The Patron Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God Mission in Mississauga

 a Time of Joy and Blessing

On Saturday, August 16, the faithful of the Dormition of the Mother of God Mission in Mississauga, Ontario, had the joy of welcoming His Grace Ioan Casian, Romanian Orthodox Bishop of Canada, who celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the community’s provisional chapel.

Serving alongside the hierarch were: Fr. Viorel Tencaliuc – Dean, Protos. Corneliu Andrasco – Exarch, Archimandrite Ciprian Timofte – spiritual father of Grăjdieni Monastery (Vaslui), Fr. Lucian Azoitei, Fr. Emanuel Tencaliuc, and Fr. Eugen Revencu.

In his sermon, His Grace Ioan Casian spoke about the Mother of God as the intercessor and protector of all believers, calling on the faithful to entrust their lives and trials into her hands.

“The Dormition of the Mother of God is not a farewell, but a passage into eternal life, from where she looks upon us with love and covers us with her holy veil.”

Referring to the Gospel reading of the feast, the Romanian hierarch stated:

“Martha and Mary, the two sisters in the Gospel, show us two complementary aspects of the life of faith. Martha represents active devotion, concrete service, care for the needs of the household — a faith expressed through deeds. Mary, on the other hand, stands for deep faith, attentive to the Lord’s presence and word — a heart open to listening.

Christ does not rebuke Martha for her labor, but reminds her that beyond daily concerns lies a better, eternal part: the knowledge and reception of God’s Word. And it is this ‘better part’ that Mary chose, staying close to the Lord and listening to Him.

Like Mary of the Gospel, the Mother of God chose to receive the Word — not just with her ears, but with her whole being. She became the dwelling place of God not through outward deeds, but through complete obedience and absolute trust.

Thus, the Gospel teaches us that, no matter how important service is, it should not distract us from what is essential: the presence of Christ and the hearing of His Word. Martha served, but Mary loved in silence and understood that encountering God requires a quiet heart and spiritual attentiveness. And the Mother of God unites both attitudes: silent service and full obedience.”

The celebration concluded with a fraternal agape meal, lovingly prepared by the members of the parish community.

(notes by Protos. Corneliu Andrasco)