Trois-Rivières QC Saint Efstratios Greek Orthodox Church and Community 2012

Trois-Rivières Québec, Saint Efstratios Greek Orthodox Church and Community, 2012

Efstratios may be spelt Evstratios, Eustratios, Eustratius.

Trois-Rivières may be written in English as Three Rivers.

Prehistory of the city

Located at the mouth of the Saint-Maurice River, on the north shore of the Saint Lawrence River, midway between Quebec City and Montreal, and the regional capital of Quebec's Mauricie region, the name of Trois-Rivières, Quebec, derives from the 3-armed delta formed by the river's islands at its mouth.

Historically, the Algonquin and Abenaki peoples used this region as a summer stopping place. They fished and hunted there, and they gathered roots, nuts, berries, and the like as well.

The fortified settlement which was constructed in 1634, at the request of Samuel de Champlain, replaced the stockade that was abandoned earlier by the Algonquin, who had likely fled the hostile Haudenosaunee at about 1600. The former, who were allies of the French, lived for a long time in or near the small French village, whose major function was to organize the fur trade in the interior. Following the administrative restructuring of New France in 1663, Trois-Rivières became the seat of local government, with a gouverneur, king's lieutenant, major, court of royal jurisdiction and vicar-general. This gave the settlement an importance which exceeded that of its size. The settlement was founded on 4 July, 1634, as the second permanent settlement in New France,[10] the first being Quebec City. At the time of the conquest in 1760, the town had 586 inhabitants.

In 1535, near this site, Jacques Cartier had planted a Cross on Saint-Quentin island while he was sailing along the Saint Lawrence River. The Trois-Rivières name was used for the first time in 1599 by Sieur François Gravé Du Pont, a geographer under Champlain, whose records confirmed the name in 1603.

Ursuline nuns first arrived at the settlement in 1697, where they founded the first school and helped local missionaries to Christianize the local indigenous people, developing a class of Métis people.  In 1730, the first smiths opened a forge by the Saint Maurice River.

It was incorporated as a city in 1857.

Prehistory of the community

Although the immigration to Canada of Greek-speakers began in the 19th century, most of them passed from Quebec City (if they landed there instead of in Halifax, Nova Scotia) to Montreal and other points west.

Few, if any Greek-speakers took up residence in Trois-Rivieres until after World War II (1939-1945), and the subsequent great increase of immigration from Greek-speaking lands.

This coincided with the arrival of some Russian-speakers, who settled in the region of Quebec City and Trois-Rivieres as well. It was during this period that the Evangelismos Greek Orthodox Church and Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church were established, and became one of the alternatives for any person settling in Trois-Rivieres to travel for worship.

This state of affairs lasted until the 21st century, by which time, a greater number of Greek-speaking (and Russian-speaking) people had settled in the region to permit the establishment of a worshipping group.

Establishment of the chapel/community

From the available information, it seems that the establishment of the local community of Saint Efstratios dates from around the year 2012.

 A devout Christian, Mr Efstratios Chrysafoudis, has constructed over the last several years a beautiful chapel 
 in the town of Three Rivers, Quebec, dedicated to Saint Efstratios the Great Martyr. 
 The Community of Three Rivers is very small, but yet maintains this chapel.

I was also written that

 Since this construction and establishment, a priest from Montreal or Quebec City visits this small community 
 four times a year and celebrates the Divine Liturgy so that the pious faithful may participate and receive the Holy Mysteries.

The dedication of the parish is to the name-Saint of the founder, Mr. Efstratios Chrysafoudis. This is Saint Eustratius the Wonderworker.

2016 Pilgrimage

On 27 July, 2016, it was reported that Metropolitan Sotirios (Athanassopoulos), accompanied by Father Nicolas Papageorgiou, Presbytera Papageorgiou, Presbytera Salatellis, and many other devout pilgrims, had recently visited the chapel of Saint Efstratios, and celebrated the Divine Liturgy. The devout pilgrims and the residents of Three Rivers received Holy Communion.

After the Divine Liturgy, the Faithful gathered for a luncheon at Mr Chrysafoudis’ restaurant. Sadly, Mr Chrysafoudis was not with them, since he was away from Trois Rivieres at the time.

It was a memorable day for all, as evidenced by 3 photographs ; the first inside the little chapel ; the second at the restaurant ; and the third in the courtyard.

Metropolitan Sotirios spoke at the Divine Liturgy, as well as at the luncheon. He thanked all who participated, and especially Father Nicolas Papageorgiou, Presbytera Papageorgiou, and Presbytera Salatellis.

After the luncheon, the pious pilgrims went to Quebec City, where they visited various sites.

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”.