The Feast Day of the Resurrection of the Lord Parish in Hamilton

On the second Sunday after the Resurrection of the Lord, the Feast of St. Apostle Thomas, as marked in our Church calendar, was a moment of prayer and joy for the faithful of the Resurrection of the Lord Parish in Hamilton, who, according to ancient tradition, celebrated its feast day of the Church.

In the evening, His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian, the Romanian Orthodox Bishop of Canada, was welcomed by Fr. Toderiță Călin parish priest, Fr. Dragoș Giulea, and the faithful. Vespers with Litia were celebrated, leading the faithful into the atmosphere of prayer. At the end of the service, the hierarch in his homily highlighted the significance of the Easter period for Christians, and then blessed all those present.

In the early hours of Sunday morning, on April 27, 2025, as the first rays of sun shone through the still slightly cloudy sky of Hamilton, His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian was traditionally welcomed with bread and salt, and the parish choir, along with all those present, sang hymns specific to the Easter time. With a spirit of piety and prayer, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated by the Romanian hierarch, offering prayers of thanksgiving to God for all the blessings received. At the end of the Divine Liturgy, a service of commemoration for the departed one was performed. There were mentioned the founders, benefactors, and all those who have labored in the service of the Resurrection of the Lord Parish and the Romanian Orthodox community in Hamilton and its surroundings. The liturgical program concluded with the homily from His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian. The hierarch highlighted important aspects of the Sunday Gospel, explaining the theological and spiritual significance of the two moments experienced by St. Apostle Thomas after the Resurrection of the Lord. The hierarch also reminded and emphasized what the parish feast day means for a community and the feelings it evokes for each believer.

At the community celebration in Hamilton, the Romanian Consulate in Toronto was represented by Her Excellency Consul General Oana-Raluca Gherghe and Consul Alin-Gabriel Constantin, who participated in the entire feast program.

The liturgical program concluded with a word from the parish priest Toderiță Călin, who thanked His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian, the representatives of the Romanian Consulate, the members of the Parish Council, and the ladies of the Parish Committee who were fully involved in preparing the festive moment of the parish, as well as all the faithful present at this moment of joy. A group photo was taken with all those present to immortalize this moment not only in the hearts of those present but also as a testimony for the future.

In the large hall of the Romanian House, located near the Church, a festive agape meal for the feast day was held with traditional Romanian dishes prepared with skill and dedication by the ladies of the parish. The traditional banquet was complemented by an artistic program: the Doina Junior folk dance group made up of children from the parish (led by Daiana and Sara) delighted the audience with a mosaic of Romanian folk dances, and the Doina senior group concluded the artistic program by presenting some well-known and appreciated Romanian folk dances to all those present.

(Notes by Fr. Toderiță Călin)