Canadians in the province of Ontario celebrated Orthodox Christian Week for the first time following its official recognition by the regional legislature. The inaugural reception took place on Bright Tuesday at the Ontario Parliament building, Queen’s Park.
Orthodox Christian Week will now be observed annually during Bright Week, which begins with Orthodox Easter, celebrated according to the unrevised (Julian) calendar.
The first official Orthodox Week reception in Ontario was moderated by MPP Tom Rakocevic, who initiated the legislative project.
During the event, MPP Tom Rakocevic introduced representatives from each Orthodox Church present in the province.
The Romanian Orthodox Church was represented by Father Petruță Busuioc, Vicar General of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada, along with priests Viorel Țencaliuc, Emanuel Ionuț Țencaliuc, and Hieromonk Policarp Athenagoras.
“I sincerely thank everyone who worked with me to make Orthodox Christian Week a reality,” said Tom Rakocevic.
“Passing this bill highlights Ontario’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, reflecting the province’s efforts to support the rights of all cultural and religious communities.”
Canada is home to nearly one million Orthodox Christians, with the vast majority residing in Ontario. The legislation recognizing Orthodox Christian Week was officially adopted in December 2024.
Photo: Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada
