Tenth Anniversary Celebrations for Holy Apostles Orthodox Church, Chilliwack

On Sunday June 29th, His Eminence, Archbishop Irénée served the Divine Liturgy for the Feast of Saints Peter & Paul at Holy Apostles Orthodox Church in Chilliwack, BC. The feast coincided with the 10th Anniversary celebrations of the parish. 

At the Little Entrance, clergy awards were bestowed, with the prayers read by the Archbishop. The Rector of Holy Apostles, Father Matthew Francis, was elevated to Archpriest, along with Father Edward Jordan (St. Aidan’s Church, Cranbrook). Father Mircea Tihon (All Saints Monastery, Dewdney), was awarded the right to wear the Kamilavka, and Deacon Evan Freeman (St John of Shanghai Church, North Vancouver) was elevated to Protodeacon. 

The church was filled to capacity for this momentous Divine Liturgy, which concluded with a cross procession around the church, and the reading of the gospel. Father Matthew Francis thanked Vladyka Irénée for leading us in the Divine Liturgy, and welcomed also the visiting clergy and faithful. Additional clergy serving were Mitred Archpriest Phillip Eriksson (Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Canada and Rector of St Peter the Aleut Church, Calgary), Archpriest Richard Rene, (St Silas Orthodox Prison Ministries), Priest Symeon Price (St Nicholas Mission, Kamloops), Protodeacon Jesse Isaac (St Olga of Alaska Mission, Edmonton), Deacon Paul Loboda (Holy Apostles, Chilliwack), assisted by Subdeacon Jordan Eriksson (St Peter the Aleut, Calgary) and Subdeacon Terrence Yendall (Holy Apostles, Chilliwack). Church music was directed by Matushka Krista Francis.

Following the conclusion of the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, a festive meal was enjoyed in St Paul’s Hall.