London ON Holy Transfiguration Antiochian Orthodox Church 1916

London, Ontario, Holy Transfiguration Antiochian Orthodox Church, 1916, 1977

Prehistory

The name “Holy Transfiguration” for this Temple in London, Ontario, Canada, was taken (at the urging of Dr. Dmitri Pospielovsky) in order to honour and remember the city’s first Orthodox Temple, founded in 1916. This first “Holy Transfiguration” Temple was a part of the missionary Diocese of Canada, under the Russian Patriarchate. This diocese, which received its first resident hierarch in 1916 (Bishop Alexander (Nemolovsky), was a part of the North American missionary administration of the Russian Orthodox Church. This administration was by then headquartered in New York. This missionary “Diocese of the Aleutians” was the product of a substantial missionary venture of the Russian Orthodox Church. The mission had begun in 1794 in Alaska with Saint Herman and several other monks.

This first community in London was composed of both Russian- and Greek-speaking immigrants. Events after World War I and the Bolshevik Revolution brought the arrival both of refugees and of hotly contrasting political opinions. It was (as in the parish of Christ the Saviour in Toronto, Ontario) the sharp disagreements, more than the rise of ethnic congregations and the multiplying of jurisdictions, that caused the first Temple to close. However, the economic difficulties experienced by all the missionary communities after the Bolshevik Revolution was also a significant factor which led to this early closure. Nevertheless, this early seed would produce later fruit in 3 communities in London. These are the parish of the Holy Transfiguration, the parish of Christ the Saviour, and Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church.

The sanctification, 1916

Formation of the second mission, 1977

The Holy Transfiguration Mission, begun in 1977, grew out of an Orthodox Fellowship group that met at the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario. The members felt the need to worship in English. Many such persons were regularly attending the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, where they were welcome, but most of them did not understand Greek. As a result, conversations about the possibility led to the reality.

The founders and core members of the parish are :

 Dr. William (Vasilios) Bush, Dr. Dmitri Pospielovsky, Sarah Fluter, Adnan Chehade and Despina Jennings.

The first attempts by the founders to approach Archbishop Sylvester (Haruns) of the Diocese of Montréal and Canada of The Orthodox Church in America (OCA) were unsuccessful for unknown reasons. Therefore, in 1977, the founders approached Metropolitan Philip (Saliba), who accepted the germinal mission under his protection, and it became a part of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese.

Three decades later, Holy Transfiguration Church continues as the only Orthodox parish in the city whose services are in English.

The earliest places of worship were improvised and challenging. However, the weekly experience of setting up and disassembling the “chapel” helped to bind the community together.

Eventually, the congregation settled in a low-ceilinged, former Kingdom Hall. Although the building met the need for a stable place of worship, its structure effectively deadened all sound, which made both singing and preaching difficult. Regardless, the community continued to develop steadily.

New, permanent Temple, 2011

In 2011, having purchased an older building, and transformed it into an Orthodox Temple, the possibility arrived for yet more effective witnessing for Christ and embracing those who are drawn to the Orthodox Christian Faith. This building, built in 1897, was erected by a group of Congregationalists who had come to Canada from the USA.

The stout brick building, with its central bell-tower, tall, elegant windows in the nave, and its serene, stately arch over the back wall that just calls out for an icon of the Blessed Panagia, follows an uncluttered architectural style common in 19th-century New England. It lent itself well to being transformed into an Orthodox Temple. This new-to-them building, with its soaring height and lively acoustics, has been received by the entire congregation as a great and amazing blessing. The most common comment made by parishioners coming into the Temple for the first time (even before the renovation) is, “This church is beautiful”.

The new building

The parishioners understand that through the recent events in the life of this parish, God has shown that He has always wanted an Orthodox Temple in South London. While human beings might have failed to achieve that original purpose, God has now made it possible for a Temple of true Orthodox worship again to take its place in what is known as the South Horton (or “So-Ho”) region of London. The present Temple is situated in the same part of South London (by the river Thames, near Adelaide Street) where the first Orthodox Church of the Transfiguration had stood. Thus, it is a visual confirmation that the prayers and offerings of God’s people are never lost nor go without their reward. The South Horton area of London is not only the richest in terms of the city’s history and immigrant settlement, but it is also the true gateway to the city.

Sanctification of the Temple

Interior with iconostas

Archpastoral visit, sanctification of the Temple, 2011

On the week-end of 5-7 August, 2011, Bishop Alexander (Mufarrij) arrived in London for the purpose of celebrating the annual feast-day of the Temple, and also for sanctifying the Holy Table and the new Temple.

It was with joy and a great sense of anticipation that chairman Ghassan Chehade and members of the Parish Council went on the afternoon of 5 August, 2011, to the London International Airport to pick up "Sayidna" Alexander from his flight in from Montréal. ("Sayidna" is an Arabic term which is equivalent to the Slavic "Vladyka".)

The celebrations began on Friday evening with Great Vespers for the Feast of the Transfiguration. The Vespers service included the Litiya and Artoklasia, and it was followed by the traditional blessing of the grapes. The bishop, clothed in a purple and gold mantia, and bearing his staff, was received into the Temple by Father Geoffrey Korz of All Saints of North America Orthodox Church of Hamilton, Ontario (Orthodox Church in America) ; Father Demetrios Mouselimis of Saint Demetrios Orthodox Church of Sarnia, Ontario (Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto) ; and Father Vladimir Morin of Christ the Saviour Orthodox Church of London, Ontario (Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia). As usual, the Transfiguration Vespers was well-attended, with parishioners from each of the 6 Orthodox parishes in London. At the end of the service, everyone was invited downstairs to enjoy refreshments. Since the former building did not even have a kitchen, and most meals necessarily had to be served buffet-style and eaten while standing or balancing a plate while sitting on a chair, this experience was a sheer delight to the congregation. The Holy Transfiguration parish has a reputation for always providing plenty of food ; but now, with tables and chairs, food can be properly presented and properly enjoyed.

All the food provided over the two-day celebration was cooked and provided by various parishioners under the capable leadership and supervision of the Holy Transfiguration Saint Thekla’s Society, headed by President Graciella Chehade and Vice-President Janet Smiaris.

Altar Feast-day

Saturday, the actual day of the Feast of the Transfiguration, began with Orthros (Matins) and the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy. Concelebrating with Sayidna Alexander were the Rector, Father Martin Meitz ; Father Polycarp Gilbert, a former priest of Holy Transfiguration ; Father Christopher Rigden-Briscall of Christ the Saviour Mission in Waterloo, Ontario ; Father John Ayoub of Saint Ignatius of Antioch Church in Windsor, Ontario ; and Father David Scott of Saint Ignatius of Antioch Mission in Saint Catharines, Ontario. After the Divine Liturgy, everyone was invited downstairs for a complete fish dinner and many wonderful desserts. It was a great time of food and fellowship, especially amongst so many Orthodox from other parts of Ontario who rarely get a chance to see one another. The day ended with Great Vespers, with the bishop in attendance.

Sanctification of the Temjple

On Sunday, 7 August, Sayidna Alexander sanctified the Temple in a ceremony rich with symbolism. The service began just before the completion of Orthros and the beginning of the Divine Liturgy. Bishop Alexander was assisted in the service by Father Martin Meitz and Father Polycarp Gilbert. Subdeacon Alex Younes from Saint George’s Antiochian Orthodox Church in Richmond Hill, Ontario, served as a cantor along with Natalia Sinclair, the very faithful cantor at the Holy Transfiguration parish.

The bishop first sanctified the beautiful oak wood Holy Table built by parish member Petros Kifle. Sayidna Alexander placed the relics inside the Holy Table, along with the names of the parishioners both living and dead. The new Holy Table was washed, images of the Four Evangelists were placed at the four corners, and then it was anointed with the Holy Chrism. The shroud, or “katasarkion”, that was sewn by parish member Toula Kalogeros and is never removed, and the maroon, red-fringed Altar-cloth, were placed upon the Holy Table.

After the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, the congregation was invited downstairs for another dinner, this time of Ethiopian food. (This English-speaking parish is made up not only of Arabs, Greeks, Russians, Romanians, and various converts of many different nationalities, but also of many faithful Eritrean and Ethiopian people. Indeed, as a sign of Christian solidarity with this parish, the entire parish council of the Qulibie Gabriel Ethiopian Orthodox Church in London was present at the sanctification.)

All services are held in English.

Icon above the High Place

Holy Relics of Saint Jacob of Hamatoura

The Feast-day of Saint Jacob of Hamatoura, a monk-martyr of the 13th century, falls on 13 October.

On Sunday, 17 October, 2022, after the Divine Liturgy, there was a procession with the newly-acquired Holy Relics of Hieromartyr Jacob of Hamatoura. These portions of the saint had recently been given permanently to the parish as a gift from Deacon Yakoub Daoura of Ottawa, Ontario.

These Holy Relics will always be present in the Temple, and Holy Oil from the Monastery of the Dormition of the Theotokos in Hamatoura will always be available for those who wish to be anointed.

Saint Jacob of Hamatura

Life-icon of Saint Jacob of Hamatura

The Holy Hieromartyr Jacob of Hamatoura was a Priest-monk in the Northern Lebanese Mount Hamatoura Monastery of the Dormition of the Theotokos. This monastery is located about 80 km (50 mi) northeast of Beirut, and about 20 km (12 mi) southeast of Tripoli (on the Kousba Road) in Lebanon.

Above the Kadisha River sits a pearl of ascetic struggle unworthy of the world. Burrowed in the caves of Mount Hamatoura exists the Monastery of the Dormition of the Theotokos, overlooking a land that once flourished with monastic fervour.

Saint Jacob struggled in asceticism, shedding tears in the Monastery of the Dormition of the Theotokos in the 15th century, under the brutal rule of the Mamelukes. Jacob rebuilt this monastic dwelling and made it once again a well-spring of asceticism and renewed Christian monastic life in an Islamic spiritual desert (in which not many Christians remained) that opposed the Triune God (the Holy Trinity). Soul-searchers and those that were spiritually thirsty began to flock to the desert to drink from the sweet spiritual water of Hamatoura and seek out the saint that revived it. Transforming the barren caves of the Mount into a place where pilgrims and desert dwellers met the Incarnate God, the light of Hamatoura began to reach out into the shadows of a land held captive by invaders.

The great saint’s fame spread and the knowledge of his transforming prayer and exemplary life began to be known among the hostile authorities. They sought out the holy man, wickedly seeking to make an example of him and convert him to Islam. Jacob continued in steadfastness, refusing to accept the dark yoke of another god, and for this his fame spread all the more. Enraged, the Mamelukes sought to deal with the infidel with the sword. As the saint retreated to find stillness in the Hermitage of Saint George, located further up the cliff face of the Mount, his enemies seized him and thirsted for murder. Jacob was beheaded, as his blood spilt on the ground of his homeland, watering it for those monks who would follow his footsteps in the latter days. Not satiated with the torture and beheading of the saint, however, the persecutors then burned the precious body of Saint Jacob, thinking that they would forever blot him out from history and discourage all those who would flock to venerate his relics. However, God, not forgetting His saints, and being ever-benevolent to his people, especially knowing we need Grace in these latter times, did not allow the wicked plans of the murderers to prevail.

Parish particular details

This parish is a part of the Diocese of Ottawa, Eastern Canada and Upstate New York of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America. The bishop is Bishop Alexander (Mufarrij).

The parish follows the New (Revised Julian) Calendar.

The Altar Feast-day of this parish is the Feast of the Transfiguration of Christ, 6 August.

In 2024, the pastor is the Priest Martin Meitz.

Address :

Holy Transfiguration Antiochian Orthodox Church

465, Horton Street East

London, Ontario

N6B 1M2

Telephone : 519-963-0426

Web-site : http://www.holytransfiguration.ca

Parish Facebook

E-mail: meitzfathermartin@gmail.com

Mailing Address :

Holy Transfiguration Antiochian Orthodox Church

PO Box 24017

London, Ontario

N6H 5C4

Directions :

London is located 193 km (120 mi) southwest of Toronto, via Highway #401 (or via Highway #403).

The Temple is found west of Adelaide Street, and also west of Hamilton Road, in the South Horton district of London, near Bathurst and Maitland Streets.

By VIA Rail :

London is accessible by VIA Rail between Windsor and Toronto (and beyond to Ottawa, Montréal, Québec, etc.).

By car :

Follow the exit from Highway #401 to the exit for Highbury Avenue North. Turn left on Commissioners Road East in London. Turn right on Adelaide Street South. Adelaide Street South becomes Adelaide Street North. Turn left on Hamilton Road. Keep left onto Horton Street. The Temple is found after the Maitland Street intersection.

By bus :

Consult the Transit Commission. From downtown at King Street and Richmond street, take Route #1491 south to Horton Street. Transfer to Route #967 eastbound, which runs by the Temple.

Priest Martin Meitz

95, Capulet Lane, 26 SUIT

London, Ontario

N6H 5V6

Mobile telephone : 226-663-6361

E-mail : meitzfathermartin@gmail.com