Hamilton West ON Saint Maria of Paris Orthodox Church 2020

West Hamilton, Ontario, Saint Maria of Paris Orthodox Christian Mission, 2020

Prehistory

The beginning of this West Hamilton community was through a small group of Orthodox Christians in 2016.

The community was conceived through the informal gathering on several occasions in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, of some lay people who lived around the regions near the west part of Lake Ontario. This group was inspired by the care that the New-Martyr Saint Maria of Paris personally showed to the poor and the persecuted in Paris, France, during the deeply troubled times of World War II. With the blessing of a local priest, they began by organising opportunities to contribute to their community, often in the form of providing meals to newcomers to Canada, and to refugees who lived in the area. They supported this by gathering regularly for communal prayer and fellowship.

This group decided upon the name “Saint Maria Fellowship” and they functioned in this capacity for the first years of their existence.

Year 2019

In 2019, Yuri Hladio (a student at the Orthodox School of Theology at Trinity College of the University of Toronto) was ordained to the Holy Diaconate on 5 January. After this, Vladyka Irénée assigned Deacon Yuri Hladio to serve this community. Then Deacon Yuri Haldio was ordained to the Holy Priesthood on 17 August. In the course of completing his studies, he was given the blessing to provide pastoral care on a part-time basis for the nascent community (which was meeting in the homes of various people).

Year 2020

In the Spring of 2020, Archbishop Irénée (Rochon) gave the initial blessing for the Saint Maria Fellowship to become “Saint Maria of Paris Orthodox Mission”. It became a new mission parish within the Archdiocese of Canada in The Orthodox Church in America (OCA). Priest Yuri Hladio was assigned to serve as rector of the mission parish. Deacon Sean Reid was also assigned to serve in this new parish.

When it was possible, available sites in the West Hamilton area were used for occasional worship services, and these occasions strengthened the sense of purpose amongst the early participants. Their hope was to be able to worship in a place not far from their homes, and they wanted their service to the Lord to be available to other Orthodox Christians in the area, and to those who might wish to embrace the Orthodox Christian Faith.

During 2020, there were occasional services made possible through the rental of existing Orthodox Christian facilities in the region.

Rented quarters in early days

The commencement of regular Sunday morning Divine Liturgies was somewhat delayed due to the 2020-2021 covid pandemic ; but with God’s help, the parishioners persevered.

Throughout the early steps, this community was supported in developing its organisation, sense of direction and service by Holy Myrrh-bearers Orthodox Mission in Toronto, Ontario.

Formal founding the parish, 2020

On 20 July, 2020, Saint Maria of Paris Orthodox Mission celebrated their first Divine Liturgy together. They all received the Holy Mysteries on the Feast-day of their patroness, Saint Maria (Skobtsova) of Paris. She is called by some, "Saint of the Open Door".

In August, 2020, with the blessing of Archbishop Irénée (Rochon), the parish was blessed formally into existence as a mission-parish. The parish was officially placed under the protection of Saint Maria of Paris, France (New-Martyr †1945).

The first executive of the parish included :

 Priest Yuri Hladio ; Matushka Juliana Reid ; Dr Daniel Opperwall ; Dr Erica Roebbelen ; Marina Perry.

In early 2021, a more permanent place of worship was secured through rental from the Anglican Church Niagara Diocese : the former Holy Trinity Anglican parish, in West Hamilton.

14 March, 2021 : First Divine Liturgy, First stable site

On 14 March, 2021 (Forgiveness Sunday), Saint Maria of Paris Orthodox Mission of West Hamilton passed a major “milestone” as they celebrated their first regular Sunday morning Divine Liturgy at the former Holy Trinity Anglican church in West (upper) Hamilton, Ontario. The Divine Liturgy was attended by 20 Orthodox Christians, and several visitors.

Although the restrictions imposed by the Covid pandemic of 2020-2021 did not permit a choir, Father Yuri Hladio and his wife Matushka Nikyla offered their voices in support of the singing. Thus, the Divine Liturgy was offered respectfully and beautifully, and the Faithful were able to receive the Holy Mysteries. The provincial restrictions did not allow for any further celebration of this beginning at the time ; however the joy was easy to see in the eyes of all as the parishioners departed in peace into a sunny afternoon.

Following this Divine Liturgy, all were greeted through a letter sent by Archbishop Irénée (Rochon). He offered a vision for the new parish : a vision founded on the virtues of repentance and love.

First Divine Liturgy in the long-term rented quarters, Fennell Avenue

Great Entrance at the first Divine Liturgy

The pandemic restrictions continued to hinder the gathering of the community in physical proximity ; however the internet was used generously. This helped the community to maintain its sense of interpersonal relationship in the parish. This was accomplished through frequent services, and through frequent educational opportunities.

Next stage in development, September, 2022

Commencing in September, 2022, the mission became the sole tenant of the building (renting from the Anglican Diocese of Niagara).

The first visible change was the possibility of serving "in-person" Vespers on Saturdays at 5:00 p.m. However, it also made it possible to leave the worship-space intact from week to week, and the serving of week-day services without requiring a separate booking. This new arrangement also gave greater access to the parish hall.

In addition, the mission continued with its on-line service during the week, which allows the participation by "Zoom" in daily reader's Matins, the Sixth Hour (with intercessions), a Bible-study, and other gatherings. This has allowed for the more frequent contact and participation of parishioners who do not live nearby, and there have been participants from well beyond Southern Ontario.

Annual Altar-feast Day Exchange

It became the custom that every year, on the Third Sunday of Pascha, the Feast of the Holy Myrrh-bearing Women, the parish of Saint Maria leaves Hamilton, and travels to Toronto to the "parent" parish, the Parish of the Myrrh-bearing Women for its Altar-Feast Day (parish name-day). That parish returns the favour on the Feast-Day of Saint Maria in Hamilton.

Parish particular information

This parish is part of the Deanery of Ontario of the Archdiocese of Canada, in The Orthodox Church in America. The dean is Archpriest Georrfrey Korz. The bishop is Archbishop Irénée (Rochon).

This parish follows the New (Revised Julian) Calendar.

The Altar Feast-day of the parish is the Feast of Saint Maria of Paris, 20 July.

In 2022, the pastor of the parish is Priest Yuri Hladio (wife Nikyla).

The deacon of the parish is Deacon Sean Reid (wife Juliana).

The usual and regular hours of services are :

Great Vespers : 5:00 p.m. every Saturday

Matins and Divine Liturgy : 9:15 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. every Sunday

There are additional services and meetings as announced.

Place of worship :

120, Fennell Avenue East

Hamilton, Ontario

L9A 1S1

Telephone : 204-688-0423

Web-site : https://www.stmariahamilton.ca/

E-mail : yurihladio@gmail.com

Mailing address :

A-366, Bay Street North

Hamilton, Ontario

L8L 1M7

Directions :

From Toronto Pearson International Airport (East)

Drive westwards on Highway #401 West to Highway #427 South. From Highway #427 South, use the right 2 lanes to take the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) exit towards Hamilton. Drive 39 km.

Keep right at the fork so as to stay on Highway #403 West. Drive 11 km.

Take the Main Street exit towards Highway #8 East. Merge onto Main Street West (Ontario Highway #8). Drive 2.6 km.

Turn right onto Wellington Street South. Immediately use the left 3 lanes to turn slightly left onto Claremont Access. Use the left 3 lanes to to stay on Claremont Access.

Turn left onto Fennell Avenue East. Drive 400 m.

120 Fennell Ave East will be on the right. Access to parking is off Warren Ave behind the church building.

From the Niagara Region

Drive on the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) in the direction of Toronto.

Take the Red Hill Valley Parkway exit with a sign for the Hamilton International Aeroport. Keep right to continue on Exit #89, follow the signs for Red Hill Valley Parkway/Aeroport. Drive 13 km.

Take the Upper Wentworth Street exit. Turn right onto Upper Wentworth Street. Drive 2.1 km.

Turn left onto Fennell Avenue East. Drive 1.3 km.

120 Fennell Ave East will be on the left. Access to parking is off Warren Avenue behind the church building.

From Brantford (West)

Drive on Highway #403 East towards Hamilton. Drive 27 km.

Take Exit #64 for Alexander Parkway. Drive 5.5 km.

Take the Upper James Street exit. Use the left 2 lanes to turn left onto Upper James Street. Drive 2.4 km.

Turn right onto Fennell Avenue East. Drive 400 m.

120 Fennell Avenue East will be on the right. Access to parking is off Warren Ave behind the church building.

Clergy :

Priest Yuri Hladio

Deacon Sean Reid