Hierarchical Liturgy at the Russian Orthodox Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul in Montreal

On Friday, September 27, 2013 an Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was celebrated for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Precious and Life-giving Cross at the Russian Orthodox Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul in Montréal. Concelebrating with His Grace Irénée, Bishop of Québec and Administrator of the Archdiocese of Canada, was His Grace Mstislav, Bishop of Tikhvin and Ladeinoye Polye (Saint-Petersburg). The secretary of the diocese of Tikhvin, Protopresbyter Alexander Laryn travelled together with Bishop Mstislav on this, his first pilgrimage to Canada, at the invitation of His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York, and First Hierarch of the Russian Church Outside Russia. Also concelebrating with Bishop Irénée were His Eminence Justinian, Archbishop of Naro-Fominsk, Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA and Rector of St. Nicholas Cathedral in New York; His Grace Job, Bishop of Kashira, Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada; Archpriest Anatoliy Melnyk, Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Canada and Rector of Sts. Peter and Paul Orthodox Cathedral; Protopresbyter Dimitriy Sever, Rector of the Patriarchial Parish of the Protection in Ottawa; Priest Vasiliy Tsaritsyn and Protodeacon Nazari Polataiko.

After the Divine Liturgy, Bishop Mstislav expressed his gratitude to the clergy and the parishioners for this communal service. His Grace, Bishop Mstislav presented a panagia to both Bishop Irénée and Bishop Job. On behalf of the Holy Trinity Mens’ Monastery in Russia, he also presented to the Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul an icon of St. Alexander Svirsky which Father Anatoliy accepted on behalf of the parish with much appreciation.

Afterwards, there was a festive dinner for all the guests and the parishioners in the Church hall. During the dinner His Grace, Bishop Mstislav talked about his life and his trip to Canada. It was a pleasant surprise to learn that Bishop Mstislav is not a stranger to our clergy: he has known Bishop Job since childhood, and he was a schoolmate of Father Anatoliy when they were in seminary in St Petersburg.

After dinner, Bishop Mstislav left for Toronto to visit and serve in the Russian Orthodox Sobor of Christ the Saviour. The rector of this church from 1941 until his death in 1976, was father John Diachina (the Mitred Archpriest John Diachina), who was a distant relative of Bishop Mstislav, and one of the most remarkable priests in North America. Father John's brother Leonid was also a priest who served until his death in Saskatchewan and Alberta. They were both graduates of the Sifton Pastoral School and were taught by the holy Archbishop Arseny.