MESSAGE FROM THE PASTOR DESK – January 2019

The Blessing of Water…
As far as is known, our Earth is the only planet in our solar system that has liquid water for the sustaining of life. “This unique substance is the focus of serious attention throughout the world as the United Nations has declared the 1980’s as the “Decade of Water”

But the Church has always known how vital water is. The Church has blessed water for ages and called it holy. One of the most solemn acts of our ritual is the Great Blessing of the Water of the Jordan which takes place at the Feast of Theophany. This holiday commemorates the baptism of Our Lord at the hands of St. John the Baptism.

The baptism of Christ, which marks the beginning of His public life, has great theological significance. “The church views it as a symbolic act of considerable magnitude. It marks the redemption of nature, it typifies the reconciliation of creation which has been marred by man’s sin. Water, through the action of Christ at His baptism, has become the vehicle for the sanctification of earth and man.”

Note how extensively the Church uses water. We are born as children of God in the waters of Baptism. Water is mixed with wine as the cup is prepared for the Holy Eucharist. We bless ourselves, our churches, our homes, and various articles with the waters of Theophany. No wonder the child of the Church learns early in life to have a reverence for this basic element of nature.

We hear this proclamation at the blessing service: “Great art Thou, O Lord, and wonderful are Thy works, and no word does justice to the praise of Thy wonders.”

Annual Cathedral Picnic – June 23rd, 2019

Please join us for our annual picnic!

We have decided to host it again at Confederation Park in Burnaby. You can find the park North of Hastings Street just East of Willingdon Avenue.

You will find our group in Picnic Area #2. A more detailed map can be found here.

If you’re on Facebook, please RSVP on our event page.

There will be food, games and music and hopefully sunshine!

Date: Sunday June 23rd

Time: After Church Service to 8:00 pm

Christmas Service Schedule

CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR’S SERVICES WILL BE HELD AS FOLLOWS

  • January 7th, 2019 – Christ’s Nativity – Great Compline 9:30 am; Divine Liturgy 10:00 am

  • January 8th – Synaxis of the Theotokos Service 10:00 am
  • January 9th – First Martyr Stephen Service 10:00 am
  • January 14th – New Year’s Divine Liturgy 10:00 am
  • January 18th – The Eve of the Theophany: 6:00 pm Festal Vespers with the Great Blessing of Water. A Parish Theophany Meal (Spil’na Kutia) will follow at 7:00 pm in the Auditorium. We extend a warm welcome to one and all to join us in this special celebration. Cost for the dinner will be by donation. Please support the Parish with your generous donation.
  • January 19th – The Holy Theophany of our Lord and Saviour
    Jesus Christ: 9:30 am hours; 10:00 Divine Liturgy followed by the Great
    Blessing of Water.

 All members and visitors are invited to attend these Services.

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Mailing Address: 154 East 10th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5T 1Z4
604-876-4747  l  Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral

Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral