The Clergy Conference of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of the Americas was held at the Romanian Orthodox Parish in Mississauga, Ontario, from August 22 to August 24, 2024. The event convened monastics, priests, and deacons from various parts of the city to engage in a conversation about pastoral themes and psycho-spiritual health.
Bishop Ioan Casian of Canada participated remotely through an online portal, while His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae of the Americas attended the gathering.
The first day of the conference began with the Akathist to St. Andrew the Apostle and prayers for health. In his opening address, Metropolitan Nicolae presented “The Missionary Consciousness of the Priest and the Parishioner’s Perspective – Some Ideas from Rev. Professor Ilie Moldovan.”
Father Petre Busuioc, the administrative vicar of Canada, then delivered a presentation on behalf of Bishop Ioan Casian, entitled “The Word of God, Foundation of Our Renewal and Healing.”
Father Paul Jannakos from St. Luke Parish in Palos Hills, Illinois (Orthodox Church of America), gave a talk titled “An Orthodox Critique of Psychotherapy,” which was followed by a series of questions and a discussion involving Father Iulian Negru from Iași.
On the Suffering of the Sick and Their Families
In the second part of the day, Professor Dr. Sebastian Moldovan from the Faculty of Orthodox Theology in Sibiu presented a lecture titled “Meanings of Suffering According to St. Maximus the Confessor,” followed by a dialogue with the audience.
In the afternoon, Deacon Vlad Nechita from Baia Mare and Father Corneliu Dragomir from Vancouver, Canada, delivered the presentation “The Churchyard Camp – Ideas for Organizing a Day Camp for Children at Church.”
The day concluded with the Akathist of the Dormition of the Mother of God.
The Divine Liturgy was celebrated on the final day of the conference. Metropolitan Nicolae discussed the Divine Liturgy’s importance as a city-wide assembly of clergy and laity, the formation of the Body of Christ/Church, and the call to mission that follows communion with the Body and Blood of Christ.
After the service, Nun Polixenia Nistor from Iași gave a presentation titled “Psycho-Spiritual Care for the Sick and Their Families. The Role/Contribution of the Priest in the Multidisciplinary Healthcare Team: Challenges and Opportunities.”
The Romanian Orthodox Parish in Troy, Michigan, USA, will host the subsequent clergy conference from August 21 to 23, 2025.
Photo: mitropolia.us
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