Ontario pilgrimage marks start of Dormition Fast in Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada

A pilgrimage at the Monastery of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross and St Ephraim the New in Mono, Ontario, marked the beginning of the Dormition Fast in the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada.

Held from 31 July to 2 August, the event brought together faithful from several Canadian provinces, as well as numerous young people participating in the monastery’s spiritual formation programme.

The pilgrimage began on Friday evening, 31 July,  with the Great Vespers.

On Saturday, Matins and the Divine Liturgy were celebrated. The liturgical responses were led by Protopsaltis Adrian Sîrbu, together with chanters from the Diocese of Canada and participants in the monastery’s course on Byzantine chant and liturgical service.

The programme continued with two catechetical lectures: one by Archimandrite Dionisie Ignat, who addressed the spiritual concerns of contemporary believers, and another by Adrian Sîrbu, lecturer at the George Enescu National University of Arts in Iași and founder of the Byzantion Academic Choir.

The day concluded with the chanting of the Supplicatory Canon to the Mother of God.

Every believer’s faith strengthens the whole Church On Sunday, the Divine…