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.

Photo and videos from the funeral of Bishop Varlaam (Novakshonoff) at All Saints of North America Monastery in Dewdney, BC, as clergy and faithful assemble to bid farewell to the beloved hierarch.

Funeral service at All Saints of North America Monastery in Dewdney

Burial in Orthodox cemetery in Vancouver