Anniversary of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada
- 8 years from the inauguration -
(2017-2025)
Friday, May 2nd, 2025, was the debut day of the series of events dedicated to the eight-year anniversary of the moment of great joy for Canadian Romanians - the establishment of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada.
In the warm and welcoming Montreal area cathedral with the patron saints "Saint Great Martyr George" and "Saint Martyrs Epictetus and Astion", which eight years ago was the host of historical events for the Diocese of Canada, the Vespers service took place in the evening. In prayer and on bended knees, there were, alongside the hierarch of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada, His Grace Ioan Casian, Fr. Mircea Panciuk Archpriest emeritus, Protos. Corneliu Andrasco, Hegumen Polycarp, Fr. Daniel Sandu, Fr. Constantin Lupașcu, Fr. Dragoș Giulea, Fr. Adrian Manea, Fr. Dumitru Proca and Deacon Valentin Botu.
On Saturday, Matins and the Holy Liturgy were celebrated, followed by the Tedeum service. The group of the serving priests included: Fr. Mircea Panciuk, Fr. Nicolae Codrea diocesan secretary, Protos. Maxim Morariu - ecclesiarch, Protos. Corneliu Andrașco, Hegumen Polycarp Athenagoras, Fr. Olimpiu Mărginean, Fr. Constantin Ciubotariu, Fr. Constantin Lupașcu, Fr. Ion Ceaușu, Fr. Marian Costinel Iacobut, Fr. Dragoș Giulea, Fr. Adrian Manea. Fr. Ciprian Purcărea, Fr. Emanuel Țencaliuc, Deacon Valentin Botu and Deacon Iulian Amohnoaie. The answers at strana were given by Protopsaltis Andrei-Cătălin Ghebaru, a member of the "Thronos" Patriarchal byzantine group and Mrs. Mădălina Enache.
In his sermon, Protos. Corneliu Andrașco, recalled that this year is for us a historically significant year for Romanian Orthodoxy and recalled that it is 100 years since the elevation of our Church to the rank of Patriarchate, 140 years since the recognition of autocephaly, 1700 years since the first Ecumenical Council of Nicaea (325), and it is, at the same time, the homage year of dedicated to the fathers confessors from communist prisons in the 20th century.
The series of anniversary events continued with the Symposium - The Orthodox Church Today - Local Responsibility and Ecumenical Inter-Christian Mission. The list of lecturers was rich and the multitude of topics addressed enjoyed the audience. The themes of the conferences were united under the umbrella of three major ideas: Nicea - 1700 years of history, new canonized saints, and the Centenaial Year of the Romanian Patriarchate.
1. Nicaea (325-2025) - 1700 years of history - contributions, presence and continuity.
a. Fr. Dragoș Giulea - The Council of Nicea in 325 - The significance of a major ecclesiastical act after 1700 years
b. Dr. Denitsa Tzvetkova - Defining the date of Easter - a conciliar decision.
c. Rev. Prof. John McGuckin - Nicaea's legacy: An Oecumenical Vision for Christian Mission today.
2. New Romanian canonized saints - contemporary faces of Christian testimony.
a. Fr. Nicolae Codrea - Fr. Ilarion V. Felea – confessor and theological model for the contemporary world
b. Protos. Corneliu Andrașco - St. Dometie the Merciful of Râmeț - a life devoted to God and the service of the fellow men
c. Fr. Constantin Lupașcu – St. Arsenie of Prislop – between myth, reality and holiness
3. Centenary of the Romanian Patriarchate (1925 – 2025) – aspiration and fulfillment
a. Rev. Prof. Patriciu Dorin Vlaicu – The canonical understanding of the principle of autocephaly and its relevance in the contemporary context
b. Protos. Maxim Morariu - The Romanian Orthodox Church - from the Great Union to the Patriarchate
c. Dr. Adriana Bară - From Byzantium to Bucovina: continuity and specificity in the exterior painting of Moldavian churches.
At the end of the symposium, the Icognito Choir of Holy Apostle Matthew and the Holy Great Martyr Christina Parish led by Mr. Iosif Viorel Onuț, performed a concert offering wonderful moments of delight to those present. At the end of the concert, the protopsaltis Andrei Ghebaru and Mrs. Mădălina Enache masterfully completed the joy of an exceptional day and evening.
On Sunday, November 10, the faithful of the cathedral came in large numbers to rejoice together with their hierarch, His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian, at this anniversary event through prayer and communion with God. The group of clergy present included Fr. Petruța Busuioc administrative vicar, Fr. Mircea Panciuk, Protos Maxim Morariu, Hegumen Polycarp, Fr. Ion Ceaușu, Fr. Adrian Manea, Fr. Traian Constantin Petre, Deacon Velentin Boțu, Deacon Iulian Amohnoaie and Deacon Marius Constantin Popa.
In his speech Fr. Petre Busuioc said: “It is a great joy to be together today on this wonderful anniversary. Together, we, clergy and laity, have succeeded with God's help to have a diocese of our own in this part of the world. And we say this with great joy, that we have the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada and His Grace Ioan Casian, our first Orthodox bishop. It has been 8 years since we created parishes and built churches, but I hope that we will continue this building effort primarily through much obedience, generosity in giving and firm faith.”
After the final blessing, the faithful were able to participate in the fraternal agape prepared by the ladies from the entire Montreal Orthodox community who call home, whether on the other side or on this side of Prut. All those present appreciated the culinary mastery, the traditional hospitality creating a bridge of joy and mutual assistance at the time of celebration.
In the opening of the festive reception, the Romanian hierarch said: “Today’s celebration belongs to all Romanians in Canada, a joy of a wish fulfilled in collaboration with God, a joy that also makes us all responsible.”
The artistic moments delighted the audience during the reception. The children and young people of the Sunday School at St. George’s Cathedral in Montreal, coordinated by Mrs. Mădălina Enache, prepared a moment of religious singing, and Ecaterina Bejenaru – voice and Mr. Cristian Cojocaru gave the audience moments of joy, moving from jazz to musical pieces that engaged the audience.
The joy and energy of the traditional Romanian dances brought by the “Datina” group was undoubtedly a real delight. The Datina Montreal Ensemble was founded in 2015. The ensemble is made up of young people of Romanian origin, most of whom were born in Canada. The ensemble operates under the tutelage of St. John the Baptist Romanian Orthodox Cathedral in Montreal, having as coordinator Mihai Nechifor Dascalescu.
The young people, living and enjoying as our grandparents and great-grandparents taught us, reminded us of the value of traditions and the importance of cultivating our roots, which is our mission as Orthodox Romanians here in Canada. His Grace Ioan Casian said:
“Today is a celebration of faith. A celebration of our encouragement as believers for the joy of having a diocese of our own. It has been 8 years since the dream of Romanians for over 30 years to have a Diocese that represents them came true. I have lived more than half of my life abroad, but wherever I have been, I have lived and confessed my faith and the fact that I am orthodox Romanian. The enthusiasm of these young people makes us happy and proud that we have such generations of young people, but it also obliges us to continue all the work and pastoral activity so that the Church, the Family and the School remain the landmarks of the Romanian community in Canada.”
Long live the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada!
Long live His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian!
Glory to God for everything!
(Notes by Mrs. Carmen Ognean)
