Special Easter Message from the Council10-04-2020
Beloved brothers and sisters in the Lord,
At this difficult time for the entire Mankind, we pray the Almighty God to keep us all strong in faith, healthy and always looking toward hope and victory. Let us all continue to pray, fast, read the Holy Gospels and the Lives of the Saints and be watchful in keeping our spiritual, psychological and bodily health, while always thinking about meeting God land saving our souls.
During this pandemic, when the State authorities and the local, provincial and federal health ministries advise us to isolate ourselves at home in order to stop spreading the new virus, our Parish Council members together with the Parish Priest and guided by the His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian, decided on the following measures:
- Following the current social distancing measures imposed by the local authorities, the church building is closed at this time. During the Service, only the priest, the chanter and the altar/church helper will be present inside the holy church. The faithful are invited to participate to the Service from home.
- Liturgical Program as well as all latest announcements will be posted regularly on the church website at: https://sfmatei.ca
- All Service held in our church during the Holy Feast of Our Lord’s Resurrection, including the Vespers Service during the Holy Week, the Service of Our Lord’s Resurrection and all Service during the pascal time will be broadcasted online on the Parish Facebook page titled Biserica Sfantul Apostol Matei, at the address: https://www.facebook.com/SfantulMateiOttawa (you do not need an account to access it).
- All faithful are asked to participate to the Holy Service of the Holy Resurrection, each in their own home, on Saturday, April 18 at 11:30 p.m.
- At home, have a candle ready, so that when the Priest says “Come receive the Light!” you can all light your candle in your home. Immediately after this, we will all sing the “Christ Is Risen!” Tropar (three times). Christ’s Resurrection will resound in everyone’s home; the Priest in the church and the faithful in their own home, we will fill this corner of the world with the beauty of the Resurrection Message. Physical distancing separates us right now, but the Lord’s Resurrection unites our souls. The Resurrection Service will continue until 3:30 a.m.
- Due to the current State of Emergency, this year on Palm Sunday we will not offer willow branches and we will not distribute the blessed bread, sprinkled with Holy Water and wine, called “Paste”.
- We will not go round the church building on Good Friday and we will not hold the Service outside on the Resurrection Night. We wish that everyone stay safe and also we do not want to risk the church being closed by the authorities on account of anyone of us not following the Canadian provincial and federal current rules.
- For questions and details, Fr. Grigorie can be reached at 613-878-1263 or [email protected]
- St. Matthew and St. Great Martyr Christina is with you and offers to help anyone in need. If you find yourself in any kind of need during these times, if you find it difficult to go shopping for groceries, medication, or such – please do not hesitate to contact us at 61-878-1263 or [email protected]
- Those who can volunteer during this time for helping others, please contact us as well.
- Those who wish to be mentioned during Holy Liturgy can send their diptych for the living or for the dead in a text message to 613-878-1263 or an e-mail to [email protected], preferably the evening before the Service. You can also order candles, to be lighted during the Holy Liturgy, the same way (phone or e-mail).
Considering that we have lost the weekly Sunday Collection, at this time our Parish experiences a very difficult financial situation. Those who still can, please help by making online donations. At https://sfmatei.ca you can find all ways in which you can donate. The fastest is to use Interac e-transfer through [email protected]. Other ways are PayPal, United Way, or personal cheque made to St. Matthew Romanian Orthodox Church and mailed to 19 Cordova St. ON, K2G 1M9.
We deeply thank all those who continue to help out our church and Parish during these trying times. We are grateful and thankful to all for their sacrifice. Your support ensures that we are able to fulfill our financial obligations. All regular donations are used to pay the Mortgage and the rest of necessary expenses.
We ask The Almighty God to protect you all and we hope that we can all meet as soon as possible to pray together in our church!
God bless us all!
Parish Council
St. Matthew and St. Great Martyr Christina Parish
Ottawa, ON