Toronto ON Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada 1960

Toronto, Ontario, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada, 1960

— Sources : the “Brief History of the Greek Orthodox Church in Canada” by Protopresbyter Panagiotis Avgeropoulos ; various internet articles

Prehistory

Greeks began arriving in Canada as early as the 19th century. These early immigrants came from the poorer areas of Greece, such as the islands of Crete, Syros, and Skopelos, as well as from Roumeli and Peloponnesos regions – especially the poorer villages of Phokida, Arcadia, and Laconia.

Some of these immigrants settled in Montréal, Québec, as early as 1843. The Canadian Census in 1871 states that there were 39 persons of Greek origin living in Canada. Greek immigration, sporadic prior to 1900, increased considerably in the early 20th century as a result of poverty, war, and political upheavals at home.

In 1901, 213 Greek immigrants lived in Canada ; in 1911 the number was 2,640 ; in 1931, 5,580 ; and in 1941, 5,871. Immigration was halted during the World War II ; but from 1946 to 1981, about 116,300 Greek immigrants entered Canada. According to the 2016 census, there were 271,405 Canadians of Greek origin living in Canada. Of this number, the majority lived in the provinces of Ontario and Québec (148,550 and 71,330, respectively). The most recent census done in 2021 records that there were 262,140 Canadians of Greek origin in Canada (a drop of over 9,000 persons since the last census 5 years previous).

It may be useful to understand as well that although the Canadian Census refers to those of Greek origin in particular, there were Greek-speakers emigrating from elsewhere who also arrived in Canada. Until the end of World War I, there were Greek-speakers arriving from various parts of the Ottoman Empire (which fell in 1918). Within this empire, there were Greek-speakers in the region of Anatolia (now Türkiye), Syria, the Levant (now Lebanon), Palestine (now Israel), and Egypt. Another source was Cyprus, which at that time had been annexed to the British Empire. The nature of the immigration of Greek-speakers to Canada has not been just the same as that in the USA.

Early days

It is important to note that prior to the organisation and foundation of the Greek Communities and Churches, the early immigrants would attend the already-established Orthodox Temples of the “Russian Mission” of the Church of Russia (which at that time had developed into the “Diocese of North America and the Aleutian Islands”). Most of its Faithful were Ukrainian-, Russian-, or Romanian-speakers. They had arrived in large numbers earlier in Canada, during the middle to late 19th century, and they were the first to build Orthodox Christian Churches in Canada.

It is known that the missionary priests of the “Diocese of North America and the Aleutian Islands” provided occasional services in Greek for the few Greek Orthodox Christians who were living in the Vancouver, British Columbia, region before and after 1900. They did this while they were journeying to the region of Slavic settlement near Edmonton, North-West Territories (Alberta).

The first recorded celebration of an Orthodox Divine Liturgy on Canadian soil took place on 12 June, 1897, on a farm belonging to Theodore and Katerina Nemirsky at Old Wostok, Alberta, north-east of Edmonton. It is also known that at this Liturgy, approximately 600 Greek Catholics – Ukrainian Galician immigrants from the Austro-Hungarian Empire – were united to their ancestral Orthodox Christian Faith.

This Divine Liturgy was served by the Seattle-based Russian Orthodox missionary Priest, Father Dimitri Kamnev, and he was assisted by his Deacon Vladimir Alexandrov, with the blessing of their Bishop Nicholas (Ziorov), whose episcopal see was in San Francisco, California, USA. In 1897, it was this same Bishop Nicholas Ziorov, of the Diocese of the Aleutians and North America of the Russian Mission, who became the first Orthodox Bishop to visit Canada. Entering Canada from the south through Minneapolis, Minnesota, he visited some of the Faithful who had settled in central Canada, in the vicinity around Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Another case of inter-Orthodox cooperation took place in London, Ontario, in 1916 with the establishment of the first Orthodox Church there. The Russian Community founded the Holy Transfiguration Russian Orthodox Church with the help of the Greek immigrants residing in London, Ontario, at that time.

Greek Orthodox Parish/Community Formation

With the increase of Greek immigration to Canada after 1905, these early immigrants began to join together to establish community organizations, such as cultural and patriotic associations. The purpose of these formations was to help immigrants adjust to their new life in Canada, and to combat prejudice and discrimination. The primary reason for joining together was to preserve the Greek language, their Greek traditions, and their rich culture. This was done by establishing Greek Schools to teach the language to their children, and also Greek Orthodox Churches in order to fulfil their spiritual, sacramental, and devotional needs.

The first Greek Communities and Churches formed in Canada were in Montréal, Québec, in 1906 ; Toronto, Ontario, in 1909 ; and Thunder Bay, Ontario, in 1918.

First Greek Orthodox Church in Montréal

The first Greek religious organisation in Montréal, Québec, was granted a charter by the Legislative Assembly of Québec on 7 May, 1909, under the corporate name “The Greek Orthodox Church Evangelismos of Montréal”, although religious services in the Greek language and an interim Council of Trustees are said to have existed as early as 1906 or 1907. In 1910, this ecclesiastical corporation constructed the first Greek Orthodox church “Evangelismos” or “Annunciation” on a vacant lot on the west side of Saint-Laurent Boulevard between Milton Street and Prince Street, just north of Sherbrooke Street.

First Greek Orthodox church in Toronto

The first Greek Orthodox Church in Toronto was founded in 1909 by Toronto’s early Greek immigrants, in a 2-level building on Jarvis Street. On the ground floor was the Saint George’s Church, and on the second floor were the classrooms for the Greek language school. Due to the influx of Greek immigrants, they quickly out-grew this building, and they looked for a larger building to accommodate their spiritual and cultural needs.

In 1936, the parish of Saint George in Toronto was able to purchase the first Synagogue in Toronto on Bond Street, which was to become its permanent home. This building had previously served (since 15 September, 1887) as the "Holy Blossom Temple". By 1936, the congregation of this synagogue had outgrown the building, and the congregation moved to their new Synagogue on Bathurst Street.

The architecture of the former Synagogue on Bond Street had been executed in the Neo-Byzantine style, which lent itself to its relatively easy transition into an Orthodox Christian Temple of worship. This Greek Orthodox Christian Temple is located in the very heart of Toronto, alongside other historical places of worship.

On 19 June, 1938, Archbishop Athenagoras (Spyrou) of America arrived to sanctify the Church in the ancient Rite of the Sanctification of a Temple. It is this same Archbishop Athenagoras who was later elected Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople and enthroned on 1 November, 1948.

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Thunder Bay, Ontario

In 1904, the first Greek immigrant who went to Thunder Bay, Ontario, was Stavros Petrakos. Over the next 25 years, more Greek immigrants arrived from Kozani, Macedonia (Greece) ; from Asia Minor ; and from Central Greece. These first immigrants came together to build a Church for their religious and cultural needs. According to the historical records of the Community, the cost of the lot on Spring Street was $800, and the material and labour for the building of the new Church was $2,300.

In 1918, the new Church was completed and named after the Holy Trinity. Five Priests served in Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church up until 1935, when financial difficulties arose, forcing the Church to close for 20 years. Local history tells that the Greeks would go to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church for their Weddings, Baptisms, and Funerals until 1955, when the Church re-opened with the arrival of Priest Christophoros Tsarouchas. He will always be remembered for his sacrificial ministry there.

Bishops who served in Canada in the earlier times

From the establishment of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America, because of proximity (at least to Eastern Canada), it was the bishops in Boston, Massachusetts, who took care of the needs of the Greek Orthodox parishes in Canada. These were :

 Bishop Ioakim (Alexopoulos) 		1923-1930
 Bishop Athenagoras (Kavadas)		1938-1949
 Bishop Ezekiel (Tsoukalas)			1950-1954
 Bishop Athenagoras (Kokkinakis)		1955-1960

Ninth Archdiocese District

For many years, the Greek Orthodox parishes in Canada were cared for within the ninth archdiocese district of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America.

From 1955 until 1960, Bishop Athenagoras (Kokkinakis) of Boston took care of the Greek Orthodox parishes in Canada in addition to his responsibilities in the USA.

First resident bishop in Canada, 1960

In 1960, Metropolitan Athenagoras (Kokkinakis) of Elaia (Elaia was a city near Smyrna, Anatolia) was assigned to lead the Greek Orthodox Diocese of Canada. He was transferred to Canada from Boston, and he became the first bishop to be resident in Canada, in Toronto (which became the see-city). Canada was still known as the Ninth Archdiocese District.

Metropolitan Athenagoras (Kokkinakis), Titular Bishop of Elaia, was assigned by Archbishop Iakovos (Coucouzis) to serve in the Ninth Archdiocese District (Canada), which was part of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North & South America since its founding in 1922.

Metropolitan Athenagoras served the Church in Canada from 1960 until his transfer to the Archdiocese of Thyateira & Great Britain in 1963.

Metropolitan Athenagoras (Kokkinakis)

First Ecclesiastical Conference of Greek Orthodox Communities, 1961

A year after his arrival, Metropolitan Athenagoras prepared a report about the status of the Greek Orthodox Church in Canada. He presented this report to the First Ecclesiastical Conference of the Greek Orthodox Communities in Canada that took place in Ottawa, Ontario, in June, 1961. In the Introduction of his report, he wrote :

 “We did not come here just to enjoy the beauty, the opportunities and the
 wealth that Canada offers to all.  We did not come just to take, but to offer,
 as well. […] We came to offer something deeper than all these, and this is our
 rich Greek culture and the venerable Tradition of Orthodox Christianity.

Reading through his report, one is struck by his motivation to grow the Church in Canada by giving priority to Religious and Greek education ; Youth ministry ; and the use of the English language to maintain the Youth.

Metropolitan Athenagoras was also instrumental in working together with the Greek Community of Saint George in Toronto, Ontario, to purchase the second Greek Orthodox Church in Toronto, which would become Annunciation (Panagia) Greek Orthodox Church. Metropolitan Athenagoras encouraged the Parishioners of Saint George to purchase the former North Parkdale United Church in 1961. Searching through the parish files, Father Panagiotis Averopoulos found the original Deed of Purchase, which states that the Church was bought by “the St. George's Greek Orthodox Church Congregation in Toronto”, as was its corporate name at the time.

Metropolitan Athenagoras gave the name of “Panagia-Evangelistria” to the new congregation, and he assigned the late Father George Demopoulos to serve as the first priest. On the day of Panagia’s sanctification in 1963, Metropolitan Athenagoras wrote these words on the original Antimension that still exists :

 Sanctified at the Consecration of the Cathedral of Panagia in Toronto Canada
 on the 5th of May 1963.  Signed, Metropolitan Athenagoras of Elaia.

It is also note-worthy that it was this same Metropolitan Athenagoras who in Boston ordained the future first Bishop of the Greek Orthodox Diocese of Toronto (Canada) (Archbishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas) to be a Deacon, and then to be a Priest. At that time, Metropolitan Athenagoras was serving as Dean of the Holy Cross Theological School.

Bishop Timothy (Haloftis)

The second Bishop to serve in Canada was Bishop Timothy (Haloftis) of Rodostolon (a former diocese in East Thrace, now in Turkey/Türkiye). He had been ordained in Greece as a deacon and then as a priest. Then, he had served as the Director of Confessions for the “Apostoliki Diakonia” in Athens, Greece. In 1956, he arrived in the USA, and he served various communities, including the Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Winnipeg, Manitoba. In 1959, he became the Chancellor of the Archdiocese of North and South America.

In 1962, he was elected by the Holy Synod of Constantinople to be Titular Bishop of Rodostolon. He served the Ecclesiastical Districts of South America, Canada, Alaska, and Chicago. It was under his episcopal leadership that the previous Episcopal Residence and Headquarters of the Church in Canada was purchased on Teddington Park Avenue (in the Teddington Park neighbourhood), east of Yonge Street, in Toronto. It was Bishop Timothy who elevated the then Priest Sotirios Athanasoulas to the dignity of archimandrite.

Bishop Timotheos (Haloftis)

Bishop Theodosius (Sideris)

The third Bishop to serve in Canada was Bishop Theodosios (Sideris) of Ancona. After having served as Professor and deputy Director of the famous “Athoniada” School on Mount Athos, he was transferred to the USA in 1937, and he served various parishes. He pursued graduate studies at the Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, Virginia, where he received his Doctorate in Theology in 1947. In 1960, he was elected by the Holy Synod of Constantinople as Bishop of Ancona. He served the Ninth Archdiocesan District in Canada from 1967-1973.

Bishop Theodosios (Sideris)

Archbishop Iakovos (Coucouzis) makes significant changes

In 1967, Archbishop Iakovos (Coucouzis) recognised the development of the Greek Orthodox Diocese of Canada by designating Holy Annunciation Church (Panagia) in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, to the diocesan cathedral. This recognition continued for many years.

It is to be kept in mind that Archbishop Iakovos had a special concern for the Ninth Archdiocesan District/Greek Orthodox Diocese of Canada, and he did whatever he could to nurture it.

Archbishop Iakovos (Coucouzis)

Fourth bishop, a distinct diocese, 1973

In 1973, a new direction was taken by the Patriarchate of Constantinople with regard to the Greek Orthodox Church in Canada.

Bishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas)

First, Archimandrite Sotirios (Athanassoulas) in Edmonton, Alberta, was elected by the Holy Synod of the Church of Constantinople to become a bishop.

Then, on 27 January, 1974, Archimandrite Sotirios (Athanassoulas) was ordained to the Holy Episcopate in Montréal, Québec.

Upon ordination, he was given the title “Bishop of Constantia” (a titular see), and he was given the responsibility to serve in the Ninth District as the Bishop of Toronto in Ontario.

Effectively, the Ninth District became the Greek Orthodox Diocese of Toronto (Canada) ; and from that time, the development of the diocese developed in parallel with the personal progress of Bishop Sotirios over the next many decades.

Diocese of Toronto (Canada), 1979

In 1979, in the context of the restructuring of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America, Bishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas) was given the title “Bishop of Toronto (Canada)”. He was, therefore, Bishop of the Greek Orthodox Diocese of Toronto (Canada).

At that time, there were 22 Greek Orthodox parishes in the Canadian diocese.

Meanwhile, Bishop Sotirios continued to serve as a member of the Archdiocesan Council of the Greek Archdiocese of North and South America. He did so from 1968 until 1996, when another major change occurred (in connexion with the retirement of Archbishop Iakovos (Coucouzis)).

Development of services for the Faithful by the diocese

During these years, Bishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas) worked steadily at developing the structure and resources of the diocese, as well as its active service.

In 1980, Bishop Sotirios established the annual Youth Assemblies, which brought together hundreds of Greek Orthodox young people for the annual three-day Youth Assemblies in Peterborough. The best attendance was one in Peterborough with 700 young people attending.

In 1982, Bishop Sotirios began the publishing of the monthly newspaper “Orthodox Way” so that he could better communicate the message of the Church with all the Parishioners across Canada. In time, this newspaper was published on the internet.

The Social Services Department was established in 1984.

Metahomes was established also in 1984, in order to provide transitional housing for the homeless and disadvantaged.

In 1990, the “Orthodox Voice” television programme was launched. Later, this programme continued on in the internet environment.

In 1991, the School of Byzantine Music was initiated, in order to promote the teaching and executing of the traditional Byzantine musical art in the parishes of the diocese. Later, this provision was incorporated into the syllabus of courses of the Theological Academy when it was established.

Monasteries established, 1993

In 1993, having seen the need for a monastic presence and witness in Canada, Metropolitan Sotirios blessed the establishment of 2 female monasteries in the Canadian Greek Archdiocese : the Saint Kosmas of Aitolos Monastery at Bolton, Ontario, and the Virgin Mary of Consolation at Brownsburg, Québec.

In 1996, the “Greek Orthodox Education in Ontario” Day Schools were established in Toronto.

Toronto Orthodox Theological Academy, 1998

In 1998, with the blessing of Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis), Metropolitan Sotirios established the Toronto Orthodox Theological Academy. The purpose of establishing the academy was to train the future clergy of Canada instead of having to send them abroad to study.

Later, Patriarch Bartholomew honoured the Academy by blessing the re-naming of the Toronto Academy to “Patriarchal Toronto Orthodox Theological Academy”. This distinction was granted ahead of the older schools of theology in the USA.

Patriarchal visit to Canada

Also in 1998, there was the historical and remarkable 9-day Apostolic Visit of Patriarch Bartholomew to Canada. The visit was between 25 May and 2 June, and it included the inauguration of the new headquarters of the Metropolis of Toronto, and the beginning of the Toronto Orthodox Theological Academy.

Patriarch Bartholomew visited parishes in Vancouver, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, and Montréal. Metropolitan Sotirios had been the chief organiser of this visit, and he had worked tirelessly for its success. This visit included encounters with the Orthodox Christian bishops of other Orthodox dioceses in Canada. It culminated in a very large public serving of the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy in “Maple Leaf Gardens” in Toronto.

Vicar-Bishop Christophoros (Rakintzakis), 1999

In 1999, Bishop Christophoros (Rakintzakis), ordained in Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church at Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario, was assigned to serve as Vicar-Bishop in the Metropolis of Toronto (Canada).

He had the responsibility of leading the Toronto Orthodox Theological Academy, and assisting Metropolitan Sotirios (Athanassoulas) in many and various ways. He served in these responsibilities faithfully, lovingly, and paternally until his retirement in 2017.

Canadian Council of Orthodox Bishops, 2000

In 2000, with the blessing of Patriarch Bartholomew, Metropolitan Sotirios organised the establishment of the “Canadian Council of Orthodox Bishops”. As Exarch of the Patriarch of Constantinople in Canada, Metropolitan Sotrios has chaired the meetings of this episcopal assembly in Canada, in accordance with the direction of the Consultation in Chambésy in 1993 of all the autocephalous Orthodox Churches.

The purpose of this body is to co-ordinate joint initiatives of all the Orthodox Churches in Canada, and especially to promote the unity of the different Orthodox administrations in Canada, with a view to the future bringing together of the entire Orthodox Church into conformity with the proper Orthodox ecclesiology, and into visible unity.

Archdiocese assemblies

It became the custom of the diocese that there be a clergy-laity assembly of the parishes and communities on a bi-annual basis.

In July, 2024, the archdiocese convened its 31st biennial assembly in Saint Catharine's. Ontario

Archdiocese and Archbishop

On 13 June, 2019, the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, in its meeting with Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis) presiding, elevated the Metropolis of Toronto to the Archdiocese of Canada. Consequently, Metropolitan Sotirios (Athanassoulas) was elevated to the dignity of archbishop. His title was adjusted to “Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Canada and all the North”.

Vicar-Bishops, 2020

In 2020, under the blessing of Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis) and the election of the Holy Synod of the Church of Constantinople, 3 Vicar-Bishops were elected, ordained, and assigned to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada : Bishop Athenagoras (Salmas), Bishop Bartholomew (Mostratos), Bishop Iakovos (Antonopoulos).

After a time, Bishops Bartholomew and Iakovos were transferred away. Bishop Athenagoras remained serving in the archdiocese.

In 2024, Patriarch Bartholomew recognised the accomplishments of Archbishop Sotirios, in a congratulatory letter dated 10 January, 2024, for his 50th Year Golden Jubilee. Patriarch Bartholomew wrote :

 This significant milestone marks fifty years of dedicated service to the Church, 
 a journey highlighted by the many sacrifices you have made on behalf of the Mother 
 Church of Constantinople and the faithful in Canada.
 
 Your service as Bishop, Metropolitan, and now Archbishop, has been filled with 
 many notable achievements, not least the incredible growth of the flock in Canada 
 and the philanthropic, educational, and missionary efforts of the Archdiocese.
 Furthermore, we are reminded of the Divine Providence that, on the sacred day 
 of 18 December 1973 – the feast day of the Holy Martyr Sebastian – both our
 destinies were intertwined, as we were elected to serve the Holy Great Church of Christ 
 in different capacities.

In addition, Patriarch Bartholomew wrote,

 On this momentous occasion, we give thanks to Almighty God for the blessing
 of your episcopal ministry and pray for your continued health, strength, and
 inspiration in the years to come, in addition to the prosperity of Orthodoxy in
 Canada and the longevity of the Holy Archdiocese there.

In 2024, Archbishop Sotirios reached the significant milestone of having served as the Head of the Greek Orthodox Church in Canada for 50 years. In this context, Archbishop Sotirios continued to serve in the same manner as always.

In 2024, the archdiocese numbered 75 parishes.

Particular archdiocese information

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada is an archdiocese of the Patriarchate of Constantinople. The Patriarch is Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis). The bishop is Archbishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas).

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada follows the New (Revised Julian) Calendar.

Address :

Greek Orthodox Diocese of Canada

1 Patriarch Bartholomew Way

(86 Overlea Boulevard)

Toronto, Ontario

M4H 1C6

Telephone : 416-429-5757

Fax : 416-429-4588

E-mail : office@goarchdiocese.ca

Web-site : https://goarchdiocese.ca/

Facebook

Directions :

By Toronto Transit :

Consult the Toronto Transit Corporation web-site.

By car :

From downtown Toronto : Drive south towards the Gardener Expressway. Use an entrance to the Gardener Expressway east-bound. Follow the signs for Don Valley Parkway North. Drive on the Don Valley Parkway north-bound until Exit 7B from the Don Valley Parkway at Don Mills Road in East York. Follow Don Mills Road, keeping to the right, until Overlea Boulevard. Turn left onto Overlea Boulevard. Drive over the ravine, and take the first turning to the right on William Morgan Drive (at the Macedonian Orthodox Church). At the first turning, turn to the right on William Morgan Drive, and continue to the end. The entrance to the Headquarters of the Greek Orthodox Diocese is on the right.

References

Avgeropoulos, Protopresbyter Panagiotis, “Brief History of the Greek Orthodox Church in Canada” (Toronto, 2024).

Efthimiou, Miltiades B and George A Christopoulos, eds., “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).

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.

The Russian Mission in North America

Additional information :

Greek Orthodox Church Evangelismos of Montréal

Saint George’s Greek Orthodox Church of Toronto 1909

Annunciation to the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Church, Toronto, Ontario

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Saint Demetrius Greek Orthodox Church, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Toronto Orthodox Theological Academy

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

Wikipedia article about the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America