Saint Aidan Orthodox Church

Mid Pentecost
2021-05-26 | British Columbia
The Troparion of the Midfeast…“In the middle of the Feast, O Saviour, fill my thirsting soul with the waters of godliness, as You did cry to all: If anyone thirst, let him come to Me and drink [John 7:37]. O Christ God, Fountain of our life, glory to You!”…hints at the encounter of Christ and the Samaritan Woman in just a few days.

St. Aidan Church Breakfast
2021-05-24 07:30 - 09:30 (America/Edmonton) | British Columbia
A free breakfast is served Mondays of each month.
Monday breakfast consists of a breakfast sandwich with coffee, juice, yogurt and two pieces of fruit.
Pandemic protocols are followed.

Liturgy of the Sunday of the Paralytic- served outside
2021-05-23 10:30 - 12:00 | British Columbia
On this day the Church remembers the man who lay by the Sheep’s Pool in Jerusalem for thirty-eight years. He was waiting for someone to put him into the pool. The first one to enter the pool after an angel troubled the water would be healed of his infirmities. Someone always entered the pool before him.
Seeing the man, the Lord felt compassion for him and healed him.
The Kontakion for this Fourth Sunday of Pascha asks Christ to raise up our souls, “paralyzed by sins and thoughtless acts”.

All is Well book study on zoom
2021-05-20 19:30 - 21:00 | British Columbia
We are about half way through “All is well”. Any who are interested are welcome to join us.

2nd Sunday of Great Lent: St Gregory Palamas
2021-03-28 | British Columbia
This Sunday was originally dedicated to Saint Polycarp of Smyrna (February 23). After his glorification in 1368, a second commemoration of Saint Gregory Palamas (November 14) was appointed for the Second Sunday of Great Lent as a second “Triumph of Orthodoxy.”
Saint Gregory Palamas, Archbishop of Thessalonica, was born in the year 1296 in Constantinople. Saint Gregory’s father became a prominent dignitary at the court of Andronicus II Paleologos (1282-1328), but he soon died, and Andronicus himself took part in the raising and education of the fatherless boy. Endowed with fine abilities and great diligence, Gregory mastered all the subjects which then comprised the full course of medieval higher education. The emperor hoped that the youth would devote himself to government work. But Gregory, barely twenty years old, withdrew to Mount Athos in the year 1316 (other sources say 1318) and became a novice in the Vatopedi monastery under the guidance of the monastic Elder Saint Nikodemos of Vatopedi (July 11). There he was tonsured and began on the path of asceticism. A year later, the holy Evangelist John the Theologian appeared to him in a vision and promised him his spiritual protection. Gregory’s mother and sisters also became monastics….
the rest of the article can be found at oca.org

The Annunciation of our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary
2021-03-25 | British Columbia
The Feast of the Annunciation is one of the earliest Christian feasts, and was already being celebrated in the fourth century. There is a painting of the Annunciation in the catacomb of Priscilla in Rome dating from the second century. The Council of Toledo in 656 mentions the Feast, and the Council in Trullo in 692 says that the Annunciation was celebrated during Great Lent.
The Greek and Slavonic names for the Feast may be translated as “good tidings.” This, of course, refers to the Incarnation of the Son of God and the salvation He brings. The background of the Annunciation is found in the Gospel of Saint Luke (1:26-38). The troparion describes this as the “beginning of our salvation, and the revelation of the eternal mystery,” for on this day the Son of God became the Son of Man…
Please go to oca.org. to read the rest of the article which concludes with…
The Annunciation falls during Lent, but it is always celebrated with great joy. The Liturgy of Saint Basil or Saint John Chrysostom is served, even on the weekdays of Lent. It is one of the two days of Great Lent on which the fast is relaxed and fish is permitted (Palm Sunday is the other).

Sunday of Orthodoxy-1st Sunday of Great Lent
2021-03-21 | British Columbia
The following is copied from oca.org.
Originally, the Prophets Moses, Aaron, and Samuel were commemorated on this Sunday. The Alleluia verses appointed for today’s Liturgy reflect this older usage.
Today we commemorate the “Triumph of Orthodoxy,” the restoration of the holy icons in the reign of the holy Empress Theodora (February 11).

All is Well Book Study on Zoom
2021-03-18 19:30 - 21:00 | British Columbia
We continue to study the book, All is well. All are welcome. Contact Fr. Andrew is you would like to attend. Sorry, Dr. Al Rossi will not be with us this evening.

GREAT LENT BEGINS
2021-03-15 | British Columbia
The journey of Great Lent begins today, March 15…not March 14 as on the photo…which is not for 2021…but I think it’s cool 🙂 This is our journey to Pascha on May 2, 2021.

Sunday of Cheesefare: Expulsion of Adam from Paradise...Forgiveness Sunday
2021-03-14 | British Columbia
The following was copied from oca.org.
As we begin the Great Fast, the Church reminds us of Adam’s expulsion from Paradise. God commanded Adam to fast (Gen. 2:16), but he did not obey. Because of their disobedience, Adam and Eve were cast out of Eden and lost the life of blessedness, knowledge of God, and communion with Him, for which they were created. Both they and their descendants became heirs of death and corruption.
Let us consider the benefits of fasting, the consequences of disobedience, and recall our fallen state. Today we are invited to cleanse ourselves of evil through fasting and obedience to God. Our fasting should not be a negative thing, a mere abstention from certain foods. It is an opportunity to free ourselves from the sinful desires and urges of our fallen nature, and to nourish our souls with prayer, repentance, to participate in church services, and partake of the life-giving Mysteries of Christ.
At Forgiveness Vespers we sing: “Let us begin the time of fasting in light, preparing ourselves for spiritual efforts. Let us purify our soul, let us purify our body. As we abstain from food, let us abstain from all passion and enjoy the virtues of the spirit….”

All is Well Book Study on Zoom
2021-03-11 19:30 - 21:00 | British Columbia
We are welcoming Dr. Al Rossi, author of All is Well, to our book study tonight. All are welcome. Contact Fr. Andrew if you are interested.

Sunday of Meatfare of the Last Judgment
2021-03-07 | British Columbia
The following was copied from oca.org.

Today’s Gospel reading is Matthew 25:31-46, the parable of the Last Judgment. It reminds us that while trusting in Christ’s love and mercy, we must not forget His righteous judgment when He comes again in glory. If our hearts remain hardened and unrepentant, we should not expect the Lord to overlook our transgressions simply because He is a good and loving God. Although He does not desire the death of a sinner, He also expects us to turn from our wickedness and live (Ezek. 33:11). This same idea is expressed in the prayer read by the priest after the penitent has confessed his or her sins (Slavic practice).
The time for repentance and forgiveness is now, in the present life. At the Second Coming, Christ will appear as the righteous Judge, “Who will render to every man according to his deeds” (Rom. 2:6). Then the time for entreating God’s mercy and forgiveness will have passed.
As Father Alexander Schmemann reminds us in his book GREAT LENT (Ch. 1:4), sin is the absence of love, it is separation and isolation. When Christ comes to judge the world, His criterion for judgment will be love. Christian love entails seeing Christ in other people, our family, our friends, and everyone else we may encounter in our lives. We shall be judged on whether we have loved, or not loved, our neighbor. We show Christian love when we feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, visit those who are sick or in prison. If we did such things for the least of Christ’s brethren, then we also did them for Christ (Mt.25:40). If we did not do such things for the least of the brethren, neither did we do them for Christ (Mt.25:45).
Today is the last day for eating meat and meat products until Pascha, though eggs and dairy products are permitted every day during the coming week. This limited fasting prepares us gradually for the more intense fasting of Great Lent.

Sunday of the Prodigal Son
2021-02-28 08:00 - 17:00 | British Columbia
This parable of God’s forgiveness calls us to “come to ourselves” as did the prodigal son.
To see ourselves as being “in a far country” far from the Father’s house, and to make the journey of return to God.
We are given every assurance by the Master that our heavenly Father will receive us with joy and gladness.
We must only “arise and go,” confessing our self-inflicted and sinful separation from that “home” where we truly belong.
(Luke 15:11-24) (taken from oca.org)

Zoom Book Sudy-Churchianity vs Christianity
2021-02-25 19:30 - 21:00 | British Columbia
We have been studying the 9 talks of Metropolitan Anthony.
The study is expected to be completed this evening.

Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee
2021-02-21 08:00 - 17:00 | British Columbia
Today is the beginning of the Lenten Triodion.
Variables will be provided for those who wish to read the Typika at home.
We may be serving a Divine Liturgy if Public Health Orders allow.

Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee who scrupulously observed the requirements of religion: he prayed, fasted, and contributed money to the Temple. These are very good things, and should be imitated by anyone who loves God. We who may not fulfill these requirements as well as the Pharisee did should not feel entitled to criticize him for being faithful. His sin was in looking down on the Publican and feeling justified because of his external religious observances.The second man was a Publican, a tax-collector who was despised by the people. He, however, displayed humility, and this humility justified him before God (Luke 18:14).The lesson to be learned is that we possess neither the Pharisee’s religious piety, nor the Publican’s repentance, through which we can be saved. We are called to see ourselves as we really are in the light of Christ’s teaching, asking Him to be merciful to us, deliver us from sin, and to lead us on the path of salvation. (taken from oca.org)

Zoom book study- Churchianity vs Christianity
2021-02-18 19:30 - 21:00 | British Columbia
We are studying the 9 talks of Metropolitan Anthony.
We are challenged to move beyond mere “churchianity” to a true and living faith.
Please contact Fr. Andrew if you are interested in joining.

Zaccheus Sunday
2021-02-14 10:00 - 11:30 | British Columbia
Zaccheus Sunday is our signal that the Lenten Triodion will begin next Sunday.
We will also commemorate Ven. Auxentius of Bithynia.
We provide variables for the Typika service.

Zoom Book Study-Churchianity vs Christianity
2021-02-11 19:30 - 21:00 | British Columbia
We are studying the 9 talks given by Metropolitan Anthony.

Afterfeast of the Meeting of our Lord in the Temple
2021-02-07 10:00 - 11:30 | British Columbia
We also commemorate St. Parthenius, who was Bishop of Lampsacus.
He was a native of the city of Melitoupolis (in northwestern Asia Minor), where his father Christopher served as deacon. The youth did not receive adequate schooling, but he learned the Holy Scripture by attending church services. He had a good heart, and distributed to the poor the money he earned working as a fisherman….
You can read his story at www.oca.org.
Variables for the Typika are available.

Readers Vespers to be read at home if desired.
2021-02-06 17:30 - 18:30 | British Columbia
Tone 2
The Readers Vespers and the variables are provided for those who wish to do the service.

Zoom Book Study- Churchianity vs Christianity
2021-02-04 19:30 - 21:00 | British Columbia
We are studying the nine talks of Metropolitan Anthony. He challenges us to move beyond mere “churchianity” to a true and living faith. Please contact Fr. Andrew if you are interested in joining.

Meeting of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ in the Temple
2021-02-02 00:00 - 23:59 | St. Aidan Orthodox Church, Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada
Today the Church commemorates an important event in the earthly life of our Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 2:22-40). Forty days after His birth the God-Infant was taken to the Jerusalem Temple…read the rest of the article at: oca.org.

Readers Vespers of the Feast
2021-02-01 18:30 - 19:00 | British Columbia
We are encouraged to do Readers vespers are to be served at home.

Sunday Typika
2021-01-31 00:00 - 23:59 | St. Aidan Orthodox Church, Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada
Today we commemorate the Holy Wonderworkers and Unmercenaries Cyrus and John.
You can read about them in the Saints section of oca.org

Typika to be served at home

Readers Vespers
2021-01-30 00:00 - 23:59 | St. Aidan Orthodox Church, Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada
Tone 1
Readers vespers to be served at home.

Great Vespers-if permitted
2021-01-29 08:00 - 17:00 | British Columbia
Tone 2

Sunday Typika
2021-01-24 10:00 - 11:30 | St. Aidan Orthodox Church, Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada
Typika to be served at home.

Readers Vespers
2021-01-23 17:30 - 18:30 | St. Aidan Orthodox Church, Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada
Tone 8
Readers Vespers to be served at home.

Sunday Typika
2021-01-17 10:00 - 11:30 | St. Aidan Orthodox Church, Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada
Today we commemorate Venerable and Godbearing Fr. Anthony the Great.
You can read about Him on the OCA website: OCA.org
Typika to be served at home.

Readers Vespers
2021-01-16 17:30 - 18:30 | St. Aidan Orthodox Church, Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada
Tone 7
Readers Vespers to be served at home.
