Royal Days

Royal Days, i.e. the days of remembrance of the Holy Royal Passion-Bearers in the parish of the Church of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God (Jacksons Point, Ont., known in the Russian Orthodox Russian community of Canada as “Beryozki”) have been solemnly celebrated since 2017, from the very moment the ever-memorable Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York Hilarion laid the foundation of the chapel for the 100th anniversary of the murder of the Royal Passion-Bearers. The memorial chapel was opened and consecrated by our ruling Bishop, Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada in 2018. On July 16-17, 2025, on the day of remembrance of the Holy Royal Passion-Bearers, the Divine Liturgy was served in the church, after which all the parishioners walked in a procession with the cross to the chapel. The rector of the church, Fr. Maxim Abroskin, served a prayer service to the Royal Passion-Bearers. On July 17, evening services were also held in the church, and on June 18, a Liturgy was held on the day of remembrance of the Holy Martyr Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna. On Sunday, July 20, after the Liturgy, the Sisterhood of the church, named in honor of its patron saint, the Holy Martyr Elizabeth Feodorovna, invited everyone to an annual festive dinner, at which the sisters told those present about the feat of Grand Duchess Elizabeth and the Royal Family. The church also hosts an exhibition dedicated to the Holy Martyr Elizabeth and her husband, Grand Duke Sergius Alexandrovich Romanov.