Listen to excerpts from this past Sunday's bulletin at St. John the Compassionate Mission, serving the most vulnerable in Toronto.

Listen to excerpts from this past Sunday's bulletin at St. John the Compassionate Mission, serving the most vulnerable in Toronto.

Reflections from St. John the Compassionate Mission about the Prodigal Son and Canada's Bill C-7.

Listen to excerpts from this past Sunday's bulletin at St. John the Compassionate Mission, serving the most vulnerable in Toronto.

Listen to excerpts from this past Sunday's bulletin at St. John the Compassionate Mission, serving the most vulnerable in Toronto.

Listen to three short reflections about interactions at St. John the Compassionate Mission, reminding us that all lives are worth living.

Listen to a short reflection about R., whose life has been difficult as he lives for the Truth.

Listen to reflections from time at the Refuge and back in the city: gypsy moths, hydrangeas, and "keeping the water fresh."

Listen to reflections and stories from Fr. Nicolaie at St. John the Compassionate Mission.

Listen to stories and reflections from Fr. Nicolaie at St. John the Compassionate Mission in Toronto,

Listen to reflections written by Fr. Nicolaie for the Sunday of the Prodigal Son.

Fr. Nicolaie writes about forgiveness and loss at St. John the Compassionate Mission.

Listen to reflections written by Fr. Nicolaie about M's experience with panhandling and the Church's loss.

Another story written by Brother Luke of St. John the Compassionate Mission in Toronto.

Listen to reflections written by Fr. Nicolaie for the Sixth Sunday of Luke.

The Mission will receive a relic of its patron, St. John the Merciful (Compassionate), and Fr. Nicolaie invites us to discover who we are by asking the least of these who we are.

Reflections from Fr. Nicolaie on the Sunday of the Grateful Leper.

Stories from St. John the Compassionate Mission written by Brother Luke.

More stories from volunteers at the mission.

Reflections written by Fr. Nicolaie.

How do we understand the Parable of the Rich Man (and his barns), when the life of a poor soul is vanishing before our eyes?

One story of a clinical depression sufferer's progress within the context of a welcoming community.

Both Hector and Mohamed share their wisdom, encouraging each person to use their God-given creativity and humbly open their hearts, in order to build community and open the door to holiness.

The dynamis of Theophany is towards new life and communion. We see this in the community, as God is bringing healing to Jacob, while also opposing the flattening (or "alienation of the spirit") that so often happens in modern culture.

Members of the community reflect on the margins of our existence; where seemingly-forgotten people dwell; and yet, in the margins is where they find their faith strengthening...

In today's generation, we do better to remain poor and in need of healing, but together in Christ; than to be healed alone and segregated through disunity. The community is learning this while walking with people like Judy.

Frank (or Isaac, in the Church), a regular member of the community, passed away suddenly near the end of March. A mixup with his phone provided the community with the chance to learn of his passing, and opened the door for his daughter to share her grief with others who also loved her father.

St. Gregory Palamas believed in beholding through prayer the uncreated energies of God. A young volunteer reveals to the community that this is not one quick event that pierces the soul. It is rather an encounter for the whole day.

It is always better to give than to receive. When we try to help other people, we tend to forget their need to also be able to give.

A community member and Father Nicolaie each reflect on their experience with an aspect of the Gospel story of the young man who was possessed.

Father Nicolai reflects on recent hopeful learnings in the community.

The church is called today to care for life, to offer an open space where the soul of man can pray and sing, and have an encounter with Christ, who listens to us from the cross.

In this Sunday's gospel, Jesus provides an abundance of life out of the abyss. The plentiful fish are a testimony of the authority that He has over the living and the dead, revealing that His mercy is deeper than the heart of the sea.

It is the cry of the poor who are in solidarity with those who suffer the most, today. The poor are not indifferent to the suffering, but lift it in prayer, with faith that God hears them.

Brother Luke shares three stories from community life.

Fr. Nicolaie invites us to join the community in looking into the eyes of the Theotokos from a humble position at the feet of her icon; and to live ascetically in a way that opens our own eyes to charity and mercy.

Martha begins a series addressing the topic of hospitality. Join her today for a look at feeding teenagers and the blessing we can find being hospitable to others.

Today Martha discusses some of her favorite fall things and one of her very favorite saints. The recipe she mentions for Cinnamon Apple Cake can be found HERE. The other web site she mentioned was epicurious.com.

Today looking forward to St Bridget’s feastday, Martha relives some of her culinary training and how it and a well-stocked pantry can help.

Martha reflects back on a summer full of difficult transitions.

As we enter the Dormition fast, Martha reflects on her summer, motherhood, and our Most Holy Theotokos.

Martha begins the new year listing a few basics she hopes her children learn before entering adulthood.

Just as there are different degrees of vegetarianism, there are varying degrees of our spiritual commitment in the Orthodox faith. In this episode, Martha looks at these levels from her perspective, as a convert to Orthodox Christianity. She instructs us to encourage one another as we complete our Lenten journey.

Martha is back, and she recounts what she has been doing since her last episode, including experiencing a car crash, preparing mercy meals, and celebrating a wedding.

Martha offers a suggestions for planning Lenten menus and then compares a favorite, reliable cooking spoon to the saints from who she seeks intercessory prayers.

Join Martha for a couple of anecdotes, more tips to simplify your Lenten meals and words from the Lenten Triodion. (15:40)

Our kitchens serve many functions; there we prepare celebrations and we heal wounds. We nourish ourselves and others. Today Martha shares some observations about her own kitchen.

Martha addresses the preparation and anticipation for the Nativity in our kitchens, and elsewhere. Here is the link to the recipe for preserved lemons.

the course of medication that cures Hepatitis C costs $84,000 at $1,000/pill, but can be produced for only $700 or $0.83/pill #