The Descent of the Holy Spirit Parish of Windsor - Ontario
at 87 years of uninterrupted activity
This year marks 87 years of uninterrupted activity of the Romanian Parish “Descent of the Holy Spirit” in Windsor Ontario. The „Small Church” in Windsor has gathered over time around it faithful, hardworking and generous people who have managed, with the help of God, to preserve but also to pass on to the generations that followed the holy and simple faith of the Romanian people in this corner of the world!
In the morning, in a festive atmosphere, the Matins service and then the Holy and Divine Liturgy were officiated by Fr. Nicolae Codrea. Next, a service commemoration was held for the founders and benefactors of the holy place, as well as for the priests who over time have carried out the activity in this parish. Among them were Fr. Protopop George Nan, but also the worthy Archimandrite Vasile Vasilachi.
At the end, Fr. Nicolae Codrea read the Congratulatory Letter of His Grace Ioan Casian, the Romanian Orthodox Bishop of Canada, on the occasion of the 87th anniversary of the founding of the parish:
“Most Reverend Father Nicolae Codrea, Distinguished members of the Parish Council,
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ the Lord,
The 87th Anniversary of the Descent of the Holy Spirit Parish from Windsor, Ontario gives us an opportunity to take an overlook of the activities and actions undertaken by many generations who were bold and eager to keep the Orthodox faith alive.
On this anniversary event, we would like to congratulate you for starting ț the restoration work of the church building, for the active involvement in philanthropic activities in your area and we urge you to continue social involvement and maintain the dynamism of religious life.
In order to make and keep alive the bridge over generations, contemporary Orthodoxy must discover the signs and trends of contemporaneity, make the Church an active part, permanently involved in the life of the city and the faithful.
To the good start put by the first generations 87 years ago, is added the faith, work and love of the Church of Christ of today’s generation. We stand by you and encourage you to support the Church with in mind not only the traditional but also the current cultural, educational, moral, and spiritual dimension of the mission that we as a Church must assume in Canadian society.
To all the members, worshipers and benefactors of the Descent of the Holy Spirit Parish, we send warm and fraternal greetings and ask Christ the Lord to enlighten and guard them.
Many years with spiritual growth and blessing! Your brother in Christ, +Ioan Casian Romanian Orthodox Bishop of Canada, Saint-Hubert, November 8th, 2020”
The „Descent of the Holy Spirit” Parish in Windsor, Ontario is one of the old church founded by the first generations of Romanian immigrants who settled on the North American continent in search of a better life. It was founded on April 29, 1933, when some members of the Romanian community in Windsor, Ontario elected their first church committee. The architectural style of the church is a simplified Gothic, with a Romanesque plan. The church has five towers, two onion-shaped and three cone-shaped. The domes of the towers are decorated with crosses that have stained glass in the colors of the Romanian flag. Also, the windows are in the colors of the Romanian flag. The church was built in 1934, and the first Divine Liturgy was officiated in 1934 by Fr. Demetriius Jastremsky.
The Church of the Descent of the Holy Spirit Parish in Windsor, Ontario is currently undergoing extensive restoration and beautification. Due to the age and the climatic conditions, it is necessary to carry out complex works to replace the structures and the metal of the five towers that crown the church. An important partner in this project is the Heritage Department of the Canadian city of Windsor, Ontario, which closely monitors the rehabilitation of church towers so that at the end of them, the place of worship will be restored to its former appearance and beauty.
(contributor Rev. Fr. Nicolae Codrea)
