Ukrainian Community To Be Represented by Joint Choir (UPDATED)
Sun. Mar. 24/2024 — 6pm | Panagia Greek Orthodox Church, Toronto
The Diversity of Orthodoxy
Just once a year does the Orthodox community come together to glorify God, witnessing the beautiful diversity of worship in the Orthodox Christian world. Imagine - in just one service you hear Господи помилуй being sung in 5 different languages - Greek, Arabic, English, and sometimes even in Romanian and Church Slavonic, each to their own unique melodies. This is what our ancestors in Ukraine would have heard when St. Volodymyr brought the Christian faith to our nation - lilting Greek melodies, or Aramaic when they made the pilgrimage to the Holy City of Jerusalem, the language that it is believed that Jesus spoke and worshiped in.
Only in North America
This type of pan-Orthodox event only happens in North America where we have representation from many Orthodox Churches, and is specifically held on the Sunday of Orthodoxy (first Sunday of Great Lent) when we celebrate the triumph of the icons in the churches. There are often dozens of clergy serving together in the altar, with many small choirs fit into little alcoves around the church waiting for their moment to share their musical response, and culminates with the booming sound of everyone reading the Creed, finishing with the last statement:
As the prophets beheld, as the Apostles have taught,... as the Church has received... as the teachers have dogmatized,... as the Universe has agreed,... as Grace has shown forth,... as Truth has revealed,... as falsehood has been dissolved,... as Wisdom has presented,... as Christ Awarded,... thus we declare,... thus we assert,... thus we preach Christ our true God, and honour as Saints in words, in writings, in thoughts, in sacrifices, in churches, in Holy Icons; on the one hand worshipping and reverencing Christ as God and Lord; and on the other hand honouring as true servants of the same Lord of all and accordingly offering them veneration.
This is the Faith of the Apostles, this is the Faith of the Fathers, this is the Faith of the Orthodox, this is the Faith which has established the Universe.
-- Confession of faith of the Day of Orthodoxy
Icon demonstrating the triumph of Orthodoxy.
After the vespers service, there is usually a joint meal in the parish hall (donations welcome) where you have the opportunity to meet other Orthodox faithful as well as see how other communities prepare lenten dishes.
It is truly an incredible special event held just once a year! Join us!
Ukrainian To Represent Four Parishes
Every year the Ukrainian community is asked to participate and this year, our Cathedral will be organizing a joint-choir among the 4 parishes of the GTA - St. Andrew’s (Toronto), St. Anne’s (Scarborough), St. Demetrius (Etobicoke) and St. Volodymyr (including the Chapel). Music and recordings have been sent to the choir conductors of each parish to rehearse.
Details (UPDATED)
At the Pan-Orthodox Vespers in 2023.
This year’s pan-Orthodox vespers celebrating the triumph of Orthodoxy will be served on Sunday Mar. 24, 2024 at Panagia Greek Orthodox Church, at 7pm (Roncesvalles & Queen). More details to come.
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