A pilgrimage at the Monastery of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross and St Ephraim the New in Mono, Ontario, marked the beginning of the Dormition Fast in the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada.
Held from 31 July to 2 August, the event brought together faithful from several Canadian provinces, as well as numerous young people participating in the monastery’s spiritual formation programme.
The pilgrimage began on Friday evening, 31 July, with the Great Vespers.
On Saturday, Matins and the Divine Liturgy were celebrated. The liturgical responses were led by Protopsaltis Adrian Sîrbu, together with chanters from the Diocese of Canada and participants in the monastery’s course on Byzantine chant and liturgical service.
The programme continued with two catechetical lectures: one by Archimandrite Dionisie Ignat, who addressed the spiritual concerns of contemporary believers, and another by Adrian Sîrbu, lecturer at the George Enescu National University of Arts in Iași and founder of the Byzantion Academic Choir.
The day concluded with the chanting of the Supplicatory Canon to the Mother of God.
Every believer’s faith strengthens the whole Church
On Sunday, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Bishop Ioan Casian of Canada.
Reflecting on the Gospel account of Christ calming the storm, the bishop explained that every Christian has a unique vocation within the life of the Church. “As St Paul says, we are God’s fellow workers. We are God’s field.”
“Each of us has a specific role within the community in which we live and together constitute the Church. Here we see the true foundation of our lives—the foundation of faith. No one can lay any other foundation than the one already laid: faith in Christ and in the living work of God’s grace.”
His Grace stressed that the strength of the Church depends upon the faith of each of its members.
“Without a strong personal faith, no community—as the unity of believers—can possess a strong faith. It is important to realise that the faith of the Church rests upon the faith of each individual, insofar as every believer receives the working of God’s grace.”
He also emphasised the importance of personal encounters with God.
“Each of us needs these face-to-face moments with God. Time spent in church is important, but only insofar as our hearts and minds open themselves to receive God’s presence. That is what truly makes us a city. A human being, as a temple of God, becomes the city of God.”
Mono Monastery is located at 308328 Hockley Road, Mono (Orangeville), Ontario.
Photo: Diocese of Canada
