Church Services During COVID-19 Second Wave Restriction

Date: November 22, 2020
Subject: Church Services During COVID-19 Second Wave Restriction

Dear Beloved in Christ,

“I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” (3 John 1:2)

We are always thankful for our Lord’s countless blessings. We are glad that we were able to resume Liturgical services during the last six months despite of the pandemic. With the coming of the anticipated second wave of COVID, health officers in various provinces saw it necessary to increase restrictions even to lockdown state. Though this news might bring dismay, may we not forget the Lord’s on going presence with us as He promised “surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). As Christian citizens, it is our civic duty to comply with these laws to ensure the safety of our community at large.

The COVID Committee, headed by H.G. Anba Mina, had a meeting to discuss the impact of new restrictions in different provinces on church services. The committee agreed on the following:

  • In compliance with the new regional/provincial restrictions of reducing the number of church attendees, churches are to abide by restrictions particular to their region; the restriction of the number of attendees (5 or 10, as applicable) includes priests, deacons, and possibly some congregant members. Congregant members’ attendance is left to the priest(s)’ pastoral discretion such as Baptism, critical illness, emergencies, members who have not attended liturgy for a significant period of time, etc..

  • Home communion is for critical circumstances only following the regional/provincial guidelines.

  • “Kiahk Praises” is to be prayed only by clergy and deacons; service is to be broadcasted to allow
    congregants to attend virtually.

These updates are valid until there are further changes in regional/provincial announcements that impact church services. We ask our beloved congregants to continue to follow all safety protocols at all times.

Always trust in the Lord as He says, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9).

Diocese of Mississauga, Vancouver and Western Canada

Guidelines for Church Attendance During COVID-19

Saturday, June 13, 2020

GUIDELINES FOR CHURCH ATTENDANCE DURING COVID-19

“The Lord said...“I have heard the prayer and plea you have made before me; I have consecrated this temple, which you have built, by putting my Name there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there” (1 Kings 9:3)

Dear Beloved Congregation of the Church of the Virgin Mary and St Athanasius, St. Philopateer and St. Anthony Church, St. Mina and Pope Kyrillos Church, the Church of the Resurrection and the Church of the Nativity.

Peace and grace to you,

We truly are blessed with God’s abundant love. We all waited patiently for this moment to come together in one heart to celebrate the Divine Liturgy. God has heard your prayers as the Government of Ontario recently announced an increase in the capacity for services in places of worship. We can’t wait to see you in the coming days.

Effective Friday, June 12, 2020, we started increasing the permitted attendance in our churches and as per the direction of our Diocese, under the auspices of His Grace Bishop Mina, we are now gradually increasing the capacity to celebrate the Divine Liturgies to the 30% of each church’s maximum capacity in accordance with the guidelines outlined by the Government of Ontario.

We know that you are eager to return to church and we know that you will help us make sure we do it right.

Registration and screening are essential requirements set out by the Government of Ontario to ensure that we are all safe. As the Government has said, tracing is important in preventing the spread of COVID-19. Accordingly, only those registered are welcome to attend any specific service. The reason registration is important is it allows us to communicate with anyone who attends a liturgy in the event that someone tests positive for COVID-19 to ensure that we are all proactive in getting tested and stopping the spread of COVID-19.

We will continue to invite those who previously completed the registration process through Sunday, June 21, 2020. Following this short period, we will be sharing with you a new booking system so you can select the specific liturgy that you would like to attend.

In order to keep everyone safe, we share with you guidelines that we ask you to read and share with your household.

General Instructions

  1. If you or anyone in your household has any symptoms of COVID-19 or feels sick or has signs of illness (including: fever, cough, sneezing, runny nose, tiredness, shortness of breath), you should self-isolate and contact your doctor, and refrain from joining us for any services at the Church until such time as you are cleared.

  2. All attendees must complete the online registration process, including the necessary consent, and confirm that all information they provide is accurate.

  3. Seniors and individuals who may be immunocompromised are advised to consult their family physician to evaluate whether they should attend the service in the Church. If they are recommended to go to Church, they should register online on the new booking system. If they are recommended to stay home or they prefer to, they should contact their father of confession or the servant at 416-806 0297 to make arrangements to take communion at home.

  4. Households are requested to come together to the Church, sit together, take communion together and then leave Church together.

Before Coming to Church

  1. You will either be called, if you are registered under the old system, or will book your preferred date and time to celebrate the Divine Liturgy using the new booking system. A phone number will be available to help with the registration.

  2. If you are not registered please do not come as we are unable to permit you in to the Church to ensure that we adhere with screening protocols required by the Government.

  3. Please bring your own mask, water bottle, Agpeya, Divine Liturgy book, communion napkin and head covering for ladies.

Upon Entering the Church:

  1. You will be screened for temperature and you will re-confirm all screening questions at the entrance.

  2. Please sanitize your hands.

  3. Ushers will then check your registration and guide you to your assigned seating.

Attending Liturgy

  1. Everyone attending of the Divine Liturgy should wear a face covering and preferably gloves.

  2. Household members, including children, are not allowed to wander in the Church and must remain in your assigned seating unless for emergencies or necessities.

  3. Please keep a physical distance of two metres at all times between you and all other congregants.

  4. We are all strictly prohibited from hugging and kissing one another.

  5. During communion, we ask that you follow the instructions of our father the priest and the volunteers.

  6. After communion, we ask that you kindly conclude your attendance with a prayer and exit after your household members have taken communion together. Please do not wait for the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy to avoid crowding.

  7. No social gathering is allowed at any time during your attendance at the Church.

After Attending the Divine Liturgy

As previously highlighted, the reason registration is important is it allows us to communicate with anyone who attends a liturgy in the event that someone tests positive for COVID-19 to allow you to get tested in a timeline manner and to facilitate effective tracing. As such, if you become sick and test positive for COVID-19 at any time after you have attended a service, we ask that you contact the front desk at 905-567-4032 to ensure that we are able to be proactive with all congregants.

Please keep any eye out for more information in the coming few days.

We pray for all of God’s blessings for you and your family in all your ways. May the Lord continue to protect each of you during this COVID-19 pandemic.

We look forward to seeing you all very soon and celebrating the Divine Liturgy together in His house.

God bless you.

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Request to Increase the Permitted Capacity for Liturgical Services and Rites in Ontario

Coptic Orthodox Conference of Bishops of Ontario

The Honourable Doug Ford
Premier of Ontario
Legislative Building
Queen’s Park
Toronto, ON M7A 1A1
May 11, 2020

Dear Premier,
Re: Request to Increase the Permitted Capacity for Liturgical Services and Rites in Ontario

We pray to the Lord that this letter finds you in good health.
On behalf of all Coptic Orthodox faithful in the great Province of Ontario, thank you for your stalwart leadership, tireless
effort and profound wisdom that you have exemplified in guiding our Province through the COVID-19 pandemic. We always pray for you during each liturgy we celebrate, and we ask the Lord to grant all leaders His grace and wisdom. At this time, we offer fervent prayers for God’s mercy for those who have suffered loss during this time and that He may extend
His hand of healing for those who are sick.

As you can imagine, this has been a trying and painful time for our congregants. However, as we are part of the community, the Church supports all measures that have been taken and we continue to advocate for strict adherence to help flatten the curve. The safety and wellbeing of all Ontarians is our paramount priority.

While we have been able to transition many services online, one’s physical presence in the sanctuary to celebrate the rites of the church as one body in Christ cannot be replaced. We commend you for the specific care given to the needs of the faith community as in Ontario Regulation 52/20, it specifically delineated “gathering[s]…for the purposes of conducting
religious services, rites and ceremonies.”

We ask that you continue to take the faith communities’ needs in consideration as you adopt further regulations. We ask for your support to permit churches to celebrate all Rites of the Coptic Orthodox faith by allowing churches to use, at any one time, up to twenty (20%) percent of the capacity of each of its sanctuaries as soon as possible. In order to ensure that this is safely implemented, we will:

  1. implement registration and scheduling protocols to ensure that all screening questions for COVID-19, including symptoms, travel and exposure to COVID-19 carriers, are answered and to control compliance;

  2. continue to implement strict safety policies in accordance with the provincial guidelines, including a robust sanitization process of the church;

  3. continue to provide all non-rites ministries, including the Sunday School Ministry online; and

  4. mandate a strict prohibition against any social gatherings.

While these decisions are difficult, we know that the benefits of the gradual increase in permitted attendance of the liturgical services is a great source of hope for our congregants. We know that celebrating the rites in the church will give congregants grace and peace, which will empower them in the COVID-19 fight.

We ask that this proposal be adopted as part of the early stages of the reopening plan that is currently being implemented by the Province of Ontario.

May God continue to guide you and grant you His grace and protection.
In Christ,
His Grace Bishop Mina,
on behalf of himself and on behalf of His Grace Bishop Makar and His Grace Bishop Boulos

Cc: The Honourable Minister of Health
Encl: On behalf of All Coptic Orthodox Parishes Listed in the Attached.

List of Coptic Orthodox Parishes in Ontario
1 Archangel Michael & St. Tekla Coptic Orthodox Church, Brampton
2 Archangel Michael & St. Mina Coptic Orthodox Church, North York
3 Archangel Raphael & St. Marina Coptic Orthodox Church, Burlington
4 Canadian Coptic Orthodox Church of the Nativity, Mississauga
5 Canadian Coptic Orthodox Church of the Resurrection, Mississauga
6 St. Bishoy Coptic Orthodox Church, Stouffville
7 St. George & St. Abanoub Coptic Orthodox Church, Milton
8 St. George & St. Anthony Coptic Orthodox Church, Ottawa
9 St. George & St. Mercurius Coptic Orthodox Church, St. Catharines
10 St. George & St. Rueiss Coptic Orthodox Church, North York
11 St. John the Baptist & St. Elizabeth Coptic Orthodox Church, Oro Station
12 St. Mark & St. Mary of Egypt Coptic Orthodox Church, Ottawa
13 St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Cathedral, Markham
14 St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church, Scarborough
15 St. Mary & St. Abraam Coptic Orthodox Church, Ajax
16 St. Mary & St. Joseph Coptic Orthodox Church, Richmond Hill
17 St. Mary & St. Maurice Coptic Orthodox Church, Kitchener
18 St. Mary & St. Moses Coptic Orthodox Church, Windsor
19 St. Mary & St. Samuel the Confessor Coptic Orthodox Church, Markham
20 St. Mary & St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church, Sudbury
21 St. Mary Coptic Orthodox Church, Ottawa
22 St. Mary St. John The Beloved Coptic Orthodox Church, Pickering
23 St. Maurice & St. Verena Coptic Orthodox Church, Markham
24 St. Maximos & St. Dometius Coptic Orthodox Church, Mississauga
25 St. Mina & Pope Kyrillos Coptic Orthodox Church, Mississauga
26 St. Mina Coptic Orthodox Church, Hamilton
27 St. Mina Coptic Orthodox Church, Kingston
28 St. Moses & St. Katherine Coptic Orthodox Church, Toronto
29 St. Paul Coptic Orthodox Church, London
30 St. Peter & St. Paul Coptic Orthodox Church, Oakville
31 St. Philopateer & St. Anthony Coptic Orthodox Church, Mississauga
32 St. Philopateer & St. Demiana Coptic Orthodox Church, Newmarket
33 St. Philopateer & St. Shenouda the Archimandrite Coptic Orthodox Church, North York
34 St. Philopateer Coptic Orthodox Church, Guelph
35 The Prophet Daniel & the Three Saintly Youth Coptic Orthodox Church, Mississauga
36 Ti Agia Maria & St Demiana Church, Etobicoke
37 Virgin Mary & St. Athanasius Coptic Orthodox Church, Mississauga
38 Canadian Coptic Convent St. Mary, St. George & St. Philopateer, Paisley

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COVID-19 | Holy Fifty Days - Update 2

Date: April 27, 2020
Subject: COVID 19 — Holy Fifty Days — Update 2

Christ is Risen! … Truly He is Risen!

“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. God … is my witness how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times” (Romans 1: 8-10)

In our recent committee meeting, we have decided to hold liturgical services on Sundays only effective immediately and throughout the month of May. We also decided to have only 3 people praying the liturgy: either three priests, or two priests and a deacon, or one priest and two deacons depending on each church specific situation. Furthermore, deacons are not to be changed or rotated from one service to another. We are continuing to uphold the safety precautions during the services as stated in the statement issued on April 4th, as well as those stated by the government of Canada. [ https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel- coronavirus-infection/prevention-risks.html?topic=tilelink#p ].

These decisions were reached after consulting with an Infectious Disease specialist and an Emergency physician who are actively dealing with COVID-19 cases. They strongly advised to reduce any possible risks on the congregants, deacons and priests in such uncertain times and also to be in compliance with the government’s effort to stop the spread of the virus. Therefore we have decided to revise the number of liturgies and deacons as stated above. Indeed, the coming period is very critical, especially when the government starts to reopen the province gradually, as there is an expected risk of increase in the number of infections when people increase their interactions with one another.

We reassure you again that we have a special committee headed by H.G. Bishop Mina, closely following the COVID-19 situation and conducting weekly meetings to discuss the necessary measures needed whilst taking in consideration the spiritual needs of our congregations and ensuring their safety.

We understand everyone’s longing to be back in the church and to participate in the church liturgical services. We will continue taking steps to ensure everyone in the congregation is cared for spiritually through virtual meetings, phone confession, and various online services. Please, contact your local priest(s) to access their services in a safe way. Let’s all continue to pray with one accord that these days are shortened so we are all gathered together soon in the house of the Lord.

Diocese of Mississauga, Vancouver and Western Canada

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Pastoral Paschal Message for the Glorious Feast of the Resurrection

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, one God. Amen.

In Matthew 28:6 the angel said to the women, “He is not here; for He is risen, as He said.”

My beloved fathers and beloved congregation,

Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!
Khristos Anesti! Alethos Anesti!

I would like to wish you all a glorious Feast of the Resurrection. May the power of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, who changed the spirit of the sorrow of his disciples into joy. Give you joy, peace, protection and keep you safe in these difficult times.

Let us all pray asking our Lord to open His church for us at all times. Let us celebrate the Glorious Feast of the Resurrection joyfully.

God bless you all. Pray for me,

Bishop Mina
Bishop of the Diocese of Mississauga, Vancouver and Western Canada
April 19, 2020

COVID-19 / Holy Fifty Days - Update 1

Date: April 20, 2020
Subject: COVID-19 / Holy Fifty Days – Update 1

Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!

We would like to congratulate the beloved diocese congregation of Mississauga, Vancouver and Western Canada with the Glorious Feast of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We would like to assure our beloved congregation that there is a special committee headed by H.G. Bishop Mina, closely following the COVID-19 situation. The committee is conducting weekly meeting to discuss the necessary measures needed whilst taking in consideration the spiritual needs of our congregations and ensuring their safety.

In our last meeting, we decided to hold liturgical services three times per week (on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday) starting the week of April 20, 2020 with a maximum of five people in each service (priests and deacons only). We are continuing to uphold the safety precautions during the services as stated in the statement issued on April 4th, 2020 as well as those stated by the government of Canada. (https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/prevention-risks.html)

 We ask our pious congregation to continue their spiritual growth daily in Christ, to remain strong through daily spiritual readings, prayers and following online streamed services. We pray that God may keep you safe and grant each and everyone His peace and joy during this time.

Diocese of Mississauga, Vancouver and Western Canada

 

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Updates to Liturgical Services

Date: March 17, 2020

Subject: Updates to Liturgical Services

Dear Beloved in Christ,

Following the COVID-19 situation closely, considering the well being of our congregants, spiritually and physically, and exhausting the benefits and risks of many options regarding liturgical services, we the Bishop and priest of the diocese of Mississauga, Vancouver and Western Canada find it most prudent to pray liturgies without congregation. The fathers in each church in the diocese are committed to praying liturgies on behalf on the congregation during these uncertain times. Please stay home, and follow the streaming services online. Churches will set up communication with the congregants to receive prayer and commemoration of the departed requests. This is a temporary measure. We are regularly evaluating the situation and will keep you updated. 

We encourage each family to follow the daily readings of lent. We trust in our Lord's providence and may He grant you peace, healing, and strengthen your faith through these difficult times.

Diocese of Mississauga, Vancouver and Western Canada

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Enhanced Measures to Protect Against COVID-19 (in Ontario)

Dear Beloved in Christ,

      Responding to further enhanced Measures about COVID-19 and always caring for the safety of our congregations, we, the Bishop and representative priests of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Mississauga, Vancouver, and Western Canada, met by conference call late evening of Monday March 16, 2020 to further discuss the situation. We decided that for the well-being of our congregations, for the well-being of society at large, and in the spirit of obedience of authority, as commanded in scripture, it is most prudent to cancel all services and liturgies in Ontario Coptic Orthodox Churches until further notice. This is following the request of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. David Williams in a statement issued on Monday March 16, 2020 at 8:19 P.M.

https://news.ontario.ca/mohltc/en/2020/03/enhanced-measures-to-protect-ontarians-from-covid-19.html?utm_source=ondemand&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=p

       We are in the process of appealing to the Ontario Ministry of Health and the Toronto Public Health Unit for special permission to pray liturgies, even if we must limit the number of congregants. We will make every effort to update you as quickly as possible.

      Still in effect, churches in other provinces of the dioceses are required to abide by the Provincial health standards where maximum occupancy is capped to a certain number. We ask the churches to plan accordingly to help best serve its congregation, and the congregation to co-operate.We trust that nothing will separate us from the love of Christ. Reminded by the lenten season that Christ fasted for us forty days and forty nights. 

      We trust that all these measures present themselves as opportunities to strengthen our spiritual discipline of fasting and prayer.“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9Dioceses of Mississauga, Vancouver and Western Canada

Dioceses of Mississauga, Vancouver and Western Canada

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2020 Pastoral Message for the Blessed Feast of the Nativity

The Message for Glorious Feast of the Nativity 2020

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, one God. Amen.

 

Dear brothers and sisters,

I wish you all a Happy New Year and Merry Christmas, my beloved sons and daughters, fathers and mothers. On this holy day of the feast of Nativity, I would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and happy new year. I wish to take that opportunity to contemplate with you about Jesus’s name Immanuel

Let us open our bible on Isaiah 7:14,


In Isaiah 7:14, the prophet writes, "Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call

His name Immanuel". This Hebrew name Immanuel occurs twice in the Old Testament,

  1. Both times in Isaiah,

  2. Both in prophecies concerning the Messiah

Seven centuries later, In Matthew 1, God sent Gabriel to Nazareth and the angel told Mary that she would have a son and to name him Jesus. Angel Gabriel told Joseph that Virgin Mary is conceived with a son to fulfil the prophecy of Isaiah : "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel" (Matt. 1:23)

IMMANUEL (sometimes spelled Emmanuel) in Isaiah 7:14, means "God is With us" JESUS means "Savior" and God with us."

JESUS is the Greek form of the Hebrew name, JOSHUA is actually a shortened form of Jehoshua which means "Help of Jehovah" or "Savior

St Mary was told to name Her baby , Jesus, this was to be

  1. His name and

  2. To signify that He would be the Savior.

But, Jesus also going to be

  1. The Messiah / Christ (anointed) and

  2. Immanuel (God with us).

He also is referred to by other names such as

  • The Lord,

  • The King,

  • The King of Israel,

  • The Son of David,

  • The Chosen of God,

These names were just signifying different aspects of

+ Who He was
+ What He would be

Emmanuel indicates that the expected Messiah would be "God with us."

Emmanuel: "God is with us”

Reminds us with the last verse in Matthew (28:20): "Behold, I [Jesus] am with you always, until the end of the age” What does Immanuel mean? First, the name or title Immanuel comes from two Hebrew words the preposition im, "with, beside, by, among" 'el, "God." means simply, as the narrator tells us, "God with us." But what is its significance?

What does (God is with us) mean to you?

  1. God Is with Us to Help Us

  2. Do you know what it feels like ,to feel alone?

The wonderful promise made through Immanuel is that:-

  1. God promises to be with you in your troubles.

  2. He will not leave you to your own resources.

  3. All of his resources are now available to you.

In past times, God had made this promise to special people in history like:-

  1. Abraham who was an alien غریبin a threatening land, but God said to him:- "I am with you and will watch over you, wherever you go."

  2. Moses was told to personally confront the most powerful king on the face of the earth with nothing but a staff and the promise from God,:- "I will be with you!" As a result, God delivered the people of Israel from Egypt through the Red Sea.

  3. God promised Joshua, "As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you."

But, what about you and me? Jesus is Immanuel, "God with us," means that :- His promise is not just to the great leaders but to all of us.

The promise is to you.

Just before Jesus ascended into heaven, he spoke to his disciples: "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." That promise of Immanuel is not just to the apostles, it is to us also, The same promise in the Bible to reassure all of us — "I will never leave you or forsake you” Jesus is— God Himself And He is Immanuel, God With Us!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year May our God be with you always

May God bless you all, 

H.G. Bishop Mina

Bishop of The Diocese of Mississauga, Vancouver, and Western Canada 

Jan 7th, 2020

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