The Feast of the Birth of Christ in Milton

The Christmas holiday was solemnly celebrated in the only Serbian monastery in the vast country of Canada.

The festive joy began on the eve of the feast of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, in which several hundred Orthodox Serbs, Russians and other orthodox people gathered in the monastery Church of The Holy Transfiguration in Milton. Evening service was served by protosingelos Vasilije (Gavrilović), presbyter Radovan Kodić, parish priest of Milton and Burlington and the diocesan deacon father Aleksandar Mitrovic. The chanting was guided by His Grace Bishop of Canada Kyr Mitrofan with the help of students of theology and monastery chanters. 

After the the evening service, the Reverend Bishop Mitrofan, together with the priestly brotherhood, blessed the badnjak branches and distributed it to the faithful people. After the burning of the Yule Badnjak tree, which was laid on the fire by Bishop Mitrofan, the faithful people took part in a fasting meal and warm rakija in the refectory of the monastery . His Grace Bishop Mitrofan distributed presents to the gatherd children and sent a word of gratitude to the people who attended this joyful atmosphere despite cold winter temperatures.

In the early hours of Christmas morning, the faithful people came from all nearby cities to celebrate the most joyous Christian holiday of Christ’s birth. The morning service with the liturgy continued at five o’clock in the morning. The matins and Liturgy assembly was served by His Eminence Bishop of Canada Kyr Mitrofan, protosingelos Vasilije, father Radovan Kodic and deacon father Aleksandar Mitrovic co-served with his Grace. During the Liturgy, the faithful partook in the Holy Mystery of Eucharist, after which, the Christmas epistle of His Holiness Patriarch of Serbia Kyr Irinej was read. With the greetings of peace from God! Christ is born – Indeed He is born, the faithful people led by their Bishop took part in the ceremonial Christmas luncheon in the monastery dining hall, in which the Christmas česnica and the joy of the birth of Christ our God was shared by all present.