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The Russian Church Marks the 25th Anniversary of the Glorification
of St. Xenia the Blessed.
The glorification of St. Xenia the Blessed, fool-for-Christ
of St. Petersburg, was conducted in 1978, and her feast day
established on 6 February (new style). This anniversary was
first marked by the parish dedicated to her name in the city
of Kanata, Canada (near Ottawa). This church has a large silver
cupola that became part of the landscape of Orthodox Russia
in Canada.
On Sunday, 2 February, before the feast day of St. Xenia,
His Grace Bishop Gabriel, Administrator of the Eastern Canadian
diocese, celebrated divine liturgy at the church in Kanata.
He was joined by the church's Rector, Priest Mark Burachek,
the rector of the Cathedral of St. Nicholas in Montreal, Priest
George Lagodich, Priest Stelios Liabotis from the London,
Ontario, Church of Christ the Savior Not-made-by-hands, along
with Deacon Seraphim Chemodakov from Jordanville. The church
was filled with worshipers. Besides regular parishioners,
there were many visitors from the nearby Protection Memorial
Church, from Montreal and Toronto. The choir sang magnificently
under the direction of G.A. Skok.
When the neighboring Kanatites have their feast day, many
visitors come from near and far. This time there were even
more than usual. Bishop Gabriel ordained into the rank of
deacon a long-time parishioner during liturgy, a singer, reader
and subdeacon of this parish, Vasily Mikhailovich Milonov.
The father of Deacon Vasily, Protopriest Mikhail Milonov was
known to the entire Church Abroad in the Western Hemisphere.
It is noteworthy that among the ancestors of Deacon Vasily
is the famous Ukrainian hetman Danilo Apostol. His portrait
hangs in a place of honor in the house of Dcn. Vasily, and
visitors sometimes notice that a resemblance is noticable
in Dcn. Vasily.
Dcn. Vasily Milonov is known in Russian Canada by his open
heart, his readiness to help the Church, and, what is very
important for a deacon, a good voice. The Parish of St. Xenia
is growing, and the Reverend Rector is relying on the support
of his new deacon during the forthcoming Great Lent.
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The ordination of Deacon Vasily Milonov.
That same day, during the minor entrance, Priest Stelios Liabotis
was awarded the nabedrennik. In his sermon, His Grace Bishop
Gabriel said that the days preceding Great Lent prepare us
for the journey towards healing. And healing is needed for
us all. Vladyka also noted that the feast day is a second
Pascha of sorts for the parish, and called upon all the parishioners
to try to attend service on the day itself. In conclusion,
Vladyka Gabriel congratulated Deacon Vasily with his proceeding
in the path of his father. After a service of supplication
to St. Xenia, all were invited by the sisterhood to a trapeza
luncheon.
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Bishop Gabriel awarding Priest Stelios Liabotis with the
nabedrennik during the minor entrance.
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