Archbishop Irénée Chrismates Twelve at St Maria's in Hamilton

His Eminence Archbishop Irénée made an Archpastoral visit to St Maria of Paris Orthodox Church in Hamilton over the weekend of Lazarus Saturday and Palm Sunday, marking a time of great joy and spiritual renewal for the parish community.

The visit began on Lazarus Saturday morning with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy, followed by the baptism and chrismation of twelve catechumens. In a profound and memorable moment, His Eminence personally chrismated each of the newly illumined, welcoming them fully into the life of the Church.

That evening, the parish gathered once more for the full festal Vigil for the Feast of the Entrance of the Lord into Jerusalem, entering more deeply into the liturgical rhythm of Holy Week.

The weekend culminated in a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy on Sunday morning, with over 130 faithful in attendance. In his homily, Archbishop Irénée offered a word of encouragement to the community, calling all to reorient their lives toward simple and faithful acts of love—toward strangers, friends, and family alike—reminding the faithful that in loving our neighbour, we walk in the humility of Christ who himself rode upon a donkey. 

Following the Liturgy, the parish shared a joyful fellowship meal before bidding farewell to His Eminence.

The entire weekend was marked by a deep sense of grace and thanksgiving. As one parishioner reflected, “Yesterday was an unbelievable day, a Tabor moment. The whole weekend was. ‘The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad.’”