Bishop Ioan Casian of Canada attended celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel Parish in Montreal, Canada, held from 1 to 3 October.
The bishop noted that “in the reality of Orthodox communities in North America, 25 years already represents a seed that has taken root and is beginning to bear fruit”.
The anniversary programme included conferences on various topics and liturgical services. Bishop Ioan Casian celebrated the Divine Liturgy on Saturday and highlighted the anniversary’s significance for the Montreal parish community.
“Christians have founded churches and monasteries and have passed this faith down from generation to generation, to us today, keeping the message of salvation alive,” His Grace said.
“This mission, and later this church, has proved to be a dwelling place of God and a home where we come to pray and remember God, but at the same time, above all, to remember who we are. Because this is essential.”
Communion with God
The Bishop of Canada explained that preserving the faith and listening to God are important for Romanian communities.
“The moment we forget to speak with and about God, we will also forget who we are.”
“When God comes and speaks to us, or when we look towards the Christian tradition, this tradition does not speak to us only about God as Someone other than ourselves. It also speaks to us about who we truly are.”
The bishop emphasised the need to live in communion with God.
“The moment you discover God, all the other things around you diminish in importance compared with the way someone regarded them when they did not believe.”
Bishop Ioan Casian also recalled important moments in the parish’s history and reflected on its development over the 25 years since its establishment.
“It has proved to be a dwelling place of God and a home where we come to pray and remember God, but at the same time, above all, to remember who we are.”
At the end of the service, the Bishop of Canada presented parish priest Fr Constantin Ciubotariu with a diploma of merit and the Diocese Medal. Several community members also received distinctions.
