Gala of Christmas Carols 2025

— an evening of gifts and tradition —

On the threshold of the winter holidays, on Friday, December 12, and Saturday, December 13, through the Zoom platform, the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada organized an event dedicated to Christmas traditions: The Gala of Christmas Carols 2025. Now in its 5th edition, the event brought into the homes of Romanians across Canada the most beloved Romanian carols, prepared by parish choirs and Sunday School groups from the parishes of the diocese.

Christmas carols represent an essential part of Romanian Christmas traditions—songs that tell the story of the Nativity of the Lord, but also speak of longing for home, the joy of family, and hope for the year to come. These evenings were meant to be gifts for the souls of Romanians in the Canadian diaspora, inviting participants to experience the emotion of carols and the joy of meeting or reuniting with carolers from Romania and Europe.

Held with the blessing of His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian, Romanian Orthodox Bishop of Canada, the event was not merely a succession of artistic moments, but a living testimony of faith, an offering of thanksgiving, and a bouquet of prayers through carols dedicated to the Christ Child.

Christmas, as lived in the diaspora, is a mystery of patience and hope. It is the feast in which every carol becomes a bridge across distances, every prayer turns into longing, and every lit candle carries within it the memory of the parental home.

Carolers of all ages from parishes in Montreal and Vancouver, Toronto and Calgary or Edmonton, as well as from Kitchener, Oshawa, and Windsor, brought—like the angels and the shepherds—the word of the Gospel from house to house. Word and song offered as gifts. Certainly, we can view the caroling of these evenings as a form of pilgrimage, a spiritual journey we all undertake, like the pilgrimage of the Holy Virgin Mary to Bethlehem.

This year, we were joined by carolers from Portugal and Romania, from the Pedagogical College of Cluj-Napoca and members of the Didactica RED – Religion Association, represented by Prof. Ionița Timiș, as well as representatives of the Romanian School “Junimea” of Montreal, coordinated by Mrs. Otilia Tunaru.

These evenings of carols and joy were dedicated to fundraising for the “Saint Leontie of Rădăuți” Children Care Center, a home of hope, a light in the night, a helping hand extended where the world forgets that there are worthy and beautiful children, in whose eyes the light of hope and faith does not fade.

The settlement is administered by the “Saints Hierarchs Leontie and Teodosie” Foundation in Rădăuți, Suceava County, and is dedicated to the care, upbringing, and education of orphaned children or those coming from broken families or situations of spiritual or social hardship. The settlement provides a stable environment and services that support children in family reintegration or in preparing for life in society. Father Iustin and Mother Ecaterina surround these children with great care and love, helping them grow and develop harmoniously, preparing them for life as victors, not as social dependents.

In his address to the carolers from all corners of the diocese, His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian said:

“Here we see in Rădăuți something concrete and beautiful as an example of what we can do for those around us, for children affected by family tragedies and hardships. Each of us can do good and bring a ray of hope into their lives. The carols we hear during this period speak precisely about this—about the good, the beautiful, and the kindness we can offer, while also reminding us of who we are: created in the image and likeness of God. We encourage you to give.”

May you have blessed holidays filled with peace, health, and spiritual fulfillment.

Christ is born—glorify Him!

(Recorded by Carmen Ognean)