In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Today we have renewed the Holy Table in this temple, and in renewing this Holy Table, within the hundredth anniversary of this parish’s establishment in Montréal, we are renewing ourselves to the purposes, as well, of God’s call for us to be here. As Father Anatoly has researched, the beginning of this parish a hundred years ago was not part of what was planned by the authorities at the time, because the authorities didn’t know that there were any believers here. However, God did. He sent the priest that was supposed to go somewhere else to Montréal instead, and the Church was established here, as was needed a hundred years ago. Ever since that time, this community has been a witness for love in Montréal. This community has been a witness for the Truth of Jesus Christ in Montréal. This community has been a witness for hospitality in Christ in Montréal.

When the Apostle Peter was answering the questions of Christ today, he confesses that Jesus is the Christ. He confesses that he loves Christ. When the Saviour hears his confession of love, and his confidence in WHO HE IS, the Saviour says: “Feed my sheep”, and He says (as it were): You are the rock on which the Church shall be built (or one of the rocks, anyway). When you, and I encounter Christ, as the Apostle Peter did, and our hearts are warmed with love for Him, as is the heart of the Apostle Peter, and also, the Apostle Paul (because their love for Christ cannot be denied at all), we, like them, must share that love. That love must be shared.

We must show Christ to the people around us by how we live as Orthodox Christians. First of all, in loving God above everything. Second, in loving people around us, even people that are difficult, and then, having both joy, and hope, in caring for other people before ourselves. This is the way of Christ. We do not put ourselves first. In the love of Jesus Christ, we put others first. We serve. We don’t ask to be served. This is the Orthodox Christian way.

As this parish has for one hundred years now witnessed to the love of Jesus Christ, and has been like yeast, here, in Montréal, and as this parish is still a witness for this love, here (even in this difficult neighbourhood), still the light of Christ is shining here in the city of Montréal, in this community of people who care about Him, and His service. So, let us ask the Lord that He give us the strength to be faithful witnesses every day of our lives, faithful witnesses of His love, faithful servants of Him through His love. Let us ask Him that everything we do in our lives may not glorify ourselves, but Jesus Christ, and only Jesus Christ, and glorify Him, together with His Father, who is from everlasting, and His all-holy, good, and life-giving Spirit, now, and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

† Archdiocese of Canada - Orthodox Church in America