Welcome
The Church’s doors are open to everyone. Anyone may come and pray with us, celebrate with us, and participate in our parish family’s events and activities.
First-time visitors are welcome to come for any of the services listed on the church calendar and are invited to contact Fr. Christopher if they have any questions before or after services.
Current Service Times & Location
The following services will be held at
WK United Mennonite Church.
15 George St, Waterloo
Saturday August 15th:
Liturgy 9:00 am
Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos
Vigil (Vespers & Orthros) 6:00 pm
Sunday August 16th:
Ask Abouna with Fr Christopher 10:00 am
Divine Liturgy 12:00 pm
Followed by Hospitality & Fellowship
Tuesday August 18th:
Akathist 6:00 pm
Thursday August 20th:
Apodosis of the Dormition Liturgy 8:00 am
Saturday August 22nd:
Vigil (Vespers & Orthros) 6:00 pm
Followed by Ask Abouna
Sunday August 23rd:
Ask Abouna with Fr Christopher 10:00 am
Divine Liturgy 12:00 pm
Followed by Hospitality & Fellowship
12th Tuesday After Pentecost
No fast
Saints
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Afterfeast of the Dormition of the Mother of God
On the third day of the Afterfeast of the Dormition, the hymns at Vespers call upon us to “sing the praises of the pure and most holy Virgin.” She did not ascend to heaven in a chariot of fire, as did the Prophet Elias, but “He Who is truly the Sun of Righteousness” received…
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Martyrs Florus and Laurus of Illyria
The Martyrs Florus and Laurus were brothers by birth not only in flesh but in spirit. They lived in the second century at Byzantium, and afterwards they settled in Illyria. By occupation they were stone-masons (their teachers in this craft were the Christians Proclus and Maximus, from whom also the…
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Martyrs Hermes, Serapion, and Polyaenus of Rome
Saints Hermus (or Hermḗs), Serapίon, and Polyainus were from Rome and were distinguished for their zeal in spreading the faith, and refuting the polemics of the pagans. They were arrested and then brought before the authorities, but they remained steadfast in their profession of faith.…
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Hieromartyr Emilian and with him Martyrs Hilarion, Dionysius, and Hermippus
Saints Emilian the Bishop, and with him Hilarion, Dionysius, and Hermippus were born and lived in Armenia. After the death of their parents, the hieromartyrs Emilian, Dionysius, and Hermippus (they were brothers), and their teacher Hilarion left their native land and arrived in Italy, in the city…
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Saint John, Patriarch of Constantinople
Saint John V was Patriarch of Constantinople from 669-674. He lived during the reign of the emperor Constantine Pogonatos (668-685).
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Saint George, Patriarch of Constantinople
Saint George I was Patriarch of Constantinople from 678-683. He lived during the reign of the emperor Constantine Pogonatos (668-685).
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Venerable Macarius the Monk of Pelekete
Saint Macarius, Igumen of the Pelekete Monastery, was born at Constantinople in 785. While still a child, he lost his parents. The saint fervently read the Scriptures and came to realize that earthly things are temporary and perishable, and that heavenly things are permanent and imperishable.…
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Repose of Venerable John, Abbot of Rila
Saint John of Rila, the great spiritual ascetic of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and Heavenly Protector of the Bulgarian nation, was born in the year 876 in the village of Skrino in the Sredets district [now Sofia]. After he had been orphaned, the boy became a cowherd in order to avoid people.…
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Venerable Sophronius of Saint Anne Skete, Mount Athos
Saint Sophronius lived in the eighteenth century. He left home on his wedding night and became a monk on Mount Athos. After living there for fifty years, he died in peace.
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Venerable Arsenius of Paros
Today the Church commemorates the uncovering of the relics of Saint Arsenius of Paros (1800-1877), who was glorified by the Patriarchate of Constantinople in 1967. The main Feast of Saint Arsenius, “the glory of Epirus and the boast of Paros,” is on January 31. Saint Arsenius and his…
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Saints Barnabas and Sophronius of Asia Minor
Saints Barnabas and his nephew Sophronius were Athenians who lived on Mount Mela near Trebizond in Asia Minor. They died in the year 412.
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Saint Christopher of Gazara
Saint Christopher was born in Gazara, near Trebizond. He was the head of a monastery on Mount Mela in the second half of the seventh century (641-668).
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“Directress” Icon of the Mother of God
The Hodēgḗtria (or “Directress”) Icon of the Mother of God. According to Tradition, this icon in the Mela monastery near Trebizond was painted by the Evangelist Luke.
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4 Ascetics
Today we celebrate the memory of Four Ascetics in the desert whose names are unknown. Also 300 Saints who were burned in a fire for smashing idols.
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Venerable Christodoulos the Philosopher
The great Church figure and philosopher Saint Christodoulos was from the village of Sakara in the Imereti region. He possessed an exceptional knowledge of the Holy Scriptures and spoke several languages fluently. To support his prodigious understanding of the Christian Faith, Christodoulos became…
Readings
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ST. PAUL'S SECOND LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS 5:15-21
Brethren, Christ died for all, that those who live might live no longer for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once regarded Christ from a human point of view, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if any one is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. So we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We beseech you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. -
MARK 1:16-22
At that time, Jesus, passing along by the Sea of Galilee, saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, "Follow me and I will make you become fishers of men." And immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boats mending the nets. And immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and followed him. And they went into Capernaum; and immediately on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught. And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.
The Orthodox Church
The Orthodox Church (often called The Eastern Orthodox Church) is the earliest Christian Church, the Church founded by the Lord Jesus Christ and described in the pages of the New Testament. Her history can be traced in unbroken continuity all the way back to Christ and His Twelve Apostles. For twenty centuries, she has continued in her undiminished and unaltered faith and practice. Today her apostolic doctrine, worship and structure remain intact.
Read the "Discover Orthodox Christianity" section on the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese webpage, and the Nicene Creed, to learn more about Orthodoxy.
Address & Services
Please see our announcements for information about upcoming service times and locations.
What To Expect
Visitors will notice that the congregation actively participates in services by crossing themselves, standing, bowing, kneeling, reciting traditional prayers together, and singing. Don’t be intimidated – no one expects you to know what these acts and symbols mean or when you should do them. There are spiral-bound service books in the hallway (the narthex) leading into the main part of the church (the nave) that will guide you through the service.
Regular Services
Sunday
Orthros 9 a.m.
Divine Liturgy 11 a.m.
Saturday
Vespers 6 p.m.
Get In Touch
Send us a message or reach out to us directly.
Contact
Father Christopher Rigden-Briscall, Pastor
Phone: 519-807-2986
"This, then, is the aim of the Liturgy: that we should return to the world with the doors of our perceptions cleansed. We should return to the world after the Liturgy, seeing Christ in every human person, especially in those who suffer. In the words of Father Alexander Schmemann, the Christian is the one who wherever he or she looks, everywhere sees Christ and rejoices in Him. We are to go out, then, from the Liturgy and see Christ everywhere."