Choral Evensong for St. George’s Day and Best of the Bard
Sunday, April 28, 4 p.m.
After our service of Choral Evensong, at approximately 4:45, St. Olave’s Arts Guild presents a collection of dramatic readings from William Shakespeare and music of the period, to mark his birth on St. George’s Day (April 23) in 1564. Please join us in person or watch live or later at YouTube.com/StOlavesAnglicanChurch.
Join us for Holy Week.
- March 24, 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. – Palm Sunday with Blessing and Distribution of Palm Crosses
- March 25, 7 p.m. – Monday in Holy Week with Holy Communion and Stations of the Cross
- March 26, 7 p.m. – Tuesday in Holy Week with Holy Communion and Stations of the Cross
- March 27, 7 p.m. – Wednesday in Holy Week with Holy Communion and Stations of the Cross
- March 28, 7 p.m. – Maundy Thursday with Holy Communion and Foot Washing
- March 29, 10:30 a.m. – Good Friday “Cross of Christ” choral service
- March 31, 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. – Holy Communion for Easter Day
Lenten series: Images of Pilgrimage
Wednesdays, February 21 to March 27
6:30 p.m. light supper, 7 p.m. discussion series, 8 p.m. Compline
Co-presented by St. Bartholomew’s, Regent Park and St. Olave’s, Swansea
More than 30 years ago, Robert Crouse, one of the finest contemplative theological minds of our age, delivered six addresses on the theme of pilgrimage at St. Augustine’s Monastery in Nova Scotia. In this six-part Lenten series, the Rev’d Dr. Walter Hannam delves into this newly published collection, Images of Pilgrimage: Paradise and Wilderness in Christian Spirituality.
- Feb 21: Biblical and Pagan Images (view recording)
- Feb 28: The Old Testament (view recording)
- Mar 6: Cancelled due to illness
- Mar 13: The Old and New Testament (view recording)
- Mar 20: The New Testament (view recording)
- April 3 (new date): St. Augustine/Dante (view recording)
- April 10 (new date): Dante/Reconciliation
Dr. Robert Crouse (1930-2011) was a noted Patristic (early church) and Medieval scholar, teacher and priest in the Anglican Church of Canada.
The Rev’d Dr. Walter Hannam is the Rector at St. Bartholomew’s Anglican Church, Regent Park and a former student of Dr. Crouse. He has a PhD in Theology from Boston College and is an Adjunct Professor at St. Augustine’s seminary in Toronto.
Purchase Images of Pilgrimage (Darton Longman & Todd, 2023) from your preferred book seller or contact the Rector to reserve your copy ($25). The series will be live streamed at YouTube.com/StOlaves AnglicanChurch.
Choral Evensong for Candlemas and Isaac Watts 350
Sunday, February 4, 4 p.m.
At 4 p.m., join us for Choral Evensong for Candlemas led by St. Olave’s choir singing Walmisley’s Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis in d minor. The service will mark the Presentation of Christ in the Temple and will include a blessing of the candles. After Evensong, at about 4:45, St. Olave’s Director of Music Jeremy Tingle presents Isaac Watts 350, a talk to mark the anniversary of the birth of the English minister, theologian and hymn writer. Jeremy will discuss the history of Anglican hymns, focusing on the famous paraphrases of the psalms by Watts. The service and talk will both be live streamed on our YouTube channel.
Epiphany Eve and The Beauty of Dutch Art
Friday, January 5, 2024, 7 p.m.
After a service of Holy Communion for Epiphany, we will gather downstairs at approximately 7:40 for refreshments. Debbie Cowling will present many colourful images from her recent visit to Amsterdam, Leiden, Haarlem and The Hague. She focuses on the glorious art of Rembrandt, Vermeer, Van Gogh and many more; plus the Rijksmuseum, Anne Frank’s House, other museums, the Grote Kerk in Haarlem, canals and other charming Dutch architecture. Click on the YouTube link above to view a recording of this presentation.
Choral Evensong for the Sunday Before Advent
Sunday, November 26, 4 p.m.
St. Olave’s welcomes Renaissance vocal ensemble Diapente as our special guest choir for Choral Evensong. After the service, St. Olave’s Arts Guild presents Christmas Spirits, featuring vocal solos by Nadia Nikolov and stories and poems with extracts from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. The service will also be live streamed.
Communion for All Saints followed by Music & Your Health
Wednesday, November 1, 7 p.m.
After the service, at approximately 7:30, we welcome Dr. Kevin Komisaruk, organist, harpsichordist and Associate Professor of music at the University of Toronto. Dr. Komisaruk will present a picture of healing, where music is a vehicle for finding spiritual meaning and restoring physical and mental wholeness.
Choral Evensong for Michaelmas followed by William Byrd: His Style and Legacy
Sunday, September 24, 4 p.m.
To mark the 400th anniversary of William Byrd’s death, the service will be followed by William Byrd: His Style and Legacy, an illustrated music feature presented by Robert Busiakiewicz, the former music director at St. James Cathedral.
William Byrd is considered to be one of the greatest composers of the Renaissance, who had a profound influence on composers from England and the rest of Europe. He was likely born in London, to a musical and relatively wealthy family. He worked closely with Thomas Tallis at the Chapel Royal, where they together published the first of several collections of sacred works in 1575. They had an exclusive Royal Patent to print music and ruled music paper for 21 years.
Byrd composed a wide range of church music in English and Latin, including four Anglican service settings and anthems such as O Lord, make thy servant Elizabeth our Queen; as well as How long shall mine enemies; and Sing joyfully, as well as many motets. His secular publications included two collections of English songs and madrigals. He also composed music for the organ, virginal keyboards and instrumental consorts.
William Byrd’s significant output of about 470 compositions supports his reputation as one of the great masters of European Renaissance music. His most impressive achievement as a composer was probably his ability to transform so many of the main musical forms of his time, incorporating his own personal style.
Patronal Festival for St. Olave’s Day
Sunday, July 30, 4 p.m.
Join us for a service of Choral Evensong followed by our annual community BBQ. Our guest preacher is the Rev’d Martha Riddell, St. Olave’s former Child & Youth Minister. Hundreds of St. Olave churches will honour King Olaf of Norway, martyred July 29, 1030 AD, but only one is in Canada!
Coronation Evensong followed by Arts Guild presentation
Sunday, May 7, 4 p.m.
Join us for a service of Choral Evensong in honour of the Coronation of King Charles III. The service is followed by Charles and the Crown, featuring words and music with a Royal connection, presented by St. Olave’s Arts Guild to celebrate His Majesty’s life, on the day after being crowned as Canada’s King.
Holy Week at St. Olave’s
Sunday, April 2, 2023, 10:30 a.m. – Palm Sunday with blessing of the Palms and reading of the Passion according to St. Matthew. In-person and live streamed.
Monday, April 3, 7 p.m. – Stations of the Cross and Holy Communion for Monday in Holy Week. In-person only.
Tuesday, April 4, 7 p.m. – Stations of the Cross and Holy Communion for Tuesday in Holy Week. In-person only.
Wednesday, April 5, 7 p.m. – Stations of the Cross and Holy Communion for Wednesday in Holy Week. In-person only.
Thursday, April 6, 7 p.m. – Maundy Thursday with Washing of Feet and Stripping of the Altar. In-person and live streamed. View service.
Friday, April 7, 10:30 a.m. – Good Friday choral service. In-person and live streamed. View service.
Lenten Series: The Faith of Queen Elizabeth
Wednesdays during Lent, 7 p.m.
Throughout the trials and triumphs of her 70-year reign, Queen Elizabeth credited her personal faith in Jesus Christ as the steadying anchor. Join us as we discuss the The Faith of Queen Elizabeth: The Poise, Grace, and Quiet Strength Behind the Crown (2019), in which Dudley Delffs explores Her Majesty’s personal devotion and public service.
Evening Prayer begins at 7, and then at 7:30, join us downstairs for light refreshments and discussion led by St. Olave’s Rector, the Rev’d Rob Mitchell on the following topics:
- March 1 – DUTY
- March 8 – SACRIFICE
- March 15 – GRACE
- March 22 – COMPASSION
- March 29 – LEGACY
Weekly readings will be assigned. The book is available through the Toronto Public Library or can be purchased at online book retailers. Some hardcover copies are available in the church office for $30. Please register by contacting the office at stolaves@stolaves.ca.
Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
December 18, 7:30 p.m.
The traditional favourite of the season returns, with scripture readings, choral anthems and carols all by candlelight. Jeremy Tingle leads our choir.
Videos featuring the Book of Common Prayer
St. Olave’s has produced several education videos that bring a focus to the prayerbook. Click hear to view our curated YouTube Playlist.