Canadian military has first Divine Liturgy in 50 years

(SGOMA) - On Saturday, 6 November 2010, CFB/ASU Wainwright's Chapel was the site of the first (in over 50 years) Orthodox Divine Liturgy to be conducted by an active duty regular force Canadian Forces Chaplain who is an Orthodox Priest. Captain (Father) Charles Baxter, one of the Base Chaplains at CFB/ASU Wainwright, served the Divine Liturgy with the assistance of Father John Lipinsky and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada's (UOCC) Bonnyville Alberta District's faithful and choir. Following the Divine Liturgy, a brief Memorial Service was held to honour the fallen service members who gave their lives in defence of Canada.

Captain Baxter is the first Orthodox Canadian Forces Chaplain to serve in Her Majesty's Canadian Forces since the conclusion of the Second World War. "We make a proud beginning this day," Captain Baxter said at the conclusion of services, "by praying for all of our service members and their families who serve both in Canada and around the world. We do this today with prayers for them. We also pray for the souls of the honoured dead. My prayer is that God will continue to bless my ministry in Wainwright and to be able to witness and serve for all of our brother and sister CF members and families who are Orthodox Christians."