His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian: To partake in Holy Communion means to unite

with the transfigured humanity of the Savior and to anticipate eternal life

On Saturday, August 2, 2025, His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian served the Divine Liturgy at the Monastery of the Elevation of the Holy Cross and St. Ephraim the New in Mono, Ontario, on the annual pilgrimage in honor of the Mother of God.

This year’s pilgrimage was graced by the presence of a copy of the miraculous icon of the Mother of God “Prodromitsa,” brought from the St. Dimitrie the New Parish in Montreal through the care of Fr. Ioan Ceaușu, responding to the invitation of Fr. Polycarp.

In his homily at the end of the Divine Liturgy, the hierarch emphasized several key aspects of this day dedicated to the Mother of God:

“Today is a truly special day, as we rejoice in the presence of the icon of the Mother of God ‘Prodromitsa’ – a wonder-working icon that reminds us of God’s love and the constant care of the Theotokos. Her icon is here to bless not only the Romanian community, but all those present – Orthodox faithful of various backgrounds who have come to pray in the spirit of the unity of faith.

The miracle associated with this icon, not made by human hands, is understood as a direct work of God – a testimony that in His love, He comes to the aid of those who serve Him with faith and humility.

This icon conveys a crucial message: God and His work cannot be fully encompassed or represented by human hands. No matter how talented iconographers may be, their work is but a faint reflection of divine love and beauty. True holiness is a gift from God. He works mysteriously in our lives when we completely entrust ourselves to His will. The presence of this icon among us is a blessing and a call to strengthen our faith.”

Referring to the Gospel reading specific to feasts of the Mother of God, which recounts the encounter between Jesus Christ and the two sisters – Martha and Mary – the hierarch said:

“Although this text is often read on the feasts of the Theotokos, it does not explicitly speak about her, but through profound symbolism, it reveals the mystery of her humility and obedience. Martha serves, while Mary listens. Both receive Christ, yet Mary’s act of listening is highlighted because she chose what is eternal: the Word and presence of God.

St. John Cassian draws our attention to a specific aspect of this Gospel: the Savior does not despise Martha’s service but rather emphasizes its temporary nature. It is a bodily service, necessary here on earth, even involving the incarnate Son of God born of the Virgin Mary, yet still tied to the transient condition of earthly life.

Christ emphasizes that Mary ‘has chosen the good part’ because, as His Passion and earthly death approached, what truly mattered was listening to and understanding the divine Word. That brief and precious time spent in His presence became a treasure of eternal value. It is not about diminishing material service, but about properly ordering spiritual priorities.

We see this also during Church feasts in monasteries particularly. The monastic tradition preserves a visible continuity between liturgical time and daily life. After participating in the Divine Liturgy, monks go to the refectory still wearing their liturgical vestments, maintaining a spiritual attitude. The meal is not seen as an interruption of the liturgical life but as a natural extension of it – a communion that continues a physical level what was accomplished spiritually.

The Church is not only the place where we pray, but especially where we partake of Holy Communion. Services and prayers prepare our souls, but the center of Church life is the Divine Liturgy, whose ultimate purpose is union with Christ.

We do not come to church just to pray, but to enter fully into communion with God through His Body and Blood. (…) Of course, there are sometimes valid reasons – lack of preparation, spiritual condition – that prevent us from this full communion. But let us not lose sight of the goal – prayer and Communion.

Participating in the Divine Liturgy without receiving Holy Communion remains somewhat incomplete. To partake in Holy Communion means to unite with the transfigured humanity of the Savior and to anticipate eternal life.”

At the end, the Romanian Bishop of Canada thanked Fr. Ioan Ceaușu for his efforts in bringing the icon of the Mother of God “Prodromitsa” from Montreal, as well as the other concelebrating priests, and not least the three chanters who enriched the service with Byzantine chant. All of these remind us that the Church is alive, active, and harmonious through the diversity and dedication of those who serve it.

The concelebrating clergy included: Fr. Viorel Țencaliuc - protopresbyter, Fr. Ioan Ceaușu, Hegumen Polycarp Athenagoras, Fr. Dragoș Giulea, Fr. Marian Iacobuț and Fr. George Mokbel.

The liturgical responses were offered by Protopsaltis Evangelos Gkikas (Greece), alongside chanters Andrei Ghebaru (member of the Tronos Group – Romania) and Mădălina Enache (Episcopal Cathedral of St. George – Saint-Hubert).

After the Divine Liturgy, all those presents were invited to a fraternal agape meal.

The spiritual program of the day continued in the afternoon with a discussion on spiritual topics led by Fr. Dragoș Giulea. The day concluded with the Paraklesis (Supplicatory Canon) to the Theotokos and a gathering around a campfire.