In 2013, the Bishop of Toronto and the College of Bishops, with the approval of the Diocesan Council, created an award called the Order of the Diocese of Toronto.
The purpose of the Order is to recognize and honour those members of the laity in the Diocese who have given outstanding service over a significant period of time in their volunteer ministry. We give thanks to God for the work and witness of those faithful lay persons in our Diocese who in the exercise of their baptismal ministry have demonstrated that “their light shines, their works glorify.”
Nominations
The bishops will approve one nomination from each parish in the designated deaneries for the year.
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
| York Mills | Scarborough | Eglinton |
| York Central | Etobicoke-Humber | North Peel |
| Mississauga | Toronto East | Tecumseth |
| Parkdale-West Toronto | Oshawa | St. James |
| Peterborough | Huronia | Durham-Northumberland |
| Holland | Victoria-Haliburton | |
| Nottawasaga |
Nominations can be made by any parishioner. They’re submitted to the incumbent and churchwardens, who will choose only one nomination to be forwarded to the bishop. (Awards will not be given posthumously.)
Submit your nomination to your bishop’s office by Nov. 18, 2024.
Each parish’s nomination must include a short biography of the nominee and a brief summary of the reason the nominee has been proposed. Nominations also need to include a processing fee of $25 payable to The Incorporated Synod of the Diocese of Toronto to cover the costs of the medallion and pin.
Once nominations have been approved by your bishop, they’ll be forwarded to the Diocesan Bishop’s office for final approval.
In addition to the parish nominations, the Bishop of Toronto may name additional Awards of the Order. Typically, such nominees will be persons whose service has been diocesan wide, or if mainly at the parish level, has had an impact in the Diocese beyond the parish where the service has been made.
Presentations
The presentations will be made at the Bishop’s Levee at St. James Cathedral on the Feast of the Naming of Jesus, January 1. All are welcome to attend.
The Order takes the form of a medallion in coloured enamel, which is worn around the neck on a ribbon. The medallion can be worn at:
- special occasions, in parishes or at the diocesan level
- worship or an event where the Bishop of Toronto or a suffragan bishop of Toronto is present
- Synod and diocesan services and events
- at the installation of new members
Holders of the Order will also receive a small lapel pin to be worn with everyday dress.
A record of all awards of the Order made is kept in the register, which includes the pertinent details of each award of the Order, including the recipients’ name, biographical information and photograph, the reason the award was made and the date of the award. The register is kept at the diocesan Synod Office and is a public document.