Bolton ON Saint Kosmas Aitolos Greek Orthodox Monastery 1993

Bolton, Ontario, Saint Kosmas Aitolos Greek Orthodox Monastery, 1993

Bolton, Ontario, Saint Kosmas Aitolos Monastery, 1993

Holy Monastery of Saint Kosmas Aitolos, 1993

Prehistory

The life and work of Archimandrite Ephraim (Moraitis) (who is considered by many to be holy) served as the preparation for the establishment of the Greek Orthodox Monastery of Saint Kosmas Aitolos, at Bolton, Ontario, Canada. It was because of Archimandrite Ephraim's love for the Lord (developed over many years of experience as a monk) that he received the blessing to undertake his missionary activities in North America. This missionary activity came not of his own will, but rather from the blessing of the Lord through his superiors.

Schema-Archimandrite Ephraim (Moraitis)

A disciple of Saint Joseph the Hesychast, Archimandrite Ephraim (Moraitis) had been given the obedience to revive the spiritual life of several monasteries on Mount Athos, beginning with the Philotheou Monastery, and then including the Xeropotamou, Konstamonitou, and Karakallou Monasteries.

These monasteries continued under his spiritual guidance throughout his life.

Along with the monasteries on Mount Athos, there are several other monasteries in Greece which were under Elder Ephraim’s spiritual guidance : the Monastery of Saint John the Forerunner in Serres ; the Monastery of Panagia the Directress in Portaria (Volos) ; the Monastery of the Archangel Michael, on the island of Thasos (this monastery is a formal metochion of the Philotheou Monastery).

In order to clarify how things developed, we repeat the following passage from an article about Archimandrite Ephraim :

 In 1979, Elder Ephraim became ill, and he needed a surgery.  Then his 
 spiritual children from Canada offered to provide the surgery in Canada. 
 The Elder agreed. As soon as he arrived in Canada and he began his 
 examinations with the doctors, he started at the same time to hear 
 confessions, to admonish, and to teach expatriate Greeks.  His pastoral 
 activity was followed by invitations from the USA.

The surgery was successful. For more than a month, Elder Ephraim had stayed in North America, and he met various representatives of the Greek community. He came to understand clearly that the spiritual life amongst the families of Greek immigrants had been disrupted. People remained for a long time without the healing sacrament (mystery) of confession. Some of them were burdened by grave sins. Some, totally unprepared, were receiving the Mystery of Holy Communion. Some did not keep the canons of the Church, nor had they been properly taught what they are. They forgot the pious Orthodox way of life, the Greek national traditions of their forebears, and they had become accustomed to a base (and sometimes deplorable) manner of living.

Father Ephraim (moved by love and compassion) decided to go to North America more and more often. He first visited believers in parishes in Canada, particularly in Toronto, London, Vancouver, and Montréal. London, Ontario, served as an early focus for his spiritual and pastoral labours. Then he was invited to the USA.

Ultimately, the Council of the Holy Mountain warned him that he could not continue in this manner, and that he must choose between the Holy Mountain and America. The Elder Ephraim began to pray, and it was revealed to him that his place was to be in America. At the appeal of the Orthodox Faithful, he gave himself up to the holy mission of confession. He decided to move to the USA for the sake of the spiritual care of his flock, and for the revival of spiritual life in the Greek communities of North America.

At first, the Episcopal Synod of the Archdiocese of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in America resisted this, and Elder Ephraim sought help from the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia. As Elder Ephraim recalled : "I was received here with great love and genuine understanding". A year later, under the personal patronage of the Patriarch of Constantinople, the problem of jurisdiction was resolved.

Elder Ephraim returned honourably to the Patriarchate of Constantinople, and he was given the right to establish monasteries in Canada, and in the USA. Then, he proceeded in an orderly manner to establish 17 monasteries throughout North America, always after receiving permission from the Greek Orthodox bishop of each area. Every monastery founded by Archimandrite Ephraim is accountable to the metropolitan in whose territory the monastery is located.

Foundation of the Holy Virgin Mary of Consolation Monastery, 1993

The Holy Monastery of Saint Kosmas Aitolos (the first Greek Orthodox monastery in Ontario, Canada) is under the jurisdiction of the Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada. It was founded in 1993, under the care of Archbishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas) of Canada (at that time, Metropolitan of Toronto, Canada).

In fact, 2 women’s monasteries were founded in Canada at about the same time : the Holy Monastery of the Virgin Mary of Consolation, in Québec, near Brownsburg ; and Saint Kosmas of Aitolas Monastery, at Bolton, near Toronto, Ontario. A third monastery, this one for men, was founded near Picton, Ontario, at about the same time. However, this monastery was merged after a short time with the Holy Trinity Orthodox Monastery, at Smiths Creek, Michigan, USA.

The Holy Greek Orthodox Monastery of Saint Kosmas Aitolos was conceived, founded, and guided by Elder Ephraim, a spiritual offspring of the eminent Elder (Saint) Joseph the Hesychast. After his long struggle in various sketes of the Holy Mountain of Athos, Elder Ephraim became abbot of the Holy Monastery of Philotheou ; from there, he established several women’s monasteries in Greece.

All the monasteries follow the Cenobitic way of monastic life. “Cenobitic” is derived from the Greek word “Koinobios” which means “common way of life”. Therefore, the monastic community's life consists in common work, common meals, and common rest periods.

Schema-Archimandrite Ephraim (Moraitis)

The first 2 nuns

There were 2 nuns (that is, female monks) who were under obedience to Elder Ephraim at the ancient and historical Monastery of Saint John the Forerunner of Serres in central Macedonia (of which he was the spiritual father).

These nuns were given the blessing to emigrate to Canada, and to establish the monastery Ontario, Canada. Mother Alexia, the current abbess of the monastery, was one of the 2 nuns.

Together, they established Saint Kosmas Aitolos Greek Orthodox Monastery, a religious organisation within the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto, Canada (now the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada).

A large acreage was purchased in a rural area near Bolton, Ontario, which included a large home. The previous garage served as a first chapel until a correctly constructed chapel was possible to erect beside the building. There were many obstructions to be negotiated in the course of the establishment of this monastery in such a region inhabited by those who in general were not Orthodox Christians.

The original structure

The presence of an Orthodox Christian monastery is a valuable asset to any area because it provides not only an exemplary way of living the Christian virtues, but it acts also as a window from the past for all those who wish to see Christianity as it was practiced in the days of the Holy Apostles.

Iconostas of the chapel

As is common with such monasteries, the nuns try to provide for their daily needs through their own work. This work is supplemented by the gifts of those who love them and support them in the manner that God blesses. For their part, the works of their hands gives rise to their “Touch of Christmas” sales days in the late autumn of the year.

The Sisters' Touch of Christmas is an exclusive, fundraising, seasonal Christmas store featuring one-of-a-kind, hand painted ornaments by The Sisters. In addition to festive, gourmet, holiday bakery, the store is adorned with beautiful wreaths, garlands, illuminated décor, seasonal linens, nativities, timeless Christmas keepsakes, and a large assortment of ornaments.

The monastery is open to visitors daily from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Appropriate and modest dress is required.

Saint Kosmas Monastery from the fields

Monastery particular information

The Greek Orthodox Monastery of Greek Orthodox Monastery of Saint Kosmas Aitolos is a monastic community of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada, under the omophor of Archbishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas), of the Patriarchate of Constantinople.

This monastery follows the New (Revised Julian) Calendar.

The main language of services is Greek.

The Monastery celebrates its annual Altar Feast-day on 24 August, the day of the Martyrdom of Saint Kosmas Aitolos. The services begin with the celebration of Great Vespers on 23 August. On 24 August, Matins and the Divine Liturgy are served in the morning.

In 2024, the superior of the monastery is Abbess Alexia.

Address :

Greek Orthodox Monastery of Saint Kosmas Aitolos

14155, Caledon King Townline South

Bolton, Ontario

L7E 5R7

Telephone : 905-859.2474

Fax : 905-859-2505

E-mail : info@saintkosmasaitolosgomonastery.org

Web-site : https://www.stkam.org/

Live-stream connexion : https://stkam.org/program.html

Abbess Alexia

Directions

The Greek Orthodox Monastery of Saint Kosmas Aitolos is situated northeast of Bolton, Ontario, near the “Cold Creek Conservation Area”. It is in the Peel Regional Municipality, which is itself in the northwest part of the Greater Toronto Area. It is situated north of Mississauga, and of Brampton, and it is west of York (Toronto).

From central Toronto :

The Holy Monastery of Saint Kosmas Aitolos is located about 56 km (35 mi) northeast of central Toronto, and north of Lake Ontario.

Take the most convenient access to the Gardiner Expressway westwards. Follow the Gardiner Expressway west, and then take the exit to the right (north) onto Highway #427 northbound. Continue on Highway #427 until Major MacKenzie Drive (York Regional Road #25) in Vaughan. Follow Highway #25 westwards until the junction with Highway #50 (Peel Regional Road #50). At the junction, turn right (north) onto Highway #50, and continue driving past Bolton on Caledon King Townline until the monastery signs on the right. Turn into the property and drive to the entrance.

From Highway #401 :

From Highway #401 east or west, drive until the interchange with [Highway #427] northbound. Follow Highway #427 northwards until Major MacKenzie Drive (York Regional Road #25) in Vaughan. Follow Highway #25 westwards until the junction with Highway #25 westwards until the junction with Highway #50 (Peel Regional Road #50}. At the junction, turn right (north) onto Highway #50, and continue driving past Bolton on Caledon King Townline until the monastery signs on the right. Turn into the property and drive to the entrance.

Aerial view of the monastery

References

Biography of Archimandrite Ephraim (Moraitis) of Philotheou

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada “Saint Kosmas of Aetolia, the Hieromartyr and Equal to the Apostles”

History of the Monastery of Saint Kosmos Aitolos

Additional information :

Hopko, Thomas, ‘Monasticism’ in “The Orthodox Faith”, vol. 2.

Prokurat, Michael ; Golitzin, Alexander & Petersen, Michael, eds., 'Monasteries' in “The A to Z of the Orthodox Church” (Lanham, MD : Scarecrow Press, 2010), pp. 223-224. ISBN : 978-0-8108-7602-6.

...... 'Monasticism' in “The A to Z of the Orthodox Church” (Lanham, MD : Scarecrow Press, 2010), pp. 225-227. ISBN : 978-0-8108-7602-6.

Monastery of Saint Kosmas Aitolos web-site

Greek Orthodox Monastery of Virgin Mary of Consolation web-site

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada listing for the Monastery of the Virgin Mary of Consolation

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese listing for Holy Monastery of Saint Kosmas Aitolos

Orthodox World reference

Orthodox Toronto listing for Saint Kosmas Aitolos Monastery

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada

Wikipedia article about the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada

Church of Greece web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about the Church of Greece