Canada Day – July 1st, 2025

July 1st is a special day for all of us living in Canada. It is a time to celebrate not only the birth of this country, but also the values that define it: freedom, respect, peaceful coexistence, and care for one another — values rooted in faith.

For the Romanian community in Canada, this celebration is an opportunity to thank God for the place where we have been settled, and for the chance to live and work in an open and welcoming society.

Romanians arrived here over 100 years ago, bringing with them their Orthodox faith, language, and traditions. Through hard work, perseverance, and mutual support, they built churches, families, and strong communities that are now part of the fabric of this country.

Canada has offered us the freedom to preserve both our Romanian and Christian identity, while also giving us the opportunity to learn from others. Living here means respecting diversity and contributing - each according to their abilities - to the common good.

On this day, it is also important to remember those who lived on this land long before us - the Indigenous peoples - and to pray for peace, healing, and understanding among all people.

With gratitude to God for all we have, we encourage you to keep the faith alive, to support your families and the Church, and to remain close to one another. Every act of kindness and every prayer is a visible sign of our invisible faith and of the true values we hold dear.

Happy Canada Day!

Happy Canada Day to all Romanians living in Canada!

Let us give thanks to God for everything and pray to Him for everyone and for all things.

† Ioan Casian

Romanian Orthodox Bishop of Canada