On May 7, 2018 the Orthodox clergy and faithful of all Romanian parishes throughout Canada, celebrate one year since the Enthronement of His Grace Ioan Casian as the Bishop of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada. The day before, on May 6, 2017, the first Congress of this newly established Diocese had been convened. At this first and special session, presided by H.E. Metropolitan Nicolae of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolia of the Americas, the first Diocesan/Eparchial Council and Consistory/Tribunal were elected.

On Sunday, May 7, 2017, Saint George Romanian Orthodox Cathedral, of Saint Hubert, Quebec, was the host of an impressive gathering of Orthodox Hierarchs from Canada, the United States, Romania and Western Europe, tens of Priests, delegates from the Romanian Orthodox parishes throughout Canada, and hundreds of Orthodox Christians. They all came to partake in the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy and witness the Enthronement ceremony of the first Romanian Orthodox Bishop of Canada, in the person of His Grace Ioan Casian.

During the course of this first year much has been accomplished. Without wasting time, His Grace embarked immediately on an Apostolic mission of visiting the parishes of His Diocese, meeting their Parish Councils, leading discussions with the youth, participating in Pan-Orthodox and inter-denominational forums, attending the sessions of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church, etc. Together with the Eparchial Council, many important and meaningful decisions have been made, such as: appointment of new priests, approval of new parishes, setting a program for the immediate and long-term future of the Diocese.

As we celebrate this first anniversary, on behalf of all the clergy and faithful of our Diocese, I would like to extend to His Grace, our Bishop Ioan Casian, heartfelt congratulations and ask the Supreme Hierarch, Christ our Lord, to bless our Hierarch with good health, renewed energy and continued spiritual achievements in the Apostolic work in the vineyard of the Lord for the salvation of the right-worshipping faithful!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, YOUR GRACE IOAN CASIAN!

Fr. George Bazgan

Eparchial Vicar