The seventh edition of the ROYA pilgrimage to the cross on Mount Royal

With the blessing of His Grace Ioan Casian, Holy Cross Sunday was marked this year in Montreal through the pilgrimage organized by ROYA (Romanian Orthodox Youth of Americas) to the cross on Mount Royal.

The over fifty believers and young people, accompanied, through the care of the Romanian Orthodox Bishop of Canada by the protosyncell Dr. Maxim Morariu, the ecclesiarch of the Cathedral and diocesan inspector, walked almost 2 km from the foot of the mountain to the base of the monument cross on the mountain. Then, at its foot, they read together the Akathist of the Holy Cross in Romanian, English and French. Finally, Father Maxim conveyed the blessing of His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian and congratulated them for their effort. Then, through the organizers' care, everyone present received a gift of fruits.

The pilgrimage is at its seventh edition. Every year, on the third Sunday of Lent and on the day of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, young people from the Episcopal Cathedral "Saint Great Martyr George and the Holy Martyrs Epictetus and Astion" in Saint-Hubert and from neighbouring parishes make a pilgrimage on foot to the monument cross on Mount Royal, to pray and meditate.

Valentin Cioană,

Vice-President ROYA Canada