Canadian Orthodox Messenger

After a long hiatus the Canadian Orthodox Messenger has entered the internet age as a blog presenting thoughtful, reflective and, moreover, edifying content that gives glory to God and strengthens its readers to follow the Lord Jesus Christ. Articles of many different types will be considered for publication: reflections, reviews, essays, travelogues, interest pieces, and most well written pieces. Please send your submissions to messenger@archdiocese.ca.

Blog Articles

Remembering Father Anthony Estabrooks

by Archpriest Gregory Scratch

The last few days have been full of introspection for me, with the falling asleep in the Lord of Fr. Anthony (Spencer) Estabrooks; and as I have been sifting through my time and interactions with him (which was admittedly limited and sporadic), I have come to realise just how much of a positive example of the priesthood he has been for me. If I am being honest, the youthful enthusiasm that enlivened my priesthood, was always an easy target for hubris and conceit. This stood in stark contrast with the quiet and reflective presence that Fr. Anthony provided. Regrettably this contrast skewed my understanding of this vocation (beyond its fundamental sacramental characteristics). Ironically, my understanding of priesthood's validation was more formed by what “I” was doing, or what “I “thought a priest should do.

The End Which Reveals the New (The Beheading of St. John the Baptist)

by Archpriest Gregory Scratch

The celebration of the solemn commemoration of the beheading of St. John the Baptist (Aug. 29th) is in indeed providential, as we are coming to the end of one cycle of life - summer holidays- and prepare for a new cycle of life (school, work, harvest, etc). It is in this ending of sorts that we are given the opportunity to reflect upon what the holy Prophet's ending in martyrdom reveals - humility - the foundation for that which is "new", or to put it another way, that which "renews".

40 Days That Feel Like Eternity

by Archpriest Gregory Scratch

Following the scriptural pattern, we are in the last week of this 40 day Paschal season. The question that is often asked, is what is the significance of 40 days being used throughout scripture? Well, without getting into biblical numerology (which if I am being honest is a little beyond me), this time stamp of 40 days is the actualisation of a completed act or event that is presented symbolically, yet in the context of reality.

Remembering Archpriest Nicolas Boldireff

by Archpriest Gregory Scratch

This past week the Archpriest Nicholas Boldireff fell asleep in the Lord after a lengthy illness. Fr. Nicholas was the longtime pastor of Christ the Saviour Orthodox Church in Toronto and Holy Virgin Mary Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Los Angeles (CA); and although I never really knew Fr. Nicholas personally well, (even though I had served with him as a young server, and deacon) there is Nonetheless there is something very personal that I share with him.

A Reflection on Theophany

by Esther Juce

During the Feast of Theophany, January 6th, it is good to remember that Christ not only descended into the baptismal waters of the Jordan, but by doing so also descended to the bleak and arid desolation of our fallen human condition, into the wilderness of a parched land where no water is.

"Entering into their labours" (Jn. 4:38) - a meditation on the blessed Archbishop Arseny

by Archpriest Gregory Scratch

Not "either or", but rather "both" (All Saints of North America)

by Fr Gregory Scratch

Trying to separate Orthodox Christianity from the cultures that had been formed by the faith for centuries, in a pluralistic Western culture, is like trying to separate water from wine; simply impossible.