The Parish of “Sts. Peter and Paul” in Kitchener Celebrated Its Saints Protectors

On Sunday, July 13, 2025, the members of the “Sts. Peter and Paul” Parish in Kitchener, ON, celebrated their patron saints together with their hierarch, His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian.

The festive atmosphere began already on Saturday evening, when the bishop served Great Vespers alongside the parish priest, Fr. Dragoș Giulea. He then addressed those present with a reflection on the Holy Apostles and the apostolic nature of the Church - a fundamental and essential quality that has accompanied the Church since its very beginning.

On Sunday morning, the hierarch was welcomed in the traditional Romanian way with bread and salt by two of the parish youth, as well as with the Holy Gospel and the Holy Cross by Fr. Dragoș Giulea, following Orthodox liturgical tradition. The Matins and Divine Liturgy that followed were moments of deep joy, communion, prayer, and gratitude to God for all His blessings. These moments were made even more special by the sunny summer day and the beautiful floral decorations arranged by the parish ladies.

At the end of the liturgical program, Bishop Ioan Casian offered a homily on the Holy Apostles and the apostolic nature of the Church, as well as on the Sunday Gospel reading, which recounts the healing of the two demon-possessed men in the region of Gadara. He also reminded the faithful that this fifth Sunday after Pentecost is dedicated to the Holy Fathers of the Fourth Ecumenical Council held in Chalcedon, highlighting its dogmatic importance.

The celebration concluded with a traditional Romanian agape meal held on the church lawn.