Metropolitan Jonah visits Edmonton, Alberta
His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at Saint Herman of Alaska Sobor here on Sunday, December 11, 2011.
Concelebrating with Metropolitan Jonah were His Grace, Bishop Irenee of Quebec, Administrator of the Archdiocese of Canada; Archimandrite Alexander [Pihach], Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Canada, Dean of Alberta, and Sobor Rector; Archpriest Phillip Eriksson, Rector of the Holy Martyr Peter the Aleut Church, Calgary, AB; Priest Philip Halliwell, a priest of the Canadian Archdiocese studying at Saint Tikhon’s Seminary, South Canaan, PA; Protodeacon Nazari Polataiko, Secretary of the Archdiocese of Canada; and Deacons Daniel Frisen and Matthew Francis.
During the Divine Liturgy, Metropolitan Jonah ordained Deacon Matthew Francis to the Holy Priesthood, while Bishop Irenee ordained Subdeacon Jesse Isaac to the Holy Deaconate. After the dismissal, Edward and Virginia Byfield and Lillian Trefan were conferred the Award of Saint Tikhon Patriarch of Moscow and Apostle to America. Bishop Irenee thanked those being honored for their life-long example of love for our Saviour, Jesus Christ, and unending support of missionary work for the sake of Christ. Gregory and Lydia Fedor also received an award for the witness of Christian love and service they have consistently shown during their years as founding members of the Sobor.
The celebrations concluded with the members of the parish singing many years to Metropolitan Jonah and Bishop Irenee, to the newly ordained Priest Matthew and Deacon Jesse, and to all Orthodox Christians.
A photo gallery may be viewed at http://archdiocese.ca/news/2011/20111211-edmonton.htm.