Liturgical service of Laying the cornerstone for the Church dedicated to the Nativity of the Virgin Mary and St. Metropolitan Dosoftei in Hairy Hill, Alberta

From May 29 to June 1, 2025, His Grace Ioan Casian made a pastoral visit to the historically rich land of Boian in the province of Alberta. On the evening of May 30, the hierarch met with members of the historical community of Boian, descendants of the first Romanians from Bukovina who settled on these beautiful, wooded hills more than 120 years ago, and who named the town after the Bukovina Boian.

4 km away from Boian, in the small village of Hairy Hill, the young and the old, each according to their possibilities, were participating in the final preparations for the event that would take place the next day, namely, the religious service of laying of the foundation stone of the church with the feast day of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary and St. Dosoftei, Metropolitan of Moldova as a future cultural center and diocesan metochion. The Romanian hierach, accompanied by Fr. Petrică Busuioc, eparchial vicar, Protos. Corneliu Andrașco, exarch of the monasteries, and nun Ana Bulgariu were joyfully welcomed in Hairy Hill by Fr. Mircea Panciuk, archpriest emeritus, together with the priests and several members of the parish of Boian.

The last preparations of the place where, the next day, the foundation stone of the church of the new center would be laid were completed.

On the morning of Saturday, May 31, His Grace Ioan Casian, surrounded by a group of priests and in the presence of several faithful from the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan, celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the summer altar set up on the Hairy Hill property. The group of clergy included Fr. Petre Busuioc - diocesan vicar, Fr. Mircea Panciuk - archpriest emeritus, Protos. Corneliu Andrașco - exarch of the monasteries, Fr. Călin Mărincaș - archpriest for Western Canada, Fr. Timothy Chrapko, Fr. Vasile Moisi, Fr. Lucian Moldovan, Fr. Florin Porumb, Fr. Ciprian Roman, Fr. Gheorghe Petrovan and Fr. Cristian Bujor.

At the end of the Divine Liturgy, a memorial service was held for the founders of this church and for all those who are buried in the cemeteries of the two parishes, after which the laying of the cornerstone service for the future St. Metropolitan Dosoftei Center took place. The role of the center is to support the mission and religious, cultural and youth activities in the Province of Alberta, central and western Canada. It is intended to be a support that ensures the perpetuation of the community and the religious, historical and cultural heritage of the Boian area where the first Romanian pioneers settled at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century.

At the end of the service, His Grace Ioan Casian spoke said to those present: "We rejoice on this blessed day to lay the cornerstone of the future church of St. Metropolitan Dosoftei Cultural and Missionary Center, through which we hope that both the mission of the Church and the traditions and Romanian cultural heritage in the Boian area and beyond will be strengthened. The Church and faith have been essential elements of the Romanian religious and cultural identity. It is a work in which we ask for God's help to continue and enhance the mission of our predecessors. We, like them, try to transmit further the Christian values, Romanian traditions and customs that have created a Romanian Canadian identity that honors us all."

Next, Fr. Petre Busuioc read the message sent on this occasion by His Excellency, Consul General of Romania in Vancouver, Mr. Gabriel Rotaru.

The hierarch of Canada thanked Mrs. Maria Șerban, Honorary Consul who came from Calgary to the event for her presence and help.

The day ended with a traditional festive meal prepared by a group of Romanian believers coordinated by the prezbytera Simona Marincaș, helped by several ladies from Boian, a meal organized in the event hall of the Dormition of the Mother of God Parish in Boian.

The success of this event would not have been possible without the help and support of the Parish Council of Boian and the members of this parish, as well as of Fr. Călin Marincaș together with most of the priests who took part in this event.

(notes by Protos. Corneliu Andrasco exarch)