First Divine Liturgy Celebrated at Holy Transfiguration Monastery in Ontario

SELWYN, ONTARIO — The first public Divine Liturgy was celebrated on Aug. 6, the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, at the grounds of Holy Transfiguration Antiochian Orthodox Monastery in Selwyn, Ontario, marking a significant milestone in the development of the future Bethany Retreat Centre.

Last month, Metr. Saba of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America visited the monastery site. A service was held in a chapel, and the land was blessed with holy water afterward.

Approximately 150 faithful attended the feast, including parishioners from St. George Church in the Toronto area and St. Elias Cathedral in Ottawa. The gathering took place under temporary tents on the monastery property and included Orthros followed by the Divine Liturgy.

Serving at the Liturgy were V. Rev. Fr. Georges Mokbel, V. Rev. Fr. Nektarios Najjar, and Fr. Ibrahim Farah, with the choir of St. George Church providing the liturgical hymns.

In his homily, Fr. Georges focused on the Transfiguration as the revelation of Christ's eternal divine glory. Drawing on the teaching of St. Gregory Palamas, he explained that Christ did not become something different on Mount Tabor but revealed the uncreated light of His divine nature, which had been hidden beneath His humanity.

The priest also emphasized that spiritual growth and the revelation of God's work often require patience and perseverance. He connected this message to the monastery project, describing the gathering as the fruit of years of faith, prayer, and work toward establishing the first Antiochian Orthodox monastery in Canada.

Following the Divine Liturgy, the faithful participated in the traditional Blessing of the Grapes, offering the first fruits of the harvest to God. A communal meal followed, with attendees sharing food and fellowship while children and young people participated in outdoor activities.

The day's services concluded with a Paraklesis to the Theotokos and the chanting of the Great Canon. In his closing reflection, Fr. Georges drew attention to the Gospel account of Christ's visit to Bethany, where Martha and Mary welcomed Him into their home.

He noted the significance of the passage being appointed for the Great Paraklesis on the same day, saying that the biblical Bethany — where Christ found rest among Lazarus, Martha, and Mary — provides the inspiration for the future retreat center. The Bethany Retreat Centre is intended to offer Orthodox Christians a place for prayer, spiritual renewal, and rest in Christ under the care of the monastics of Holy Transfiguration Monastery.

Previously, the UOJ reported that Metr. Saba had called on the faithful to build “Bethany Houses” to address the growing spiritual, emotional, and psychological strain of modern life.