We are a parish of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad, and all are welcome to worship with us! Our services are in English. Please join us at our coffee hour downstairs after the service.


Weekly Schedule

Saturday Vigil        5:00pm
Sunday Divine Liturgy    9:30am
Sunday School        during the sermon
Sunday Bible Study    after coffee hour
Wednesday Akathist    6:30pm


Sunday Troparion, Tone 4: Having learned the joyful proclamation of the Resurrection from the angel,* and having cast off the ancestral condemnation, * the women disciples of the Lord spake to the apostles exultantly: * Death is despoiled and Christ God is risen, * granting to the world great mercy.

Troparion of St. Theodore Stratelates, Tone 4: By true strategy, O trophy-bearer * thou wast an illustrious general of the Heavenly King, O Theodore. * For thou didst wisely arm thyself with the weapons of faith, * and didst utterly annihilate the hordes of demons, * and didst prove a victorious athlete, * wherefore with faith * we ever call thee blessed.

Troparion of St. Theodore the Tyro, Tone 2: Great are the triumphs of faith! * The holy martyr Theodore rejoiced in a fountain of flame as in refreshing water. * For having been made a whole burnt offering by fire, * he was offered as a sweetbread to the Trinity. * By his prayers, O Christ God, save our souls.

Kontakion of St. Theodore Stratelates, Tone 2: Armed with faith and courage of soul, * and having taken in thy hand the Word of God as a spear, * thou didst conquer the enemy, * O glory of martyrs, Theodore. * With them cease not to intercede with Christ God for us all.

Kontakion of St. Theodore the Tyro, Tone 8: Having received the faith of Christ in thy heart as an inner shield, * thou didst overcome all the opposing forces, O great champion, * and thou hast been crowned with a heavenly crown, O Theodore, * for thou art eternally invincible.

Kontakion for Forgiveness Sunday, Tone 6: O Thou guide unto wisdom,* bestower of prudence, instructor of the foolish and defender of the poor: * Establish and grant understanding unto my heart, O Master. * Grant me speech, O Word of the Father; * for behold, I shall not keep my lips from crying unto Thee: * O Merciful One, have mercy on me who have fallen.

Today’s Readings
Epistle: Romans 13:11b-14:4
Gospel: Matthew 6:14-21

Parish News

 Forgiveness Vespers begins immediately after Divine Liturgy today, followed by the Rite of Forgiveness. We prostrate before our neighbor and say, “Forgive me, a sinner”.  They reply, “God forgives. Forgive me a sinner.” Then we reply, “God forgives.”

 Great Lent begins tomorrow. Let us refrain not only from meat and dairy, but from all vain entertainment. Make every effort to attend the Lenten services this week, and try to attend at least one Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts during the Fast. Remember to read the daily readings from Genesis, Proverbs and Isaiah.

 Please remember that we are serving Great Compline this week with the Great Canon of Repentance of St. Andrew of Crete, Monday-Thursday evenings at 6:00pm. On Wednesday we will serve Matins at 8:00am following by the Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts at 9:30am.

 The Vigil (Compline and Matins) for our Parish Feast begins at 6:00pm on Friday, and Divine Liturgy at 9:00am Saturday.

 The Council of Orthodox Churches on the Niagara Frontier is sponsoring the Annual Lenten Lecture Series with Vespers service preformed by the Pan-Orthodox Choir.

 The Sisterhood will meet on March 4.

 Please remember in your prayers those traveling: Galina Bahanovich, Silouan Dudley, Matushka Styliana Jackson, Valentina Jaffri, and Vadim Zharkoff.

“The arena of the virtues has been opened. Let all who wish to struggle for the prize now enter, girding themselves for the noble contest of the Fast; for those that strive lawfully are justly crowned. Taking up the armor of the Cross, let us make war against the enemy. Let us have as our invincible rampart the Faith, prayer as our breastplate, and as our helmet almsgiving; and as our sword let us use fasting that cuts away all evil from our heart. If we do this, we shall receive the true crown from Christ the King of all at the Day of Judgment.”
From the Praises at Matins

 
 

 If you are visiting today:

 There are service books underneath the candle stand that you may borrow and follow along in. If you get lost, ask your neighbor to help you find the page.

 As you can see, we stand for most of the service. If you are not accustomed to this, please feel free to sit if you feel the need. No one will mind! You should still stand during the Scripture readings and when the priest comes through.

 In the Orthodox tradition, women cover their heads in church, and extra scarves can be borrowed from the candle stand at the entrance.

 You will see people making the sign of the cross and bowing. Feel free to follow suit or not, however you are comfortable. Again, no one will mind either way.

 Feel free to venerate (kiss) the icons and purchase a candle to light. Commemoration slips for Orthodox, living and reposed may be placed on the tray by the candle stand. Please write down how many prosphora you would like to (suggested donation: $1/ea.)

 At the end of the service, you may come forward to venerate the hand-cross if you wish.

 At our parish we do not pass a collection plate. Gifts are voluntary and can be left at the candle stand.

 Anyone who wishes to receive Holy Communion must be an Orthodox Christian and make their Confession beforehand. Please speak with Fr. Peter for more information.

Confessions are heard at every evening service. This regular schedule will resume after Pascha. Please refer to the monthly calendar.