The Russian Church Marks the 25th Anniversary of the Glorification of St. Xenia the Blessed.

The glorification of St. Xenia the Blessed, fool-for-Christ of St. Petersburg, was conducted in 1978, and her feast day established on 6 February (new style). This anniversary was first marked by the parish dedicated to her name in the city of Kanata, Canada (near Ottawa). This church has a large silver cupola that became part of the landscape of Orthodox Russia in Canada.

On Sunday, 2 February, before the feast day of St. Xenia, His Grace Bishop Gabriel, Administrator of the Eastern Canadian diocese, celebrated divine liturgy at the church in Kanata. He was joined by the church's Rector, Priest Mark Burachek, the rector of the Cathedral of St. Nicholas in Montreal, Priest George Lagodich, Priest Stelios Liabotis from the London, Ontario, Church of Christ the Savior Not-made-by-hands, along with Deacon Seraphim Chemodakov from Jordanville. The church was filled with worshipers. Besides regular parishioners, there were many visitors from the nearby Protection Memorial Church, from Montreal and Toronto. The choir sang magnificently under the direction of G.A. Skok.

When the neighboring Kanatites have their feast day, many visitors come from near and far. This time there were even more than usual. Bishop Gabriel ordained into the rank of deacon a long-time parishioner during liturgy, a singer, reader and subdeacon of this parish, Vasily Mikhailovich Milonov. The father of Deacon Vasily, Protopriest Mikhail Milonov was known to the entire Church Abroad in the Western Hemisphere. It is noteworthy that among the ancestors of Deacon Vasily is the famous Ukrainian hetman Danilo Apostol. His portrait hangs in a place of honor in the house of Dcn. Vasily, and visitors sometimes notice that a resemblance is noticable in Dcn. Vasily.

Dcn. Vasily Milonov is known in Russian Canada by his open heart, his readiness to help the Church, and, what is very important for a deacon, a good voice. The Parish of St. Xenia is growing, and the Reverend Rector is relying on the support of his new deacon during the forthcoming Great Lent.

The ordination of Deacon Vasily Milonov.

That same day, during the minor entrance, Priest Stelios Liabotis was awarded the nabedrennik. In his sermon, His Grace Bishop Gabriel said that the days preceding Great Lent prepare us for the journey towards healing. And healing is needed for us all. Vladyka also noted that the feast day is a second Pascha of sorts for the parish, and called upon all the parishioners to try to attend service on the day itself. In conclusion, Vladyka Gabriel congratulated Deacon Vasily with his proceeding in the path of his father. After a service of supplication to St. Xenia, all were invited by the sisterhood to a trapeza luncheon.

Bishop Gabriel awarding Priest Stelios Liabotis with the nabedrennik during the minor entrance.