Ordination to the Priesthood in Montreal

The feast of All Saints was met this year with a particular joy. During the Divine Liturgy, the deacon of our Montreal parish, Father Igor Gritsishin was ordained to the Priesthood by His Grace Archbishop Vladimir. This Ordination has been long anticipated, especially within the parish of St. Seraphim in Montreal, where for the past several years the spiritual needs of a large flock fell solely on the shoulders of Father Andrew Lomov. Of course the joy of this event is not just for the Montreal parish, but for the entire Church. In our spiritually scant times, when sincere service to the Church is not viewed as bringing worldly benefit, finding a worthy candidate willing to offer of himself for the salvation of his brethren is difficult. For this reason we feel particular joy over this ordination.

Father Igor was born in the Russian village of Khmelnitsky. From the first years of their life in Montreal, he and his future Matushka, Helen, attended the ROCOR Church and were spiritually fed by His Beatitude the now reposed Metropolitan Vitaly+.  In recent years our Lord especially touched the heart of the future Father Igor, who began taking on church obedience and in the course of two years was elevated through the ranks to the Priesthood.

The parishioners know and love Father Igor well. It is pleasing when a Priest comes from within his own church community. This has the twofold effect of strengthening the faithful and bringing the laity closer to the Clergy. From witnesses of the event, we hear that many wept tears of peaceful joy - a true sign that the flock will love and support Father Igor.

Many years to Father Igor and his Matushka!