To the Beloved Clergy, Monastics and Faithful of the Archdiocese of Canada. These words sung every Sunday at orthros express the path that each one of us must embark upon, leading to the life saving Passion oh Holy Week and Christ’s glorious Resurrection. Repentance is essential for all Christians and our Holy Church, in her love for us, has given us this season to grow into repentance and life in Christ.

The words of Our Lord, in His prayer, given to us, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us” indicate to us the absolute necessity of forgiveness in our lives. We all are in great need of forgiveness, but the essential condition is that we also forgive.

I take this opportunity to ask from all of you beloved, forgiveness for my failure towards you, whether voluntary or involuntary.

May God, through the prayers of His beloved Mother, Saint John the Baptist, and all the Saints help us through the Lenten struggles that all together we may celebrate the most glorious Resurrection of Christ.

Lent 2026

IRÉNÉE

Archbishop of Ottawa and Canada (OCA)