The Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada invites faithful from across the diocese to participate in the Diocesan Anniversary Days, taking place from May 2 to May 4, marking eight years since its establishment (2017–2025).
The event highlights the steadfastness of Romanian Orthodoxy in Canada, while 2025 carries multiple significant anniversaries for the Orthodox faith and the Romanian Orthodox Church.
This year marks:
- 100 years since the elevation of the Romanian Orthodox Church to the rank of Patriarchate;
- 140 years since the recognition of Romanian Orthodox autocephaly;
- 1700 years since the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea in 325;
- 2025 has also been declared the Commemorative Year of the Confessor Fathers from Communist Prisons.
In this broader context, the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada aims to organize a series of spiritual, cultural, and liturgical events to reflect the continuity and confession of the Orthodox faith within the Romanian diaspora.
Program Overview
On May 3, at the Cathedral of Saint George and Saints Epictetus and Astion in Saint-Hubert, a symposium will be held on the theme: “The Orthodox Church Today – Local Responsibility and Inter-Christian Ecumenical Mission.”
Speakers include:
- Fr. Dragoș Giulea, who will deliver a lecture on the significance of the Council of Nicaea;
- Denitsa Tzvetkova, who will discuss the conciliar decision regarding the date of Easter;
- Rev. Prof. John McGuckin, who will explore Nicaea’s legacy as an ecumenical vision for contemporary Christian mission.
Another important section of the symposium is dedicated to newly canonized Romanian saints:
- Fr. Nicolae Codrea will present on Saint Hilarion Felea;
- Protosyncellus Corneliu Andrașco will speak about Saint Dometius the Merciful of Râmeț;
- Fr. Constantin Lupașcu will analyse the life of Saint Arsenius of Prislop, exploring the balance between myth, reality, and sanctity.
Additionally:
- Fr. Prof. Patriciu Dorin Vlaicu will address the theme of autocephaly;
- Hieromonk Maxim Morariu will present the evolution of the Romanian Orthodox Church from the Great Union to its elevation to a Patriarchate;
- Dr. Adriana Bară will offer a lecture on the continuity and specificity of Moldavian external church frescoes from Byzantium to Bukovina.
Photo: Basilica.ro
