New Parish of Russian Orthodox Church in Ottawa appeals to the Orthodox for help

NEW PARISH OF RUSSIAN ORTHOSOX CHURCH IN OTTAWA APPEALS TO THE ORTHODOX FOR HELP

Administrator of the Patriarch Parishes in Canada Archbishop Mark of Kashira, Rector of the Parish of Protection of the Holy Virgin Memorial Church in Ottawa V.Rev. Dimitri Sever and the Church-Parish Council made the following appeal to the Orthodox throughout the world:

“Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

By decision of the All-Parishioners Meeting on September 26, 1999, the Parish of Protection of the Holy virgin Memorial Orthodox Church Outside Russia in the Capital of Canada, Ottawa has be re-united with the Russian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate. 83 parishioners (of 100 active all the active Parish members) had attended the meeting. During the voting, 80 parishioners voted for re-joining to the Mother-Church, and three members abstained.

On the basis of the Parish meeting decision, Holy Patriarch Alexy issued on September 30, 1999, the Decree about the acceptance of the Parish to the Mother-Church, and about the appointment of Very Reverend Dimitri Sever as the Rector of the Parish. This decision of the Holy Patriarch was approved by decision of the Holy synod on October 5, 1999.

This joyful event for all parishioners was overshadowed by the news about a suit by bishop Michael, bishop of Toronto, which was brought to the court on behalf of the Diocese of the Church Outside of Russia and the Synod. He has sued the Ottawa Church with the purpose to deprive the Church building and property from the Parish. The suit was heard in the Ottawa Court. Unfortunately, the judge has decided to deprive the Parish from the Church building until the end of the Court procedure. In accordance with this decision, the management of the Church building and other property should be done by the Church-Parish Council, and a priest should be appointed by the Diocese of the Church Outside of Russia.

This decision has put the Parish in a very difficult and financial situation. Now, we are looking for a temporary shelter where we could provide the Church services. The financial situation of the Parish has become complicated and critical. A substantial amount has been paid for the Court procedures, and a further large amount has to be paid for the appeal. These expenses beyond the Parish’s abilities; we hod not have any surplus of money because we have to re-pay the monthly bank mortgage which was taken for the Church construction.

Being in such a critical situation, we are asking Orthodox People all around the world to help financially the Parish of Protection of the Holy Virgin Memorial Church in Ottawa, and by doing that not to allow the evil to celebrate a victory over the good, We believe that with your help, we may find an exit from such difficult situation, and the Parish of the Protection of the Holy Virgin Church in Ottawa of the Moscow Patriarchate would become a spiritual shelter for all Russian people who seek a spiritual consolation in our Orthodox Church.

We will be very thankful for any possible donations. Please, send your generous donations to:
RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH MOSCOW PATRIARCHATE
951 HARE AVE., OTTAWA, ON, CANADA K2A 3J6 PH. (613) 728-6006
OR DIRECTLY TO FUND-RAISING BANK ACCOUNT #1216 1003888 at ROYAL BANK
1145 WELLINGTON STREET, OTTAWA, ON, CANADA K1Y 2Y9

+ MARK
Archbishop Kashirsky
Administrator of the Patriarch Parishes in Canada

V. Rev. DIMITRI SEVER
Rector of the Parish of Protection of the Holy Virgin Memorial Church in Ottawa

And the Church-Parish Council”