Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada
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, , , , , , , . Let us praise the most auspicious bride of Christ, the divine Katherine, protectress of Sinai, our aid and our help. For, she brilliantly silenced the eloquence of the impious by the sword of the spirit, and now, crowned as a martyr, she asks great mercy for all.

Today's Gospel Reading (Luke 12:16-21) for the 9th Sunday of Luke 12:16-21 The Lord said this parable: "The land of a rich man brought forth plentifully; and he thought to himself, 'What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?' And he said, 'I will do this: I will pull down my barns, and build larger ones; and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, 'Soul, you have ample goods laid up for ma...ny years; take your ease, eat, drink, be merry.' But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul is required of you; and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?' So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." As he said these things, he cried out: "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." , ; , , , , , , . , ; , .

v , v , v, v . God, who gave you invincible power and with care kept your city invulnerable, royally clothed the Church in purple with the streams of your blood, for you are her strength, O Dimitrios.

Today we celebrate the Great Feast of the Entrance of the Most-holy Theotokos into the Temple ( ) , , , , , . Today is the prelude of God's pleasure and the proclamation of man's salvation. The Virgin is clearly made manifest in the temple of God and foretells Christ to all. Let us also cry out to her with mighty voice, "Hail, fulfillment of the Creator's dispensation."

Today we celebrate the Holy Great Martyr Demetrios the Myrrh-streamer ( ) to all of those who celebrate their Name Day today!

Today we commemorate the memory of the Holy Hieromartyr Dionysius the Areopagite ( ) v , , v, , , , . In spirit, thou dist pass through Heaven's gates, instructed by the great Apostle who attained to the third Heaven's heights, and wast made rich in all knowledge of things beyond speech; and then thou, O Dionysios, didst illuminate them that slumbered in the darkness of their ignorance. Hence we all cry out: Rejoice, O universal Father.

v vv, v , . , v , , , , . The world has found in you a great champion in time of peril, as you emerged the victor in routing the barbarians. For as you brought to naught the boasts of Lyaios, imparting courage to Nestor in the stadium, in like manner, holy one, great Martyr Dimitrios, invoke Christ God for us, that He may grant us His great mercy.

"But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation" (Galatians 6:14-15).

Today's Gospel Reading (Luke 8:26-39) for the 6th Sunday of Luke 8:26-39 At that time, as Jesus arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, there met him a man from the city who had demons; for a long time he had worn no clothes and he lived not in a house but among the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him, and said with a loud voice, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beseech you...Continue reading

This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Wishing all a blessed month of October! !

and happy Name Day to His Grace Bishop Iakovos of Zinoupolis. May our Lord grant him many years and good health, rightly teaching the word of His truth. ! Photo credit: Peter Tsounis

"When you want to resolve a complicated matter, look for what will please God in the situation, and you will find His solution to be to your benefit." -St. Mark the Ascetic

Today we commemorate James (Iakovos) the Holy Apostle, Brother of the Lord ( ) O wondrous Iakovos, God the Logos, only-begotten of the Father, who dwelt among us in latter days, declared you, the first shepherd and teacher of Jerusalem, and faithful steward of the spiritual mysteries. Wherefore, we all honor you, O Apostle. , ' , v , , , , v , v .

Today we celebrate Saint Cyriacus the Hermit of Palestine ( ) , , , ' , , , . The sacred lavra doth at all times rightly honour thee as a sure helper and support and mighty champion, and it annually observeth thy holy mem'ry. And since thou, O righteous Cyriacus, dost possess boldness with the Lord, protect us from our enemies, that we may cry to thee: Rejoice, O thrice-blessed Father.

Our Venerable Father Chariton, Confessor and Teacher of the desert ( ) With the rivers of your tears, you have made the barren desert fertile. Through sighs of sorrow from deep within you, your labors have borne fruit a hundred-fold. By your miracles you have become a light, shining upon the world. O Chariton, our Holy Father, pray to Christ our God, to save our souls. , , , , , , , , , .

On this day six years ago, the then Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto (Canada) held a historic and very successful Conference on the Ecumenical Patriarchate with the theme, "Reflecting on the Past Looking Towards the Future."

Homily by His Eminence Metropolitan Ambrosios of Korea (Greek) Great Vespers 2014: Feast of St. Gerasimus of Cephalonia (Oshawa, Ontario)

Today's Gospel Reading (Luke 5:1-11) for the 1st Sunday of Luke 5:1-11 At that time, as Jesus was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, he saw two boats by the lake; but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. And when he had ceased speaking, he said to Simon, "Pu...t out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." And Simon answered, "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets." And when they had done this, they enclosed a great shoal of fish; and as their nets were breaking, they beckoned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." For he was astonished, and all who were with him, at the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; henceforth you will be catching men." And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him. , , . , , . , . , . . , . , , , , , . . , .

October 20: Holy Great Martyr Artemius of Antioch; Saint Gerasimus of Cephalonia (link); Saint Matrona the Wonderworker of Chios

"I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14). What is the goal of the maturing Christian? For St. Paul it is that we be engaged in the struggle of faith, confident that Christ has made us His own, but knowing we are not yet perfected. Thus, we are zealous to press on toward the completion of our salvation, the prize of the upward call of God -- the resurrection to eternal life. (From The Orthodox Study Bible)

Today we commemorate the Falling Asleep of Saint John the Theologian, Apostle and Evangelist ( ) St. John is the Patron Saint of the Patriarchal Toronto Orthodox Theological Academy. , , , , , , , , , .... Beloved Apostle of Christ our God, hasten to deliver a people without defense. He who permitted you to recline upon His bosom, accepts you on bended knee before Him. Beseech Him, O Theologian, to dispel the persistent cloud of nations, asking for us peace and great mercy.

Today's Gospel Reading (Luke 10:16-21) for the Feast of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Luke 10:16-21 The Lord said to his disciples, "He who hears you hears me, and he who rejects you rejects me, and he who rejects me rejects him who sent me." The seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!" And he said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you autho...rity to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will." , . , . . , . , . , , , , , , .

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Today we commemorate the Holy Martyr Longinus the Centurion ( ) , , , , , , , , , . Thy Martyr, O Lord, in his courageous contest for Thee received the prize of the crowns of incorruption and life from Thee, our immortal God. For since he possessed Thy strength, he cast down the tyrants and wholly destroyed the demons' strengthless presumption. O Christ God, by his prayers, save our souls, since Thou art merciful.

Holy Protomartyr Thekla, Equal to the Apostles ( ) All aflame with love for your Creator, * from the teachings of the sacred preacher, * you disregarded as fleeting all things mundane. * And being bold in the face of the penalties, * you gave yourself as a beautiful gift to God. * Thekla, glorious companion of the Apostle Paul, * we pray you entreat your Bridegroom, Christ, * and ask Him to grant us His great mercy. , , , . , , , .

Today the Church commemorates the Conception of Saint John the Baptist ( ) , , , , , , , , , , . Rejoice, O thou barren one who hadst not borne until now; for lo, in all truth thou hast conceived the lamp of the Sun, and he shall send forth his light over all the earth, which is afflicted with blindness. Dance, O Zacharias, and cry out with great boldness: The one to be born is the blest Prophet of God Most High.

Lifted up on the Cross by Your free will, Christ God, grant mercies to the new commonwealth that bears Your name. Gladden our faithful rulers by Your power, giving them victories over their adversaries. May Your alliance be for them a weapon for peace, an invincible standard. , , , , , , , , , , .

Today the Church commemorated Eustathius the Great Martyr, his wife and two children ( ) , , , , , , ' , . O blest one, since thou didst emulate Christ's sufferings and drankest His cup with eagerness, thou didst become a partaker and joint-heir of His glory, O wise Eustathius; and since He is God of all things, He gave thee divine power from Heaven's heights.

Today's Gospel Reading (Mark 8:34-38; 9:1) for the Sunday after the Elevation of the Holy Cross 8:34-38, 9:1 The Lord said: "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in... return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power." , , . , , . , ; ; , . , .

, , , , , , , , . Triumphant over Hades, O Christ, you ascended upon the cross to raise up with yourself those dwelling in the darkness of death. Free from among the dead, you pour forth life from your own light. Almighty Savior, have mercy on us.

Download our bilingual (Greek and English) Prayer Book today! The aim of prayer is that we should acquire from it love of God, for in prayer are to be found all sorts of reasons for loving God. -Saint Isaac the Syrian

Today we celebrate Sophia and her three daughters: Faith, Hope, and Love (, , ) O Lord Jesus, unto Thee Thy lamb doth cry with a great voice: O my Bridegroom, Thee I love; and seeking Thee, I now contest, and with Thy baptism am crucified and buried. I suffer for Thy sake, that I may reign with Thee; for Thy sake I die, that I may live in Thee: accept me offered out of longing to Thee as a spotless sacrifice. Lord, save our souls through her... intercessions, since Thou art great in mercy. , , , , , , , , ' , , , .

Today we celebrate Euphemia the Holy and Great Martyr ( ) , , , , , , , . O Euphemia, Christ's comely virgin, thou didst fill the Orthodox with gladness and didst cover with shame all the heretics; for at the holy Fourth Council in Chalcedon, thou didst confirm what the Fathers decreed aright. O all-glorious Great Martyr, do thou entreat Christ God that His great mercy may be granted unto us.

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Orthodox Voice (September 13, 2020): Sunday before the Elevation of the Holy Cross

Then He said to them all, If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me (Luke 9:23). Each person must take up his own cross. The burden in this world is different for each person, and each has been chosen by God to bear certain struggles for his own salvation and the salvation of those around him. The cross is to be taken up daily. Commitment to following Christ is not just a one-time event. Rather, it is the continual practice of faith and obedience, even to the point of being shamed and persecuted by the world.