Following the consultation with the Eparchial Council, in the spirit of the recommendations made by the Canadian federal, provincial and local authorities, the Romanian Patriarchate and most of the Orthodox Churches, we recommend the following for Holy Week, Easter and pascal period:

• Exceptionally the religious services of this period will be celebrated by the clergy without public access;
• Religious services will be performed by a number of persons (bishop, priest, deacon, chanter, possibly an altar/church helper) corresponding to the maximum number allowed by the regulations of the local authorities, taking into account the provincial differences;
• Wherever possible, religious services will be broadcasted for the faithful through media platforms;
• The priests will keep in touch with the believers to respond to their urgent spiritual needs (confession and communion), while respecting the directives given by the federal, provincial and local authorities (social and physical distancing, etc.);
• The blessed bread, sprinkled with Holy Water and wine, called “Paște” will be exceptionally consecrated, either on Good Thursday, after Divine Liturgy, or on Holy Saturday, as needed;
• The distribution of the Holy Light, of “Paște”, etc., will be done individually, on request, where this possibility exists, in compliance with the hygiene norms corresponding to the pandemic's requirements and the specific regulations in force;
• On Good Friday, the service will take place only inside the Church (no public access);
• The Matins of Lord’s Resurrection will begin at 12:00 am inside the church, respecting the typicon ordinance (no public access). The faithful are invited to light their candles in each house at the call of the priest from midnight "Come and receive light!"
• The faithful have the blessing of sprinkling the baskets with traditional Easter dishes while singing “Christ is risen”;
• The Vespers or “Second Resurrection” service will be held in churches at 12:00 pm (no public access);

These special recommendations are necessary in this crisis period generated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

I ask the priests and the faithful to mention in their prayers all those who are sick as well as those who are in the front line in the fight against COVID-19 - workers in the medical system, those in the essential services, charitable associations, etc. Also let us pray for the repose of the soul of those who passed away because of this pandemic.

I invite you, like the Canadian authorities, as long as possible to stay home and to leave only for the essential and necessary things so as not to multiply the contamination.

We pray to the Good God that all - clergy and believers - of the parishes and monasteries of our Diocese, may well pass this difficult period. We also pray that each one will find comfort and healing of the soul and body through the prayers of our Saints Protectors - Mother of the Lord, St. Andrew the Apostle and St. John Cassian.

I invite you to remain united in prayer for the whole world even though we are limited by ‘social and physical distancing’ and to spend a blessed Great Week and a feast of the Resurrection of the Lord in the spirit of hope and renewal.

+ Bishop Ioan Casian