Visit of HG Bishop Ioan Casian to parishes in Saskatchewan

From July 4 to 11, 2022, His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian paid a pastoral visit to Saskatchewan. The hosts of the hierarch were the Holy Trinity Parish of Saskatoon and Rev. Fr. Calin Dorin Mărincaș the parish priest.

On Thursday, July 21, HG Bishop Ioan Casian and Rev. Fr. Mărincaș visited Holy Apostles Peter and Paul Parish in Kayville and St. Mary Parish nearby, two of the parishes of the first Romanians to come to Canada. They met with two representatives of the Romanian communities in the region and visited the cemetery of the first one. On this occasion, they saw the condition of the church building in need of renovations. In 2007, the hierarch attended the 100th anniversary of Kayville Parish.

On Saturday evening, the hierarch of Canada performs the service of the Holy Anointing in Holy Trinity Parish together with Rev. Fr. Geoge Bâzgan the administrative vicar, archpriest Mircea Panciuk and the priests Dorin Călin Mărincaș and Ovidiu Moldovan.

On Sunday morning, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated in which HG Bishop Ioan Casian ordained the young Gheorghe Ioan Petrovan deacon on behalf of the Dormition of the Mother of God Parish in Boian, Alberta.

In his sermon at the end of the Divine Liturgy, the hierarch said:

“Today's Gospel puts us in front of a roman centurion who come with faith and trust to the Savior to ask, directly, for help for his helpless servant.

The Savior surprises by the prompt and immediate answer 'Coming I will heal him' which he gives, knowing full well, both the disrespect of the Jewish people for the other nations, and the social status of the centurion, as a citizen of another nation, of another faith than him, in a position of authority.

The Savior's answer reveals to all that there is a work of God in the bosom of every people of the world, that there is the Spirit of God working beyond our human barriers. He calls them and draws people closer to Himself.

At the same time, Christ points out that this Roman centurion is a man of true humility. Regardless of his social status or the authority he has in society, he understands that he is subject to mistakes.

The centurion becomes for us an example of humility and love. We, too, must have this humble awareness that our gestures and deeds can help by showing our love for others, but can sometimes be harmful, both to ourselves and to those around us.

For this reason, we must make a deep introspection into our personal conscience and our attitude in society, so that they may be according to God's order. The great mystery of Confession helps us to cleanse our conscience and life to meet God and fulfill the call that has been addressed to us.”

The hierarch then explained the different stages of consecration and the ordination to deacon.

A fraternal agape offered by the parish followed.