Vladyka Irénée has blessed an all-Canada prayer service to be held online via the Zoom app this Friday at 7pm Eastern time. The Akathist and Small Compline will be served by Vladyka, Fr Geoffrey Ready, and a small choir. This is a much-needed opportunity for all of us in Canada to join together in prayer and ask the Mother of God for her protection during this very challenging time. Please invite your faithful to be a part of this beautiful service (we can accommodate up to 10,000 participants).

To all the Reverend Clergy, Monastics and Faithful of our Archdiocese of Canada My beloved Fathers, Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

For days we have been monitoring this crisis. Last night the Holy Synod assembled in teleconference to hear the advice of medical and legal counsels.

This is by far the most difficult decision I will probably have to make in my life. Considering that this COVID-19 virus has now begun to transmit within the community, it is essential that we abide strictly with the guidelines of our Civil and Medical authorities.

Much has been written on how to behave with this pandemic of Coronavirus. Please follow the directives of the medical authorities .

May Our merciful Lord Jesus Christ keep us all safe, may this difficult period pass quickly through the intercession of His most blessed Mother, the Ever-Virgin Mary the Theotokos.

+Archbishop Irénée 

The following prayer to be read during Divine Liturgy after the litany for the catechumens:  

His Eminence Archbishop Irénée visited St. Hilary of Poitiers Orthodox Community in Québec City on Sunday 8 March, where he presided over the Divine Liturgy for this first Sunday of the Great Lent. His Eminence took this opportunity to give the community an icon of the patron saint of the mission and to tonsure a reader.

The archbishop also visited Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Québec City.