Dear Brothers and Sisters, Parishioners of the Russian Orthodox Parish in Ottawa,

The parish council, with the blessing of Archbishop Gabriel, keeping in mind the new guidelines released this week by the provincial government and the safety of our parishioners, especially the elderly and infirm, has decided to take the following actions:

- Services will continue to be performed in our church, but only I and one singer will be present.
- During the Divine Liturgy the commemoration booklets will be read as usual, ensuring that all of you and your family members are prayed for.
- Any special prayer requests can be sent to me via email or phone and I will commemorate either at the Liturgy or at a moleben or pannikhida.
- Anyone who wishes to talk to me is welcome to call.
- If anyone is seriously ill, please call to arrange to receive Communion.

It is very difficult to accept that you will not be able to attend services for a period of time and that I will be serving in an empty church, but we should try to remember that we are still Christians, whether we attend church services or not. We must continue to pray and fast, help our neighbours, read and study the Scriptures and in general strive towards God. This will be difficult, but by no means is it impossible. We only have to read the saints’ lives to see that we can strive towards God under any conditions. If we remember this, God will not forget us and will undoubtedly reward us with His Grace.

priest Alexis