Summary of Pastoral and Administrative Activity and Future Perspectives
– General Assembly of the Historic Parish in Timmins –

Between March 11–13, 2026, His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian made a pastoral visit to the historic parish “Dormition of the Mother of God” in Timmins, Ontario. The main purpose of the visit was the meeting of the Parish General Assembly, which took place on the evening of Thursday, March 12.

In addition to the members of the parish, most of the priests from the Central Canada Deanery attended the meeting: Fr. Petrică Busuioc – Administrative Vicar, Fr. Viorel Țencaliuc – Dean, Protosyncellus Corneliu Andrașco – Exarch, Fr. Mihail Cristea, Fr. Emanuel Țencaliuc, Fr. Toderiță Călin, Fr. Marian Iacobuț and Hieromonk Polycarp.

It should be noted that this Romanian parish is one of the oldest in Canada, although the Romanian community currently numbers fewer than ten families. It is the only Orthodox Church within a radius of about 400 kilometers. However, a positive development in recent years has been the increase in the number of immigrants of other ethnic backgrounds who belong to the Orthodox faith.

Since the end of 2022, the parish has not had a resident parish priest. At the initiative of His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian, the continuity of liturgical services has been maintained through the appointment of three hieromonks of the diocese—Protosyncellus Corneliu Andrașco, Protosyncellus Maxim Morariu, and Hegumen Policarp. Although they live at considerable distances from Timmins (between 700 and 1100 km), they have willingly made the sacrifice to keep the church open and to respond to the pastoral and spiritual needs of the local community.

During the meeting, the pastoral report was presented, and special mention was made of the presence of the young theologian Valentin Cioană, president of the youth organization of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada (ROYA Canada). Every two weeks he travels to Timmins and, together with the faithful, reads the services of Vespers and Sunday Matins.

The financial situation for the period 2023–2025 was also presented, and possible financial solutions were discussed in order to sustain the parish’s activity and pastoral work. The necessity and importance of appointing a permanent parish priest were emphasized once again, and a new Parish Council was elected.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the hierarch expressed special gratitude to the family of James and Christina Miller for the material and financial assistance they have offered to the church during this period, as well as for their love and dedication to it. He also thanked the priests present, who - both on behalf of the parishes they serve and personally – have supported this church financially, as well as all the faithful and donors, whether present or absent from the meeting.

The day concluded with the chanting of the prayer “It Is Truly Meet” (Axion Estin), sung both in Romanian and in English.

(notes by Nun Ana Bulgariu)