On August 22-24, 2024, the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada and St. Andrew's Parish in Mississauga, ON, Canada, hosted the clergy conference of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolia of the Americas. It was attended by His Eminence Nicolae, Romanian Orthodox Archbishop of the United States and Metropolitan of the Americas, His Grace Ioan Casian, Romanian Orthodox Bishop of Canada (via online), including monks, priests and deacons from the Metropolia.
The metropolitan conference started on Thursday, August 22, 2024, in the evening by officiating the Service of the Savior's Akathist. On Friday, August 23, 2024, the morning prayer of the Akathist Service of St. Ap. Andrew was performed with prayers for health. In opening the proceedings of the conference, His Eminence Archbishop and Metropolitan Nicolae offered the meditation entitled "The missionary consciousness of the priest and that of the faithful parishioners - some ideas of Rev. Prof. Ilie Moldovan". Thereafter, His Grace Ioan Casian, the Romanian Orthodox Bishop of Canada, passed through the Administrative Vicar of Canada, Petre Busuioc, the meditation entitled "The Word of God, the foundation of our renewal and healing".
Next, Fr. Paul Jannakos of St. Luke's Parish in Pallos Hills, IL (OCA), presented a talk entitled "An Orthodox Critique of Psychotherapy." The lecture was followed by a series of questions and answers on the topic including in discussion Fr. Iulian Negru from Iași.
After lunch, Prof. Dr. Sebastian Moldovan from the Faculty of Orthodox Theology in Sibiu gave a lecture entitled "Meanings of Suffering according to St. Maxim the Confessor" followed by questions and answers.
In the afternoon, Archdeacon Vlad Nechita from Baia Mare and Fr. Corneliu Dragomir from Vancouver, Canada, held a conference entitled "Churchyard Camp - ideas for organizing a day camp for children at church". The lecture was delivered via Zoom and in person, followed by a number of questions from those present. Friday concluded with the celebration of the Akatist of the Dormition of the Mother of God.
On Saturday, August 24, 2024, His Eminence Archbishop and Metropolitan Nicolae, together with all the priests and deacons present from the Romanian Orthodox Metropolia of the Americas, celebrated the Holy and Divine Liturgy. At its conclusion, His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae spoke about the significance of the Divine Liturgy as the gathering of the clergy (the three ranks) and the faithful in a city, the constitution of the Body of Christ/Church and the departure to preach after taking communion with the Body and Blood of Christ.
Saturday's meeting featured a talk by Mother Polixenia Nistor, PhD, from Iasi on "Psychospiritual care of the sick and their families. The role/contribution of the priest in the multidisciplinary health care team: challenges and opportunities."
At the conclusion of the Conference, it was deceided that the next Clergy Conference will be hosted by the Holy Trinity Parish, Troy, MI, USA (August 21-23, 2025). Special thanks were extended to the Diocese of Canada and St. Andrew's Parish in Mississauga for hosting the 2024 Metropolitan Conference with great love and spiritual warmth.
Thanks be to God for all!
Hieromonk Policarp Athenagoras
