The Anniversary of St. Constantine and Helen Cathedral, Edmonton,

50 years since the consecration of the church (May 21, 1972 – May 21, 2022)

On May 20-22, the faithful of Saints Constantine and Elena, Romanian Orthodox Cathedral of Edmonton, Alberta, put on their festive attire to meet His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian, present in their midst to celebrate the Feast Day and the 50th anniversary since the consecration of the church.

On Friday evening (May 20th), His Grace Ioan Casian, surrounded by the priests: George Bâzgan, Mircea Panciuk and Călin Dorin Mărincaș (Saskatoon), celebrated the Sacrament of the Holy Unction, followed by the Vespers of Saints Constantine and Helen.

On the morning of May 21, the serving priests received the Hierarch of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada with the hierarchical hymn and celebrated the Divine Liturgy, followed by the memorial service (parastas) for the founders of the church and the members who had fallen asleep in the Lord over the years. His Grace delivered the sermon of the day, showing the important role of the patrons of the parish, St. Constantine and his mother Helen, in ending the persecutions of the first centuries against Christians.  "The feast of the Holy Emperors Constantine and his mother Helen is celebrated throughout Christendom. The saints are always around God and are praying for us," said the hierarch.

After lunch, Fr. George Bâzgan, the parish priest, held a conference about St. Simeon the New Theologian, 1000 years since his falling asleep in the Lord. After presenting St. Simeon's teaching on prayer, the lecturer concluded with the reading of some prayers and hymns of the great hesychast, who lived at the confluence of the first two Christian millennia.

In the evening of the same day, the clergy and the faithful reconvened for the Great Vespers with Litia for the great day of May 22.

On Sunday morning, as the bell was tolling, His Grace Ioan Casian was greeted with bread and salt at the entrance to the church. Soon thereafter, the Hierarchical Liturgy began, celebrated by a group of priests: Fr. George Bâzgan administrative-vicar, Fr. Dean Mircea Panciuk, Fr. Vasile Moisi of Calgary and Fr. Călin Dorin Mărincaș from Saskatoon, as well as a large number of faithful. His Grace Ioan Cassian preached about the Savior's encounter with the Samaritan woman, explaining the different levels of understanding necessary for receiving the divine revelation: "I am the One who speaks to you." Referring to the text of the Epistle of the Sunday, the Bishop spoke about the steadfastness of the heart as the Apostle Barnabas was urging those who came and were baptized in the time of the Holy Apostles.  "The steadfastness of the heart is very important because sometimes our hearts are troubled, in a state of confusion, caused by certain situations or events," said His Grace, adding that "the living water symbolizes the water of Baptism that brings forgiveness of sins."

Explaining at length the Savior's conversation with the Samaritan woman and the theological and liturgical implications, His Grace said: "The Savior tells the woman that the Old Testament tradition, with all its shortcomings, was an inspired tradition and a way of guiding the people to the meeting with the incarnate Jesus Christ.  The Lord affirms his divine identity, his messianic role as the One sent by the Father for the salvation of the human race."

            Then, speaking of the 50th anniversary since the consecration of the church, the Hierarch said: "Behold, 50 years later, we can worship in the temple of God. Those who followed the generation of the 70's continued in the same tradition to adorn this beautiful church so that we, today, can share into the Body and Blood of Christ. It is, therefore, appropriate to be grateful to the founders of the church, remembering them and praying for them."

Father George Bâzgan thanked His Grace Ioan Casian for the effort he undertook during the past week to visit not only the former places of prayer, founded with faith and sacrifice by the Romanian pioneers, about whose times of glory testify now only the stones and crosses that guard their eternal sleep, but also the churches still active, such as the one from Boian, as well as the newly established parishes: St. Andrew the Apostle and Holy Trinity, both of Calgary. Next, Father George thanked His Grace for the words of spiritual edification and stated that the churches established by the "Jacobs," the Romanian pioneers in Alberta, are true fountains (wells) from which generations of Orthodox Romanians have been drawing water for almost 125 years, honoring them with deep gratitude for their precious legacy and their steadfastness in the true faith.

On the 5th anniversary of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada and five years since his enthronement, the parish priest offered to His Grace Ioan Casian the carved miniature of the church in Edmonton with dedication.

At the anniversary banquet, against the background of a collage of photos from the history of the parish, the parish priest thanked the participating clergy, the Parish Council, the ladies who prepared the anniversary menu and all the members and supporters of the parish of Edmonton. Father Dean Mircea Panciuk, who presided over the building and consecration the church, made a short presentation of the early years.

In the end, His Grace thanked all the faithful of the parish for their devotion to the Church of Christ, the Parish Council and the Ladies Auxiliary for the sacrifice and effort made in the service of the community and the Diocese.

May God and the Theotokos continue bless us in the years to come!

(note by Rev. Fr. George Bâzgan administrative-vicar)