First, I want to thank my colleague the member for Humber River–Black Creek for bringing us together on this bill. You deserve a lot of credit, sir.

And I want to thank everyone who has come down today to support this bill. You’ve been generous with your time, with your support, and I think it’s very clear, even from the opening remarks here, that your emotion, your commitment is going to carry the day. I think I can say comfortably there’s a pretty good chance the government will vote in favour.

Interjection.

It is timely. It’s the right moment to recognize the contribution of the Orthodox Church to the culture of this country.

I will, of course, surprise no one when I say that my focus will be on the Greek Orthodox church. My riding, Toronto–Danforth, is home to Greektown, still a very large Greek population, and also home to a number of Orthodox churches, the largest Greek ones being St. Irene Chrysovalantou—

Interruption.

I want to say to those of you who have perhaps visited the Danforth from time to time, you’ve seen restaurants, but there’s a whole culture that’s anchored in the Greek Orthodox church that goes on behind the scenes. The actual Greek businesses reflect that, but there’s a deeper root. And the rhythms of that community, of our community, are reflected in the baptisms and the weddings and the funerals that take place at those Greek Orthodox and other Orthodox churches.

On Christmas, on Good Friday, on Orthodox Easter, you can see the impact of the church on the day-to-day life.

For those who have not had the experience, on the evening of Good Friday, of going for a procession through the streets with the Epitaphios and the profound impact it has on those who are in the procession and those who are watching—very, very impressive and very, very moving.

As you are all aware—but I want to get it on the record—the Orthodox church traces its lineage back to the Apostolic community. Early followers embarked on a mission to spread the teachings of Christ across the world. Their efforts were tireless and led to the establishment of churches in the Balkans and the Middle East during the first century AD. These ancient churches formed the bedrock of the Orthodox tradition.

During the first eight centuries of Christian history, the Byzantine Empire played a pivotal role. The capital, Constantinople, emerged as a vital centre for Christianity. The Greek language flourished, becoming the medium for theological writings, liturgical practices and doctrinal development. The Byzantine legacy profoundly shaped the Greek Orthodox church, providing the foundational patterns that endure to this day.

The Greek Orthodox church is rooted in Greek culture, and it’s fair to say that Greek culture is rooted in the church. The Greek Orthodox church, because of that interaction, played a pivotal role in the preservation of national identity, the development of Greek society and the resurgence of Greek nationalism.

For those who were here on the declaration of independence, the start of the war of independence for Greeks, people know that the Greeks lived under the very oppressive dark rule of the Ottomans for 400 years—heavy taxation, forced religious conversions, controlled movements and, heaviest of all, the seizure of children for the Ottoman military, the Janissary.

Saint Cosmas of Aetolia, while preaching throughout mainland Greece, comforted the Greek people and encouraged the opening of churches and schools because education was valued by the Orthodox faith, and because people knew if you were going to keep the spirit of the Hellenes alive, the Greek Orthodox church alive, you had to have those schools. Secret or open, they had to exist. The church was vital to keeping Hellenism alive through those four dark centuries, and then it was vital to ending that darkness.

On March 25, 1821, Bishop Paleon Patron Germanos raised the flag of the Greek revolution at the Monastery of Agia Lavra. The day of the Annunciation had been chosen as the day of the official start of the Greek revolution by the leader of the Filiki Eteria, Alexander Ypsilantis. The importance of the religious holiday and the blessing of Bishop Germanos emboldened the Greek people to fight for their freedom. The intertwining between Greek culture and the Greek Orthodox church was profound.

Greek Orthodoxy extends beyond religious practice. It is a guardian of Greek identity. The Greek Orthodox church stands as a testament to unwavering faith, cultural continuity and the enduring legacy of the Apostles.

Let us honour this rich heritage with the passage of this bill and appreciate the profound impact it has had on our world.

I would like to thank my colleague from Humber River for bringing forward this piece of legislation.

It is an honour to conclude the government’s remarks on the second reading debate of Bill 167, the Orthodox Christian Week Act.

This bill is close to my heart. As many of you might know, I am a Coptic Orthodox Christian, and I’m proud to be a member of this community. I’m proud to be the first elected parliamentarian in Canadian history of Coptic origin.

As the member of Mississauga–Erin Mills, I am proud to say that Mississauga is home to one of the largest Orthodox Christian communities anywhere in Ontario, from St. Mary and St. Athanasius Coptic church and the Canadian Coptic Centre and another six Coptic churches, Coptic Christians come as the largest Orthodox community of Mississauga. But that’s not it; there are more: Prophet Elias Greek church, Armenian church, St. Ilija Macedonian church, St. Mary’s Antiochian church, Ado-Remerea Romanian church, Mar Elias Syrian church, All Serbian Saints church, St. Peter’s Syriac church, St. Gregorios Indian church—all Orthodox churches. They have not only kept their faith for thousands of years, but also preserved their culture and traditions, passing their teachings from generation to generation. The Coptic Church, as an example of that, preserved the Coptic language till our date today.

Whether it’s Palm Sunday, Good Friday or attending the night of the Apocalypse in the church—each with distinguished traditions that I have kept to this day—and ends with the resurrection of Christ and greetings for one another: “Ekhrestos Anesti,” “Alithos Anesti” or, in Coptic, “Be’khrestos Aftonf,” “Khen O Methmi Aftonf,” which means “Christ is risen—indeed He is Risen.”

Mr. Speaker, this bill, which recognizes the long-standing history of the community and its rich cultural traditions, is an important step to show our support and appreciation for the over 550,000 Orthodox Christians who call our province home, and for all they have done and continue to do to build a stronger and more vibrant Ontario.

If passed, this bill will not only give the community the acknowledgment they deserve, but will ensure that Ontarians, for years and generations to come, will remember all the ways in which the Orthodox Christian community have helped shape our province into everything it is today.

I am proud to have had the opportunity to rise today and to show my support for this important bill alongside my colleagues and to reaffirm our commitment to celebrating the diversity and inclusivity that is central to who we are as Ontarians.

It’s an incredible honour to be able to stand in the Legislature today and speak on the bill brought forward by the member for Humber River–Black Creek, Orthodox Christian Week Act.

Welcome to all the people in the galleries.

I’m not of the Orthodox faith, but two summers ago, one of the greatest experiences in my life happened in a Greek Orthodox church: My grandson was baptized in a Greek Orthodox church in Lebanon, and I was there. I often think about that day—how our family was welcomed, how my grandson was welcomed into your faith, and how it truly is a world faith. It’s high time that it’s recognized here in Ontario for the contributions you have made.