A NEW PAGE IN THE HISTORY OF BOIAN

            After 54 years of continuous service at the same parish, Father Dean Mircea Panciuk, the parish priest of "St. Mary’s" Parish from the historic Boian, Alberta passed on the torch to the newly ordained priest, Father Gheorghe Ioan Petrovan. The emotional event was fully felt by all participants, numbering over 100, on the Sunday of March 19, 2023. This historic day made its appearance with a pronounced cool air, typical of central Alberta for this time of the year, yet still promising, through the glorious sun that was slowly climbing on the firmament of a clear blue sky, equally common for this blessed part of the country.

Before 10:00 a.m., His Grace Ioan Casian, the Romanian Orthodox Bishop of Canada, arrived on the highest plateau in the Boian area where, 125 years ago, the Romanian pioneers, were erecting a place of worship, "Saint Mary’s" church, a true testimony to this day of their worthiness and unwavering faith in God and His saints.

In the sound of the bell, guarding the gate of the church, the Hierarch was first greeted with the traditional bread and salt, and then, by the group of priests who sang, together with the crowd of faithful, the hymn-prayer "May God protect the Master..."

It was now for the last time that Fr. Mircea, as the parish priest, came out with the Holy Gospel and the Holy Cross to greet the bishop with the words "Welcome," which, this time, were sliding on a staves with an obvious emotional vibration.

Seated in the front pew were the members of the Petrovan family, who came especially for this event, easily identified by the traditional folk costumes from the beautiful Maramures area.

            Not long after, gathered around His Grace, the sobor of priests, consisting of: Fr. George Bazgan diocesan vicar, Fr. Dean Mircea Panciuk, Fr. Vasile Moisi of Calgary, Fr. Călin Mărincaș from Saskatoon, and Fr. Ciprian Pavel Roman from Calgary, was waiting for the exhortation of deacon Gheorghe Ioan Patrovan: "Bless Father!"

            At the proper time, the deacon was brought for the blessing of the Hierarch and the ordination to the Priesthood for the Boian parish. After the bishop's proclamation and the answer of the faithful "He is Worthy," the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great followed its usual course, with the responses given by the chanters and the choir of the Edmonton cathedral.

In his Sunday sermon, the Bishop reminded everyone that we are during Great Lent, a period of spiritual renewal, a journey through which the Church guides us with the Gospel readings and the specificity of each Sunday. Having referred to the first two Sundays of Lent (of Orthodoxy and of St. Gregory Palamas), His Grace previewed the upcoming Sundays preceding the Holy Week of the Savior’s Passion.

“But the most significant of all is this Sunday, the third, dedicated to the Holy Cross, ordained by the Holy Fathers in the middle of Great Lent, just as the tree of knowledge of good and evil throned the garden of Paradise. The cross on which Christ the Savior was crucified is the tree in the midst of paradise from which Adam had been commanded not to eat. Through fasting, prayer, and helping the suffering, we draw near to God and to paradise He has given us from the beginning. Today's Gospel reading invites us to take three steps: denying ourselves, taking up the cross, and following Christ.

We are glad to see you here in large numbers, some of you from the Edmonton and Saskatoon parishes, which indicates the love and the meaning of the Church because we come together in brotherly communion," said the speaker.

His Grace Ioan Casian offered the newly ordained priest and his wife Domnica the icon of the Savior and congratulated them. Then, he awarded the patriarchal cross for laymen to two of the hard-working members of the Boian parish: David Hauca and David Bezovie.

The festive agape took place in the parish hall and was attended by all. Father Mircea Panciuk made a summary of his coming to Alberta, together with his family and urged everyone not to forget the Church at Boian, “the Tabor of Alberta.” A very emotional moment was when Fr. Mircea handed over the key to the church to the new parish priest, Father Gheorghe Ioan Petrovan. He responded with a word of thanks to God, to His Grace Ioan Casian, to his parents and family, as well as to the Dean.

            Glory to God for everything!

(notes by Rev. Fr. George Bazgan)