Hierarchical blessing for the Resurrection of the Lord Parish from Hamilton

The second Sunday after Easter was a moment of prayer and joy for the believers of Resurrection of Lord Parish in Hamilton, who celebrated the principal feast day of the Church.

The feast commenced with the celebration of Vespers and Litia, allowing the faithful to immerse themselves in the prayerful atmosphere of the day.

On a sunny Sunday morning in Hamilton, His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian, the first Romanian Orthodox Bishop of Canada, was warmly welcomed with bread and salt by two children from the parish. Then the parish choir sung liturgical hymns specific for the Easter period.

The Hierarchical Holy and Divine Liturgy was conducted with prayers of gratitude by all present Christians, led by the hierarch. Following the Divine Liturgy, a memorial service was held to honor the founders, benefactors, and departed members who served the Resurrection of the Lord Parish and the Romanian Orthodox community.

The liturgical program was concluded by the sermon of HG Bishop Ioan Casian, in which he highlighted important aspects of the Gospel of Sunday, showing the believers the theological and spiritual significance of the two moments through which the St. Thomas the Apostle passed – the doubt following Lord’s death and the complete restoration of the trust after His resurrection.

At the parish feast were also present the members of the Romanian Consulate in Toronto, Mrs. Oana-Raluca Gherghe General Consul, Mr. Florentin-Titov Gherghe - Consul and Mr. Alin-Gabriel Constantin – Consul.

Also, the hierarch noted the works that took place in the Church and gave Mrs. Silvia Surugiu a Diploma of Merit on behalf of the Diocese, for the restoration of the iconostasis.

At the end Fr. Călin Toderița thanked the hierarch, the representatives of the Romanian Consulate, the members of the Parish Council, the ladies from the Parish Committee as well as all the believers present at this joyful moment.

The festive meal was held in the Great Hall of the Romanian House, located in the immediate vicinity of the Church. Traditional Romanian dishes prepared by the ladies in the parish were served. An artistic-traditional program was also presented for the participants and especially as a gift for the Mother’s Day. The young Crina Niță presented a short musical moment of three pieces on the piano. The folk-dance group made up of the children of the parish, led by Michael and Diana, started by presenting a collage of Romanian folk dances that animated the audience. The Doina group ended the artistic program by presenting some very popular Romanian folk dances which were appreciated by all those present.

(notes by Fr. Călin Toderiță)