Celebration of Saint John Cassian

at the Cathedral of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada

On February 27 and 28, the Cathedral became a place of prayer, liturgical communion, repentance, and spiritual joy. Clergy and faithful of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada marked both the first week of Great Lent and the feast of one of the diocese’s protectors – Saint John Cassian, a Romanian monk born in what is now Dobrogea and a missionary in western Europe.

On Friday evening, the faithful participated in the Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, celebrated by His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian, assisted by Protos. Maxim Morariu, ecclesiarch, Fr. Traian Petre Constantin, Fr. Daniel Ungureanu, Fr. Ion Ceaușu, and Hieromonk Polycarp.

On Saturday, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated with the participation of Protos. Maxim Morariu, Fr. Olimpiu Mărginean, and Deacon Valentin Boțu.

In his homily, the bishop recalled the Saturday of Saint Theodore the Recruit and the miracle by which he protected the faithful from defilement by idols.

He also gave a brief overview of the lives of the two Romanian saints – Saint John Cassian and Saint Herman of Dobrogea – highlighting their spiritual journey from their homelands to Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Cappadocia, Egypt, Constantinople, Rome, and Marseille. The bishop emphasized Saint John Cassian’s importance as a spiritual author through his works – Institutes of the Monastic Life, Conferences, and On the Incarnation of the Lord – which testify to monastic life in the Christian East and refute the heresies of his time, such as Pelagianism and Nestorianism, leaving a lasting impact on monastic life.

The attendees also congratulated the bishop on his name day. The celebration concluded with the blessing of the faithful, in an atmosphere of communion and prayer.