Metamorphosis Tou Sotiros Greek Orthodox Church in Toronto
40 Donlands Avenue M4J 3N6 Toronto, ON, Canada

Friday, May 21st/2021: we celebrate Sts. Constantine and Helen. Happy Name Day to those celebrating! Source: https://www.greekboston.com/religion/sts-constantine-helen/

May 7th/2021: Renewal Friday: Theotokos of the Life-giving Spring Divine Liturgy: 8:30-10:30 a.m.

February 21/21: !

Sunday, February 21/2021: Gospel Reading 9 , ..., : 10 . . 11 : " , , , ". 12 ". 13 , , . : " , ". 14 , . , , .

February 19th/2021: Due to the weather conditions and renovations in our Church, the Liturgy is cancelled!

Tomorrow's Gospel Reading (November 22nd)/2020: The Parable of the Rich Fool

! A blessed Lent to all of you!

From last night Liturgy for the feast of St. Minas

, ’ , , ... , , , , . O faithful, let us honor Nektarios, divine servant of Christ, offspring of Silivria and guardian of Aegina, who in these latter years was manifested as the true friend of virtue. All manner of healing wells forth for those who in piety cry out, "Glory to Christ who glorified you; glory to Him who, through you, wrought wonders; glory to Him who, through you, works healing for all."

Archangels Michael and Gabriel: Live Divine Liturgy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Vw-lONZ13o

https://youtu.be/ED9OVMIMS9c

Sunday, Oct. 4th 2020 (The Gospel Reading) , : , , , !!! : ...!!! ( , , )! !!!!

, . . 7:00 - 10...:00 Evening Hierarchical Divine Liturgy tonight for the feast of St. Minas the Great Martyr. His Grace Bishop Athenagoras of Patara will preside. 7:00 - 10:00 pm

SCHEDULE FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER. .

https://youtu.be/ZxgftALiqIQ

, . By Nick Kampouris 3 ... , , . ; .., . , . , , . , . , ( ) . , , , . . , . , , , , . , Paul , . ResFresco , . , . , 54 .. . , . . , . . , , . , , . , . , . , , , , , 96 .. , , , , . , . 3 , 9 . , 12 , . , . 1840 1853. 78 , 1931, . , , , . . See more

The History of Dionysius the Areopagite, the Patron Saint of Athens BY Nick Kampouris October 3rd is the day the Orthodox Christian Church commemorates S...aint Dionysius the Areopagite, the patron saint of the city of Athens, who is also known as the protector of judges and the judiciary. Who was Dionysius? Born during the first century AD, Dionysius grew up in a wealthy Athenian family. Before his conversion to Christianity, he was known to have studied both in Greece and abroad. According to written sources, Dionysius was married, and he and his wife and had several children. His broad knowledge and the great success he had in his studies gave him the opportunity to join ancient Greece’s most prestigious court of law, that of the Areopagus. Dionysius the Areopagite Converting the Pagan Philosophers, Oil on panel by Antoine Caron, 1521 1599 At the time of Jesus’ crucifixion, Dionysius was in Egypt in a town called Heliopolis (the City of the Sun) near today’s capital of Cairo. According to Christian tradition, that Good Friday, the very day Jesus Christ died, darkness came over all the land. Dionysius noticed that day that the sun had disappeared, and he wrote down the exact hour that this peculiar phenomenon took place. Tradition says that Dionysius was so amazed and disturbed by the disappearance of the sun that he uttered the words God suffers, or everything is lost. His conversion to Christianity However, for years after this phenomenon, Dionysius didn’t know for sure what the sudden eclipse meant, and whether or not it was actually a sign from heaven. Years later, he heard a man named Paul preaching on Athens’ Areopagus Hill, close to where his court was located. Dionysius heard St. Paul explaining that when Jesus died, the daylight completely disappeared and darkness embraced the world. This immediately reminded him of the peculiar phenomenon he had noticed and recorded in Egypt, years ago. Convinced that Paul was telling the truth and that his teaching was that of the true faith, Dionysius decided to become baptized in 54 AD. Dionysius was so passionate about Christ and His revolutionary message that he eventually abandoned his family and judicial career and dedicated himself completely to God. When the former judge learned that the mother of Jesus was still alive and living in Jerusalem, he decided to visit her there. Dionysius indeed met Mary there in the Holy Land, and enjoyed many discussions with her. He was also there when she finally passed away, a witness to her Dormition. The former Greek judge even attended her funeral. Years later, Dionysius wrote a book in which he explained his belief that the woman he had met and spoken with had indeed been the Mother of God, something that he believed was certain only by the way she had appeared. In the meantime, Saint Paul had named Dionysius the first Bishop of Athens, which in effect boldly established Christianity as an entity in the very center of the pagan world’s idolatry. Courageous martyrdom When Dionysius learned the news that Saint Paul had been executed by beheading outside Rome, he wholeheartedly desired to sacrifice his own life to honor Jesus. Along with his friends Eleutherius and Rusticus, Dionysius made the courageous decision to go and preach Jesus’ Gospel openly in public. After managing to convert many pagans to Christianity, Dionysius, the former judge, along with Eleutherius and Rusticus, was finally beheaded during the reign of Emperor Domitian, in 96 AD. Some believe that the Greek St. Dionysius actually died in Paris, but in all likelihood that was another martyr, from Gaul, who had the same name, and each St. Dionysius is commemorated on the day of their martyrdom. The Veneration of the Hieromartyr Saint Dionysius the Areopagite is venerated by both the Orthodox and the Catholic Christian Churches. The Orthodox Church honors his memory on October 3 every year, while the Catholic Church does so on October 9. Additionally, the Greek Orthodox Church also celebrates his memory on October 12, the day when all the Athenian saints are celebrated together. The Catholic Cathedral of Athens is dedicated to Saint Dionysius the Areopagite and an Orthodox church dedicated to his memory also still stands in Kolonaki, downtown Athens. The construction of the Catholic shrine began in the mid 1840s and it was consecrated in 1853. The Orthodox church dedicated to the saint was consecrated 78 years later, in 1931, after eight years of construction. Before that, a smaller and more humble church, also dedicated to the same saint, stood at the exact spot where the new temple stands. It was originally built at approximately the same time as the Catholic cathedral of St. Dionysius.

October 2 Feast Of Hieromartyr Cyprian, Virgin Martyr Justina, and Martyr Theoctistus, of Nicomedia Hieromartyr Cyprian, Virgin Martyr Justina and Martyr ...Theoctistus suffered for Christ at Nicomedia in the year 304. Saint Cyprian was a pagan and a native of Antioch. From his early childhood his misguided parents dedicated him to the service of the pagan gods. From age seven until thirty, Cyprian studied at the most outstanding centers of paganism: on Mount Olympus, in the cities of Argos and Tauropolis, in the Egyptian city of Memphis, and at Babylon. Once he attained eminent wisdom in pagan philosophy and the sorcerer’s craft, he was consecrated into the pagan priesthood on Mount Olympus. Having discovered great power by summoning unclean spirits, he beheld the Prince of Darkness himself, and spoke with him and received from him a host of demons in attendance. After returning to Antioch, Cyprian was revered by the pagans as a prominent pagan priest, amazing people by his ability to cast spells, to summon pestilence and plagues, and to conjure up the dead. He brought many people to ruin, teaching them to serve demons and how to cast magic spells. The holy virgin Justina lived in Antioch. After turning her own father and mother away from pagan error and leading them to the true faith in Christ, she dedicated herself to the Heavenly Bridegroom and spent her time in fasting and prayer. When the youth Aglaides proposed marriage to her, the saint refused, for she wished to remain a virgin. Agalides sought Cyprian’s help and asked for a magic spell to charm Justina into marriage. But no matter what Cyprian tried, he could accomplish nothing, since the saint overcame all the wiles of the devil through her prayers and fasting. Cyrian sent demons to attack the holy virgin, trying to arouse fleshly passions in her, but she dispelled them by the power of the Sign of the Cross and by fervent prayer to the Lord. Even though one of the demonic princes and Cyprian himself, assumed various guises by the power of sorcery, they were not able to sway Saint Justina, who was guarded by her firm faith in Christ. All the spells dissipated, and the demons fled at the mere mention of the saint’s name. Cyprian, in a rage, sent down pestilence and plague upon Justina’s family and upon all the city, but this was thwarted by her prayer. Cyprian’s soul, corrupted by its domination over people and by his incantations, was shown in all the depth of his downfall, and also the abyss of nothingness of the evil that he served. If you take fright at even the mere shadow of the Cross and the Name of Christ makes you tremble, said Cyprian to Satan, then what will you do when Christ Himself stands before you? The devil then flung himself upon the pagan priest who had begun to repudiate him, and attempted to beat and strangle him. Saint Cyrian then first tested for himself the power of the Sign of the Cross and the Name of Christ, guarding himself from the fury of the enemy. Afterwards, with deep repentance he went to the local bishop Anthimus and threw all of his books into the flames. The very next day, he went into the church, and did not want to leave it, though he had not yet been baptized. By his efforts to follow a righteous manner of life, Saint Cyprian discerned the great power of fervent faith in Christ, and made up for more than thirty years of service to Satan. Seven days after Baptism he was ordained reader, on the twelfth day, sub-deacon, on the thirtieth, deacon. After a year, he was ordained priest. In a short time Saint Cyprian was elevated to the rank of bishop. The Hieromartyr Cyprian converted so many pagans to Christ that in his diocese there was no one left to offer sacrifice to idols, and the pagan temples fell into disuse. Saint Justina withdrew to a monastery and there was chosen Abbess. During the persecution against Christians under the emperor Diocletian, Bishop Cyprian and Abbess Justina were arrested and brought to Nicomedia, where after fierce tortures they were beheaded with the sword. Saint Cyprian, fearful that the holy virgin’s courage might falter if she saw him put to death, asked for time to pray. Saint Justina joyfully inclined her neck and was beheaded first. The soldier Theoctistus, seeing the guiltless sufferings of Saint Justina, fell at Cyprian’s feet and declared himself a Christian, and was beheaded with them.

October 1/ 2020. Today, Indeed is a blessed day, and a new beginning for our parish, the Greek Orthodox Church of Metamorphosis To Sotiros. We are blessed with a new priest. The very Rev. Fr. Fanourios Pappas. Our parish welcomes you, and your beautiful family. May we have your blessings

The Holy Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos Ecclesiastical feast, which honors the vestments of the Virgin Mary and is related to Her appearance in a v...ision in the temple of the Blachernas of Constantinople One of the ecclesiastical feasts, with which the vestments of the Virgin Mary are honored. The other two are the Honest Gown ( July 2 ) and the Honest Zone ( August 31 ). The feast of Agia Skepi is related to the appearance of the Virgin Mary in a vision in the temple of the Blachernas of Constantinople, during the reign of Emperor Leo VI the Wise (886-911). According to a study by the eminent Russian hagiologist Sergius, Archbishop Vladimir (1898), in combination with the life of Saint Andreas of Salos,(fool for Christ) written by the elder Nikiforos, the Virgin Mary appeared in the temple of the Blachernas, during the all-night vigil. and the follower of Epiphanius. It was accompanied by a multitude of Saints, who sang hymns and were supported by Saint John the Forerunner . The Virgin Mary, after kneeling and praying, took the robe from her head, spread it as a Roof on the people and then, after wearing it again, left the temple with her entourage. The news spread immediately to Constantinople, at a time when it was under the threat of the Agarines (Byzantine name for the Arabs), instilling courage and optimism in its inhabitants. When the danger passed, the rescue of the Queen was attributed to the intervention of the Virgin Mary and the Church instituted the event as a feast of the Mother of God and designated it to be celebrated on October 1 . In the 12th century it was established in Russia under the name "Pogrov" and is celebrated on October 14. In itself for us, the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece, in the session of 17is Oktovriou 1952 at the proposal of Archbishop Spyridon, decided to postpone the celebration of Holy Protection from October 1 to October 28 , to be a religious basis anniversary of "NO" . The Sequence of the feast, in combination with the content of the anniversary of the declaration of the Greek-Italian War, was written by the Mount Athos monk Gerasimos Mikragiannanitis (1905-1991). The cover was the veil of women, a kind of tunic that covered the head and reached to the ankles. The Byzantines called the purple red cloth that we see in the images covering the head and body of the Virgin Mary over the inner tunic a mask : https://www.sansimera.gr/articles/992

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Teachings of Saint John Chrysostome Do you want to honor the body of Christ? Then do not despise his nakedness. You come to attend church services dresse...d in the finest silks which your wardrobe contains; and it is right that you should honor Christ in this way. But on your way, do you pass naked beggars in the streets? It is no good coming to the Lord’s table in fine silks, unless you also give clothes to the naked beggar because the body of that beggar is also the body of Christ. Do you want to honor the blood of Christ? Then do not ignore his thirst. You have donated beautiful gold chalices for the wine, which becomes a symbol of Christ’s blood; and it is right that you should honor Christ in this way. But on your way to services, you passed by beggars who pleaded for food and drink. It is no good putting gold chalices on the Lord’s table unless you give food and drink to the poor from your own tables. The service which we celebrate in church is a sham unless we put its symbolic meaning into practice outside its walls. Better that we do not come at all than we become hypocrites whose selfishness can only besmirch the Gospel in the eyes of others. St John Chrysostom, Homily 50, Homilies on the Gospel of St Matthew Note : (This statement should not be misinterpreted as St. John disregarding the literal presence of Christ in the Eucharist in favour of a purely symbolic one.) See more

; ùia . ...akolou is ; . , - . ; , . . , . , . , . - . Homily 50, Homilies on the Gospel : ( o .) See more

The Orthodox Church constantly prays: "For the peace of the whole world", ... " "..... Lord have Mercy!!"... Even In a smallest parish, with few people, and with small opportunity for offerings, even in there, a great holy mission takes place. The prayer for the "peace of the world" is the essence in the course of the world, which is neither seen nor calculated. What would the world be without this daily prayer that is cited unceasingly and universally ? How many people die on our earth "as we speak"? How many become uprooted ? How much pain exists world over? And how much confusion Indeed? How can prayer help? And how does it help for so many years the supplication for the "peace of the world"? Blood continues to flow non-stop "wherever you turn". And yet, "not even one "Lord have mercy" is being uttered in vain, our holy fathers assure us. The prayers of the Church silently and invisibly, strengthens, protects, and saves from certain death. It prepares many for the transition to eternity, with the ticket of martyrdom. " Lord have mercy on Your world ". " "

The Struggle that leads in God's Grace . I was walking on the beach one late afternoon, when a drug addict approached me. He didn't ask me for money, but he ... asked if I could buy him a corn on the cob, on a near by stand. I asked him if he wanted something more than that. He told me that he wanted me to go and buy it for him because he owed money to the vendor from previous times, and maybe he would keep his money and not give it to him the corn! I went and I brought it for him, and he asked me if I could sit with him for a while if I was not ashamed to be seen with him. I replied that I would be ashamed if I did not sit down with him. Then he told me the following amazing story! '' Dude, when you are far from Christ this is how you become !!! But I have been trying for a long time to stop taking drugs so as not to upset Him !!! I don't know if I will ever succeed, but because I will probably not live long, I want when I go before Him to show him that at least I struggled and tried so that he may feel pity for me and save me! '' We were somewhere near the church of saints Cyril and Methodius. He tells me ........ I go across this church every morning and everyone looks at me thinking that I want money. But I go in front of the Icon to ask for His help so that I can quit drugs. I do not light a candle because I don't have money to buy it.!!!!! (SENSE OF HONOR). And every night I go again and say to Him........... I did not succeed! Or I say .......maybe tomorrow I somehow will fight it, thank you !!! The words of this man was like listenining the struggles of a potential saint. !!! I gave him some money and told him to go to church tomorrow and light a candle but also to pray for my soul as well. He assured me that he would not waste the money and that he would give it all the money in advance there so that he would not be tempted to spend it, and every day he would light 2 candles. I did not ask much about him. I did not want him to feel that I was violating his strange life with my indiscretion. The moment I was leaving, he told me that he was glad that I sat with him and that my company did him good.... Now you who are reading this text you understand well which of the two benefited! Before my meeting with this man, I had thoughts that my whole life is stressful and that I am facing more and more difficulties. As I was going feeling so down, this soul came my way. How can I say that God does not truly loves us? How? The truth is, that He loves us very much ............... In the meantime, probably from today and for at least a few days, a drug addict is praying for me as well! See, those who live with the struggle and at the edge, at the end will push us close to Paradise!

Blessed Memories of the life of the Greek orthodox Church Metamorphosis To Sotiros with Rev. Fr. Michael Michaels

Announcement of fairwell Today, September 27,2020, was a very special day at our parish, the church of Metamorphosis. A day of great emotions, good wishes, sadness and gratitudes. Our parish priest, Rev. Fr. Michael Michaels, who has served our parish with great devotion and love, for almost five years, is being transfered and he and his beautiful family are moving to beautiful Cyprus. As Fr Michael held the last Divine Liturgy at our parish he was greeted fair...well and good wishes by the congregation. The Church Council members, the lady of Pholoptochos, the Sunday School and the teachers, wishing wholeheartedly to Father Michael and his family, all God's blessings: peace, continued spiritual development, health and prosperity. Memories of Fr. Michael's service in our parish Thank you By Elena Lebesi See more

Orthodox Catechism The Divine Liturgy ... Part 2. The Liturgy of the Catechumens The Liturgy of the Catechumens begins with the pronouncement: "Blessed be The Kingdom of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit now and ever and unto ages of ages." As he recites these words, the Priest makes the sign of the Cross with the Gospel Book (Evanghelion). Then follow prayers in the form of petitions to which the choir responds with "Kyrie Eleison" (Lord, have mercy); hymn in honour of the Theotokos, the Son of God, and the Holy Trinity; also the hymn (Troparion) for the feast day and for the dedication of the Church. Then follows the most dramatic part of the Liturgy of the Catechumens, the Lesser Entrance. It is called "Lesser" because it anticipates the "Great Entrance" which is to come later. The Priest, accompanied by altar boys bearing candles or lamps, takes the Gospel Book, moves to the right of the Holy Altar and around behind it in order to come out of the left side door of the Icon Screen. He pauses facing the Royal Doors, holds up the Gospel Book and says, "Sophia, orthoi!" ("Wisdom, Arise!") This enjoins the congregation to be attentive to the wisdom contained in Jesus' Gospels. The procession represents the coming of Christ to preach His Gospel message of salvation to the people. It dates back to the time when Christians were persecuted and had no place where they could openly display the Gospel Book. At this point in the service the Priest would go to the secret hiding place accompanied by his altar boys, remove the Book and bring it before the people to read from it. The candles carried by the altar boys symbolise the light of Christ's teaching. "I am the Light of the world", says the text on the Book which Christ is pictured holding on the icon to the right of the Royal Gate. The Lesser Entrance is followed by the readings. First comes the reading from the Apostle. This is in the form of an "Epistle" or letter. It is usually read by one of the chanters, since it can be read by a layman. Then follows the reading from the Gospel which is always read by the Priest, or by a Deacon, if there is one present. The readings are intended for instruction, and since the purpose of the sermon is to instruct and frequently to explain the Scripture readings, the traditional place for it is after the readings. In the days when catechumens were dismissed soon after, this was important. Today the sermon is usually at the end of the Liturgy.