The Monastic Synax of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of  Canada

On December 2, 2024, the feast day of the newly canonized saints Paisie and Cleopa of Sihăstria Neamțului, the Monastic Synaxis of the Diocese of Canada gathered at the Monastery of the “Exaltation of the Holy Cross and St. Ephraim the New” in Mono, Ontario, under the presidency of His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian. The meeting began with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy, presided over by His Grace Ioan Casian, with the liturgical assembly also including Fr. Petruță Busuioc, Administrative Vicar, Protos. Corneliu Andrașco - Exarch of the Monasteries in the Diocese of Canada, Protos. Maxim Morariu - Diocesan Inspector, and Hierom. Policarp - the egumen of the Monastery of the “Exaltation of the Holy Cross and St. Ephraim the New” in Mono. After the Divine Liturgy, the Synaxis meeting itself followed. The meeting’s agenda included the analysis and resolution of several topics, among which we mention:
 • The translation into English and French of the Regulations for organizing monastic life and the Regulations for canonical and disciplinary authorities and judicial bodies of the Romanian Orthodox Church.
 • The involvement of hieromonks in the pastoral activities of parishes and missions until the permanent placement of a clergyman is resolved.
 • The meeting of monks and nuns four times a year in each region of Canada for the celebration of a vigil alongside the clergy and faithful of that region. For 2025, the following four churches were proposed for the vigil: the Cathedral of “St. George” in Montreal, the Monastery of the “Exaltation of the Holy Cross and St. Ephraim the New” in Mono, ON, the Cathedral of “St. George” in Windsor, ON, and the Chapel of the “Annunciation” in Howser, BC.
 • The guidance and liturgical practice of candidates to be ordained in the Toronto region will take place at the Monastery of the “Exaltation of the Holy Cross and St. Ephraim the New.”
 • The organization of events to mark the 140th anniversary of the autocephaly 1885-2025 and 100 years of the Patriarchate of the Romanian Orthodox Church.

At the end of the Monastic Synaxis, Hierom. Policarp, the egumen of the Monastery of the “Exaltation of the Holy Cross and St. Ephraim the New,” invited those present to the refectory for a fraternal meal prepared by the monastery’s faithful.

(Notes by Protos. Corneliu Andrașco )