The Mother of God – Our Intercessor, the Protector of the Church,

and Unceasing Mediator for the World

On Saturday, September 6, 2025, His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian served among the faithful of the Nativity of the Mother of God Parish in Gatineau, Quebec, Canada. He was surrounded by a group of priests and deacons, including: Protopresbyter Grigorie Țăpuc, Father Ciprian–Augustin Purcarea – the parish priest – Father Daniel Banu, and Deacon Iulian Amohnoaie.

At the end of the Divine Liturgy, His Grace Ioan Casian delivered a sermon emphasizing the importance of the Mother of God in the life of the Church and the significance of the Feast of the Nativity of the Mother of God, which is also the patronal feast of this parish.

“We observe that both the beginning and the end of the ecclesiastical year are marked by feasts dedicated to the Mother of God – her Nativity and her Dormition. These feasts introduce us to and guide us through the mystery the Church lives throughout the entire liturgical year: the Resurrection of the Lord.”

The bishop explained that these feasts “draw our attention to Christ through His Mother. She is mentioned more frequently in the prayers and services of the Church than anyone else, after the Savior Jesus Christ and the Holy Trinity. The Mother of God is our intercessor, the protector of the Church, and an unceasing mediator for the world.”

Commenting on the liturgical texts appointed for the feast, the Romanian hierarch explained that the Epistle reading “is a Christological text that speaks about the humility of our Savior Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who, being equal to the Father, humbled Himself, becoming like us for our salvation. The choice of this text has a spiritual meaning. The Mother of God followed on a human scale, the path of humility. Born of parents like us, she was preserved by grace in purity and sanctified through obedience and faith, becoming ‘more honorable than the Cherubim and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim.’ Through her, the Son of God took on human flesh.”

A powerful example of this humility is found at the Annunciation. “When the Archangel Gabriel announces to her the mystery of the Incarnation, the Virgin responds with simplicity and faith: ‘Let it be to me according to your word.’ She chooses to believe God's word above all human knowledge and tradition. The strength of her faith springs from the purity of her heart. It is not a power gained through human effort, but through the presence of God in the soul.”

Referring to the Gospel passage about Martha and Mary, His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian highlighted the importance of listening to the Word of God: “Martha, busy with serving at the table, asks the Savior to tell her sister to help her. Christ responds that Mary ‘has chosen the good part,’ meaning the hearing of His Word. The Fathers of the Church say that Christ does not rebuke Martha, but shows that bodily service is passing, whereas spiritual service is eternal. The Apostles understood the same when they chose deacons to serve at tables, so that they could remain steadfast in their mission to preach the Gospel.”

In conclusion, the bishop emphasized the balance the Church teaches between the two dimensions of service: “Through this, the Church teaches us to maintain a balance between practical service and spiritual service, without losing sight of the main vocation: listening to the Word of God and partaking of the Body and Blood of the Lord. Liturgical service, the Eucharist, is the center of community life, from which flows our fellowship at the fraternal table.”

After the Divine Liturgy, the parish feast continued with an agape meal. Presbytera Cecilia Purcarea, together with the parish Ladies’ Committee, organized a traditional Romanian meal to which all the faithful present were invited.

(notes by Nun Ana Bulgariu)