glory to God for all.