Toronto ON Annunciation to the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Cathedral 1961

Toronto, Ontario, Annunciation to the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 1961

Establishment of the parish, 1961

The Annunciation to the Theotokos Cathedral (the “Panagia”), is the cathedral church of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto. It is under the spiritual jurisdiction of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto (Canada), which is an eparchy (diocese) of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. It is situated towards the west side of Toronto, Ontario. It has been a possession of the “Greek Community of Toronto”, which owns several Temples in the city.

The Annunciation of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Cathedral (known popularly by its Greek name of “Panagia”) was opened in 1961. It annually celebrates the 2 major Feast-days in honour of the Virgin Mary as its patronal feast-days : the Annunciation to the Virgin Mary (Theotokos) (“Evangelismos”) on 25 March (its “Altar-feast”), together with the Greek Independence Day on the same day ; and the Dormition of the Virgin Mary (“Koimisis”) on 15 August.

Since that day, "Panagia" has been welcoming all who worship God and honour our Most Holy Lady, the Ever-Virgin Mary as the Mother of God ("Panagia", the All-holy). She is the “Theotokos” (literally : God-birth-giver), a title bestowed upon her by the 3rd Ecumenical Council (Ephesus) of the Church in 431.

History of the present building

In 1961, the present building on Sorauren Avenue was purchased. The heterodox pre-history of the building is as follows :

 In 1909, the building structure was founded and constructed ; the architect was George Martell Miller 
 (1854/5-1933), along with his son William J. Miller. 
 
 From 1909-1925, the building served as North Parkdale Methodist Church.  Then followed the union which formed 
 the United Church of Canada. 
 
 From 1925-1961, the building served as North Parkdale United Church.  At that time, there was a merger with 
 Erskine United Church in order to form Emmanuel United Church, which in 2016 has become 
 Emmanuel-Howard Park United Church.

In 1961, the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church was opened, under the Greek Community of Metropolitan Toronto. This was achieved under the blessing and direction of Archbishop Athenagoras (Kokkinakis) of Elaia. This building had been a Protestant structure, and it had been constructed with its entrance at the east end, on Sorauren Avenue. At that time, the community had no funds nor possibility of changing the orientation of the worship-space (as often is the case with purchased buildings), so the Altar was assembled at the already-accommodating west end.

In 1963, the Temple, which was originally built in a version of the Romanesque style, was remodelled so that it could support Orthodox worship. It was sanctified by Metropolitan Athenagoras (Kokkinakis).

Elevation to the dignity of cathedral, 1967

In 1967, Archbishop Iakovos (Coucouzis) of America raised Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church to the dignity of a Cathedral Church in the Ninth Archdiocesan District of the Archdiocese of North and South America. This meant that he designated this Temple as the cathedral of the bishop of the Canadian diocese.

Ninth District becomes a Diocese, 1979

In 1979, following a re-structuring of the Archdiocese of North and South America, the Ninth District of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America was elevated by the Patriarch of Constantinople to be the Greek Orthodox Diocese of Toronto (Canada), and Bishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas) of Constantia became Bishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas) of Toronto (Canada).

In 1979, Bishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas) of Constantia was elevated to be the Bishop of Toronto (Canada), in Ontario.

The Diocese of Canada becomes a Metropolis, 1996

On 30 July, 1996, the Patriarchate of Constantinople divided the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America into 4 parts : the USA, Canada, Central America, and South America. The Diocese of Canada was elevated to the status of a metropolitanate.

At the same time, the Metropolis of Toronto (Canada) was detached from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, and placed directly under the authority of the Patriarchal Throne in Constantinople.

On 24 September, 1996, Bishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas) was elevated to the dignity of metropolitan, and he was given the title and responsibility of Metropolitan Archbishop of Toronto (Canada), and Exarch of all Canada.

Fire ; destruction ; regrouping ; reconstruction, 2000

In 2000, there was a devastating five-alarm fire, which entirely destroyed the interior of Temple. Services were continued in improvised facilities in the adjoining parish hall, which had survived the fire.

After that time, a concerted effort was made to raise funds towards the re-building of the Temple. Work was undertaken to prepare for the re-construction.

The Temple from the southeast

The Temple interior with festal decoration

Major reconstruction, re-orienting of the damaged building

In 2002, a new "Byzantine-style" Temple, beautifully restored according to the traditional “Byzantine” architectural plan of Orthodox Temples, was opened within the old Romanesque building. The building is now correctly oriented (facing eastwards). The grand dome, supported by eight columns, was inspired by the Great Cathedral Church of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople (built by the Emperor Justinian in 537 A.D.). The architectural plans were drawn up by master architect and Patriarchal Archon Christ J. Kamages of CJK Design Group of San Rafael, California. The exquisite Byzantine icons in the Altar were written by the master iconographer Father Theodore Koufos of Toronto. The baroque-style wooden iconostas, the Altar Table, the cantor’s stand ("psalterion") and the bishop’s throne were hand-carved by master wood sculptor Stylianos Kavroulakis of Chania, Crete. The cathedral holds more than 850 seated worshippers, and it had parking facilities for about 50 cars.

A video was produced to record the events – “Rising from the ashes : The Restoration of the Church of Panagia”.

Annunciation Cathedral Holy Table and Altar from the north and from south

Great Friday Vespers, 2010

Complications in parish life, 2017

In 2017, the "Greek Community of Toronto", the "owner and operator" of the Temple (and of 3 other temples in Toronto), sold 3 lots of the parking area because of a financial deficit it was enduring. Houses replaced the parking spaces, and the parishioners had to find other places on the streets nearby.

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada and All the Arctic, 2019

In 2019, the Metropolis of Toronto (Canada) was elevated to the dignity of Archdiocese. Thus, the official title of the diocese became “Holy Archdiocese of Canada and All the Arctic”, and alternatively, “Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada”.

Thus, Metropolitan Sotirios (Athanassoulas) was elevated to the dignity of Archbishop, with the title “Archbishop of Canada and All the Arctic”, and alternatively, “Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Canada”.

2020-2021 Coronavirus-19 virus restrictions on parishes

In early 2020, the Covid-19 virus made its appearance in Canada, and it quickly became a world-wide pandemic. Because of the rules governing gatherings that were laid down by the provincial and city governments, the parish stopped any further services after 8 March, 2020. Including the rules regarding social distancing, the decreasing numbers permitted for any gathering, and the considerations regarding the health of all concerned, this and other parishes were required to close for a time. Worship services were streamed on the parish live web-cam.

As elsewhere, there was some controversy about the legal requirements.

Further difficulties for the Greek Community of Toronto, 2021

Further stress arose for the Cathedral Parish of the Annunciation, "Panagia", as the Greek Community of Toronto (which has owned this and 3 other parishes in Toronto) faced a severe financial crisis. By 2021, especially in the wake of the Covid-19 the Greek Community (a corporation independent from the ruling bishop) was facing severe financial trouble, and it was considering the possibility of selling one of the parish Temples in order to meet the debt.

Mercifully, and by the Grace of God, these difficulties were overcome, and a normal, peaceful relationship amongst all concerned returned.

Change of status : Annunciation Pro-cathedral

In 2023, Archbishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas) took the decision to change the status of the Annunciation Cathedral

For some reasons, he decided that the official diocesan cathedral of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada would now be what was Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Scarborough-Toronto.

Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Scarborough, Toronto, became the cathedral of the Archdiocese, and the historic Annunciation Cathedral in Toronto was then known as the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Pro-cathedral. In this case, the term recognises the past history of the Annunciation parish with due respect. Although the technical title was changed, the community would remain known as Annunciation to the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Cathedral.

65 years

On Friday evening, 5 June, 2026, the Panagia-Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Toronto celebrated its 65th anniversary. The Gala Night event took place at Parkview Manor in North York, with 700 people participating. Chief amongst them were Archbishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas), and Bishop Athenagoras (Salmas) of Patara.

Father Peter, Archbishop Sotirios, and others

Archbishop Sotirios pronounced the blessing of the food and the beginning of the dinner.

Besides the grand dinner, there were many traditional dances performed with joy, and great energy.

The programme which followed was led by Ann Fortier. The bishops and clergy led the singing of the hymns of the Temple, and Archbishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas) of Toronto and Canada gave the initial blessing and initial words.

Archbishop Sotirios, Father Peter, Clergy

The archbishop's comments were followed by words from Betty Skoutakis, President of the Greek Community of Toronto ; by MP Costas Menegakis, who made various presentations on behalf of the government ; by Protopresbyter Panagiotis (Peter) Avgeropoulos, who acknowledged the many who had prepared the details of the event over the previous year.

Then he introduced the project to undertake the fresco-iconography of the dome of the cathedral, using historical slide-photos to illustrate the blank present, and the proposed iconography when finished.

Photos of some slides showing the existing, plain dome, and some of the icons proposed :

There was a festal anniversary cake presented and shared to sweeten the occasion further. Bishop Athenagoras, Father Panagiotis, and Betty Skotakis together cut the anniversary cake.

Bishop Athenagoras offered the closing prayer of thanksgiving, and his own words of gratitude. There followed a series of declared donations towards the iconographic project. The project was so well received that, before the end of the festivities, the great majority of the needed funds had already been provided by those attending.

Then a 30th anniversary cake was presented to Father Avgeropoulos, which marked his 30 years of service as the pastor of this parish (and 34 years of priesthood).

Father Peter, Presbytera Hara, Yannis, Gregory, Theodore Avgeropoulos

The evening continued with traditional dancing on the part of many who were able.

Father Peter and Presbytera Hara initiate the dance

It was truly a familial celebration of the huge spiritual family of Panagia.

YouTube video of the 65th Anniversary of the Panagia Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Toronto, Ontario (5 June, 2026).

Greek Orthodox Bishops of Canada

From 1960-1979, Archbishop Iakovos (Coucouzis) of New York, the founder of the Archdiocese of Canada, was in charge of the Canadian parishes. In 1960, he had named the Dioceses of Toronto (Canada) to be the "Ninth Archdiocesan District of Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America".

 Metropolitan Athenagoras (Kokkinakis) of Elaia	1961-1963
 
 Bishop Timotheos (Haloftis) of Rodostolon		1963-1967
 
 Bishop Theodosios (Sideris) of Ancona		1967-1979
 
 Archbishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas) of Toronto	1979-____

Priests who served at the Cathedral of the Annunciation :

 Archpriest George Demopoulos		1961-1964
 
 Archpriest Constantine Andreiou		1964-1990
 
 Archpriest Apostolos Ananiadis		1990-1996
 
 Archpriest Panagiotis Avgeropoulos	1996-____

Protopresbyter George Demopoulos

The first priest to care for this parish was Father George Demopoulos. He was a graduate of the Greek Orthodox Theological School of Halki, of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.

Protopresbyter Constantine Andreiou

The second priest to care for this parish was Father Constantine Andreiou. He was likewise a graduate of the Greek Orthodox Theological School of Halki, of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.

Protopresbyter Apostolos Ananiadis

The third priest to care for this parish was Father Apostolos Ananiadis. He was a graduate of the Theological School of the University of Athens and former Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Canada.

Born on 1 March, 1930, in Volos, Greece, Apostolos Ananiadis was drawn initially to fulfilling his love and service to God through monastic life. This desire was not fulfilled as he had at first thought.

In 1951, he was a young scholarship student and follower of Jesus Christ in the ‘Zoē Movement’ (Αδελφότητα Θεολόγων Zωή) in Greece. This experience led to his strong sense of a call to serve in the Holy Priesthood. In 1962, he was married to Kalliopi, his beloved wife and presbytera. Then they emigrated from Greece in order to embark on a spiritual journey overseas, and to serve in the Greek Orthodox parishes of North America. At first, he was assigned to serve in the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint George in Vancouver, British Columbia. Then they and their young family were transferred to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in London, Ontario. After this, they were transferred to Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Toronto, Ontario, and finally to The Dormition of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Church in West Toronto.

Father Apostolos continued his service as an educator and spiritual father to Canada’s new priests at the Greek Orthodox Theological Academy of Toronto. He subsequently served as Chancellor for Metropolitan Archbishop Sotirios (Athanasoulas) in the 1980s at the Holy Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto (before it was moved to the new site). After his retirement from active service, he was sent to serve in various communities in Southern Ontario, including the Greek Orthodox Communities of Saints Peter and Paul in Kitchener, and Saint George in Guelph.

Protopresbyter Panagiotis (Peter) Avgeropoulos

Upon Father Apostolos' retirement, Father Peter Avgeropoulos was assigned to care for this parish as of 1 September, 1996. He has the distinction of being the first Canadian-born priest to serve in the Greek Orthodox Church of Canada. He is also, thus far, the longest-serving priest of the Panagia parish.

Born in Port Arthur (Thunder Bay), Ontario, to Greek immigrant parents, Panagiotis J Avgeropouolos received his primary education in Port Arthur and his secondary and post-secondary education in London, Ontario. He attended the University of Western Ontario, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Honours History degree. His post-graduate studies were done in the USA, where he studied at Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in Crestwood, New York, USA. He graduated there in 1987. He received a Master of Divinity degree ; and because of his high marks, he was the Valedictorian for his class. He also pursued post-graduate studies at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, USA Massachusetts.

His life-long desire to serve the Church was realised in 1989, when he was ordained to the Holy Diaconate and then to the Holy Priesthood in the Greek Orthodox Church of Canada. He has the distinction of being the first Canadian-born priest to serve in the Greek Orthodox Church in Canada.

He served first as the founding pastor of the Greek Orthodox Church of Saints Panteleimon, Anna, and Paraskevi Church in Markham, Ontario, and then as pastor of the Greek Orthodox Church of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary in Hamilton, Ontario.

In 1996, Protopresbyter Peter (Panagiotis) J Avgeropoulos was assigned to serve as the pastor of the Annunciation Cathedral parish. In the year 2016, he completed 20 years of service and spiritual leadership amongst this Orthodox Christian spiritual flock. He is the first Canadian-born Greek Orthodox priest to serve in the Greek Orthodox Diocese of Toronto, Canada (now the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada). In addition, he serves both as Professor of Patristics at the Greek Orthodox Academy of Toronto (from 1998), and as the Director of Interchurch Relations in the Metropolis of Toronto (from 1990). It was he, also, who led the parish family through all the pain of the catastrophic fire in the year 2000, and then through the planning, fund-raising and rebuilding of the Temple which followed. It was he who helped this community to grow towards fulfilling its responsibility in Christ as a witness for Christ to Toronto and beyond.

Statement of purpose

The mission of the parish is to promote the spiritual well-being of those who desire to live their Orthodox Christian Faith in its fulness, along with the promotion of the Hellenic culture, values and traditions through religious services, educational programmes ; and to reach out to other Canadians.

The parish is especially dedicated to serving all Orthodox Christians ; those of other cultures who have been married in this Temple ; and to all who wish to learn more about, or to re-connect to the Orthodox Faith and to this historical parish. This is done in the context of liturgical and sacramental worship services ; the many programmes and ministries that are offered through this dynamic parish ; and the opportunities for spiritual growth, Christian education, fellowship, and out-reach to those who desire to join this spiritual family that is under the heavenly shelter and protection of the Blessed Mother of God.

Located in the west end of Toronto, just east of High Park and the Roncesvalles Village neighbourhoods, the Panagia Cathedral serves parishioners from across the Greater Toronto Area.

Amongst the many activities and offerings of the parish family at Panagia, a live video feed is available on the internet.

The Temple looking west from the southeast corner

Particular parish information

This cathedral parish is a part of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Canada, of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Constantinople. The bishop is Archbishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas). The Vicar-Bishop is Bishop Athenagoras (Salmas). The patriarch is Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis).

The Panagia Cathedral of the Annunciation follows the New (Revised Julian) Calendar.

The Altar Feast-day of this parish is the Feast of the Annunciation to the Theotokos, 25 March. The secondary Feast-day of this parish is the Dormition of the Theotokos, 15 August.

In 2026, the pastor of the cathedral is the Protopresbyter Panagiotis (Peter) J Avgeropoulos.

Address :

Annunciation to the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Cathedral

136, Sorauren Avenue

Toronto, Ontario

M6R 2E4

Telephone : 416-378-7428

Web-site

Facebook

Live video of services

Facebook

Directions :

The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral is situated at 136, Sorauren Avenue in the Roncesvalles Village district to the west of Downtown Toronto.

By car :

The cathedral is easily accessible by car from the Gardiner Expressway (a 5 minute drive from the Jameson exit). From the Jameson Exit, turn right and drive north on Jameson Street until Queen Street. Turn left (west) onto Queen Street. Turn right (north) onto Sorauren Avenue. The Temple is on the left, at the corner with Galley Avenue.

Parking can be difficult to find on the nearby streets, although the parish does have a parking lot to the south of the Temple. However, this lot is not large.

By bus/ TTC :

By TTC, it is a short distance from the West Dundas subway stop, or from the Sorauren stop on the Queen Street Streetcar #501 route. There is also TTC Streetcar service on Roncesvalles Avenue, one block to the west.

Toronto is accessible from eastern or western Canada, and from the USA by VIARail.

Toronto is accessible from most places in the world by air, and the flights arrive at the Pearson International Airport in the northwest part of the Greater Toronto Area.

Some few flights arrive at the Toronto Island Billy Bishop Airport.

Protopresbyter Panagiotis (Peter) Avgeropoulos

Telephone : 416-537-2665 (office)

Pager : 416-378-7428

E-mail : fatherpeter@greekcommunity.org

References

Avgeropoulos, Protopresbyter Panagiotis, “A Brief History of the Greek Orthodox Church in Canada” (Toronto : 2 July, 2024)

Efthimiou, Miltiades B and George A Christopoulos, eds., “History of the Greek Orthodox Church in America” (New York : Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America, 1984). ASIN ‏: B001AD93BI.

Kitroeff, Alexander, “The Greek Orthodox Church in America : a modern History” (Ithaca, New York : Cornell University Press, 2020).

Original Parish History Article

Pappaioannou, Priest George, ‘The Historical Development of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America’ in “A Companion to the Greek Orthodox Church”, ed. Litsas, F K (New York, NY : Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America, 1984).

Tarasar, Constance J, ed., “Orthodox America 1794-1976 : Development of The Orthodox Church in America” (Syosset, NY : The Orthodox Church in America Department of History and Archives, 1975). ASIN : B000ZLZAUE.

Web-site of the Annunciation Cathedral

Additional information :

Toronto Orthodox Temples

Archdiocese listing

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada web-site

Wikipedia article about the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada

Orthodoxwiki article about the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada

Toronto, Ontario, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada

Hellenic Community of Toronto web-site

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America web-site

OrthodoxWiki article about the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America

Wikipedia article about the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America