Press Releases 2006

December 13, 2006

For Immediate Release

KLEES: Russian Traditions are Vibrant Part of

Canadian Cultural Mosaic

(Queen's Park) Oak Ridges MPP Frank Klees, the PC Education and Citizenship & Immigration Critic, today made the following statement on the occasion of St Andrew's Day (December 13 th ):

"Today the Russian Orthodox Church and community, among others, celebrates the feast of St Andrew the Apostle, in accordance with the Julian calendar.

"By tradition, St Andrew travelled to Scythia where he founded the ancient Church of Rus '. Following in his footsteps, the Russian Orthodox Church developed a great tradition of faith and culture that was later brought by Russian missionaries, such as Sts Herman, Innocent, Juvenaly and John of Shanghai, to Alaska , California and Canada .

"Russian Canadians continue in their steadfast love for their rich and colourful traditions that enliven the multicultural fabric of all of Canadian society.

"On behalf of John Tory and the Ontario PC Caucus, I congratulate our Russian Canadian Community on all its many ongoing contributions and extend my sincere best wishes for a happy St Andrew's Day. Z prazdnikom!"

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For further information

Frank Klees, MPP

416-325-7316