His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian met in Montreal
His Holiness Porphyry,
The Head of the Serbian Orthodox Church
On Saturday October 5, 2024, His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian participated in the Divine Liturgy performed by His Holiness Porphyry, Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church. Also present at the event were His Eminence Mitrophan - Serbian Orthodox Archbishop of Toronto and Metropolitan of Canada, His Eminence Irenée - Archbishop of the Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada (OCA) and His Grace Nikon de Jenopil - Patriarchal Vicar Bishop of the Patriarchate of Serbia.
His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian responded to the invitation made by His Eminence Metropolitan Mitrofan. The Romanian hierarch of Canada was accompanied by Fr. Petre Busuioc, administrative vicar of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada and Hegumen Polycarp, coordinator of the Communication Department of the Diocese.
The event was attended by members of the clergy and faithful from several sister Orthodox Churches in Canada.
The official visit of His Beatitude Patriarch Porphyry, between October 5 and 7, 2024, was occasioned by the 70th anniversary of the founding of Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Parish in Montreal. The program of the visit included meetings with the Serbian faithful, with Canadian state and local authorities, but also with representatives of the other Orthodox Churches.
During the reception, His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian offered to the Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church the icon of the Savior Pantocrator of homage and commemorative year 2024 accompanied by the anniversary medal and diploma of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada as a sign of greeting and appreciation.
In His response, the Primate of the Serbian Orthodox Church thanked for the gifts. The Primate evoked the special connection that the Serbian Orthodox Church has with the Romanian Orthodox Church and urged the His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian to convey on His behalf the good wishes and appreciation He has for His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of Romania.
Referring to today's context, the Primate of the Serbian Orthodox Church further emphasized the need for cooperation between the Orthodox Churches in contemporary society and the need for the Orthodox Church in general to be actively present not only in the lives of its believers but also in the world. In a modern society with many rapid changes and in a complex context from a social, political and economic point of view, Christian values must be boldly and visibly promoted as signs of God's blessing and presence but also as elements that must constitute the foundation of an authentic and spiritually and socially healthy society.
His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian also offered the anniversary medal and diploma of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada to His Eminence Mitrophan – Serbian Orthodox Metropolitan of Canada for the entire missionary pastoral activity carried out over time in Canada.
The visit of the Patriarch of Serbia continued with the meeting of young Serbs in Montreal. On Sunday, October 6, the Primate of Serbian Orthodox Church served the Divine Liturgy at Saint Sava Parish in Toronto.
(notes by Hegumen Polycarp Athenagoras)
