Our Services
Visitors will notice that the congregation actively participates in services by crossing themselves, standing, bowing, kneeling, reciting traditional prayers together, and singing. Don’t be intimidated – no one expects you to know what these acts and symbols mean or when you should do them. There are spiral-bound service books in the hallway (the narthex) leading into the main part of the church (the nave) that will guide you through the service. Feel free to ask a neighbour to direct you to the correct page. You’re also welcome to come and learn by observing.
If you are able, it is best to stand while the priest processes around the congregation, while he is reading the Gospel selection for the divine liturgy, and while the priest is preparing, lifting up, and distributing the bread and the wine for Holy Communion, as well as at the dismissal. The easiest method to know when all this happens is to simply stand when others are standing, as you are able. Standing is not an arbitrary exercise; rather, is a way of showing respect to Christ, who is manifest in the central parts of the Divine Liturgy: the Scriptures and Holy Communion.
If you are attending a Divine Liturgy, you may be offered a piece of blessed bread by a neighbour who has received Holy Communion from the priest. This bread is not Holy Communion and is a gift that anyone can receive. However, only those who are baptized and received into the Orthodox Church may receive Holy Communion from the priest. Please linger after services if you have questions and want to learn more about Orthodoxy.
After Services
Our parish is a family. As the Scriptures tell us, the Church is the Family and Household of God. (1 Timothy 3:15; Galatians 6:10; 2 Corinthians 6:16-18) The Divine Liturgy is the central aspect of this reality. But it does not end there. We not only participate together in our worship of the Living God, we also seek to participate together in one another’s lives as we seek to live the life in Christ.
Following the Sunday morning Liturgy, we always share another meal together in our church hall (the liturgy after the Liturgy) while the children play, guests are made welcome, and we seek to bear one another’s burdens and thus fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2) During this time people who wish to find out more about our parish family or about Orthodox Christianity generally can often sit with members of the parish who are happy to answer questions. Our priest is also often available to sit with guests and inquirers to answer any questions they might have.
More Ways to Get Involved
You can also get involved by participating in the church’s ministries and activities. This is one of the best ways to get to know the people of the parish.
St. Xenia Fellowship
The primary work of this ministry is providing a monthly meal at the Ray of Hope Soup Kitchen. In addition to serving these meals, we collect and distribute alms, food, clothing and other material needs to refugees, shelters, single-parents, pensioners, students and anyone who has a need that we are able to respond to.
Hospitality
Hospitality is a central aspect of Orthodox Spirituality. Like Abraham and Sarah of old we do not know when we may be ministering to angels unawares. (Genesis 18; Hebrews 13:2) Thus whenever we gather for the Divine Liturgy we always share another liturgy of fellowship, food and fun as a family.
Spiritual Formation in Our Parish
Christians are to be informed, formed, and transformed in numerous ways within the life of the Church. Very much like a child within their mother’s womb, we are to live and grow within our Mother the Church. We constantly hold in tension the truth that we must turn and become like a little baby to enter the Kingdom of God and that we are to grow into mature manliness, into the very fullness and stature of Christ. (Matthew 18:3 & Ephesians 4:13) This “turning” and “growing” is our formation.
Send us a message
Reach out to us with questions you may have about visiting our parish.
Contact
Father Christopher Rigden-Briscall, Pastor
96 Dunbar Rd S, Waterloo, ON
Phone: 519-807-2986