Blessed and dedicated by the late Metropolitan Nicholas, of blessed memory, the chapel is part of the Apostolate of the Carpatho-Russian Diocese of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople (the Mother Church of Christ’s poor), serving under the Omophorion of Metropolitan Gregory of Nyssa (ACROD).
Tuesday to Friday from 5am to 4pm
Saturday from 5am to noon
6:00 a.m. – Church open for private prayer
7:00 a.m. – Orthros
8:30 a.m. – Divine Liturgy
As of April 19, church attendance is limited by the Government of Ontario to ten people. Anyone wishing to attend please first contact Starosta Miroslava at business@stjohnsmission.org.
During Holy Week and all of the Easter Season, extra services will allow everyone the opportunity to live Great and Holy Lent ‘in person.’
“If you’re made mistakes in the past and turned away from God, you are welcome in our Church. If you’ve doubted, been skeptical, and asked questions about faith, you are welcome in our Church. If you are struggling with drugs or pornography or some other addiction, you are welcome in our Church. If you were out drunk all night and party too much, you are welcome in our Church. If you’re having sex before or outside of marriage, you are welcome in our Church. If you are struggling with your gender identity, you are welcome in our Church. If you can’t quit some disappointing habit or disgusting trait, you are welcome in our Church.
The Church is a hospital for the broken, lost, empty, confused, desperate, and rejected. The Church is a place of healing, a place of renewal. The Church is a place of rest, of refuge, of comfort, of new life. The Church is where we encounter the Living God and find love with His family.
Everyone who has sinned has a future, and every saint has a past. How do we break the chains of sin, addiction, and bondage? Through loving prayer and Christ-centered fellowship, through prayer for you and prayer with you! There isn’t a single person within the four walls of the Church who doesn’t have something they regret or hate about their past.
We’ve all made mistakes, and will continue to do so. But by God’s grace and with His mercy we can find new life. God gives us a second, and a third, and a fifth, and a hundredth chance to come to our senses and return to His loving home. So whatever you’ve done, whatever you’re doing, and whatever you will do, don’t despair. God loves us too much to ever give up on us.
You are welcome in our Church!”
Fr Nicolaie Atitienei, parish priest at St. John the Compassionate Mission, also serves as spiritual father at St. Zoticos and is available for confessions and sacraments. He is also a social worker, and does family and individual counselling. Originally from Romania, he is married and has four children.
Deacon Pawel Mucha came to St. John’s in 2007, planning to stay for one year. Originally from the UK, he previously had a career in teaching. Ordained as a deacon for the Mission in 2010, he is now Prefect of the Lived Theology School at the Mission.
Sub deacon Arsenio Tibayan, originally from the Philippines, speaks fluent Tagalog, is married and has two children, also serving at St. Zoticos Mission.
Br Luke O’Neil serves as an ordained Reader and leads the weekly daily services at St. Zoticos Mission. He came to Orthodoxy from the United Church of Canada.
Starosta Miroslava is married, a mother of two, and a recent retiree from the financial world. “I am blessed to serve as Starosta in our humble community. I serve with joy and reverence, with faith in our church and gospel. I care for all people of God, and humbly I am in service of the poor and the church, working along with our spiritual Fathers and the Sobor. With all my heart I rejoice to serve in humility, to help take care of people, to give and receive blessings, and to pray in our chapel. I am truly blessed to be part of our community.”
St. John’s Mission has a wealth of new books available for purchase, with subjects including Orthodox spirituality, saints, and theology. Here’s a sample lists (approx. 1 Mbyte each), or come to 155 Broadview and enjoy browsing at your leisure:
