Spring Pilgrimage at Mono Monastery

On Saturday, May 23, His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian was present at the Monastery of the Holy Cross and Saint Ephraim the New on the occasion of the spring pilgrimage dedicated to Saint Ephraim the New.

Concelebrating with the hierarch were: Protosyncellus Corneliu Andrașco – Exarch, Hegumen Polycarp, Fr. Viorel Țencaliuc – Dean, Fr. Emanuel Țencaliuc, Fr. Dragoș Giulea, Fr. Gheorghe Țiu, and Fr. Costel Lavrentie Gheorghe. The liturgical responses were offered by the participants in the Church Music and Chanting Course, coordinated by Mrs. Mădălina Enache, psaltis of the Episcopal Cathedral in Saint-Hubert.

In his homily at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian first emphasized the significance of the period between the Resurrection and the Ascension, explaining that the 40 days spent by the Savior with the Apostles constituted the concrete proof of His Resurrection:

“The period of 40 days spent by the Savior together with the disciples reveals the reality of His Resurrection. It offers them the concrete proof of the miracle of Christ’s Resurrection.”

Speaking about the Feast of the Ascension, the hierarch underlined the restorative dimension of humanity being raised to Heaven:

“Through the Ascension of the Lord into heaven, our humanity is brought near the throne of God’s glory. The Ascension of the Lord is the clear sign that the gates of Paradise have been reopened for mankind. Just as the gates of Paradise were closed to Adam and Eve and to all humanity because of sin, likewise through Christ’s appropriation of our humanity from the Virgin Mary and its ascent into heaven, transfigured in the divine Person of our Lord Jesus Christ, the gates of the Kingdom of Heaven are opened for us, becoming the foundation of our salvation and eternal life.”

The hierarch then spoke about the life and miraculous discovery of the relics of Saint Ephraim the New, the protector saint of the monastery. His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian explained that the saint’s life is proof that no one is forgotten by God:

“Before God, no one is forgotten. When God wishes to reveal to His Church a saint about whom people know little, or whose holy relics are unknown, in order to strengthen the faith of the people, time and space no longer matter. He does so in a wondrous way, as only He can, as was the case of Saint Ephraim the New after 500 years through the revelations made to the nun Makaria. The devotion to the saint that has spread throughout all Orthodox Churches demonstrates the beneficial and strengthening work of God through him.”

Highlighting the martyrdom of Saint Ephraim, the bishop recalled the terrible sufferings he endured for his faith:

“For eight months he was subjected to terrible tortures to force him to renounce Christ. But being a monk and a man of strong faith, he did not yield.”

His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian then explained the meaning of the miracle of the resurrection of the young man Eutychus by the Holy Apostle Paul, showing that God alone is the Giver of life.

Referring to the Gospel reading of the Sunday, the hierarch emphasized the perfect communion between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, as well as the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church:

“The Church lives and works through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Mysteries and the entire life of the Church are accomplished through the work of the Holy Spirit.”

In the concluding part of his address, the bishop thanked all those involved in the development and support of the monastery, while also presenting the monastery’s future projects.

At the same time, the Centennial Medal was awarded to Mrs. Ramona Dumitrescu in recognition of her support for the Romanian community, especially in the province of Ontario, as well as for her contribution to the administrative activities of the Diocese.

Hegumen Polycarp Athenagoras thanked the bishop, the invited priests, and the pilgrims who attended the event.

Afterward, the participants took part in the fellowship meal specially prepared for the occasion.

(notes by Nun Ana Bulgariu)