Celebrating 70 years of Lithuanian Resurrection Parish in Toronto
On November 18, 2023 the community of Toronto Lithuanian Resurrection Parish was celebrating 70 years anniversary.
During the solemn event, Embassy’s diplomat Inga Miškinytė presented the Medals of Honour of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania “For Merits to Lithuania by Global Lithuanians” to Augustinas Simanavičius, pastor-emeritus of the Resurrection Parish, and Jonas Šileika, the current pastor. The medal is awarded to diaspora Lithuanians, for their special merits in fostering Lithuanian Heritage abroad, promoting the involvement of the diaspora Lithuanians in the life of Lithuania and the creation of prosperity in Lithuania.
"For decades, your community has created and maintained a source of Lithuanian cultural, social, charitable activities while supporting Lithuania and Lithuanians in Canada. I sincerely thank your community for the meaningful and noble contribution you have made in passing Lithuanian culture and Catholic traditions to the younger generation, for your charitable activities, and for maintaining a vibrant connection with Lithuania.” – Darius Skusevičius, Ambassador of Lithuania to Canada, wrote in his congratulatory letter to the parishioners.
From 1973 to 2012, A. Simanavičius was the pastor of the largest Lithuanian parish in Canada, thanks to him, the parish was not only a center of Catholic activity for believers of Lithuanian origin in Toronto, but also an important source for maintaining Lithuanian activities in Canada. A. Simanavičius was actively involved in the preservation of Lithuanian identity, especially among young people.
Reverend J. Šileika has been the pastor of Resurrection Parish since 2013. Lithuanian Canadian Foundation, "Volungė" choir, "Aušra" sports club operate under the roof of the parish, it is also used for the events organized by the Lithuanian Canadian community and other Lithuanian organizations, the consular missions of the Embassy of Lithuanian to Canada are organized here.
