Greek-Catholic Parish of Toronto

Celebrations



The Divine Liturgy is celebrated every Sunday at 10:30 AM. For weekday Holidays, the Divine Liturgy is celebrated at 7:30 PM. Holidays that do not have the Divine Liturgy programmed during the week will be celebrated on the closest Sunday.

To avoid disturbing the Holy Mass, the faithful are asked earnestly to come 10 min. before it starts.

Confessions – Every Sunday, the faithful can confess before the Liturgy, between 10:00 and 10:30. Exceptionally, at certain times of the year, a program for a prolonged period of confessions may be announced.

Baptisms are usually celebrated on the first Sunday of each month, with the possibility of delay depending on Holidays. Sundays reserved for baptisms are marked with a (B) on the Parish’s Calendar.

Therefore, we invite you to visit our Calendar page.

For children Baptisms it is necessary that the parents (or at least one of them) be members of our Parish. Godparents (or at least one of them) must be practicing Catholics (of any rite). If the godparents attend another parish, a recommendation from the Catholic Priest of the Parish in which they are enrolled and attending is required.

The preparation for Baptisms begins at least 3 months before the due date, for the parents and the godparents. Parents are asked not to decide the Baptism date before contacting the Parish Priest.

Both parents and godparents are required to confess in advance before the Baptism.

From a practical standpoint, for Baptism, it is customary to bring a candle, a large white towel and white clothes for the newly baptized. For further information, please contact the Parish Priest.

The Holy Chrism is received in our Church during the Baptism.

The Holy Eucharist is received in our Church during the Baptism.

Preparation for the children’s First Confession

It is for children of 7 years or older who have not already done this preparation. Children must do this preparation in the Parish where they and their parents attend on a regular basis the Holy Mass.

As we do not have groups of children each year for training, these preparations should be scheduled in consultation with their parents.

We usually begin the preparation in the fall in the same time when schools begin and the First Confession and the ceremony of the reception of the Holy Communion at the Divine Liturgy will be in May. At the first meeting, which is addressed mainly to the parents, they must bring the filled application form and a copy of the child’s Baptism certificate.

Weddings are celebrated on Saturdays throughout the year. They must be scheduled a year in advance and weddings on Sundays are excluded. When scheduling a wedding, the “No Weddings” periods listed in the calendar must be considered.

It is necessary that at least one of the future spouses be a member of our parish. Future spouses are also required to follow a “premarital preparation course”. It is also important for the couple to confess before receiving the sacrament of Holy Matrimony.

From a practical standpoint, for the wedding, it is customary that the godparents bring two candles. For further information, please contact your Parish Priest.

The Holy Unction may be received by a faithful who suffers from a serious illness or is in danger of death because of illness or old age, or before a serious operation. The faithful can receive it again if there is a worsening of the disease or if ill with another illness. The celebration of this sacrament should be preceded, if possible, by the patient’s individual confession. The Holy Unction can be done at the hospital, at the patient’s home or, if possible, at church. Please contact your Parish Priest as soon as possible if anyone is sick and needs the Sacrament of Holy Unction.

The Memorial Service is usually officiated the last Sunday of each month during the Divine Liturgy, and can possibly be delayed depending on Holidays. The Memorial Service can also be done during the Divine Liturgy on days specifically dedicated to commemorating the dead such as Lazarus Saturday or on November 1st . The periods mentioned in the calendar as “No Memorial Services” are excluded. The days reserved for Memorial Services are marked with (P) on the Parish’s calendar.

Therefore, we invite you to visit our Calendar page.

From a practical standpoint, for the Memorial Service, there must be brought a pastry, a bottle of wine, a candle and a list of the names of the dead for which the Service is celebrated.

The Blessing of the House is officiated on demand of the faithful, preferably Sunday after the Divine Liturgy. Please contact the Parish Priest to agree on a suitable date.

At home, the family must prepare a table (big or small) covered with a cloth (preferably white). On the table must lay a vase (bowl) of water that will be sanctified, a candle and an icon. There can also be prepared a list of names to be mentioned in prayers. If desired, the family can provide a donation.

On arrival of the priest, the family will lead to where the table is prepared. With the family members gathered around the table, the priest will pray for the blessing of the house and of those present. At the end of the prayer the priest will bless the house with holy water and a family member will indicate the places and spaces that they want to be blessed. It is desirable that the lights are on and the doors open (except bathrooms).

The Blessing of the House and Family (Epiphany) on Saturdays and Sundays is done near the feast of the Theophany. The schedule is announced in advance at the church and parish bulletin. It is important for the family to ensure that the priest is informed in advance about the exact address (current) and phone number and be home the scheduled day or agree with the priest for another date (if possible).

At home, the family must prepare a table (big or small) covered with a cloth (preferably white). On the table must lay a vase (bowl) of water that will be sanctified, a candle and an icon. There can also be prepared a list of people to be mentioned in prayers. If desired, the family can provide a donation.

On arrival of the priest, the family will lead to where the table is prepared. With the family members gathered around the table, the priest will pray for the blessing of the house and of those present. At the end of the prayer the priest will bless the house with holy water and a family member will indicate the places and spaces where they want to be blessed. It is desirable that the lights are on and the doors open (except bathrooms).

It is good for the family to know the Troparion, at the same time to understand its meaning and to sing with the priest as he moves from room to room for the blessing of the house (Rom):

În Iordan botezându-te tu, Doamne, închinarea Treimii s-a aratat: ca glasul Parintelui a marturisit tie, Fiu iubit pe tine numindu-te, si Spiritul în chip de porumb a adeverit întarirea Cuvântului. Cel ce te-ai aratat, Hristoase Dumnezeule si lumea ai luminat, marire tie. (Troparul)