A new Orthodox Mission begins its work in the city of Oakville

On Wednesday, April 3, at the Romanian Orthodox Episcopal Cathedral in Saint-Hubert, Quebec, before the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, His Grace Bishop Ioan Cassian consecrated with the Holy and Great Oil St. Antimension for the newly established Mission under the patronage of St. Imp. Constantine and Elena and St. Paisie of Neamt from Oakville, Ontario.

The Holy Antimension is a piece of linen or silk cloth, rectangular in shape, on which the icon of the laying of the Savior in the tomb is printed. The relics of the holy martyrs are sewn into it. Without Saint Antimension, the Holy Liturgy cannot be performed. In the church, the Antimension is kept in the altar, on the Holy Table, under the Holy Gospel, and when the Holy Liturgy is celebrated outdoors, it takes the place of the Holy Table. At the same time, Saint Antimension is signed by the diocesan hierarch At the same time, Saint Antimis is signed by the diocesan bishop as the bearer of the apostolic succession and represents the symbol of the unity and communion of all priests with the local bishop.

Saturday, April 6 when the Orthodox Church celebrates St. Irenaeus of Sirmium, at 10:30 am, HG Bishop Ioan Casian consecrated with Holy Water the place of worship of the new mission in Oakville, and then performed the commemoration for the people asleep in the Lord. Together with the hierarch of Canada, served Rev. Fr. Petre Busuioc - diocesan inspector and Rev. Fr. Marian Costinel Iacobut - parish priest. Numerous believers from attended the religious service.

In this festive atmosphere, HG Bishop Ioan Casian presented and explained the significance of Antimision as a sign of the confession of faith and the unity of the Church. He also spoke about the importance of opening a new missions as a place to proclaim the word of God and salvation in Christ.

Next, Fr. Petre Busuioc introduced to the community the new parish priest who served with him in the parish of St. Stephen the Great and St. Nectarios from Aegina for several years. Fr. Marian Iacobut thanked those present for their trust. The event continued with a fraternal agape carefully prepared by the ladies of the parish.

The next day, on the 3rd Sunday of Great Lent, dedicated to the Holy Cross, HG Bishop Ioan Casian celebrated the first Holy Liturgy in the new location of the new Mission placed under the protection of St. Imp. Constantine and Elena and St. Paisie from Neamț from Oakville with Rev. Marian Costinel Iacobut.

In the homily delivered at the end of the Holy Liturgy, the hierarch said: "It is important to think that this new Mission is founded on the 3rd Sunday of Great Lent, called of the Holy Cross. The cross for us is the symbol of our faith because by signing ourselves with it we confess what we believe - that is, the suffering, death and resurrection of Christ, the Son of God for us and for our salvation. This Sunday being placed in the middle of Great Lent, it represents the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in paradise which shows us that the way to meeting God in His resurrection celebrated on Easter night can only be done through the Cross of Christ. Through the cross we glimpse the resurrection of Christ.

The cross also represents the place where Christ was crucified. For us, marking with the sign of the holy cross means uniting and participating by faith in the suffering of Christ who gave us healing and salvation. Man, as the words of today's Gospel say, in order to follow Christ must renounce to himself, i.e. his passions and desires, he must take up his cross, i.e. let himself be permeated by virtues, cleansing himself from sin, and he must to follow Christ, that is, to follow the path of union with God and deification.

The Church is the place where man learns this work. It is the place where God gave him the means to do this - the Holy Liturgy, the Holy Sacraments and the other sanctifying and transfiguring blessings of the Church. If Christ fulfilled everything from this point of view, man remains free to decide to participate in this work or not.

The mission started today is a new place where people hears God's word and can enter into God's work of salvation."

Next, the hierarch of Canada presented the new Mission with an icon of the Mother of God with the Child and an album. A historical icon donated by a member of the new Mission was also consecrated.

Fr. Marian Iacobut thanked the hierarch and those present and expressed his wish that other believers in the area will join this Mission that has just begun.

At the end, HG Bishop Ioan Casian blessed those present.

His Excellency, Mrs. Oana Gherghe, Consul General of Romania in Toronto, along with Mr. Florentin Titov – Gherghe Consul attended the event.

(notes by Protosinghelos Corneliu Andrașco)