Holy Cross UBC

Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!

2008-04-28T00:29:00.001-07:00

O Death, where is thy sting?O Hell, where is thy victory?
Christ is risen, and thou art overthrown!
Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen!
Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice!
Christ is risen, and life reigns!
Christ is risen, and not one dead remains in the grave.

For Christ, being risen from the dead,Is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.
To Him be glory and dominionUnto ages of ages.
Amen.

From the Paschal Sermon of St John Chrysostom

Let us love the Bridegroom, O brethren.

2008-04-21T22:45:00.000-07:00

Behold, the Bridegroom comes at midnight,
And blessed is that servant whom He shall find watching,
And again, unworthy is the servant whom He shall find heedless.
Beware, therefore, O my soul, do not be weighed down with sleep,
Lest you be given up to death, and lest you be shut out of the Kingdom.
But rouse yourself crying: Holy, Holy, Holy, art Thou, O our God,
Through the Theotokos have mercy on us.
Troparion of Bridegroom Matins

The Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts at UBC

2008-02-18T17:37:00.000-08:00

Next week we begin Lent during which the Chaplaincy gatherings will be on Wednesday evenings. This begins with the singing of the Canon of St Andrew of Crete (March 12th). In the weeks that follow (March 19th, 26th, April 2nd, 9th, & 16th) we will be serving the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts. Each of these evenings will be followed by a Lenten meal in Plato's Cave. All services will be at St Mark's Chapel UBC.

Please join us as we make our journey to Pascha a journey that for us all who enter in is given as a precious gift a "school of repentance."

Tuesday Evening Vespers at Holy Cross UBC

2008-01-15T13:59:00.000-08:00

Each Tuesday evening we will be serving Vespers on Campus at UBC. Please join us as we gather to sing this ancient rite of the Orthodox Church.

We gather at St Mark's College Chapel at 6:30 PM and gather for a time of fellowship and discussion afterwards in Plato's Cave.

Last Vespers until the New Year

2007-12-11T10:56:00.000-08:00

Tonight is the Last Vespers of 2007.

This evening we will be serving Vespers at the Menno Simons Centre. This will be followed by a potluck meal and fellowship. The Menno Simons Centre is located at the corner of Crown and 11th Ave (4000 11th Ave West) not far from Campus. We will be meeting at our usual time of 6:30 PM. Menno Simons Centre is student residence that a number of our friends and faithful have lived at over the years.

The next service on Campus will be on January 8th 2008 at our usual place and time. Please join us for this time of prayer and fellowship with the students in residence. Also, know that you are all in our prayers as you fininsh your exams and papers and look forward to the break you will have during this season of Nativity and Theophany!

Weekly Vespers at UBC

2007-10-09T09:24:00.000-07:00

"...the sun knows it's time for setting, You make darkness and it is night...." (Psalm 104: 19-20)

Weekly Vespers is held Tuesday evenings at 6:30 PM. Services are held at St Mark's Chapel at UBC. This ancient evening rite of the Orthodox Church recapitulates creation, the sin of humanity and our salvation in Jesus Christ. Through prayers, psalms and the hymns of the Church we offer our worship to God in spirit and in truth.

Our time of worship is always followed by a time of fellowship and discussion lead by Fr Christopher. Please join us.

Vigil & Hierarchical Liturgy

2007-09-20T16:40:00.000-07:00

It was a great blessing to have Archbishop Seraphim with us on the UBC Campus this Wednesday evening. Thank you to all who came. Archbishop Seraphim enjoyed his time on the campus he studied at some years ago.

The Mission of St Nina and all who wish to from the Holy Cross Chaplaincy have been invited to attend Vigil and Hierarchical Liturgy at Holy Resurrection Sobor this weekend.

Vigil is Saturday at 6:00 PM and Hierarchical Liturgy is Sunday at 9:30 AM.

The Liturgy on Sunday will be followed by a pot-luck. All are welcome as Holy Resurrection Sobor celebrates her patronal feast.

For directions please follow the link.

Please note that services will not be held this weekend (September 22nd & 23rd) at St Nina Mission.

Vespers will be as usual next Tuesday September 25th and each following Tuesday at 6:30 PM.

A Visit From Archbishop Seraphim

2007-09-10T10:28:00.000-07:00

This Wednesday (September 19th) we will have the joy of His Eminence, Archbishop Seraphim, coming to be with us for Vespers on the Campus at St Mark's College Chapel. This will be followed by a time of food, fellowship and Q and A with His Eminence. Because of Vladika’s visit Tuesday Vespers will be cancelled.

We hope to see you on Wednesday!

Tuesday evening Vespers will continue next week.

Your servant in Christ,
Fr Christopher

Summer Break at UBC!

2007-07-05T10:39:00.001-07:00

Enjoy the summer break in the breath-takingly beautiful city of Vancouver! We look forward to the services, fellowship & study that will begin again in September. If you are looking for an Orthodox Church in Vancouver to attend please contact Fr Christopher the Orthodox Chaplain at UBC for a list of the Parishes found here in the city and their service times.

Vespers Tonight 6:30 PM

2007-05-15T10:03:00.000-07:00

We will be serving Vespers at UBC each Tuesday for the remainder of May. Please join us in this Ancient Rite of evening prayer and worship which is always followed by a time of fellowship and stimulating discussion.

Vespers Canceled this evening

2007-05-01T08:37:00.000-07:00

This evening's (May 1st) Vespers will be canceled as Fr Christopher is under the weather. Please pray for his speedy recovery. Thank you for your prayers!

Christ is Risen!

Holy Week & Paschal Services at St Nina's English Mission

2007-04-02T19:39:00.000-07:00

There will be no services at the Holy Cross Chaplaincy at UBC during Holy Week. Services will resume after Bright Week. Please join us at the St Nina's Orthodox Mission. All services are in English.

Wednesday, April 4 7:00 pm-- Bridegroom Matins of Holy Thursday

Thursday, April 5 – 7:00 pm – Matins of Holy Friday
The “Passion Gospels” Service

Friday, April 6 – 7:00 pm – Matins of Holy Saturday
The Procession of the Shroud & “Lamentations”

Saturday, April 7 – 9:00 am – Liturgy of Holy Saturday

Saturday, April 7 – 11:30 pm – Nocturns, Matins and Paschal Liturgy
Followed by Blessing of Paschal baskets* and festal meal

(Please see Father Christopher to arrange your confession prior to Holy Saturday)

*It is customary to bring a Paschal Basket to the liturgy. Father will bless it after the service and then we will have a shared feast of items from the baskets any other dishes or treats that you care to bring. Baskets usually include a candle (to be lit when the baskets are blessed) and foods that you have been fasting from (Meats, cheeses, chocolates, wine, Easter eggs, and Paschal bread…all your favourite things to eat!).

Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts

2007-03-02T10:57:00.000-08:00

Each Wednesday evening through the season of Lent this ancient Liturgy will be served at St Mark's Chapel. We gather at 6:30 PM and break our fast together following the Liturgy with a Lenten meal and fellowship. This will replace our usual weekly Vespers on Tuesday evenings until Bright Week after Pascha.

Please join us for this truly beautiful and uniquely Orthodox service.

Weekly Vespers at UBC

2007-01-08T15:57:00.000-08:00

"...the sun knows it's time for setting, Thou makest darkness and it is night...." (Psalm 104: 19-20)

Weekly Vespers is held Tuesday evenings at 6:00 PM. Services are held at St Mark's Chapel at UBC. This ancient evening rite of the Orthodox Church recapitulates creation, the sin of humanity and our salvation in Jesus Christ. Through prayers, psalms and the hymns of the Church we offer our worship to God in spirit and in truth.

Our time of worship is always followed by a time of fellowship and discussion lead by Fr Christopher. Please join us.

Divine Liturgy for the Feast of Theophany at St Nina's and Great Blessing of Waters at the Spanish Banks

2007-01-05T10:09:00.000-08:00

On Saturday January 6th the Divine Liturgy will be served in celebration of the Feast of the Theophany of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ at St Nina's Mission at 9:30 AM. After the faithful will gather at the Spanish Banks for the rite of the Great Blessing of Waters. We will ask God to sanctify the waters of the Pacific Ocean and through it the city of Vancouver and all of creation. Fresh water will also be blessed for the faithful to take home so please bring bottles.

If you require a ride or further information please contact Fr Christopher.

Break during the Nativity Season

2006-12-13T12:31:00.000-08:00

Services and office Hours at the Holy Cross Chaplaincy will resume in the New Year. Tuesday Night Vespers will begin on January 10th. We pray that everyone stays the course of the Fast and has a blessed Feast of the Nativity and a blessed Feast of Theophany. If you require information regarding services being offered by local parishes please contact Fr Christopher. May God bless each and everyone of you during this season of great joy as we sing:

"Greatly rejoice, O heaven; be gald, O earth. For the Lamb of God has been born on earth, granting the world forgiveness. The Word who is in the bosom of the Father has come forth without seed from the Virgin. The Magi were struck with wonder, seeing Him born in Bethlehem as a child; and all things give Him glory!"

November Update

2006-11-01T21:14:00.000-08:00

Sadly three of the scheduled services for this month have been cancelled as Fr Christopher will be away. Tuesday Vespers on November 7th, Divine Liturgy on November 8th and Tuesday Vespers on November 14th will not be held.

Please pray for Fr Christopher and his family as they travel to a wedding and enjoy a much need family vacation.

The next service of the Holy Cross Chaplaincy will be Vespers on Tuesday November 21st and will be followed by a potluck meal and a time of fellowship and discussion.

Vespers

2006-09-19T00:03:00.000-07:00

Weekly Vespers begins this Tuesday September 19th. Please join us for this ancient evening rite. We will gather for coffee and discussion following the service. The service begins at 6:00 PM and will be served at St Mark's College at UBC.

The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy & Life Creating Cross

2006-09-11T23:05:00.000-07:00

The Patronal Feast of the Holy Cross Chaplaincy is this academic year's inaugural service at UBC. A Vesperal Liturgy will be held at 7:00 PM on Wednesday September 13th followed by a "Lenten" fellowship meal.

All of the Chaplaincy's services will once again be held at St Mark's College.

Weekly Vepsers will begin on Tuesday September 19th and will be followed each week by a time of study and discussion.

Divine Liturgy will also be held in celebration of a number of Lesser Feasts through the Academic Year including the Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and Other Bodiless Powers November 8th, St Herman of Alaska December 13th, The Three Hierarchs: SS. Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom January 31st, the Holy Great Martyr and Victorybearer George April 23rd, and the Holy Equal to the Apostles Cyril and Methodius May 11th. Each of these Divine Liurgies will be held at 6:00 AM at St Mark's College.

Feast of the Ascension of our Lord

2006-05-31T12:43:00.000-07:00

Divine Liturgy will be held tomorrow morning (June 1st) at 6:00 AM at St Nina's in celebration of the Feast of the Ascension of our Lord. We gather at St George's Anglican Church at 2950 Laurel Street (14th & Laurel). All are welcome come as we celebrate this joyous feast.

"O Christ God, You have ascended in Glory,
Granting joy to Your disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit.
Through the blessing they were assured
That You are the Son of God,
The Redeemer of the world!"
Tone 4

Summer Break at UBC!

2006-05-25T11:06:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday May 30th we served our last Vespers at the Holy Cross Chaplaincy until the Fall Semester begins in September. Thank you to all who came out to different services and events this Academic Year of 2005/06. It has been such a privilege over this last year to serve as the Orthodox Chaplain at UBC. During that time nearly one hundred people from various backgrounds have come to at least one of the events or services sponsored by the Holy Cross Chaplaincy. So many people have made this possible through their acts service, financial support, gifts and prayers. Thank you to everyone who offered their support; “the gifts you sent, [are] a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.” (Phil. 4:18) A special thank you must be made to St Mark’s College and St Ignatius of Antioch Parish for their ongoing hospitality allowing us to gather for worship, study and fellowship at only a nominal cost to the Chaplaincy to help us during this initial year.

The Fall and Spring Semesters will be even more event-full with our second Annual Spring Retreat, various workshops and talks, outreach events, fellowship events as well as a regular cycle of worship and increased “office hours.”

To make all of this possible we have launched our First Annual Spring Appeal to seek out further support of our Missionary efforts on the campus. If you would like further information about the Holy Cross Appeal please contact me directly (604-309-6871 or frchrisrb {@} shaw.ca).

Our Calendar of Events will be posted in August with as many details as we can offer. One of our first events in September will be a Dinner Concert thanking the supporters of this Ministry.

Again, thank you for your prayers and support and we ask that you will continue to uphold the Holy Cross Chaplaincy at UBC as well my family and me as we focus our attentions in the coming months to the Mission Station of St Nina.

Your servant in Christ,
the priest Christopher

Divine Liturgy Sunday at 9:00

2006-05-12T22:00:00.000-07:00

St Nina Orthodox Mission will celebrate the Divine Liturgy this Sunday of the Samaritan Woman (May 21st) at 9:00 AM. Please come and join us.

Saturday Vespers will continue to be celebrated at Holy Resurrection at 6:00 PM and "Daily" Vespers will continue to be held on Tuesday evenings at 6:30 PM at St Mark's College at UBC.

Please keep checking back for a link the new website of St Nina Orthodox Mission as well as the events that will happening this Fall on the UBC Campus.

Sunday Divine Liturgy

2006-05-04T07:56:00.000-07:00

St Nina Mission Station is having its first Divine Liturgy this Sunday May 7th. Our new home is St George Anglican Church. The service will start promptly at 9:00am; we are sharing this church with the Anglican congregation that worships at 11:15 and we don't want to keep them waiting! After the liturgy we will be heading over to Douglas Park Community Centre
for a potluck lunch. Please bring something to help us celebrate. The community centre overlooks the children's playground and we will have picnic on the lawn if the weather permits. Please keep our new communtiy in your prayers as we celebrate this wonderful day.

Tuesday Evening Vespers at Holy Cross UBC

2006-05-01T11:24:00.000-07:00

We will be having our regular Vespers service Tuesday evening at 6:30pm held at St Marks Chapel (May 2nd). Afterwards there will be a time of coffee, snacks, fellowship and discussion. Please join us!

Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!

2006-04-22T20:05:00.000-07:00

In the light of this glorious Feast of Feasts we sing:
“This is the day of resurrection.
Let us be illumined by the Feast.
Let us embrace each other.
Let us call “brothers” even those that hate us,
and forgive all by the resurrection,
and so let us cry:
Christ is risen from the dead,Trampling down death by death,

And upon those in the tombsBestowing life!”

And in the midst of our joy we hear proclaimed:
If anyone is a devout lover of God, let him enjoy this beautiful bright feast! If anyone is a grateful servant, let him rejoice and enter into the joy of his Lord!
If any have laboured long with fasting, let them now receive their wages! If any have toiled from the first hour, let them receive their due reward; If any have come after the third hour, let him with gratitude join in the Feast! And he that arrived after the sixth hour, let him not doubt; for he too shall sustain no loss. And if any delayed until the ninth hour, let him not hesitate; but let him come too. And he who arrived only at the eleventh hour, let him not be afraid by reason of his delay.
For the Lord is gracious and receives the last even as the first. He gives rest to him that comes at the eleventh hour, as well as to him that toiled from the first. To this one He gives, and upon another He bestows. He accepts the works as He greets the endeavour. The deed He honours and the intention He commends.
Let us all enter into the joy of the Lord! First and last alike receive your reward; rich and poor, rejoice together! Sober and slothful, celebrate the day!
You that have kept the fast, and you that have not, rejoice today for the Table is richly laden! Feast royally on it, the calf is a fatted one. Let no one go away hungry. Partake, all, of the cup of faith. Enjoy all the riches of His goodness!
Let no one grieve at his poverty, for the universal kingdom has been revealed. Let no one mourn that he has fallen again and again; for forgiveness has risen from the grave. Let no one fear death, for the Death of our Saviour has set us free. He has destroyed it by enduring it.
He destroyed Hell when He descended into it. He put it into an uproar even as it tasted of His flesh. Isaiah foretold this when he said, "You, O Hell, have been troubled by encountering Him below."
Hell was in an uproar because it was done away with. It was in an uproar because it is mocked. It was in an uproar, for it is destroyed. It is in an uproar, for it is annihilated. It is in an uproar, for it is now made captive. Hell took a body, and discovered God. It took earth, and encountered Heaven. It took what it saw, and was overcome by what it did not see.
O death, where is thy sting? O Hell, where is thy victory?
Christ is Risen, and you, O death, are annihilated!

Christ is Risen, and the evil ones are cast down!

Christ is Risen, and the angels rejoice!

Christ is Risen, and life is liberated!

Christ is Risen, and the tomb is emptied of its dead; for Christ having risen from the dead, is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

To Him be Glory and Power forever and ever. Amen!

(The Paschal Homily of St. John Chrysostom)

The Christian Gospel that proclaims the God who was crucified, who was laid in a tomb, and who has Risen from the dead requires us to respond requires us to act. What will our action be?
Yesterday I was crucified with Him; today I am glorified with Him; yesterday I died with Him; today I am quickened with Him; yesterday I was buried with Him; today I rise with Him. But let us offer to Him Who suffered and rose again for us—you will think perhaps that I am going to say gold, or silver, or woven work or transparent and costly stones, the mere passing material of earth, that remains here below, and is for the most part always possessed by bad men, slaves of the world and of the Prince of the world. Let us offer ourselves, the possession most precious to God, and most fitting; let us give back to the Image what is made after the Image. Let us recognize our Dignity; let us honour our Archetype; let us know the power of the Mystery, and for what Christ died.
Let us become like Christ, since Christ became like us. Let us become God's for His sake, since He for ours became Man. He assumed the worse that He might give us the better; He became poor that we through His poverty might be rich; He took upon Him the form of a servant that we might receive back our liberty; He came down that we might be exalted; He was tempted that we might conquer; He was dishonoured that He might glorify us; He died that He might save us; He ascended that He might draw to Himself us, who were lying low in the Fall of sin. Let us give all, offer all, to Him Who gave Himself a Ransom and a Reconciliation for us. But one can give nothing like oneself, understanding the Mystery, and becoming for His sake all that He became for ours.

St. Gregory Nazianzus (First Paschal Oration, Oration 1:IV-V)

May we indeed offer ourselves, all of ourselves, to the King of All this day and each and ever day until He returns in His glory. Maranatha! Come quickly Lord Jesus! Amen.
Your servant in Christ,
the priest Christopher

Great and Holy Friday

2006-04-21T14:05:00.000-07:00

"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do."
Luke 23:34

Bridegroom Matins

2006-04-17T23:11:00.000-07:00

Behold the Bridegroom comes at midnight,

And blessed is the servant whom He shall find watching,

And again unworthy is the servant whom He shall find heedless.

Beware, therefore, O my soul, do not be weighed down with sleep,

Lest you be given up to death and lest you be shut out of the Kingdom.

But rouse yourself crying: Holy, Holy, Holy, are You, O our God!

Through the Theotokos have mercy on us!
(Troparion - Tone 8)

This Tuesday evening at 6:30PM we will be serving Bridegroom Matins at St Mark's Chapel. Please come to be a part of this important service of preparation leading us to venerate our Lord's Passion and glorious Pascha.

It Is The Beginning

2006-04-15T12:44:00.001-07:00

It is with great joy that I am able to announce that His Grace, Bishop SERAPHIM has blessed us with a patron and a name.
We are St Nina Orthodox Mission.
Her feast day is January 14th.
This is a wonderful wonderful blessing for our community. Now we can truly start the great work that has been set before us. St Nina is an amazing saint and it is fitting that we look to her for inspiration and direction as we plant this church in Vancouver. She was called to Georgia to witness to the people there and that country is now one of the oldest Orthodox Christian regions in the world.
Vancouver is a very young city in the grand scheme of things and one that is mostly unchurched. What a blessing to be called to follow in the footsteps of this saint and to reach out to this city.
St Nina pray for us! Please join me in asking St Nina to intercede for us and our work.
We will have our first Divine Liturgy on the Sunday of the Myrrh Bearing Women at St George's Anglican Chapel
That is May 7th at 9:00 am. Please join us for this beginning.
And thank you to all of you who have faithfully attended vespers, done many works to support the Holy Cross Chaplaincy and patiently waited for this Mission to begin.

Let us all finish the struggle of the Fast and Celebrate our Paschal Joy as we worship Christ Jesus and His Glorious Resurrection!

Your servant in Christ,
the priest Christopher

Tuesday April 11th Vespers

2006-04-10T18:35:00.000-07:00

We will be having our regular Vespers service Tuesday evening at 6:30pm held at St Marks Chapel
Afterwards there will be a time of coffee, snacks, fellowship and discussion.
Please join us!
God is greatly blessing us. I have a number of wonderful announcements. Please come and hear all the great things that are going on!

Invitation from St George's Parish

2006-04-08T23:40:00.000-07:00

============================================================
ST. GEORGE’S 4TH ANNUAL LENTEN RETREAT
SPIRITUAL GROWTH & FUN TIMES
SATURDAY APRIL 15, 2006 A.D.

ST. GEORGE’S ORTHODOX COMMUNITY OF VANCOUVER
4500 ARBUTUS STREET
VANCOUVER, B.C.,
V6J 4A2
World Wide Web: http://www.helleniccommunity.org
Youth Group E-mail: goyainvancouver@netscape.net

RETREAT SCHEDULE:
DIVINE LITURY, with Metropolitan Archbishop Sotirios presiding: 10: 00 am
REGISTRATION: 11:40 to 12:00 pm
BRUNCH: 11:40 - 12:15 pm
BREAK INTO GROUPS FOR THEOLOGICAL CONVERSATION: 12:30-2:00 pm

Group for Ages 7 - 12
Speaker 1: Natalia Pardalis
Topic: Our Services through our 5 Senses

Group for Ages 13 - 17
Speaker 1: Fr. Kosta (of Saints Constantine and Helen, Surrey Parish)
Speaker 2: Fr. Angelo (of Saints Nicholas and Dimitrios, Burnaby Parish)
Topics: To Be Announced…

Group for Ages 18 – 35 ( And those young at heart )
Speaker: To Be Announced...
Topic: To Be Announced...

SNACK ~ 2:00 to 2:20pm

WORKSHOPS AND FUN EVENTS ~ 2:30 TO 4:15PM
Ages 7 - 12 ~ Outdoor Games (Rain or Shine)
Ages 13 - 17 ~ Soccer Workshop by Nick Karapidakis
Ages 18 - 35 ~ To Be Announced

Evening Event To Follow ~ To Be Announced...(Ages 13 and UP)

Tuesday Night Vespers and Study

2006-04-03T15:42:00.000-07:00

Don't forget...
Vespers at 6:30pm this Tuesday April 4th at St Mark's Chapel
It will be followed by coffee and discussion.
Please join us!

Saint Joseph the Hymnographer, "the sweet-voiced nightingale of the Church," was born in Sicily in 816 into a pious Christian family. His parents, Plotinos and Agatha, moved to the Peloponnesos to save themselves from barbarian invasions. When he was fifteen, St Joseph went to Thessalonica and entered the monastery of Latomos. He was distinguished by his piety, his love for work, his meekness, and he gained the good will of all the brethren of the monastery. He was later ordained as a priest.

St Gregory the Dekapolite (November 20) visited the monastery and took notice of the young monk, taking him along to Constantinople, where they settled together near the church of the holy Martyrs Sergius and Bacchus. This was during the reign of the emperor Leo the Armenian (813-820), a time of fierce iconoclast persecution.

Sts Gregory and Joseph fearlessly defended the veneration of holy icons. They preached in the city squares and visited in the homes of the Orthodox, encouraging them against the heretics. The Church of Constantinople was in a was most grievous position. Not only the emperor, but also the patriarch were iconoclast heretics.

At that time the Roman bishops were in communion with the Eastern Church, and Pope Leo III, who was not under the dominion of the Byzantine Emperor, was able to render great help to the Orthodox. The Orthodox monks chose St Joseph as a steadfast and eloquent messenger to the Pope. St Gregory blessed him to journey to Rome and to report on the plight of the Church of Constantinople, the atrocities of the iconoclasts, and the dangers threatening Orthodoxy.

During the journey, St Joseph was captured by Arab brigands who had been bribed by the iconoclasts. They took him to the island of Crete, where they handed him over to the iconoclasts, who locked him up in prison. Bravely enduring all the deprivations, he encouraged the other prisoners. By his prayers, a certain Orthodox bishop who had begun to waver was strengthened in spirit and courageously accepted martyrdom.

St Joseph spent six years in prison. On the night of the Nativity of Christ in 820 he was granted a vision of St Nicholas of Myra, who told him about the death of the iconoclast Leo the Armenian, and the end of the persecution.

St Nicholas gave him a paper scroll and said, "Take this scroll and eat it." On the scroll was written: "Hasten, O Gracious One, and come to our aid if possible and as You will, for You are the Merciful One." The monk read the scroll, ate it and said, "How sweet are Thine oracles to my throat" (Ps 118/119:103). St Nicholas bade him to sing these words. After this the fetters fell off the saint, the doors of the prison opened, and he emerged from it. He was transported through the air and set down on a large road near Constantinople, leading into the city.

When he reached Constantinople, St Joseph found that St Gregory the Dekapolite was no longer among the living, leaving behind his disciple John (April 18), who soon died. St Joseph built a church dedicated to St Nicholas and transferred the relics of Sts Gregory and John there. A monastery was founded near the church.

St Joseph received a portion of the relics of the Apostle Bartholomew from a certain virtuous man. He built a church in memory of the holy apostle. He loved and honored St Bartholomew, and he was distressed that there was no Canon glorifying the holy Apostle. He desired to adorn the Feast of St Bartholomew with hymns, but he did not dare to compose them himself.

For forty days St Joseph prayed with tears, preparing for the Feast of the holy apostle. On the eve of the Feast the Apostle Bartholomew appeared to him in the altar. He pressed the holy Gospel to Joseph's bosom, and blessed him to write church hymns with the words, "May the right hand of the Almighty God bless you, may your tongue pour forth waters of heavenly wisdom, may your heart be a temple of the Holy Spirit, and may your hymnody delight the entire world." After this miraculous appearance, St Joseph composed a Canon to the Apostle Bartholomew, and from that time he began to compose hymns and Canons in honor of the Mother of God, of the saints, and in honor of St Nicholas, who liberated him from prison.

During the revival of the iconoclast heresy under the emperor Theophilus (829-842), St Joseph suffered a second time from the heretics. He was exiled to Cherson [Chersonessus] for eleven years. The Orthodox veneration of holy icons was restored under the holy empress Theodora (February 11) in 842, and St Joseph was made keeper of sacred vessels at Hagia Sophia in Constantinople. Because of his bold denunciation of the brother of the empress, Bardas, for unlawful cohabitation, the saint was again sent into exile and returned only after Bardas died in 867.

Patriarch Photius (February 6) restored him to his former position and appointed him Father-confessor for all the clergy of Constantinople.

Having reached old age, St Joseph fell ill. On Great and Holy Friday, the Lord informed him of his approaching demise in a dream. The saint made an inventory of the church articles in Hagia Sophia, which were under his official care, and he sent it to Patriarch Photius.

For several days he prayed intensely, preparing for death. He prayed for peace for the Church, and the mercy of God for his soul. Having received the Holy Mysteries of Christ, St Joseph blessed all who came to him, and with joy he fell asleep in the Lord (+ 863). The choirs of the angels and the saints, whom St Joseph had glorified in his hymnology, carried his soul to Heaven in triumph.

In 890, his biographer John the deacon of the Great Church wrote about the spirit and power of St Joseph's Canons: "When he began to write verses, then the hearing was taken with a wondrous pleasantness of sound, and the heart was struck by the power of the thought. Those who strive for a life of perfection find a respite here. Writers, having left off with their other versification, from this one treasure-trove, from the writings of St Joseph, began to scoop out his treasure for their own songs, or better to say, daily they scoop them out.

And finally, all the people carry it over into their own language, so as to enlighten with song the darkness of night, or staving off sleep, to continue with the vigil until sunrise. If anyone were peruse the life of a saint of the Church on any given day, they would see the worthiness of St Joseph's hymns and acknowledge his glorious life. Actually, since the lives and deeds of almost every saint are adorned with praises, is not he worthy of immortal glory, who has worthily and exquisitely known how to glorify them?

Now let some saints glorify his meekness, and others his wisdom, and others his works, and all together glorify the grace of the Holy Spirit, Who so abundantly and immeasurably has bestown his gifts on him."

Most of the Canons in the MENAION are St Joseph's work. His name may be found in the Ninth Ode as an acrostic. He also composed many of the hymns in the PARAKLETIKE.

--taken from the OCA website: Lives of the Saints

Church things from Russia

2006-03-30T21:52:00.000-08:00

Dear All,

It would be our pleasure to bring you church things that you would like from Russia. The variety there is great, at rather low prices. It can be icons, crosses, holy oil, lampades, and whatever else you can imagine.

Please "place your order" by emailing me: alexch-at-math-ubc-ca, if you have not already done so. We will try our best. Orders are taken before April 25 :)

We will be back in early May.
God bless all of you,
Alexei C.

We Made the OCA Website!

2006-03-29T15:23:00.000-08:00

Check out the OCA website
for pictures from the Liturgy during the Retreat last weekend. Thanks Rebekka! I am still hearing raves from all fronts. Well done Holy Cross Community!
And remember--if you are wondering about any upcoming events check here or email Fr Chris for info.
Momma Kim
...Yes Mark, I think I have given in :)

Glory to God for all things! Especially the many blessings He bestows on us!

2006-03-27T10:52:00.000-08:00

The first annual Spring Retreat of the Holy Cross Chaplaincy at UBC was certainly that, a blessing!

From Friday March 24^th to Saturday March 25^th over 60 people from 9 Orthodox Missions and Parishes came to reflect with Matthew Francis on the theme “On behalf of all and for all: The Orthodox Way in a pluralist society” and to celebrate together the Feast of the Annunciation. Matthew gave us much to reflect on blessed us with much insight.

We were also blessed by the presence of the Most Reverend Lazar, former Archbishop of Ottawa. Not only did he contribute much to the discussions and celebrate the Festal Divine Liturgy he also brought the Annunciation Icon written by Canadian iconographer Heiko Schlieper!

Many assisted in making this, our first retreat, a reality. Thank you to monks of All Saints of North America Monastery, members of Holy Resurrection Sobor and St Nicholas Parish, and Mama Kim for feeding us all! Thank you to the singers who helped us make a joyful noise unto the Lord! Thank you to our able registrar, Kimberley! Thank you to St Mark’s College for their endless hospitality! Thank you to all who helped set up and clean up! Thank you to all who came and participated! And thank you Matthew for your words and your witness!

This weekend and this Feast was certainly a “little Pascha” along the Way of our Lenten Journey!

It seems fitting that the first retreat of the Holy Cross Chaplaincy was held on the eve of the 3^rd Sunday of Lent, the Veneration of the Cross, Mid-Lent. “We are like those following a long and cruel path, who become tired, see a beautiful tree with many leaves, sit in its shadow and rest for a while and then, as if rejuvenated, continue their journey; likewise today, in the time of fasting and difficult journey and effort, the Life-Giving Cross was planted in our midst by the holy fathers to give us rest and refreshment, to make us light and courageous for the remaining task.” (From the Synaxarion of the Sunday of the Cross)

May we find strength in the Cross of Christ Jesus! May it be our joy our salvation and our only boast!
Your servant in Christ,
the priest Christopher

UBC Retreat Friday and Saturday

2006-03-23T09:56:00.000-08:00

"The Orthodox Way in a Pluralist Society"

The Retreat will be held at St Mark's College at UBC. If you haven't yet registered, but are planning on attending--you are most welcome, but please phone Fr Chris ASAP so accomodations and food will be ready for you!

To reduce the stress on our environment please BYOM (bring your own mug) if possible!!!

Here is the Schedule

Friday 24th
6:00 PM Registration*
7:00 PM Akathist
7:30 PM Key Note Address
Life in the World Today--The Holy Cross & Cosmopolitan Vancouver Matthew Francis
8:30 PM Discussion
9:00 PM Fellowship
10:00 PM Compline
(Confession offered after Compline)

Saturday 25th
7:30 AM Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Annunciation
9:30 AM Meal
10:15 AM Session 1
Life in the Body of Christ--Blessing and Vocation
12:00 Noon Break
12:30 PM Session 2
Life Along the Way. A Communion of TRUTH & LOVE
1:45 PM Meal
2:45 PM Session 3
"The Courage to Pray" For the Life of the World
4:45 PM Great Vespers

*Please bring the registration fee if you haven't already paid--thankyou!

Thanks to all who helped!

2006-03-20T22:20:00.000-08:00

Many thanks to everyone who helped with the preparation of parcels with shoes and clothes for Russia’s orphanages! The parcels have been sent.

We have sent 2 big boxes, 15 and 20 kg. Not all things that we were given fit in. But we will take them with us since we are going to Russia!

God grant, we are going to Russia, in the end of March, for 1 month. We ask for your prayers that it works, and also accept orders of icons, crosses, etc. Please email us at alexey-at-pinewoodland-point-net.

Anna and Alexei C.

Tuesday Night Vespers and Study

2006-03-20T18:21:00.000-08:00

Glory to Jesus Christ!
This Sunday the servant of God Mark entered the Catechumenate at Holy Resurrection Sobor!
May God grant Mark many years!

This Tuesday we will be holding Vespers at 6:30 at St Mark's College.

Please come and join us in this Ancient Worship of the Church as well as for fellowship and discussion afterwards.

Don't forget to bring your forms in for the Retreat this Friday!

Your servant in Christ,
the priest Christopher

Upcoming Spring Retreat-deadline fast approaching!

2006-03-07T12:24:00.000-08:00

Spring Retreat at UBC

March 24th-25th

Open to Life Long Learners of All Ages! (...word has it that our dad will be there)

$46 (includes all sessions, accomodation on Friday night and all Saturday meals)

The Friday 7pm session is open to all; donations welcome.

I would like to invite you to come take part in an upcoming retreat the weekend of March 24-25th. Matthew Francis (my little bro) will be speaking with us over the course of the weekend on the topic of Living the Gospel in a Plurarist Society.Matthew grew up in the mountains and valleys of Chilliwack, and currently serves as the Coordinator for Youth and Young Adult Ministries for the Orthodox Church in America’s Archdiocese of Canada. He has been a College chaplain, Amnesty International fundraiser, Assistant to an eccentric Artisan Baker, Writer of History, Landscaper, and Lecturer. He currently serves as Heritage consultant for the Province of Alberta and a contributing editor of Beyond magazine. After spending a couple of rain-soaked years in England, studying the concept of “Sacred Space & Place," he ended up with a M.A. in Theology from the University of Manchester. Matthew and his wife Krista, live in Edmonton, Alberta where they are active members of St. Herman of Alaska Orthodox Church.

Please feel free to help us get the word out about this exciting opportunity to come and be together, and learn some helpful things to equip us in the journey that is our life in Christ.If you have any questions or would like a registration form, contact me at kimberleyfrancis@yahoo.com or by phone at (604) 626 3296. There is limited space for those of you would like to sleep over and take part in the Saturday too, so if you're thinking you'd like to come, register soon.
If cost is an issue, please indicate that in the space provided on your registration form,
and provisions will be considered.

Love in IC XC,

Kimberley

Lenten Struggles

2006-03-06T20:01:00.000-08:00

Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Sadly, we will not be able to hold Pre-Sanctified Liturgies at St Mark's during this Lenten Season. This sorrows of shared (free) space. I will be speaking further to St Mark's College about scheduling services during Lent. Please check back for further details.

The "Country" Church School in the City will begin on Friday March 17th at 4:00 PM. Please contact me if you (or your children ages 4 to 14) are interested in attending. This will be held on the UBC Campus.

Your servant in Christ,
the priest Christopher

God is doing many wonderful things in our midst!

2006-03-01T22:39:00.000-08:00

We give thanks to God that as we begin the Lenten Fast our number continues to grow in attendance with 26 coming out to our last Vespers (thank you to all who brought the amazing "bliny" and cheesecakes). And our number continues to grow in the Faith with others (Pedram seems to be on the cusp) soon entering the Catechumenate.

It is also with great joy that I announce the establishment of a Mission Station in the west part of Vancouver. This will be a community that is separate from yet very closely related to the Holy Cross Chaplaincy community here at UBC. Bishop Seraphim has not yet given the soon-to-be mission a name (or patron) as he awaits a list of founding members.

This Sunday (March 5th) a meeting will be held at Holy Resurrection at 7:00 PM. I will be sharing with all who wish to come the Vision for this Mission to Vancouver. A Visionary Document will be discussed along with the next steps necessary in planting this Mission.

All are welcome, both people who wish to be founding members and people who wish to learn more about this new work.

Please email (frchrisrb-at-shaw.ca) or call (604-309-6871) me if you are able to attend so we can be sure there are enough refreshments. Some possible venues for worship will also be discussed as well as different ways of becoming involved.

Please pray for this work and for God’s mercy and protection on all who seek to become involved in this historic and eternally significant endevour!

Your servant in Christ,
the priest Christopher

Pancakes ("Bliny") after Vespers

2006-02-26T22:47:00.000-08:00

Dear all,
The Cheesefare "Maslenitsa" week has come! In order to prepare to the Great Lent properly, we would like everyone to join us for "Bliny" (Russian pancakes) that are traditionally made this week! (This tradition is only a few centuries old, and very young compared to ancient Canadian cheesecake and beaver-tail tradition.) Eeveryone is heartily asked to stay after Vespers on Tue Feb 28 for the promised cheescakes, for pancakes, tea and everything that comes with them!

We will try to make sure there is enough for you and friends you bring :)

The Russian fraction of the Holy Cross Mission.

P.S. Those who have collected anything, please bring shoes and things for the Volsk orphanage this Tuesday! We will be sending the parcel(s) later this week.

Cheesecake Vespers

2006-02-25T10:42:00.000-08:00

It is bring a friend to vespers night. Bring your friends to worship with us and share in our cheesecake feast afterwards!
This Tuesday February 28, 2006 we will have our weekly Vespers service at
St Mark's College Chapel at 6:30 pm. This will be followed by a discussion over coffee and cheesecake. The discussion will be about Great Lent: what is it? what do we do to prepare for it? what do orthodox christians do during lent? etc.

All are welcome! Please join us.

They are Canadians!!

2006-02-24T14:33:00.000-08:00

Founding members of the Holy Cross Chaplaincy at UBC Alexei, Anna, Vladimir and Tatianna became Canadian Citizens today (Friday February 24th)! Congratulations!
May God grant them "Many Years" here in our beautiful country of Canada and Salvation in our Paschal Homeland, the Kingdom of Heaven!

It was an honour and joy to be there with them. I highly recommend others attend such a ceremony if given the chance in the future. We are truly blessed to be living in this extraordinary nation and equally blessed to have people like the Cheviakovs come and join us! Glory to God!

Your servant in Christ,
the priest Christopher

Tuesday Vespers

2006-02-19T15:16:00.000-08:00

This Tuesday February 21, 2006 we will have our weekly Vespers service at
St Mark's College Chapel at 6:30 pm. This will be followed by a discussion over coffee and snacks. What would you like to learn more about? Please feel free to post suggestions or email Fr Chris directly. With the beginning of Great Lent a formal series of studies will begin.
Please join us!

Valentine Vespers

2006-02-13T16:30:00.000-08:00

Vespers will take place at its usual time and place
Tuesday February 14th at 6:30 pm at St Mark's College Chapel.
The topic for our discussion afterward will be
The sacrements (Mysteries)of the church.
Please join us for worship, a challenging and thought provoking discussion, and yummy St Valentine's Day goodies.

Little Margaret is home!

2006-02-09T10:50:00.000-08:00

Glory to Jesus Christ!
Margaret is home and continues to improve! Thank you all for your prayers and support. I know that many in our community continue to suffer from various illnesses. Please post "comments" on this post making any prayer requests you might have and check back so as to know who might need your prayers.

May we all seek to be intercessors with our Most Blessed Lady Theotokos and all other Saints as our consolation and example.

"Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints." Ephesians 6:18

Vespers at Holy Cross

2006-02-07T00:35:00.000-08:00

An Update.

2006-02-07T00:04:00.000-08:00

Glory to Jesus Christ!
Just a note regarding Margaret. She has been diagnosed with RSV again along with viral pneumonia. She will remain in hospital for the time being so as to have assistance breathing and to follow a course of antibiotics. Please continue to hold her up in your prayers.
Thank you to all who have offered prayers and support and especially to Fr Lawrence for coming to annoint Margaret.

Your servant in Christ,
the priest Christopher

A request for prayers!

2006-02-06T16:07:00.000-08:00

Glory to Jesus Christ!
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I wish to ask your prayers. My little one, Margaret, went into Children's Hospital last night as she was having great difficulty breathing. There is concern she has some kind of viral pneumonia. She suffered RSV when she was a few weeks old and has had a compromised respiratory system ever since, thus her difficulty now.
Please pray for her and for Kimberley as she keeps Vigil with her at Children's as well as for the rest of our brood here at home. Thank you.

Your servant in Christ,
the priest Christopher

“LITTLE SHOE” project

2006-02-05T00:43:00.000-08:00

Dear all,
we are starting our “LITTLE SHOE” Project, in order to collect and send of children’s shoes for Volsk orphanage for disabled children in Russia, Saratov region. Currently there are 42 kids of age 4 - 8. They are in severe need of shoes and sandals (for indoor use, and outdoors in summer.)

We are collecting lightweight reliable new and used summer shoes, made of leather or other good-quality material, of Canadian sizes 8 to 12 (for ages 4-8.) Other types of lightweight shoes will also be gratefully accepted.

Other needed items include tights and socks, underwear pants and t-shirts, and “Centrum” vitamins for kids (this brand is sold in Russia and hence will be accepted.)

God bless everyone who helps!
See Web page in English: http://www.pinewoodland.net/_dd/volsk/index_en.htm

If you would like to help, please contact Anna and Alexey at alexanna@pinewoodland.net or (604) 224-2266, or in person. We are going to mail what we collect approximately in 2 weeks.
Alexei

Tuesday Night Vespers and Study

2006-02-04T19:57:00.001-08:00

This Tuesday February 7th at 6:30 pm, we will be serving our weekly vespers at St Mark's College Chapel.
This will be followed by a time of fellowship and study in Plato's Cave. We are going to take a more formal approach this week and discuss the Mystery (Sacrament) of Confession in the Orthodox Church.
Please join us!
I would like to thank everyone for your "many years", card and cake. I was blessed in the rememberance of the 1st anniversay of my ordination to the priesthood. Thank you.

Tuesday Night Vespers Cancelled.

2006-01-31T15:10:00.000-08:00

Glory to Jesus Christ!
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I am very sad to announce that we must cancel this evenings (January 31st) Vespers and Study.
Fr Christopher has caught the flu that has been running through our family. Our children are indeed our joy and so it is that we must share everything with one another!

Please pray for Fr Christopher, Nikolai and Elijah particularly since they seem to have been the worst hit.

It is our prayer that by tommorrow morning all will be well. This has been the case with the other children. Thus, Wednesday evening's Vesperal Liturgy in celebration of the Feast of the Meeting will go ahead as planned with a pot luck meal to follow (I will bring the cinnamon buns then, Josina)

We thank you for your prayers and ask that you would tell everyone you think may have been planning to attend of these turn of events.

Thank you,

Kimberly

Services Jan 29-Feb 4, 2006

2006-01-29T14:46:00.000-08:00

Monday January 30th
7:00 am (Morning)
Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Three Hierarchs

Tuesday January 31st
6:30 pm
Vespers and study

Wednesday Febuary 1st
7:00 pm
Vesperal Liturgy celebrating the Feast of the Meeting of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in the Temple
Coffee and goodies to follow

All of these services will be held at St Mark's Chapel at UBC.

Please read the scripture readings for each of the Feasts prior to coming as part of your rule of preparation. For the Feast of the Three Hierarchs the Epistle is from Hebrews 13:7-16 and the Gospel is according to the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Matthew 5:14-19.

For the Feast of the Meeting of Our Lord in the Temple the Epistle is again from the Letter to the Hebrews 7:7-17 and the Gospel is according to the Holy Apostle and Evangelsit Luke 2:22-40

Please join us!

Acts of Love!

2006-01-27T21:11:00.000-08:00

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10

Just an update regarding helping the friends of our community, Sam & Andrea, with packing for their move. Glory to God! Many have been able to come to their aid tomorrow morning (January 28th). If you would like to join in this good work of love and service please be at Apartment #3 1006 West 12th Ave (the South West corner of Oak and 12th) at 9:00 AM. All should be accomplished by 10:00 AM!

May God bless, protect and keep Sam, Andrea & their unborn child through the challanging time of moving!

Joyous News & Upcoming Events!

2006-01-25T20:28:00.000-08:00

Glory to Jesus Christ!
We give thanks to God for the gift of our first catechumen! Josina Xenia entered the catechumenate on Tuesday evening prior to Vespers. After singing Many Years we retired to the "cave" for coffee, fellowship and discussion about traversing the Orthodox Way.

May God grant Josina Xenia many years, health and salvation and bring her into the fullness of Christ's Holy Church! Please hold her up in your prayers that God would give her strength and that His Holy Angels would protect her!

This coming week is packed full of events for our growing community. Divine Liturgy will be celebrated for the Feast of the Three Hierarchs this Monday January 30th at 7:00 AM. Vespers and study will be held on Tuesday evening at 6:30 PM and Vesperal Liturgy celebrating the Feast of the Meeting of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in the Temple will be held at 7:00 PM on Wednesday evening, February 1st.

All of these services will be held at St Mark's Chapel at UBC.

Please read the scripture readings for each of the Feasts prior to coming as part of your rule of preparation. For the Feast of the Three Hierarchs the Epistle is from Hebrews and the Gospel is according to the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Matthew .

For the Feast of the Meeting of Our Lord in the Temple the Epistle is again from the Letter to the Hebrews and the Gospel is according to the Holy Apostle and Evangelsit Luke.

Please join us if you can.

This Saturday, January 28th, we hope to assist friends of the community (Sam and Andrea) in packing for their move to Kelowna. Yes, we will help people move away, but only once! If you are moving to the community we will help you move again and again and again, as long as you STAY!

One last note. Please know that we need to do all that we can to support the wonderful people (Sarah, Kimberley and maybe even Josina) who are going to Mexico in March for Project Mexico!

Please keep posted about their goings-on!

May God richly bless you in this worthy endevour!

Holy Father Maximus Pray For Us!!

2006-01-20T13:17:00.000-08:00

Alas we must cancel tomorrow's (Saturday January 21st the Feast of St Maximus the Confessor) Divine Liturgy ! Read about the life of this amazing Father of the Church. He is certainly a patron of those who study! May our Holy Father among the Saints, Maximus the Confessor, pray to Christ our God to have mercy on us and our humble community.

Vespers will be held on Tuesday at 6:30 PM (every Tuesday). Our next Divine Liturgy will be held on Monday January 30th at 7:00 AM for the Feast of the Three Hierarchs: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom.

All services continue to be held at St Mark's Chapel at UBC.

Nikolai's Finger

2006-01-18T18:13:00.000-08:00

Thank you to everyone who was at Vespers last evening. I really enjoyed the discussion--I haven't been in a class room in a long time and it was great to have my mind challenged in very different ways.
When we arrived home after Vespers, I went to check on Niko and his crushed finger. I had to turn on the light because I couldn't see his injury. Well, I couldn't see his injury because there was no injury to be seen! His finger looked great: no blood, no bruising, no swelling! God is merciful. Thank you all so much for your prayers.
Presvytera Kimberly

Tuesday Night Vespers at 6:30 PM

2006-01-16T21:55:00.000-08:00

All are welcome to come as we pray the ancient prayers of the Church. Fellowship will follow in "Plato's Cave." Vespers begins at 6:30 PM at St Mark's Chapel.

This week: Daily Vespers on Tuesday Night & Divine Liturgy on Saturday Morning!

2006-01-10T00:02:00.000-08:00

Just a joyful reminder of our up coming services.

Vespers will be held tomorrow night (Tuesday) at 6:30. This is a weekly event and will be followed by an informal yet informative discussion relating to our life in Christ.

This Saturday we will be serving Divine Liturgy at 9:00 AM.

Both services will be held at St Mark's Chapel
All are welcome to attend.

Your servant in Christ,
the priest Christopher

House Blessings

2006-01-08T14:05:00.000-08:00

It is customary for the priest to bless the homes of the faithful during the season of Theophany. Please contact Fr Christopher this week to set up a time (by phone 604-309-6871 or email frchrisrb-at-shaw.ca) if you wish to have him come to bless your apartment, house or student residence. It is through the blessing of our homes with holy water that we are able to renew our life in Christ that has been given us through the holy waters of baptism!

To prepare your home or residence for blessing please do the following:
First, please ensure that all stereos, computers, tvs or other possible distractions are turned off and that lights are turned on in all of the rooms that are to be blessed.
Second, an icon or a cross, a lighted candle, a clearly printed list of the names of family members (both living and departed) for whom prayers are to be offered and holy water (some will be provided if you have none from this year's Feast) should all be placed on a table in a central place in your home or residence.
Third, all family members should be home to gather around the icon and be ready to particpate in the rite of blessing the home (having friends present is a blessing as well).

May God bless you richly with the joy of the season!

Your servant in Christ,
the priest Christopher

The Great Blessing of Waters at Spanish Banks

2006-01-07T14:48:00.000-08:00

Thank you everyone for coming to the First Annual Great Blessing of Waters. It was a wonderful morning. We gathered at the Spanish Banks and the waters of the Pacific Ocean were blessed.
Here are some beautiful pictures of the service. I recommend viewing the slideshow (click "view pictures" then "view slideshow").
Thank you everyone who came and to those who were with us in spirit! The fellowship afterwards enjoying a "cup of Joe" was very enjoyable.
Your servant in Christ,
the priest Christopher

Holy Cross UBC: First liturgy at St. Mark's College. Photos.

2006-01-06T21:02:00.000-08:00

Here!

The Great Blessing of Water

2006-01-06T16:26:00.000-08:00

We will celebrate the Rite of the Great Blessing of the Water at 9:00 am tomorrow morning(Saturday January 7th) at Spanish Banks.

We will ask God to sanctify the water of the Pacific Ocean on the beaches of the Burrard Inlet. Today 80,000 of the faithful assembled while his all holiness Bartholomew, Patriarch of Constantanople, blessed the waters of the Atlantic Ocean from the Florida side of the Gulf of Mexico.
Come and be part of the Holy Cross Community's first annual Theophany Blessing of the Waters.

Father Chris will also bless fresh water for the faithful to take home.

Please meet at Spanish Banks for 9:00 AM.

There is a lot of parking close to the beach. We will all gather at the anchor located near the last (most western) parking lot.

This service is about 25 minutes.

Anyone cold enough and willing enough can plan on going for coffee and breakfasty things immediatley following the service....suggestions for locale are encouraged!

Please bring bottles or jars if you can and dress accordingly!

Please let Fr Chris know if you need a ride.

Divine Liturgy for the Feast of Theophany at 7:00 AM

2006-01-05T16:33:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow (Friday January 6th), we will be celebrating the Divine Liturgy for the Feast of Theophany in the Chapel at St Mark's College UBC at 7:00 am.

All are welcome to come. The service will be somewhat abridged so as to allow for students and faculty (and their children) to get to class on time.

Those who can not attend please hold us up in your prayers!

May everyone have a blessed and holy Feast!

Vespers on the Forefeast of Theophany!

2006-01-03T22:32:00.000-08:00

Glory to Jesus Christ!

"I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, thankful for your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. " (Phillipians 1:3-5)

We held our first service this evening at UBC! It was a blessed beginning with friends coming from Victoria and Langley to share in our joy and to enjoy fellowship and discussion after Vespers. Thank you to all who came and to all who held us up in your prayers!

A Country Church School in the City! (An Update)

2005-12-28T23:33:00.000-08:00

In the New Year we will be holding a Church School class for children ages 4 to 14 at UBC Friday afternoons from 4:00 to 5:00 PM (Note the time change). The Bible, the Saints, prayer and the Mysteries of the Church will be taught amidst an atmosphere of joy and fellowship. A number of venues on campus are being considered. Please let Fr Christopher know if your children would like to come or if you have any suggestions.

Vespers begins January 3rd!

2005-12-28T22:58:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday January 3rd at 6:30 PM Daily Vespers will be held at St Mark's Chapel at UBC. Vespers will be held every Tuesday at this time followed by an enquirers class in Plato's Cave (also at St Mark's College).

All are welcome to come and participate in this ancient order of worship. It is at the setting of the sun, the beginning of the new day, that Orthodox Christians gather to contemplate the glory of creation, the devastation of sin and the inexpressible joy of salvation in Jesus Christ.

The time of fellowship and stimulating discussion that follows from 7:30 on is also open to one and all.

Vespers & Divine Liturgy to begin soon!

2005-12-14T21:48:00.000-08:00

Glory to Jesus Christ! We have found a place in which to begin offering services. Corpus Christi/St Mark's College and the parish of St Ignatius of Antioch have kindly opened the doors of their beautiful chapel to us in the spirit of ecumenism and hospitality.

Service times will be posted in the near future.

We hope that you will be able to come and worship with us!

Directions
www.maps.ubc.ca/PROD/index_detail.php?bldg1ID=829&showMapCampus=y

Tues, Nov 29th 7-9pm at St Marks, UBC

2005-11-22T12:19:00.000-08:00

The Season of Advent
A Season of Labour and Travail

Tuesday, November 29th, 2005
7-9pm

in The Music Room at

Saint Marks College, UBC

5935 Iona Drive
(From University Blvd, Turn Right onto Westbrook Mall.

Turn Left onto Iona Drive)

Fr Christopher will lead a discussion on the implications of

The Season of Advent in the Orthodox Tradition

For More Information Call: 604.309.6871

The Exaltation of the Precious and Life-giving Cross

2005-11-17T13:55:00.000-08:00

Holy Cross at UBC
"The Cross is exalted, and everything true gathers together, the Cross is exalted, and the city makes solemn, and the people celebrate the feast". St Andrew of Crete
The Vision A dynamic Orthodox Christian community at the University of British Columbia established through the Chaplaincy Ministry offering students, faculty, staff and their families pastoral care and a community of faith, worship, love, fellowship, discipleship and accountability. “They devoted themselves to the Apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” Acts 2:42
Fr Christopher Rigden-Briscall, a priest of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA), is serving the Orthodox students and faculty of UBC as Chaplain. This ministry is intra-Orthodox and associated with the SCOBA sponsored Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF). Service times, study and fellowship groups, retreats, workshops and other events will posted on this site.
Questions and comments are welcomed. If you have a pastoral question or need please email Fr Christopher directly at frchrisrb@shaw.ca . Thank you for your discretion.