Myrrh Bearing Women 2026
26 April 2026
Sunday of the Holy Myrrh-bearing Women is a particularly venerated day for the parish of the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Toronto. For this community, the feast holds not only general ecclesiastical significance, but also a profound inner, parish-centere meaning: the Sisterhood of the Cathedral bears the name of the Holy Myrrh-bearing Women.
For 77 years—since the founding of the parish in 1949—the sisters have labored unceasingly in their obedience (poslushanie) for the good of the Holy Church. Over these decades, much has changed: generations of clergy and parishioners have come and gone, and the composition of the Sisterhood has been renewed. Yet their self-sacrificing ministry remains unchanged, marked by love, patience, and dedication. Through the labors of the sisters, not only is constant care shown to the faithful, but the material life of the parish is also substantially supported—whether through the repair and adornment of the church bulding or in meeting its many practical needs.
On Sunday, April 26, following the Divine Liturgy at Holy Trinity Cathedral, a solemn Thanksgiving Moleben was served. The service was led by the Mitred Archpriest and Rector of the Cathedral, Father Vladimir Malchenko. During the Moleben, special petitions were offered for all the sisters, with each being commemorated by name. Concelebrating with the Rector were Priest Pau Ruiz-Gomar and Priest Valentin Lossev, with Protodeacon Alexander Morin and Deacon Georgy Bolshan assisting.
At the conclusion of the service, Archpriest Vladimir Malchenko addressed those gathered with warm words of gratitude, sincerely thanking all the sisters for their many years of devoted, self-sacrificing, and truly invaluable service to the Holy Church and to the parish.
Following the divine service, a festive concert was organized for the members of the Sisterhood and for all the women of the parish. Participating in the program were the choir “Troitskie Solovushki” under the direction of Regent Alexandra Sidorova, a dance ensemble led by instructor Svetlana Pendik, as well as the Russian folk ensemble “Kalina.” The performances were warmly received by those present and were accompanied by prolonged applause.
This day rightfully became, in the life of the parish, a kind of Orthodox women’s feast—an occasion on which, with gratitude and love, the community honored those who, following the example of the Holy Myrrh-bearing Women, serve Christ through their service to their neighbors.
Rev. Fr. Valentin Lossev
