On May 6th, 2017 took place the first General Assembly of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada. The Divine Liturgy was served in the morning by His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae together with His Eminence Metropolitan Nifon, His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian, 27 priests and 2 deacons.
The work session of the General Assembly was preceded Prof. Lucian Turcescu’s conference with the title: “The martyrdom of the Romanian Orthodox Church under the Communist regime in Romania and diaspora” The conference was followed by His Eminence Metropolitan Iosif’s address. Everyone in attendance could find out about the experience of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolia of Western and Southern Europe and how the Church fulfilled its mission in diaspora.
The General Assembly was officially opened by His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae. It was approved the Minutes of the Congress held in Hamilton in 2016. During the work session of the General Assembly, His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae offered for the first time “the American Metropolitan Cross” distinction and the engolpion to His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian.
The new website of the Canadian Diocese was launched and also were presented the financial reports for 2016 and budget for 2017-2018. The ROYA and AROLA reports followed. It was read the official correspondence sent to the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, the Prime Minister of the Quebec Province, Philippe Couillard and to the Mayor of Brossard, Paul Leduc. Towards the end of the General Assembly’s work session was elected the new Diocesan Council, the Eparchial Consistory and the representative to the Metropolitan Consistory.
In his closing remarks, His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae urged priests and faithful to support the new hierarch in the missionary activity. The day concluded with Vespers served by His Eminence Nicolae. Fr. Prof. Vasile Mihoc delivered the sermon.
