View source for Kingston ON Saint Gregory of Nyssa Orthodox Church 1981


[[File:Saint Gregory of Nyssa ORthodox Church Kingston 2.png]]

'''Kingston, Ontario, Church of Saint Gregory of Nyssa, 1981'''


==Prehistory==

The [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Orthodox_Church Orthodox Christian Church] had a visible presence [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/kingston Kingston], [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/ontario Ontario], [https://www.britannica.com/place/Canada Canada], from the 1960s with the establishment of the [https://kingstongreekhistoryproject.com/the-story-of-our-community/ "Kimisis" (Dormition) Greek Orthodox Church].  [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_language Greek-speaking] immigrants had been living in Kingston since the early 1900s, but for [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Holy_Mysteries sacraments] they usually travelled to [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/montreal Montréal], [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/quebec Québec], or to [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/ottawa Ottawa].  Other Orthodox Christians would participate in this community as well.

However, with the passage of time, and since the services were only in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_language Greek], by the late 1970s some of the Orthodox Christians felt the need for an English-speaking presence.  There were many conversations about the possibility, and the fledgling anglophonic communities in [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Ottawa_ON_%E2%80%A0Holy_Transfiguration_Orthodox_Mission_1980-1987 Ottawa] and [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Montr%C3%A9al_QC_Sign_of_the_Theotokos_Orthodox_Church_1978 Montréal] were consulted.  After gathering the Faithful in the city and its environs for a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Divine_Liturgy Divine Liturgy] in the latter part of 1980, it was decided to proceed.

==Founding the mission, 1981==

In 1981, [http://archdiocese.ca/community/st-gregory-nyssa-orthodox-parish-kingston Saint Gregory of Nyssa Orthodox Church] was founded as a mission within the [http://archdiocese.ca/ Archdiocese of Canada] of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Orthodox_Church_in_America The Orthodox Church in America] (OCA) in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingston,_Ontario Kingston, Ontario], Canada, by the blessing of [[Archbishop Sylvester (Haruns)]] of [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/montreal Montréal] and [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Archdiocese_of_Canada Canada].

==Father Basil Zion==

Saint Gregory’s began as a mission to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen%27s_University_at_Kingston Queens University] students, in the home of the family of the Priest Basil (†1997) and Matushka Rhoda Zion.  

[https://myocn.net/painless-blameless-peaceful-im-ready-to-die-fr-basil/ Father Basil] had been ordained for this missionary purpose in Ottawa by Archbishop Sylvester, and his family established a domestic chapel in their home on Alfred Street in Kingston.  [https://www.oca.org/files/PDF/diptychs/2020-oca-diptychs.pdf Father Zion] was a professor of religious studies at Queens University.  On growing, the mission began to meet in a chapel at the university.  From the beginning of the mission, a great deal of both spiritual and practical support was given by [[Igumen John (Scratch) |Father John Scratch]] and the [[Ottawa ON Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission 1980-1987 |Holy Transfiguration Mission]] in [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/ottawa Ottawa].  

Almost immediately, the mission attracted both students and a small number of local residents who were [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Orthodox_Church Orthodox Christians].  These included some former parishioners of [[Montréal QC Saints Peter and Paul Russian Orthodox Sobor 1907 |Saints Peter and Paul's Cathedral]] in Montréal, others such as the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Church_of_India Indian Orthodox] Nadavallil family, and local visitors from the Greek parish.  During the time of his pastoral service, Father Basil began to develop warm fraternal relationships with the local [http://www.gocbelleville.com/dormitionkingston.html Dormition Greek Orthodox parish], a relationship which was further nurtured by the priests who followed him.  Father Basil was a serious Orthodox Christian scholar, who had compassion for all.  This is reflected in his writing.  After the repose in Christ of Father Basil on 21 March, 1997, Matushka Rhoda continued to live in Kingston for a year, and to support the life of the community.  

During the following year, Matushka Rhoda became a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Monastic_Ranks rasophor nun], and she received the name [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodora_of_Alexandria Theodora].  Nun Theodora (Zion) then moved to the [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Johnstown,_ON,_%E2%80%A0Monastery_of_Saint_Silouan_of_Mount_Athos_1990-2016 Monastery of Saint Silouan] near [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prescott,_Ontario Prescott], Ontario.  Later, she was [https://orthochristian.com/101607.html tonsured] to be a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Monastic_Ranks#Stavrophore stavrophor nun], and she received the name [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sophia_the_Martyr Sophia].  Almost 10 years later, she moved to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto Toronto], Ontario.  Most recently, she moved to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brockville Brockville], Ontario.  

The presence of university students in the mission was always a blessing ; but because for the most part they remain only for a few years, students cannot constitute the stable core for the future.  Nevertheless, those who have passed through this community have moved to other places (including [https://www.britannica.com/place/Great-Britain-island-Europe Great Britain]), where they enrich the life of Orthodox parishes.  

==Founding members==

There were other founding members, who were long-time residents of Kingston, and who were of traditional Orthodox Christian nationalities.  One such was Wsewolod (Harry) Rummel (†1999), who had served as the first president (starosta) of the parish council.  Another such founder was Alexandra Gibson.  She had just moved from Montréal, where she had been a faithful and active parishioner at the [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Montr%C3%A9al_QC_Saints_Peter_and_Paul_Russian_Orthodox_Sobor_1907 Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul] all her life.  She had been recommended to the mission by Archbishop Sylvester (Haruns).  She remained a faithful parishioner and an example of a holy life until her repose in 1983.  Hers, as Harry’s, was a sudden but blessed repose.  Yet another founder was Thomas Nadavallil who became the president of the parish council after Mr. Rummel’s repose, and he has remained in this responsibility for many of the years since then.  He and his wife Ramani Susan have been a constant presence, and they raised their 2 sons in the parish.  

==Father James S Griggs==

After the retirement of Father Zion, [http://archdiocese.ca/clergy/griggs-archpriest-james Father James Griggs], a recent graduate of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Vladimir%27s_Orthodox_Theological_Seminary Saint Vladimir’s Seminary] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crestwood,_Yonkers Crestwood], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York New York], was assigned to lead the parish.  The parish became a house-church for a time, after which the growing community moved to a rented store-front in a strip-mall.  

After some time in this accommodation, it was announced that the rent would be trebled.  This required serious consideration about what to do next, since this trebling of the rent would not only cause serious hardship for the community, but it also would mean that there could be no stipend for Father James, his wife Tena and their 4 children. 


[[File:Father James Griggs Kingston 1.jpg]]  '''Father James S Griggs'''

==Move to a new site, 2001==

Then there occurred a conversation between Father Griggs and an Anglican minister named Ed Dallow about the situation.  As a result, in 2001, at the invitation of the [https://www.christchurchkingston.ca/what-we-believe/our-history Christ Church Cataraqui] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglican_Church_of_Canada Anglican] parish (which had built a large new building nearby) the community moved to the basement of their original historical church building (built in 1870).  This historical building is in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cataraqui_Cemetery Cataraqui Cemetery] (originally Christ Church Cemetery) where the body of [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/sir-john-alexander-macdonald Sir John A MacDonald], the first Prime Minister of Canada is interred.  

There, the rent was much more affordable.  The Griggs family was also able to live in the old [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glebe glebe] house of the Anglican parish, not far away from the new facility.  


[[File:St Gregory Kingston.jpg]]  '''New site at Christ Church Cataraqui on Sydenham Road'''


From the winter of 2004, for economic reasons, Father Griggs began dividing his time pastorally.  Two weekends per month, he would serve the mission in Kingston.  Two weekends per month, he would serve the small [http://www.ascensionofchristgreekorthodox.canic.ws Ascension Greek Orthodox parish] in Brockville, about 80 km to the east.  

==Igumen Luke (Majoros), 2007==

In August, 2006, the service of Father James in Kingston concluded when he began to serve on a salary at the [[Ottawa ON Dormition (Koimisis) of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church 1929 |Dormition Greek Orthodox Church]] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottawa Ottawa], Ontario, while he continued to serve the Brockville community twice monthly.  After this, the [http://archdiocese.ca/clergy/majoros-archimandrite-luke Hieromonk Luke (Majoros)] was asked to care for the Kingston community temporarily. 

On 1 January, 2007, the Hieromonk Luke (Majoros) was assigned to lead the parish of Saint Gregory.  He did this while he continued to live in the [https://www.archdiocese.ca/community/hermitage-st-anthony-great-and-hermitage-protection-theotokos-westport  Hermitage of Saint Anthony the Great] near [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westport,_Ontario Westport], Ontario. 

On 1 November, 2012, Igumen Luke (Majoros) was released from his responsibilities in the parish of Saint Gregory of Nyssa.

==Archpriest Andrew Anderson, 2012 ; Priest Nicholas Young, 2015==

At that time, the [http://archdiocese.ca/clergy/anderson-archpriest-andrew-j Archpriest Andrew Anderson] was assigned to serve as the rector of the parish.  He and his wife Karen live in Montréal, where he studies towards a doctoral degree, and from where he commutes to Kingston.  Since his assignment, the parish began to grow more noticeably. 


[[File:Father Andrew with Vladyka 2.png]]  [[File:Priest Andrew J Anderson 1.jpg]] 

'''Father Andrew Anderson with Vladyka Irénée (Rochon) and Deacon Nicholas Svetlovsky''' (left) '''Priest Andrew Anderson''' (right)


'''Priest Nicholas Young'''

In 2015, a second priest was attached to Saint Gregory’s Church when the [https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/young-archpriest-nicholas Priest Nicholas M Young] became a Military [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Chaplain Chaplain] with the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Armed_Forces Canadian Armed Forces] ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Canadian_Chaplain_Service#:~:text=The%20Royal%20Canadian%20Chaplain%20Service%20%28French%3A%20Service%20de,to%202014%20it%20was%20named%20the%20Chaplain%20Branch. Royal Canadian Chaplain Service]), and he was posted to [https://www.canada.ca/en/army/corporate/4-canadian-division/canadian-forces-base-kingston.html CFB Kingston]. 


[[File:Nicholas-young 1.jpg]]  '''Father Chaplain Nicholas Young'''


After a short time in Kingston, Father Nicholas was transferred to [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/quebec-city Québec], Québec.  


[[File:St Gregory Kingston sign.jpg]]   '''Exterior dual-community sign'''


'''Prediction of the missionary challenges'''

Although this parish did not yet have its own Temple, it did have a stable place in which to grow.  A previous Anglican Bishop of Kingston predicted to Father Zion that developing an Orthodox community in the English language would be a difficult (if not impossible), long-term project in this city because of the nature of this city and its history.  It seems to have been an accurate understanding on the part of that bishop.  However, the parish continued all along to provide a visible witness for the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Introduction_to_Orthodox_Christianity Orthodox Christian Faith] in Kingston.  

The parish serves according to the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Typikon typikon] (custom) of the [https://www.britannica.com/topic/Russian-Orthodox-church Russian Orthodox Church], with some Constantinopolitan elements included from time to time.  These elements reflect the constituency of the parishioners, and the abilities of at least 2 of the priests who have served in the parish.  Although almost everything is served in English, there have been occasional appearances of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Church_Slavonic Slavonic], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_language Greek], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malayalam Malayalam], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_language French] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hungarian_language Hungarian].  The membership of the parish presents a wide range of national backgrounds, with members from [https://www.britannica.com/place/North-America North America], [https://www.britannica.com/place/Russia Russia], [https://www.britannica.com/place/Balkans the Balkans], the [https://www.britannica.com/place/Middle-East Middle East] and [https://www.britannica.com/place/India   India].  Further, a steadily increasing number of people have entered into Holy Orthodoxy from outside the Orthodox Church.  [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Gregory_of_Nyssa Saint Gregory's] parish seeks to make welcome anyone looking for an [https://orthodoxwiki.org/What_is_Orthodoxy Orthodox Christian] parish home in Kingston. 

For many years, the parish of Saint Gregory of Nyssa continued to meet in the basement of [http://www.christchurchkingston.ca Christ Church Cataraqui] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglican_Church_of_Canada Anglican] church on Sydenham Road, just north of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princess_Street_(Kingston,_Ontario) Princess Street].  


[[File:Sir John A Macdonald plaque 1.png]]  '''Sir John A Macdonald memorial plaque'''

[[File:Sir John A Macdonald gravesight 1.png]]  '''Sir John A Macdonald gravesite'''

==Archpastoral visit, 2014==

On Sunday, 26 January, 2014, [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Ir%C3%A9n%C3%A9e_(Rochon) Bishop Irénée (Rochon)] made an Archpastoral Visit to Saint Gregory of Nyssa's Orthodox Mission.

Concelebrating together with him were [https://www.oca.org/clergy/Nazari-Polataiko/ Protodeacon Nazari Polataiko], Deacon Justin Mitchell, [https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/young-archpriest-nicholas Priest Nicholas Young], and [https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/anderson-archpriest-andrew-j Priest Andrew Anderson] (pastor of the mission). 

During the service, 4 young men received the blessing to wear the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Orarion orar] of a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Subdeacon subdeacon] : Vadim Ignatov, Theodore Collins, Alexander Kovalev, and Nicholas Liabotis.  

A major moment in the morning was the awarding of the [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Category:Archdiocese_of_Canada_Award_of_Saint_Tikhon_of_Moscow Canadian Archdiocese Medal of Saint Tikhon], Patriarch of [https://www.britannica.com/place/Moscow Moscow] and [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Saint_Tikhon_(Belavin)#Mission_in_North_America_:_the_Diocese_of_the_Aleutians_and_Alaska,_1898 Apostle to America], to the servant of God, Reader Thomas Nadavallil.  This presentation was in recognition of his over 30 years of untiring labour for the building up of the Kingston mission.  His wife Susan was recognised with a bouquet. 


[[File:Bishop Irenee, Thaomas and Susan Nadavallil 2.png]]  '''Vladyka Irénée, Thomas and Susan Nadavallil'''

==Archpastoral visit, 2017==

On the Seventh Sunday of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Pascha Pascha], the After-feast of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Ascension Ascension] and Feast of the Holy [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Church_Fathers Fathers] of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/First_Ecumenical_Council First Ecumenical Council], [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Ir%C3%A9n%C3%A9e_(Rochon) Archbishop Irénée (Rochon)] [https://www.archdiocese.ca/articles/archbishop-irenee-visits-st-gregory-nyssa-parish-kingston-ontario visited the parish].  

During the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Divine_Liturgy Divine Liturgy], the [https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/anderson-archpriest-andrew-j Priest Andrew Anderson] was elevated to the dignity of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Archpriest archpriest] by Vladyka Irénée.  

In addition, the [https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/liabotis-archpriest-stelian Archpriest Stelian Liabotis] and his family brought the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Holy_Fire Holy Fire] that had arrived from [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Church_of_the_Holy_Sepulchre_(Jerusalem) Jerusalem] at the [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Ottawa_ON_Annunciation_to_the_Theotokos-Saint_Nicholas_Orthodox_Cathedral_1955 Annunciation Cathedral] in Ottawa.  The [https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/kolega-archpriest-vasyl Archpriest Vasyl Kolega] and Deacon Ivan Symchyna from [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Toronto_ON_Christ_the_Saviour_Russian_Orthodox_Sobor_1915 Christ the Saviour Cathedral] in [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/toronto Toronto] were also present, and they concelebrated with Archbishop Irénée.  


[[File:2017 Archpastoral visit 2.png]]  '''Parishioners at the 2017 archpastoral visit'''

==Archpastoral visit, 2018==


On 13 May, 2018 (the 6th Sunday of Pascha, the [https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2017/05/21/40-sunday-of-the-blind-man Sunday of the Blind Man]), [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Ir%C3%A9n%C3%A9e_(Rochon) Archbishop Irénée (Rochon)] [https://www.archdiocese.ca/articles/archbishop-irenee-visits-st-gregory-nyssa-orthodox-church-kingston celebrated the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy in this parish].  Serving together with him were the [https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/anderson-archpriest-andrew-j Archpriest Andrew Anderson], the rector, and Deacon Ivan Symchyna, along with the subdeacons Nicholas Liabotis and [https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/cherry-deacon-michael Michael Cherry].  Vladyka was presented with a bouquet of flowers by 4 young girls of the parish. 


[[File:St gregory of nyssa parish may 13 2018C 1.jpg]]  '''Parishioners at the 2018 archpastoral visit'''

==Archpastoral visit, 2019==

On Sunday, 19 May, 2019, Archbishop Irénée (Rochon) visited Saint Gregory of Nyssa's Parish in Kingston, Ontario.  He was assisted by [https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/letunovsky-deacon-denis Deacon Denis Letunovsky].  

During the Divine Liturgy, Archpriest Andrew Anderson was awarded the right to wear the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Epigonation palitza].


[[File:Kingston fr andrew palitza 19 may 19 2.png]]  '''Father Andrew awarded the palitza'''


[[File:2018 Archpastoral visit 2.png]]  '''Parishioners in 2019'''

==Covid-19 virus closures and restrictions, 2020-2022==

In the spring of 2020, the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19_pandemic Covid-19 virus pandemic] began to have a serious and limiting effect on parish life in Kingston, as it did throughout Canada.  For substantial periods of time, no public services were permitted.  When they were permitted, attendance was strictly regulated.  As time passed, and inoculations increased, more services began to be permitted.

==A permanent building, 2022==

Despite hope and various considerations that the long-term rented Anglican building might some day be available for purchase, this possibility did not develop in the face of various complexities.  One major such complexity was that the historical nature of this building prohibits any changes to the structure, both exterior and interior. 

In 2022, a former [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Church_of_Canada United Church] building nearby ("[https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?R=2318938 Cataraqui United Church]"), at 965, Sydenham Road, became available for purchase.  Although this structure was a listed historical building, similar to the Anglican building, its circumstances allowed for interior adjustments.  

Furthermore, the parish property included [https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2202212/heritage-cemetery-at-cataraqui a cemetery], the administration and management of which required a special arrangement.  

The parish decided to purchase this property, which was directly across the street from the former site.


[[File:Cataraqui Church Kingston 2.png]]  '''Cataraqui Church building'''


==Sign for United Empire Loyalist Cemetery, 2023==

On 12 June, 2023, the parish of Saint Gregory of Nyssa Parish [https://www.archdiocese.ca/articles/st-gregory-nyssa-parish-kingston-ontario-unveils-signage-united-empire-loyalist-cemetery unveiled signage the for United Empire Loyalist Cemetery on the parish property]. 

When the parish purchased their new temple in 2022, little did they know the historical legacy surrounding their new parish home. 

The former United Church, built in 1881, as a Methodist Church,  is located on the same site as the [https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2202212/heritage-cemetery-at-cataraqui Heritage Cemetery At Cataraqui].  This historic cemetery is a burial ground for [https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/loyalists Loyalist] settlers who came to [https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/upper-canada Upper Canada] as they fled for 
their safety from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Revolution American Revolution]     in the late 18th Century.  More precisesly, a group of United Empire Loyalists led by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Grass Captain Michael Grass] had settled in the area known as Cataraqui in the spring of 1784.  The establishment of the cemetery was a consequence of this permanent settlement.  

When the United Church property was sold to Saint Gregory's parish, the care of the historic cemetery became the responsibility of the parish, under the guardianship of a committee of trustees.  

The unveiling of the first stage of the signage for the United Empire Loyalist Cemetery Heritage Cemetery at Cataraqui too place on 12 June, 2023, at Saint Gregory’s Orthodox Church.  A delegation of Loyalists, along with the acting Deputy Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Jeff McLaren, assembled at the parish hall in order to mark the occasion.  


[[File:SignPhoto,UELLocals 2.jpg]]  '''Those gathered'''


Guests and officials were welcomed by 
the Dean of Ontario, [https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/korz-archpriest-geoffrey Archpriest Geoffrey Korz], who is also a descendent of Loyalists to Canada.  Father Korz gave the address, saying, 
  Friends and brethren : as we stand here and honour the memory of these Loyalists, we share in 
  their hope for this country to continue to be a beacon once again, and to raise up champions for 
  those things which make it great – and not to tear them down.
  May God bless you all.  God Save the King !


[[File:FatherGeoffreyKorz 2.jpg]]  '''Archpriest Geoffrey Korz speaks'''


[[File:UELMen 2.jpg]]  [[File:UELWomen 2.jpg]]]

'''United Empire Loyalist Men and Women'''


[[File:NewUELSign 2.jpg]]  '''New Cemetery Sign'''

==Archpastoral visit, 2024==

On Sunday, 26 May, 2024, Archbishop Irénée (Rochon) made his annual [https://www.archdiocese.ca/articles/vladyka-irenee-visits-st-gregory-nyssa-kingston archpastoral visit to Saint Gregory of Nyssa Orthodox Church in Kingston].  His visit celebrated the second anniversary of the purchase of the new property, the Cataraqui Church building (June, 2022).

There were 78 people in attendance for the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divine_Liturgy#The_Hierarchical_Liturgy  Hierarchical Divine Liturgy], during which Vladyka Irénée received into the catechumenate a local [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohawk_people Mohawk] family.  This brought the 
number of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Catechumen catechumens] in this parish over the past 2 years to 26.  12 adults have been baptised in the new building since it was purchased in 2022.  The pastor and parishioners give glory to God, who is working through the parish to shine His holy light in southeastern Ontario.


[[File:KingstonParishioners 2024 2.jpg]]  '''Vladyka Irénée and parishioners'''

==Archpastoral visit 2026==

On Sunday, 10 May, 2026, Archbishop Irénée (Rochon) made an archpastoral visitation to the Saint Gregory of Nyssa Mission in Kingston, a visit which marked 2 major moments in the history of the parish :
  To the glory of God, and with thanks in their hearts, the parishioners of St Gregory of Nyssa Orthodox Church in 
  Kingston, Ontario, on Sunday, 10 May, 2026, were happy to watch His Eminence Archbishop Irénée burn their 
  completely paid-off mortgage.
  
  The annual archpastoral visit by Vladyka Irénée marked the 45th anniversary of the founding of the parish, and 
  simultaneously marked the end of the four-year 'What Can You Do For God's Kingdom ?' capital campaign.
  
  Following the hierarchical Divine Liturgy on Sunday, the luncheon in honour of the archbishop was the venue for a 
  presentation given by the rector, Archpriest Andrew Anderson, in which he detailed with pictures the 45-year 
  history of St Gregory of Nyssa Orthodox Church. 
  
  Founded in 1981 by His Eminence Archbishop Sylvester of Montréal as an English-speaking outreach to the 
  students of the University of Queens, the fledgling mission spent the next 40 years "wandering in the desert" looking 
  for a permanent church home in Kingston. It moved from a house church, to the university chapel, to more house 
  churches, to a storefront, to a rented basement in an Anglican building, until the present facility became available 
  for purchase in 2022 for the amazingly low price of only $290,000.
  
  The historic red brick (originally Methodist) colonial era building and three acre Loyalist Burial Ground cemetery 
  were purchased on June 15, 2022, via a gracious loan from the archdiocese assisting the parish's own large down-
  payment. In gratitude to God, the parish moved "across the Jordan River into the Promised Land," which in their 
  case was just across the street to 965 Sydenham Road. 
  
  In 2022, the Parish Council launched the 'What Can You Do For God's Kingdom?' capital campaign to repay the 
  $230,000 loan back to the archdiocese. And now, after four years, the loan has been completely repaid via the 
  generosity of many donors, mainly parishioners. 
  
  Therefore, on Sunday, everyone had the joy of watching Vladyka Irénée burn the promissory note, signifying the 
  conclusion of the mortgage and the capital campaign.  Also, the parish was excited to witness the tonsuring of 
  Reader Michael Cochrane earlier in the day at the hierarchical Divine Liturgy. 
  
  The Parish of St Gregory of Nyssa in Kingston is grateful to God Almighty for this completely-paid-for property, and 
  also remains grateful to the archbishop and the archdiocese for their help and support.


[[File:Sgn reader tonsure may 2026 15 2.jpg]]  '''Tonsuring a reader'''


[[File:Sgn hierarchical divine liturgy 2026 29 2.jpg]]  '''At the Great Entrance'''


[[File:10May2026sgnParishioners 2.jpg]]  '''Parishioners on the anniversary'''


[[File:Sgn 2026 burning mortgage 2.jpg]]  '''Burning of the mortgage'''

==Particular parish information== 

[http://archdiocese.ca/community/st-gregory-nyssa-orthodox-parish-kingston Saint Gregory of Nyssa Orthodox Church] is a parish of the [http://archdiocese.ca/ Archdiocese of Canada] of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Orthodox_Church_in_America The Orthodox Church in America] (OCA) in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingston,_Ontario Kingston, Ontario], Canada.  

As do many other parishes, this community considers itself to be a mission even though it has had parish status for a long time. 

This parish is a part of the [https://www.archdiocese.ca/communities?field_deanery_tid_i18n=3&field_community_type_value_i18n=All&title= Deanery of Ontario], of the [https://www.archdiocese.ca Archdiocese of Canada], of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Orthodox_Church_in_America The Orthodox Church in America].  The dean is the [https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/ready-archpriest-geoffrey Archpriest Geoffrey Ready].  The bishop is [[Archbishop Irénée (Rochon)]].

This parish follows the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revised_Julian_calendar New (Revised Julian) Calendar].  

The Altar Feast-day of this parish is the Feast of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Gregory_of_Nyssa Saint Gregory of Nyssa], 10 January.

In 2025, the pastor of the parish is the [https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/anderson-archpriest-andrew-j Archpriest Andrew J Anderson]. 



Address :

[https://www.archdiocese.ca/community/st-gregory-nyssa-orthodox-parish-kingston Saint Gregory of Nyssa Orthodox Church]

965 Sydenham Road

Kingston, Ontario

K7M 3L8 

Telephone : 613-800-9537

Web-site : http://saintgregoryofnyssa.com/

[https://www.facebook.com/StGregoryOfNyssa/ Facebook]


Directions :

From [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montreal Montréal], Kingston is 287 km (179 mi) distant, and 3 hours 15 minutes by car.  Drive west on [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec_Autoroute_20 Highway #20], which becomes [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ontario_Highway_401  Highway #401] in Ontario.  Continue to Kingston, and take the Sydenham Road exit.

From [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto Toronto], Kingston is 265 km (165 mi) distant, and 2 hours 40 minutes by car.  Drive eastwards from Toronto on Highway #401, and exit on Sydenham Road.

From the city-centre and the south parts of the city, drive on Princess Street to Sydenham Road.  Turn north and drive about .5 km (.3 mi).  The building is on the right, very near to the road.

From the north, that is from Highway #401, take the exit for Sydenham Road and drive south about 2 km (1.25 mi).  The building is on the left, after having passed the newer Anglican church building. 



[https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/anderson-archpriest-andrew-j Archpriest Andrew Anderson]

256 Rue Sommerset

Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Québec 

H9G 2N9

Téléphone : 514-722-0182

E-mail : fatherandrewanderson@gmail.com

==References==

[http://saintgregoryofnyssa.com/indexmain.htm Original article]


'''Additional information :'''

[http://archdiocese.ca/community/st-gregory-nyssa-orthodox-parish-kingston Diocese listing]

[http://oca.org/parishes/oca-ca-kgssgn OCA listing]  

[https://orthodox-world.org/en/i/23590/Canada/Ontario/Kingston/Church/Saint-Gregory-of-Nyssa-Orthodox-Church Orthodox World listing]   

[https://www.archdiocese.ca/ Archdiocese of Canada web-site]     

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Archdiocese_of_Canada Orthodoxwiki article about the Archdiocese of Canada]     

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Orthodox_Church_in_America Orthodoxwiki article about The Orthodox Church in America]   

[https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2001/01/10/100140-saint-gregory-bishop-of-nyssa Saint Gregory of Nyssa]   

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Theodosius_(Lazor) Metropolitan Theodosius (Lazor)]    

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Herman_(Swaiko) Metropolitan Herman (Swaiko)]    

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Jonah_(Paffhausen) Metropolitan Jonah (Pauffhausen)]   

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Tikhon_(Mollard) Metropolitan Tikhon (Mollard)]    

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Sylvester_(Haruns) Archbishop Sylvester (Haruns)]

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Ir%C3%A9n%C3%A9e_(Rochon) Archbishop Irénée (Rochon)]    

[https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/griggs-archpriest-james Archpriest James Griggs]   

[https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/majoros-archimandrite-luke Archimandrite Luc Majoros]   

[https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/anderson-archpriest-andrew-j  Archpriest Andrew Anderson]
  
[https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/young-archpriest-nicholas Archpriest Nicholas Young] 

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Category:Archdiocese_of_Canada_Award_of_Saint_Tikhon_of_Moscow Canadian Archdiocese Medal of Saint Tikhon], Patriarch of [https://www.britannica.com/place/Moscow Moscow] and [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Saint_Tikhon_(Belavin)#Mission_in_North_America_:_the_Diocese_of_the_Aleutians_and_Alaska,_1898 Apostle to America] 

[https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/kingston Canadian Encyclopedia article about Kingston, Ontario]    

[https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/639423/cataraqui-cemetery#view-photo=232367303 Findagrave reference for Christ Church Cataraqui Cemetery]  

[https://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/dfhd/page_nhs_eng.aspx?id=13020&i=69863 Cataraqui Cemetery National Historic Site of Canada, Kingston, Ontario]    

[https://www.archdiocese.ca/articles/archpastoral-visit-st-gregory-nyssa-mission-kingston Archpastoral Visit of Bishop Irénée (Rochon) to Saint Gregory of Nyssa Orthodox Church, Kingston, Ontario] (26 January, 2014)   

[https://www.archdiocese.ca/articles/archbishop-irenee-visits-st-gregory-nyssa-parish-kingston-ontario Archpastoral Visit of Archbishop Irénée (Rochon) to Saint Gregory of Nyssa Orthodox Church, Kingston, Ontario] (28 May, 2017)   

[https://www.archdiocese.ca/articles/archbishop-irenee-visits-st-gregory-nyssa-orthodox-church-kingston  Archpastoral Visit of Archbishop Irénée (Rochon) to Saint Gregory of Nyssa Orthodox Church, Kingston, Ontario] (13 May, 2018)   

[https://www.archdiocese.ca/articles/archbishop-irenee-visits-st-gregory-nyssa-parish-kingston-ontario-0 Archpastoral Visit of Archbishop Irénée (Rochon) to Saint Gregory of Nyssa Parish] (19 May, 2019)    

[https://www.archdiocese.ca/articles/st-gregory-nyssa-parish-kingston-ontario-unveils-signage-united-empire-loyalist-cemetery St Gregory of Nyssa Parish (Kingston, Ontario) unveils Signage for United Empire Loyalist Cemetery] (12 June, 2023)   

[https://www.archdiocese.ca/articles/vladyka-irenee-visits-st-gregory-nyssa-kingsto Archpastoral visit of Archbishop Irénée to St Gregory of Nyssa Church] (2 June, 2024)   

‘[http://archbishop-of-ottawa.org/messenger/Com1993-July.pdf St Gregory of Nyssa Mission, Kingston]’ in “[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Canadian_Orthodox_Messenger_1990-2013 Canadian Orthodox Messenger]” (July, 1993), pp. 8-9.  

‘[http://archbishop-of-ottawa.org/messenger/Com2000-4.11-4.pdfA Mission Parish of St Gregory of Nyssa, Kingston ON. An English language mission founded by Archbishop Sylvester’s blessing: the Mission Parish of St Gregory of Nyssa, Kingston ON]’ in “[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Canadian_Orthodox_Messenger_1990-2013 Canadian Orthodox Messenger]” (Autumn, 2000), pp. 7-8.    


	






[[Category:Parish Communities]] [[Category:Ontario]]  [[Category:ADOCA]]  [[Category:OCA]]