Archbishop Irénée Concelebrates at Blessing of New Chapel to Royal Passion-Bearers

A new chapel-monument in honour of the holy Royal Passion-Bearers was officially opened on Saturday in Jackson’s Point, Ontario, reports the site of the  Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia.

The new chapel is part of the parish of the Church of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God in the “Beryozki” Russian conclave in Jackson’s Point, not far from Toronto.

The initiative of parish rector Fr Maxim (Abroskin) to build the chapel was supported by his parishioners and the Orthodox of the Greater Toronto area, and they began raising funds a year ago. The foundation stone was consecrated by His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion, the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, in August of last year. Parishioners undertook the building of the chapel on their own, and the dome was delivered from Russia. A large, 6-ft. high icon of the Royal Martyrs was painted in America, and the kiot for the icon was made by a cabinetmaker parishioner of the Smolensk Icon Church.

A festive moleben was served by His Eminence Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada, with the participation of clergy from the Orthodox Church in America led by His Eminence Archbishop Irénée of Ottawa and Canada. The service was sung by the Konevets-Kvartet choir from St. Petersburg, Russia.

Abp Irénée presented Fr Maxim with a gift of a hand-painted icon of the Royal Martyrs, and printed icons were given to all those present.   

The day ended with refreshments offered by the parish sisterhood and a concert of Russian folk songs by the Konevets-Kvartet.