Dear Brothers and Sisters,
CHRIST IS RISEN!
Grace has touched our parish, and the Lord, in strengthening our faith and adding Easter joy, sends us holy relics, which we receive with deep gratitude to God in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior and the Orthodox Mission of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Barry (Ontario).
We call upon all believers to come, venerate the holy relics and pray to the Lord and His Saints with faith in the fulfillment of our prayers for healing, for deliverance from harmful addictions, for protection from all evil, for help in business, strengthening of faith and peace in all lands.
The Holy Relics will arrive at St. Nicholas Orthodox Mission in Barry (Ontario) on June 7th and 8th, 2025.
The Orthodox mission in Barry will be open to all who wish to venerate the relics, pray themselves or order a prayer service, submit names “for Health”, “for Departed”, Orders for the consecration of icons and crosses in front of relics:
June 7, Saturday from 10:00 to 16:00
June 8, Sunday from 10:00 – Liturgy, and a prayer service for all who wish.
Mission Address:
31 SAUNDERS RD., BARRIE, ON
Contacts:
(437) 552-7036 – monk Seraphim
(437) 260-8038 – archpriest Anatoly Fesik
(705) 718-7705 – treasurer of the church in Barry, Irina Ivanova
Your donation can be made via email transfer: barriesobor@gmail.com
Follow the social networks of the Orthodox mission in Barry to find out the schedule of services and parish news – Facebook and Instagram.
From June 9th to June 15th, the Holy Relics will be open for veneration in the Russian Orthodox Christ the Savior Cathedral.
See the schedule of services on our website, as well as in regular posts on Facebook and Instagram.
The cathedral will be open every day during the stay of the relics from 10:00 to 17:00, and according to the schedule of services.
The cathedral accepts names “for Health”, “for Departed”.
Orders for the consecration of icons and crosses in front of relics.
Orders for individual prayers for any need.
Contact us:
christthesavioursobor@gmail.com
(416) 522-5237 – Rector, Archprist Vasyl Kolega
(647) 859-9119 – Archprist John Shandra
Your donation can made via email transfer: treasurer@sobortoronto.com
*The cathedral makes Tax Recites on your donations.
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Holy Martyr Grand Duchess Elizabeth.
https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2000/07/18/101915-grand-duchess-elizabeth
She was canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church in 1992 for her martyrdom and for the works of mercy and charity that she performed with the sisters of the Martha-Mary Convent.
We pray to St.Elizabeth for the sick, the suffering, the disadvantaged, the needy. Prayer to her helps to reduce pain, to inspire hope.
You can learn more about the saint here
Troparion — Tone 4
Emulating the Lord’s self-abasement on the earth, / you gave up royal mansions to serve the poor and disdained, / overflowing with compassion for the suffering. / And taking up a martyr’s cross, / in your meekness / you perfected the Saviour’s image within yourself, / therefore, with Barbara, entreat Him to save us all, O wise Elizabeth.
Kontakion — Tone 3
In the midst of worldliness, / thy mournful heart dwelt in Heaven; / in barbaric godlessness, / your valiant soul was not troubled; / you longed to meet your Bridegroom as a confessor, / and He found you worthy of your martyric purpose. / O Elizabeth, with Barbara, / your brave companion, / pray to your Bridegroom for us.
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Saint Demetrius of Thessalonica, also known as the Holy Great-Martyr Demetrius the Myroblyte.
Demetrius, a native of Thessaloniki, was martyred in the reign of the Emperor Diocletian (284-305), being speared to death in prison. His Feast is celebrated by the Orthodox Church on October 26th (November 8th). In the Greek tradition, he is known as the Myhrbearer, because his relics miraculously produced holy oil.
It is believed that the holy relics of Demetrius of Thessaloniki helped people to recover from many diseases, especially from eye diseases. People pray to him for the recovery of the sick, for the strengthening of the Christian faith and help in strengthening the spirit. In Rus’, the saint was considered the patron of warriors and a protector from enemy attacks.
Troparion — Tone 3
The entire world has found you to be a great champion in times of peril; / for you put the heathen to flight, O victorious one. / As you brought to naught the boasts of Lyaeus, and gave courage to Nestor in the stadium, / in the same way, O Holy Great Martyr Demetrios, / entreat Christ God, that He grant us great mercy.
Kontakion — Tone 2
God, Who has given you invincible strength, Demetrios, / has adorned the Church with the royal purple of the streams of your blood, / and has kept your city unharmed, / for you are its support.
A Powerful Prayer to Saint Demetrius : Protector and Martyr of Faith
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Saint Boniface of Tarsus.
Saint Boniface of Tarsus was, according to legend, executed for being a Christian in the year 307 at Tarsus, where he had gone from Rome in order to bring back to his mistress Aglaida relics of the martyrs.
People turn to Saint Boniface with requests for deliverance from alcoholism and other serious addictions and passions, for strengthening in faith and healing from illnesses.
Troparion — Tone 4
You fervently followed the way of the martyrs / Confessing Christ before unbelievers, O Boniface. / You gave your body to modest Aglae / As an imperishable treasure. / Healing and mercy flow from it for the world.
Kontakion — Tone 4
Willingly you offered yourself as a blameless sacrifice / to the One about to be born of the Virgin for our sake, / holy crown-bearer, all-wise Boniface.
The prayer to St. Boniface.
The Angels rejoiced more at thy conversion, O Boniface, than at the fidelity of the ninety-nine just; but their joy was redoubled, when they found that heaven gained, in thee, not only a Penitent, but a Martyr too. Receive, also, the congratulations of holy Church, which celebrates the memory of thy victory. Rome is still in possession of thy holy Relics, which repose in the Church on Mount Aventine, where once stood the house of her that imitated thy repentance. In both her and thee, we have a proof of the infinite mercy of our Risen Jesus, Who called the two sinners from spiritual death to the life of grace. Have compassion, O holy Martyr, on those poor sinners, whom this Easter has not yet brought back to their Redeemer. The Alleluia has resounded through the whole universe, and yet it has failed to rouse them from their sleep of sin. Pray for their resurrection. Their days are numbered; and perhaps they are not to see another Easter. Yet do we hope in the divine Mercy, which has shown us its power by making thee and Aglae to be vessels of election. We, therefore, unite our prayers with thine, O Boniface, that our Lord may grant a resurrection to our Brethren. Hope is our armour in this peaceful contest with Divine Justice, which delights in being vanquished by prayer. Present our prayer before the Throne of God; and many of those, that are now spiritually dead, will come to life again, and their conversion will cause joy to the Angels, as thine did.
In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen!
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Saint Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia.
Basil the Great is asked to deliver one from fears and strengthen one’s faith. It is also believed that he helps to get rid of persecution and unfair treatment. The Saint is known for the fact that through prayers to him the Lord grants healing, help in studies or scientific research.
The prayer to Saint Basil.
Saint Basil, o great follower of God, help all as well as me. Defender of orthodoxy, defend us too, that follow your faith and stand besides you. Great follower of God, pray to him for all your people, as well as for unworthy me. Strong knight and leader of Ostrog, save us from the seen and unseen. Raised by Serbian soil do be the light in front of God, be our light and light up our road and make darkness disappear.
With prayer and tears you have warmed the cold cliffs of Ostrog, please warm our hearths with Gods spirit, so we can be saved. From all corners of the world to your grave come the weak and the ill, and you helped them, got rid of their demons as well as the devil, and healed their souls and bodies. Please continue to help, the baptized and the nonbaptized, everybody and me as well. You brought peace to fighting brothers, please continue to bring peace, help the devided, make the sad happy, calm the stubborn, heal the sick. Saint Basil, o miracle worker, father of our spirit, listen and hear your children’s spirits in the name of Jesus Christ.
Amen.
A documentary on the life of St. Basil the Great is here.
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Saint Dymphna of Gheel, Virgin Martyr, Princess.
https://www.archgh.org/media/12206/st-dymphna-of-gheel.pdf
Dymphna is a Christian saint honoured in Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions.
St. Dymphna is recognized as a patron for those suffering from mental illnesses including stress, anxiety, depression, ADHD and bipolar disorder.
Prayer to St. Dymphna.
Wise and diligent St. Dymphna, you found yourself in peril in your young life having suffered the death of your dear mother and the wrath of your father. Orphaned and in flight you took shelter in the wings of your heavenly father. Under your protection and care, many people who have born the cross of mental illness have been consoled and nurtured toward better health and healing. Look kindly on the needs of all who struggle today with mental and emotional problems. Be their staff of stability and security in the winds and storms that assail them. Help them to know and understand that nothing can separate them from the love of God that comes through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Prayer to St. Dymphna For Mental or Emotional Disorders is here.
Documentary about St. Dymphna from The National Gallery of Ireland’s – Saint Dymphna: The Tragedy of an Irish Princess.
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Right-believing Prince Daniel of Moscow.
https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2009/03/04/100653-right-believing-prince-daniel-of-moscow
People turn to Saint Prince Daniel for help in blessing their home with God, in housing problems, and pray for finding their own home. Prayer for the salvation of the country and people, for the good character of authorities and rulers, for deliverance from destructive divisions and internecine strife.
Troparion — Tone 3
You have appeared to our land as a shining star / O faithful prince Daniel! / Your light illumined your city and monastery! / O champion of the Orthodox, / deliverer of captives, / advocate of the poor, / O sovereign of Russia pray to Christ God / to grant us peace and save our souls!
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Venerable Sergius the Wonderworker, Abbot of Radonezh.
Sergius of Radonezh protected widows and orphans during his life, and prayer to his icon helps them today as well. It helps to enlighten children and teenagers and rid them of bad influences; helps to cope with everyday troubles, as well as to overcome one’s own sins, such as pride and lack of diligence.
Akathist Hymn to St. Sergius, Abbot of Radonezh is here.
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Hieromartyr Macarius, Metropolitan of Kyiv.
You can learn more about the Saint here.
Prayer to St. Macarius
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Saint Theodosius, Archbishop of Chernigov, the Wonderworker.
This saint is considered the patron saint of the victims of the Chernobyl disaster. An icon of St. Theodosius with a piece of his relics was transferred to the Cathedral of the Archangel Michael in Kyiv, built in memory of the victims of Chernobyl.
Prayers are offered to him for healing from blood cancer and thyroid cancer.
https://orthochristian.com/137142.html
Troparion — Tone 4
O Hierarch Father Theodosius, / you are a most worthy Bishop. / You were a light to your flock; / then you were translated to the eternal Mansions. / Pray at the Throne of the King of Glory, / that we may be delivered from present evils / and that our souls may be saved by your prayers, O Holy One!
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Venerable Paisios Velichkovsky.
People pray to Saint Paisios for strengthening of faith, peace and brotherly love, for deliverance from schisms, civil strife and quarrels. For abundance and prosperity.
https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/1952/11/15/103311-venerable-paisios-velichkovsky
Troparion — Tone 2
Having become a stranger on earth, / you reached the heavenly homeland, venerable Father Paisius. / You taught the faithful to lift up their minds to God, / crying out to Him with all their hearts: / “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner!”
Kontakion — Tone 8
Like a much-laboring bee, you were an elect zealot of the monastic life, / supplying our souls with the writings of the Fathers through which you guide us on the path of salvation. / Therefore we cry out to you: “Rejoice, truly-wise Paisius, / for through you the tradition of spiritual elders has been restored to us!”
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Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt.
https://www.oca.org/the-hub/study-guides/the-life-of-st.-john-of-kronstadt
Orthodox Christians pray to this saint in any trouble and any difficulty, for healing from various ailments, for the health of loved ones, for deliverance from drunkenness, drug addiction and other addictions. And also for help in learning, when children have difficulty learning. The most famous prayer of John of Kronstadt is for recovery.
A Unique Phenomenon: On Righteous John of Kronstadt
Troparion
O wonderworker, who livest in Christ for ever, and through love hast mercy on people in misfortunes: hearken unto thy children who with faith call upon thee, expecting compassionate help from thee, O John of Kronstadt, our beloved pastor.
Miraculous Help from St. John of Kronstadt Today
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Venerable Seraphim, Wonderworker of Sarov.
Orthodox believe that sincere prayer to Father Seraphim helps in all good deeds. Most often, he is asked for spiritual fortitude, finding balance, humility in the face of circumstances and, of course, for healing, because even during his lifetime, seriously ill people were cured through the prayers of St. Seraphim.
Kontakion 1
Our glorious God, in His infinite wisdom and inexhaustible mercy, has bestowed a holy wonderworker upon those of us struggling through these harsh times. We have been granted to behold the life and teachings of Saint Seraphim of Sarov, who was born in eighteenth century Russia, and thereby obtain spiritual instruction from a zealous yet gentle priest and monk. May all true believers never complain of lack of guidance on the path of prayer, but rather turn to the humble and friendly elder, and say:
Rejoice, Saint Seraphim, spiritual father of all the faithful.
Akathist to Saint Seraphim of Sarov is here.
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Why should we pray to the saints when there is the Lord?
It (prayer) gives them the power to intercede before God in their prayer, as well as in active love for people. God gives the saints, along with the angels of God, to accomplish His will in the lives of people with active, although usually invisible, help. They are the hands of God, with which God accomplishes His works.
We must resort to the prayerful help of the saints in various needs. And the Lord gives each saint a special grace to help people in various situations.
To strengthen faith and provide effective help to all who call on the Lord with a sincere heart, particles of the relics of the glorified saints will be exhibited for veneration in the cathedral. We know how difficult it is in our world not to lose your bearings, how difficult it is to maintain common sense and faith. Therefore, we hope only for God and His saints.
God bless everyone!
