Dear brothers and sisters!
On the occasion of the Parish Feast, the 109th anniversary of the founding of the Russian Orthodox Christ the Savior Cathedral in Toronto, our church will be visited by the relics of St. Seraphim Wonderworker of Sarov.
The kiot with the particle of relics will arrive for worship from the Church of St. Seraphim of Sarov in Rodon (province of Quebec).
The particle was brought from Russia by Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna Romanova-Kulikovskaya (the younger sister of Emperor Nicholas II), who was a parishioner of our cathedraд. Subsequently, the kiot with the particle of the relics was given to Sylvester, Archbishop of Montreal.
The story of how the Canadian Orthodox Diocese received the relics of Saint Seraphim is incredibly interesting.
This particle provided beneficial assistance to believers at a time when the relics of Blessed Seraphim in Russia were considered lost after the revolution.
In the kiot, along with the relics of St. Seraphim, is preserved a tiny fragment of the stone on which St. Seraphim prayed for 1000 days.
Also, a token (Jeton) (26.8 x 19.4 mm). The design of the tokens was developed by the court jeweler Carl Faberge in honor of the canonization of Seraphim of Sarov in 1903 with enamel and an applied monogram. On the front side in the center is a monogram of three letters, denoting the names of the imperial Romanov dynasty, who took part in the celebrations. On the back side is the date of the celebrations “17-20 VII Sarov 1903”.
A medallion with an image of St. Seraphim was also made especially for the solemn canonization of 1903. On one side is an image of Father Seraphim’s favorite icon of Theotokos – “Tenderness” or “Joy of All Joys” and the inscription around the halo “Rejoice, Bride Unwedded”, on the other – an image of St. Seraphim of Sarov. It was awarded to all members of the royal family and members of the voluntary people’s security squad who took part in the festive events of 1903.
They pray to Father Seraphim for healing, for wise advice in a difficult situation, for protection from enemies, for strengthening faith and getting rid of despondency, for finding God’s help in business, for family happiness, for the birth of children.
The kiot with the holy relics will be in the cathedral from September 26th to 28th, 2024.
Schedule of services for these days:
September 26, Thursday
6 PM Vespers.
Access to the shrine from 5 PM to 9 PM
September 27, Friday
10 AM Divine Liturgy
6 PM Akathist and Moleben
Access to the shrine from 9 AM to 8 PM
September 28, Saturday
10:00 AM Divine Liturgy. Afterwards – Great Commamertial of Death.
5 PM Vespers
Access to the shrine from 9 AM to 7 PM
We accept:
– names “For Living” and “For Departed”,
– orders for prayers (Moleben) for any need,
– consecration of crosses and icons.
Information by phone:
(416) 522-5237 – rector, Archpriest Vasil Kolega
(647) 859-9119 – Archpriest John Shandra
We accept your donations via e-transfer to treasurer@sobortoronto.com
Or by card/cash at the cathedral.
For tax receipt inquiries, please contact the Cathedral Treasurer by email treasurer@sobortoronto.com
Our Venerable Father Seraphim of Sarov, the Wonderworker.
O great Saint of God, our venerable and God-bearing Father, Seraphim!
Look down from the glory that is above, upon us who are humble and weak,
burdened with our many sins, and ask thy help and consolation.
Bend down to us in thy loving kindness,
and help us to carry out God’s commandments without stain,
firmly to keep the Orthodox Faith, to approach God in heartfelt contrition for all our sins,
to make progress in Christian devotion and to be worthy of thy prayers before God.
Yea, O Saint of God, hearken unto us,
who pray to thee in faith and love,
and despise us not who seek thee as our defender:
now, and at the hour of our departure,
help us and defend us by thy prayers from the wicked assaults of the devil,
lest evil powers should have dominion over us;
but let us be granted, by thy help,
to inherit the bliss of heavenly mansions.
For we place our hope in thee,
O kind-hearted father:
be thou indeed our guide to salvation,
and bring us to the unwaning light of eternal life,
by thy good intercession before the throne of the Most Holy Trinity,
so that we may glorify and hymn with all the Saints,
the name worthy of adoration,
of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
for ages of ages. Amen.
