Feast of Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos in Montréal

On the Feast of Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, August 15/28, 2008, after the Mansonville celebrations of the Feast of Transfiguration of Our Lord, His Grace Vladimir, Bishop of San Francisco and Western America, the Head of the American Diocese of the Russian Orthdox Church Abroad, served a Liturgy in the Cathedral of Montréal.

The Feast was held in the presence of Kursk Root Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, the Icon that was His Beautitude Metropolitan Vitaly's personal copy of the Miracle-Working Icon. Vladyka Vladimir accepted into communion Fr. Nikifor (Vidanovich) from Australia, who expressed his resolution to join Russian Orthodox Church Abroad from a neo-Sergianist schism, organized by (now deceased) archbishop Laurus. Despite the fact that it was a weekday, there were many faithful present at the Service, both Russians and Greeks, and the Feast was celebrated in the atmosphere of spiritual joy in Our Lord. After the celebrations, Bishop Vladimir is planning a pastoral voyage in North America.