† Holy Resurrection Russian Orthodox Sobor, Vancouver

By Sandra Leclerc

Your Beatitude, Your Eminence, Your Grace, Reverend Fathers, and dearly beloved parishioners and guests!

I have a honor to be chosen by Fr. Andrey to speak at our great “diamond” celebration. For those of you who do not know me, I am Sandra Leclerc, otherwise known as “The Sunday School Teacher”. I am of Romanian Orthodox background and first started to attend this church in 1991. Later that year I was asked by the then rector, Fr. Evan Lowig to organize and teach Sunday School as I already had experience in the field, and I am glad to say am still teaching today.

I think back to the first time I came to Holy Resurrection and was welcomed by a few of the “regular” parishioners – Sophie Ewachniuk, Magdalene Johnston and Benny Nenson. This brings me to what I want to talk about today. Even though I am of Romanian background, and this is a Russian Orthodox Church, I was still made to feel at home. Being Russian, Greek, Romanian, or Serbian – whatever, we are all Orthodox and should be together like a family.

My husband, Corey Nicholas, converted to Orthodoxy before we got married in 1998. Since then, he has been a sponsor for a newcomer that was baptized Orthodox, and has read on several occasions the Epistle during the Divine Liturgy or at some other services. He was also good in helping the Sisterhood in the parish kitchen, no wonder, because he is a professional chef in hotel!

That goes to show that some people who attend our church – while not being Orthodox – may in time choose to convert and become an important part of our Church. In the past, as we know from the history of our church, one of those “visitors” was touched so much by the clergy and parishioners of our parish and their dedication to worshipping our Saviour Jesus Christ, that he himself converted into Orthodoxy and even became a Bishop. Forgive me, Your Grace for revealing your “secrets”!

Children are a very important part of our parish. So next time you hear a baby cry in church or see a child lighting a candle – smile and think to yourself: this is our “future generation”. Let us pass on our knowledge as Orthodox Christians so our parish will continue to grow to see many more jubilees.

We need this; we need to make our younger generation feel welcome! As I was welcomed years ago – so should we, as soon as we see someone new in our church, welcome them and make them a part of our Orthodox family!

And may our children population grow as well and our Sunday school is productive, teaching our children the basics of our Orthodox Faith. I am hoping this fall to see some “new” faces, as it is so important for children to keep Jesus in their lives!

Thank you! Please pray for our school, for our children, for the future of our beautiful Church!