For the members of St. Mary’s Romanian Orthodox Church of Boian, Alberta, Sunday, June 9, 2019 was a special, festive and memorable event. They were joined in celebration by people from Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon and many other places to honor the V. Rev. Fr. Mircea Panciuk on his 50th Anniversary of uninterrupted service (1969-2019).
On Sunday morning, at 9:30, His Grace Ioan Casian, Bishop of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada was greeted at the gate of the church with the traditional bread and salt and with the Hierarchical hymn sung by a large crowd.
The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by HG Ioan Casian, Fr. George Bazgan of Edmonton, Fr. Mircea Paciuk, Fr. Dorin-Cãlin Mãrincas of Saskatoon, Fr. Dr. Tim Chrapko of Calgary, Fr. Ovidiu Moldovan of Calgary and Deacons Severian Irina of Edmonton and Ciprian Roman of Calgary.
At the proper time, His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian gave the sermon of the day and explained the theology contained in the Priestly Prayer offered by Christ the Lord in the Garden of Gethsemane to God the Father. He also spoke about the first Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, which established the dogma about the eternal coexistence of God the Son with God the Father.
Then the Hierarch praised the tireless work and faithful service offered by Fr. Mircea to God and the faithful entrusted to him over the course of 50 years. On behalf of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church His Grace Ioan Casian presented Fr. Mircea with the Patriarchal Cross in appreciation of such a fruitful labor in the vineyard of the Lord: “As a Canadian-born Romanian, Fr. Mircea could’ve chosen any jurisdiction to serve under; however, in spite of the many challenges, he decided to serve in a parish with canonical communion with the Mother Church of Romania.”
On behalf of Sts Constantine and Elena Romanian Orthodox Cathedral of Edmonton, Fr. George offered Fr. Mircea and Preoteasa Ileana a beautiful icon of the Holy Virgin Mary. Fr. Marincas offered a set of handmaid covers for the Gospel stand.
Following the Divine Liturgy, a festive dinner was offered in honor of Fr. Mircea at Willingdon Recreational Centre. In attendance were some 250 people. A musical program was also dedicated to Fr. Panciuk, together with many well wishes and presents from different institutions and private people.
On the same occasion the hierarch of Canada presented Patriarchal Cross for the laypeople for two longstanding members of the Boian’s Parish – Mr. Gerald Floyd Toma and Mrs. Lilian Bezovie.
In closing the festivities, Fr. Mircea gave thanks to God for all the blessings bestowed upon him. He also thanked His Grace Ioan Casian for making this day so special. He invited his wife, Preoteasa Ileana at his side, saying that she was instrumental throughout his priestly ministry.
As he begins his 51st year of service, we would like to extend to Fr. Mircea our best wishes for good health and continued spiritual achievements!
LA MULȚI ANI!
(Notes by Fr. George Bâzgan)
