A new beginning for the Boian community

Ground-breaking service for the construction of the new church

Sunday, August 4, 2024, opened a new chapter in the life of the community in Boian, Alberta. One year and two months after the disappearance in flames of the historical church, founded on the Boian hill by the hard-working Romanian pioneers in 1905, the descendants of the worthy pioneers, accompanied by numerous people from Edmonton, gathered around His Grace Ioan Cassian for the Divine Liturgy and the special service of laying the foundation stone for the new church.

         The reconstruction committee, which worked with great dedication in preparing the necessary documentation and selecting a specialized company, announced that the time has come for the blessing of the works.

Therefore, on the first Sunday of the fast of the Dormition of the Mother of God, at the summer Altar on the Boian hill, the priests and faithful present welcomed with the traditional bread and salt and with the Holy Gospel the Bishop of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada, His Grace Ioan Casian. The concelebrant priests of the Hierarchical Liturgy were: Fr. Dean Calin Mărincaș from Saskatoon, Fr. Gheorghe Petrovan, the parish priest, and Fr George Bazgan from Edmonton.

         The Divine Liturgy was followed by a special service for the blessing of the place where the new church will be built, the placement of the cross where the Holy Table will be and the laying of the foundation stone.

         At the end, His Grace Ioan Casian gave a speech appropriate for the moment, saying:

"We have gathered on this holy day to hear the word of the Lord, which reminds us of our true identity, of the fact that we are created by God. Today we remember the sad day when the church, the historical site, burned to the ground. The news was shared not only by Romanians in Alberta, but also by those from all over Canada and even by those in Romania, His Beatitude the Patriarch himself expressing his sadness upon hearing the news. This is because the church of Boian was already part of the Canadian culture, being founded by the generation of emigrants who also founded this country on the moral and spiritual principles and values of love, family, service, acts of humanitarianism and mutual aid. This day is important because we are starting a new church, we are blessing the reconstruction works that will begin in the coming days. We are now in a moment of joy and a new beginning. This generation and the ones to come will thus have a place of prayer where they will participate in the Sacraments of the Church and carry on this extraordinary heritage and identity.

We hope that next year we will gather again here to consecrate the new church according to the ordinances of the Orthodox Church. That is why I ask you to support this community with your prayers and financial contribution, in the spirit of love and solidarity. May God help us and bless us!"

         The traditional fellowship, prepared by the parish ladies, was served in the church hall.

Glory to God for everything!

Fr George Bazgan