Remember Emmanuel’s birth. The Sign of the Theotokos stands as a beacon of faith in Montreal. It welcomes people from diverse backgrounds. Let’s journey into its history.
The Sign of the Theotokos traces its roots back to the mid-1970s. A small group within Ss Peter and Paul Cathedral sought English services. The cathedral primarily served a Russian-speaking community. This group desired worship in English.
In October 1974, a weekly English Liturgy began. It took place on a side altar. This was before the Slavonic service. An English Sunday School also started. Numbers gradually increased.
Tensions arose from having two language groups. Archbishop Sylvester granted permission to explore a new mission. It would serve in English and French. Twenty-four people met in a private home. They discussed their future on April 9, 1978.
Fr John Tkachuk had resigned from Ss Peter and Paul. His resignation was effective September 1st. However, he had permission to found a mission. The group decided to petition Archbishop Sylvester. They asked for his blessing for the Mission.
They chose “The Sign of the Theotokos” as the name. Fr John suggested it. It commemorated a feast of God’s incarnation. This feast was little known in the West. It celebrated the sign of Emmanuel’s birth from a virgin. Isaiah prophesied this. The icon is celebrated on November 27.
Archbishop Sylvester gave his blessing on May 18, 1978. He granted permission to begin liturgical services in September. This coincided with the Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos. Preparations began over the summer. They built iconostas panels altar and stands. Vestments and coverings were sewn. Singers rehearsed. They raised needed money.
A property was found for rental. It was a lower townhouse flat. St Anthony’s Irish Catholic Church previously used it. They shared the premises until St Anthony’s new building was completed. A lease was signed.
The first service occurred on September 7. It was the vigil of Mary’s Nativity. Divine Liturgy was celebrated the next morning at 7:00 AM. The choir had six people. Three were Orthodox. Two were converts. Three were non-Orthodox. Less than two dozen attended.
The Sign of the Theotokos Church celebrated its first Liturgical communion. It occurred in the Roman Catholic chapel of St Anthony of Padua. The chapel featured a rococo wooden altar. Two icons sat on it.
St Anthony’s moved in mid-December. The Sign renovated the premises. They set up the iconostas. The Quebec Government chartered it as a non-profit. This happened on November 27 its patronal feast day.
The Sign moved two more times in its early years. A new location was found at Nazareth House. The first Liturgy took place there on October 5 1980. They stayed there for about a year and a half. Nazareth House’s lease ended. They searched for a new place again.
They found a basement in St Leon de Westmount. This was a large French-speaking Roman Catholic Church. They moved there in April 1982. The Sign remained there for 18 years.
After 18 years in the basement, a dream came true. On July 1st, 2000 they acquired their own above-ground church. The building was originally a Protestant church. A fire gutted it around 1980. The Syriac Orthodox parish of St James rebuilt the insides. The Syriac community outgrew it. They built a new church.
Papers were signed on February 6, 2000. They committed to purchasing the church. The sale occurred on June 22 2000. Archpriest John Tkachuk and Dr Katherine Berdnikoff signed on behalf of the community.
July 1st was a glorious day. Parishioners moved into their new home. On July 2nd they celebrated their first Divine Liturgy. Sunlight streamed in through the windows. Eyes filled with tears of joy.
The parish hall displays about 27 country flags. Each flag represents a country where someone at The Sign was born. This reflects the parish’s multicultural makeup. It welcomes all to the ancient faith. The Sign continues to witness its Orthodox faith. It welcomes all who enter.
The Sign of the Theotokos remains a vibrant community. It embraces diversity. It holds fast to its traditions. It is a testament to faith and perseverance.