Canonical Visit of Metropolitan Mitrofan to the Saint Simeon the Myrrh-Bearer Church and School Congregation in Calgary

On September 20 and 21, 2026, the faithful people of Calgary were honoured with a canonical visit from His Eminence Archbishop of Toronto and Metropolitan of Canada Mitrofan, accompanied by nun Sister Paraskeva.

On Sunday, September 20, on the occasion of the celebration of the Slava of the local Circle of Serbian Sisters, the Holy Hierarchical Liturgy was presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Mitrofan, with the concelebration of the local parish priest Protopresbyter-Stavrophor Obrad Filipovic, Protopresbyter-Stavrophor Vyacheslav Purdik (ROCOR), and the parish priest of North Edmonton Fr. Njegos Perkovic. After the prayer from the ambo, the Slava kolach was cut and the Slava wheat was blessed which were prepared for this occasion by godparents Goran and Tereza Stojnic. Radoslav and Sladjana Popovic accepted the godparentship for the coming year. In his inspired homily, the Metropolitan noted the importance of recognizing and multiplying the gifts that the Lord gives us abundantly. He gave a brief description of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, emphasizing the central role it plays in the Orthodox Church of Christ. He called on the faithful to fill their church every Sunday as it was that day.

A festive luncheon was served in the church hall after the appropriate program. The local Serbian Cultural and Artistic Society “Frula” performed a beautiful dance, and Elena Vetsak sang the song Tamo Daleko. The gathering was also addressed by the Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to Canada Stefan Tomasevic. This wonderful gathering was attended, among others, by Member of Parliament for Foothills John Barlow, Reeve of Foothills County Rob Siewert, and Foothills County Division 6 Councillor John Callister with his wife.

On Monday, September 21, the very day of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, the Holy Liturgy was celebrated by Fr. Obrad Filipovic and Fr. Njegos Perkovic. His Eminence Metropolitan Mitrofan, Sister Paraskeva, Presbytera Milanka and Branko Zjalic sang in the choir.

The guests then returned to their homes, and the faithful of the Calgary community remained strengthened by the blessing of their Bishop and in anticipation of a new visit soon.