Feast of the Annunciation at the Chapel of the Mother of God in Howser, BC

From March 24-28, 2025, His Grace Ioan Casian, Bishop of Canada, made a pastoral visit to Western Canada, in Howser, BC, to participate in the first feast day celebration after the consecration of the “Annunciation” Chapel in 2024. This celebration was a moment of spiritual elevation and communion, within an ethnically diverse but united community in faith.

On the day of the feast, in the morning hours, the clergy and the faithful had the joy of welcoming their hierarch at the entrance to the Chapel of Howser, a place dedicated to the Mother of God. The atmosphere was one of great celebration, and His Grace Ioan Casian, together with Protos. Corneliu Andrașco, Exarch of the Monasteries of the Diocese of Canada, and Fr. Ciprian Roman, from St. Nectarios of Aegina Mission in Kelowna, BC, celebrated the Holy Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, united with Vespers.

A special moment was the communion of the faithful, who participated in the Sacrament of the Eucharist, receiving the Body and Blood of Christ. This was a manifestation of the desire for unity and communion between all those present together with God, as one body in Christ.

In the homily delivered, the hierarch said: “The Feast of the Annunciation is the beginning of our salvation and the manifestation of the eternal Mystery, says the troparion of the feast. The Annunciation is the moment when God considers humanity’s preparation for receiving His Son fulfilled. It is the moment when the preparation through the work of the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary and her faith meet to overcome the disobedience of the first people in paradise and to make possible the birth according to the flesh of Christ, who becomes one of us, for our salvation.

The Archangel Gabriel announces to the Virgin Mary the will of God and she investigates through question the way in which this will be fulfilled. To the archangel’s answer about the wonderful work of the Holy Spirit that will make this miracle come true is added the answer of the Virgin Mary coming from the purity of her faith. The will of God unites with the will of humanity expressed in complete freedom without the limitation due to sin.

The Feast of the Annunciation is the moment of honoring the restoration of our dignity as sons of God from which man had distanced himself through the sin of disobedience to God of Adam and Eve. The feast introduces us to the spirit of dialogue, prayer and listening to the word of God which is the essence of ecclesial life and of the identity of the faithful man.”

After the Divine Liturgy, all those present were invited to a fraternal agape, a tradition of hospitality and communion on these kinds of events.

During his pastoral visit, on March 26, His Grace Ioan Casian celebrated the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts in the chapel, a service that spiritually enriched the community, offering the faithful an opportunity to participate in a religious service specific to the Lenten period. Then, on March 27, in the morning, the hierarch celebrated the Akathist of the Annunciation.

Also, during these days, other projects related to this chapel were discussed. It was proposed to organize a summer camp for youth and families.

The celebration of the Annunciation at the Chapel in Howser, BC, was a manifestation of communion, prayer and Christian love, emphasizing the importance of the Mother of God in the spiritual life of each believer. The visit of His Grace Ioan Cassian strengthened the ties between the believers and the Church, being an opportunity for spiritual elevation, for sharing divine graces and for strengthening the unity of all those present in Christ. Through the religious services, the believers had the opportunity to elevate themselves spiritually through prayer and communion.

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The "Annunciation" Chapel in Howser, BC, was founded by Daniel Damian family, having a profound significance for the entire Orthodox community in the region. The place of worship is located at the foot of the Truce Mountains, on the shores of glacial Lake Duncan, a particularly picturesque and peaceful place, which invites to the prayer and spiritual meditation. The chapel is a symbol of the living faith and the dedication of those who worked for the elevation of this holy place. It is located approximately 600 km from Calgary and 700 km from Vancouver.

Notes by Protos. Corneliu Andrasco