“What, then, does the Church mean? It is the community of believers in which God’s work and His grace dwell, and in which the Holy Trinity is reflected,” Bishop Ioan Casian of Canada said on Saturday during the patronal feast of the Romanian Orthodox parish in Gatineau, Quebec.
The occasion marked the completion of an important stage in the parish’s history: the church mortgage has been paid off in full.
A new phase in building for the future
Against the background of the patronal feast and the recognition of the church’s founders and benefactors, the hierarch also spoke about the true meaning of the Church. A place of worship is not merely a physical structure, but the place where the community of believers gathers and where the grace of God is at work.
“When the Holy Apostle Paul speaks about the Church, he speaks about the living community,” His Grace recalled.
The fulfilment of the church’s financial obligations does not, however, mark the end of the community’s work of building for the future.
During the patronal feast, Phase II – Adorning the Church was officially launched under the motto: “Today we build in faith. Tomorrow we adorn for generations.”
The new phase seeks to continue the work begun by generations of founders and benefactors and to prepare the place of worship for the generations to come.
The Mother of God
In his homily, Bishop Ioan Casian spoke about the Mother of God’s role in the economy of salvation and in drawing humanity closer to Christ.
“The Virgin Mary, as the fruit of the work of the human race, is the result of prayer and sacrifice across generations,” the hierarch recalled.
“The Church Year is framed by two feasts of the Mother of God. Why? I would say this is because she is the one who introduces us — or has already introduced us, through the humanity that Christ the Saviour took from her — into closeness with her Son.”
Humanity’s response to God’s call
Interpreting the Gospel parable of those invited to the wedding feast of the king’s son, the Romanian Orthodox Bishop of Canada explained that coming to church is, first and foremost, humanity’s response to God’s call and an expression of the desire to enter into communion with Him.
“The first and foremost reason we come to church is to speak to God and to meet Him. In the Church, we meet God,” the hierarch emphasised.
This encounter with God reaches its fullness in the Divine Liturgy and the Holy Eucharist, through which the faithful are given the possibility of remaining in communion with Christ.
Appeal to uphold family values
At the end of his homily, the Bishop of Canada encouraged the faithful to pay particular attention to family life and to pass on the faith to their children and future generations.
“I encourage you to speak to your children and to those you know about the importance of the family and the joy of being able to establish a family, because it is blessed by God, especially when it receives its blessing in the Church,” His Grace said.
Following the Divine Liturgy, Bishop Ioan Casian presented diplomas and distinctions to the church’s principal founders and benefactors in recognition of the contributions, sacrifices and steadfast support through which they have helped build and develop the parish community.
Photo: Diocese of Canada
