The Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada marks this year a decade since its establishment, with a series of religious and cultural events scheduled for 8–10 May.
The celebrations will take place at the Cathedral of Saint George the Great Martyr and Saints Epictetus and Astion in Saint-Hubert, Canada.
Anniversary Programme
The programme will open on 8 May at 18:00 with Vespers.
On 9 May, Matins will be served at 08:00, followed by the Divine Liturgy, a Te Deum service of thanksgiving and a festive agape meal.
At 13:00, a symposium will be held on the theme: “Holiness in Contemporary Life: The Asceticism of Holiness — Cross and Resurrection in Family and Monastic Life.”
The events will continue on Sunday, 10 May, from 08:30 with Matins and the Divine Liturgy, followed by an anniversary agape featuring a traditional artistic programme.
“We are pleased to invite you to take part in large numbers in this special moment,” the diocese said in a statement.
Historical Background
The canonical organisation of the Romanian Orthodox Church in North America began with a Church Congress held in Detroit, Michigan, on 25 April 1929, bringing together clergy and lay representatives of Romanian Orthodox parishes in the United States and Canada.
The congress resolved to establish a missionary episcopate under the jurisdiction of the Romanian Orthodox Church, a decision later approved by the Patriarchate’s National Church Congress in November 1929.
Further organisational steps were taken at a Church Congress in Cleveland, Ohio, on 30 October 1932, which adopted a statute regulating ecclesiastical life in accordance with the Holy Canons.
The modern Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada was officially founded following the decision of the Archdiocesan Congress of the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese of the Americas, held in Hamilton, Ontario, from 1–3 July 2016.
This decision was approved by the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church during its session of 28–29 October 2016.
Photo: Diocese of Canada
