View source for London ON Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church 1936, 1952


[[File:Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Lond ON 2.png]]

'''London, Ontario, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 1936, 1952'''


==Foundation of the parish, 1936==

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/london London], [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/ontario Ontario], [https://www.britannica.com/place/Canada Canada], was first organised as a community on 12 January, 1936, and the first president was [https://londongreekcommunity.com/about-us/past-presidents/ Mr. Gus Mandas].  

'''Incorporation of the community/parish, 1949'''

The community was incorporated in 1949 by letters patent in the province of Ontario with the name "Hellenic Community of London & Vicinity".  

A new constitution was ratified by the General Assembly, on 30 April, 1950.

'''Purchase of property, 1952'''

On 17 April, 1952, the community council signed the papers to purchase the land at 1114, Richmond Street North for $9,000. 

==Building the first Temple, 1954==

On 26 May, 1954, a contract for $54,277 was signed to build the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church.  Then the community president ([https://londongreekcommunity.com/about-us/past-presidents/ Mr. George Kerhoulas]) turned the sod on the site to build the new Temple on Sunday, 6 June, 1954, and the service with accompanying ceremony was conducted by the community’s first pastor, the [https://londongreekcommunity.com/past-priests/ Priest Ambrosios Sarantides]. 

The first service in the Temple was a wedding on Sunday, 10 October, 1954. 

The actual [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Consecration_of_a_church  sanctification] of the new [https://londongreekcommunity.com/ Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church] took place on 16 October, 1955, bv [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Ezekiel_(Tsoukalas)_of_Pisidia Bishop Ezekiel (Tsoukalas)].  In the same year, the community approved its by-laws, and constitution, under which it was governed until 1967.

'''Uniform by-laws, expansion of the property'''

On 22 October, 1959, the lot behind the house on 1118, Richmond Street North was bought for parking purposes.  The house itself was not bought until 4 December, 1969, for $23,000.

In September of 1967, the general assembly of the community approved to adopt the "Uniform Parish Regulations of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Greek_Orthodox_Archdiocese_of_North_and_South_America Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America]". 

In March of 1968, the community adopted new by-laws. 

On 9 April, 1968, the community amended its original letters patent and changed the corporate name to "Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Community of London & Vicinity".

==Purchase of new property, 1975==

On 16 June, 1975, the community bought the Glendale Sports Centre, as it was then known, on Southdale Road for $150,000.  This property then became the [https://londongreekcommunity.com/hellenic-community-centre/ Hellenic Community Centre]. 

On 28 March, 1978, a one acre property and the house (since demolished) at the front of the Hellenic Community Centre was purchased for $39,000.  This was made possible with the financial assistance of the local chapter of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Hellenic_Educational_Progressive_Association American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association] (AHEPA) (Ontario : District 23).

With the purchase of this additional property, the Hellenic Community Centre property was squared off, with a frontage of over 300 feet and a total area of approximately 4.8 hectares (12 acres).

On 24 February, 1975, the official sod turning ceremony took place for the building of a new community centre at a cost of approximately $1,000,000.00.  This new addition, when attached to the old community centre, would more than triple its size.  The official dedication took place on 7 September, 1975, led by [[Metropolitan Sotirios (Athanassoulas) |Bishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas)]] and the [https://www.legacy.com/ca/obituaries/thestar/name/efstathios-kontoravdis-obituary?pid=131061402 Priest Stathis Kontoravdis].

==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 [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Greek_Orthodox_Archdiocese_of_North_and_South_America Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America] was elevated by the Patriarch of Constantinople to be the [https://goarchdiocese.ca/ Greek Orthodox Diocese of Toronto (Canada)], and [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Sotirios_(Athanassoulas) Bishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas)] of Constantia became Bishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas) of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto Toronto] ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada Canada]).

In 1979, Bishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas) of Constantia was elevated to be the Bishop of [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/toronto/ Toronto] (Canada), in [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/ontario/ Ontario].

==The Diocese of Canada becomes a Metropolis, 1996==

On 30 July, 1996, the Patriarchate of Constantinople divided the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Greek_Orthodox_Archdiocese_of_North_and_South_America Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America] into 4 parts : the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States USA], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada Canada], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_America Central America], and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_America South America].  The Diocese of Canada was elevated to the status of a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metropolis_(religious_jurisdiction) metropolitanate].  

At the same time, the Metropolis of Toronto (Canada) was detached from the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Greek_Orthodox_Archdiocese_of_America Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America], and placed directly under the authority of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecumenical_Patriarchate_of_Constantinople Patriarchal Throne in Constantinople]. 

On 24 September, 1996, [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Sotirios_(Athanassoulas) Bishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas)] was elevated to the dignity of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Bishop#Archbishops_and_Metropolitans metropolitan], and he was given the title and responsibility of Metropolitan Archbishop of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto Toronto] (Canada), and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exarch Exarch] of all Canada.


'''Further expansion'''

During 1997-1998, the community centre had yet another major expansion, of about $500,000.00, with the addition of the East Room, and major renovations to the original structure.

==Construction, sanctification of a new Temple, 1999==

The time had come now to build a new [https://artincontext.org/byzantine-architecture/ “Byzantine”-style] Temple on the community’s Southdale Road property.  The ground-breaking ceremony took place on 19 September, 1999.  The old Temple on Richmond Street was sold in 2004 for $650,000.  The construction of the new Temple was completed at a cost of about $6,000,000.  The Temple was sanctified on 22 December, 2003, by Metropolitan Archbishop Sotirios of Toronto and the [https://londongreekcommunity.com/past-priests/ Priest Elias Drossos], along with many other area priests.  It is commendable that the members and organisations of the parish did fundraising and donated in the millions of dollars to complete this magnificent Temple.  During the following 2 years, the Temple’s basement was also completed.

The next project of the community was the re-building of the soccer field facilities.  The soccer field was upgraded with a new surface, an irrigation system, lights for night games, new fencing, and seating.  The total cost was about $200,000.  Of this, $75,000 came from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ontario_Trillium_Foundation Ontario Trillium Foundation] towards this project.  Building upon the success of the soccer teams and staying within the 10-year plan of the community, a new building was designed for construction near the soccer field to house new dressing rooms, a concession, a storage area and a covered area for picnics.  The building was completed at a cost of $290,000.00 during the summer of 2010.

The Temple began to be decorated following the planned [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Iconography iconography] project in 2010, and there was a multi-year plan for its completion.  


[[File:20180402 HolyTrinity London Iconostas S.jpg]]  '''Iconostas after its completion'''

==Addition to the Hellenic Community Centre, 2012==

In 2012, the then president [https://londongreekcommunity.com/about-us/past-presidents/ Mr. James Giannoulis] initiated an application for funding from the [https://www.otf.ca/ Ontario Trillium Foundation], for the construction of a major addition to the [https://londongreekcommunity.com/hellenic-community-centre/ Hellenic Community Centre].  The application was successful for a grant of $500,000 which the community had to match.  This additional community space is home to a Greek Library, new administration offices, cultural and heritage rooms, and an enlarged lobby.  The construction was completed during 2013-2014, at a cost of $1,350,000.

The community is evolving constantly and it remains steadfast in serving its members by teaching the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Orthodox_Church Orthodox Christian Faith], its cultural and ethnic heritage and the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_language Greek language] at the [https://londongreekcommunity.com/get-involved/greek-school/ Greek School].  It now embraces the third generation of members and it is welcoming the spouses of other ethnic backgrounds who have joined the community because of intermarriage.  


[[File:Hellenic Centre London Ontario 2.png]]  '''Hellenic Community Centre of London'''

==Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada and All the Arctic, 2019==

In 2019, the Metropolis of Toronto (Canada) was elevated to the dignity of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Diocese Archdiocese].  Thus, the official title of the diocese became “Holy Archdiocese of Canada and All the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arctic Arctic]”, and alternatively, “Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada”.  

Thus, Metropolitan Sotirios (Athanassoulas) was elevated to the dignity of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Bishop#Archbishops_and_Metropolitans Archbishop], with the title “Archbishop of Canada and All the Arctic”, and alternatively, “[https://goarchdiocese.ca/ Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Canada]”.

==2020-2021 Coronavirus-19 virus restrictions on parishes==

In early 2020, the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19 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.  All Holy Services are conducted regularly with only the priest, the cantor and the sexton (caretaker) present.  The worship services [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streaming_media were streamed] on the social media.

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

==Archpastoral visitation, 2022==

On Sunday, 12 June, 2022, the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Pentecost Feast of Pentecost], Archbishop Soterios (Athanassoulas) Metropolitan-Archbishop of Canada, made an archpastoral visitation to Holy Trinity Church in London, Ontario.  It was the Altar Feast-day of the parish.  On this day, he served the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy in the Temple, and he participated in the festal meal which followed afterwards.


[[File:Archpastoral visit June 2022 2.png]]  '''Archbishop Sotirios'''


  '''Priests who have served in the parish :'''
  
  [https://londongreekcommunity.com/past-priests/ Priest Ambrosios Sarantidis] 			1953-1954
  [https://londongreekcommunity.com/past-priests/ Priest Emmanuel Athanasiou] 			1954-1955
  [https://londongreekcommunity.com/past-priests/ Priest Nicholas Andritsopoulos] 		1955-1961
  [https://londongreekcommunity.com/past-priests/ Priest George Stathis] 			1961-1961
  [https://londongreekcommunity.com/past-priests/ Hieromonk Timothy Negropontis] 		1962-1967
  [https://londongreekcommunity.com/past-priests/ Hieromonk Athenagoras Aneste] 		1967-1970
  [https://londongreekcommunity.com/past-priests/ Priest Apostolos Ananiades] 			1970-1976
  [https://londongreekcommunity.com/past-priests/ Hieromonk Ilarion (Gerakis)] 			1977-1978
  [https://londongreekcommunity.com/past-priests/ Priest John Floropoulos] 			1978-1980
  [https://londongreekcommunity.com/past-priests/ Priest Thomas Tsevas] 			1980-1983
  [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Bishop_Ilia_(Katre) Priest Ilia Katre] 				1983-1983
  [https://www.legacy.com/ca/obituaries/thestar/name/efstathios-kontoravdis-obituary?pid=131061402 Priest Efstathios Kontoravdis] 		1983-1992
  [https://londongreekcommunity.com/past-priests/ Priest, Dr. Paul Koumarioanos] 		1993-1999
  [https://londongreekcommunity.com/past-priests/ Priest Demetrios Chelonis] 			2000-2000
  [https://londongreekcommunity.com/past-priests/ Priest George Korinis] 			2001-2001
  [https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/majoros-archimandrite-luke Hieromonk Luke (Majoros)] 			2001-2002
  [https://londongreekcommunity.com/past-priests/ Priest Elias Drossos] 			2002-2017
  [https://londongreekcommunity.com/past-priests/ Priest Demetrios Mouselimas] 			2017-2019
  [https://londongreekcommunity.com/about-us/community-priest/ Oikonomos Konstantine Chatzis]		2019-____

The Community Council of  the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church was organised under the Uniform Community Regulations of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_Orthodox_Archdiocese_of_Canada Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto (Canada)] (now an archdiocese), a charitable organisation incorporated under the laws of the Province of Ontario, Canada, as Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Community of London & Vicinity. 


[[File:20180402 HolyTrinity London S.jpg]]  '''Parishioners, Sunday of Orthodoxy'''


  '''Presidents who have served in the Greek Community :'''
  
  1936  		Gus Mandas	
  1948-1949  	Bill Agnos
  1950  		Steve Mitches
  1951  		George Gettas
  1952  		Tom Kapelos, George Kerhoulas
  1953-1957  	George Kerhoulas
  1958-1959  	Sam Anas
  1960-1961  	Stratos Vafiadis
  1962-1965  	Steve Giouroukos
  1966  		Steve Giouroukos, Anthony Demakos
  1967-1977  	Anthony Demakos
  1978-1979  	George Anas
  1980-1985  	Gary Kerhoulas
  1986-1987  	George Bountis		
  1988-1989  	George Michalopoulos		
  1990-1993  	George Bountis		
  1994  		Dr. Nick Gettas		
  1995  		Mary Singeris		
  1996-2001  	Anthony Demakos		
  2002-2007  	James W Giannoulis		
  2008-2009  	Anthony Demakos
  2010-2014  	James W Giannoulis
  2015  		Nick Aroutzidis
  2022  		Penelope Kerhoulas

==Parish organisations==

  [https://www.facebook.com/people/Greek-Orthodox-Archdiocesan-Philoptochos-Council-of-Canada/100064650554041/ Archdiocesan Philopotochos]  
  [https://londongreekcommunity.com/get-involved/youth-programs-yal-goya-hope/ G.O.Y.A.] (Greek Orthodox Youth of America)  
  [https://londongreekcommunity.com/get-involved/youth-programs-yal-goya-hope Y.A.L.]  
  [https://londongreekcommunity.com/get-involved/youth-programs-yal-goya-hope/ Hope Club]  
  [https://londongreekcommunity.com/our-orthodox-faith/church-iconography-2/ Saint Nektarios Book Centre]  
  [https://londongreekcommunity.com/get-involved/arion-choir/ Hellenic Choir Arion]  
  [https://londongreekcommunity.com/get-involved/greek-school/ Greek School]  
  [https://londongreekcommunity.com/get-involved/london-greek-dance-lgd/  London Greek Dance Groups]  
  [https://ahepacanada.org/ A.H.E.P.A. Canada]  
  [https://ahepacanada.org/about-us/daughters-penelope/ Daughters of Penelope]  
  Arkades  
  [https://londongreekcommunity.com/2016/07/lacones-summer-celebration/ Lacones]  
  Macedonians  
  Pakoakos  
  Sterea Elias  
  [https://alocal.place/en/6001168-hellenic-society-of-uwo-london-canada U.W.O. Hellenic Society] (University of Western Ontario)


[[File:Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church London On.jpg]]  '''Holy Trinity Temple, aerial view'''

==Particular parish information==

This parish is a part of the [https://goarchdiocese.ca/ Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Canada], of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Church_of_Constantinople Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Constantinople].  The bishop is [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Sotirios_(Athanassoulas)  Archbishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas)].  The Vicar-Bishop is [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Bishop_Athenagoras_(Salmas) Bishop Athenagoras (Salmas)].  The patriarch is [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Patriarch_Bartholomew_(Archontonis) Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis)]. 

This parish follows the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revised_Julian_calendar New (Revised Julian) Calendar].

The Altar Feast-day of this parish is the Feast of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Pentecost Pentecost] (Descent of the Holy Spirit, the Most Holy Trinity).

In 2022, the pastor of the parish is the [https://londongreekcommunity.com/about-us/community-priest/fr-konstantine-chatzis/ Priest Konstantine Chatzis].


Address : 

[https://goarchdiocese.ca/parishes/ Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church]

(Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Community of London & Vicinity)

133, Southdale Road West

London, Ontario 

N6J 2J2

Telephone : (519) 438-7951

Fax: (519) 438-6438

Web-site : https://londongreekcommunity.com

[https://www.facebook.com/Holy-Trinity-Greek-Orthodox-Community-of-London-Ontario-CANADA-306254269466741/ Parish Facebook]  


Directions :

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London,_Ontario London] is located 193 km (120 mi) southwest of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto Toronto], via [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ontario_Highway_401 Highway #401] (or via [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ontario_Highway_403 Highway #403]).  

By car : 

From Highway #401, follow the exit for Exeter Road, and drive on Exeter Road until White Oak Road.  Turn right, and drive to Southdale Road.  Turn left onto Southdale Road.  The Temple is on the left.  

By car, the Temple is approached by Wharncliffe Road South or by Wellington Road South, and turning westwards onto Southdale Road. 

By bus :

Consult the [http://www.londontransit.ca London Transit Commission].  There is [https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Holiday+Inn+Express+%26+Suites+London+Downtown,+374+Dundas+St,+London,+ON+N6B+1V7/133+Southdale+Rd+W,+London,+ON+N6J+2J2/@42.9623799,-81.3011625,13z/am=t/data=!3m1!4b1!4m18!4m17!1m5!1m1!1s0x882ef20568d1d697:0x3b7874dac766ebf1!2m2!1d-81.2411418!2d42.9863324!1m5!1m1!1s0x882ef169d678449b:0x99182cf3ef3dae91!2m2!1d-81.266!2d42.9382!2m3!6e4!7e2!8j1522665240!3e3 bus service] from the city centre, using routes #19 and #10. 

By rail :  

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Via_Rail VIA Rail] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GO_Transit GO Transit] provide service to London.


[https://londongreekcommunity.com/about-us/community-priest/fr-konstantine-chatzis/ Priest Konstantine Chatzis]     

Mobile : (519) 497-0833

==References==

[http://www.londongreekcommunity.com/about-us/community-history/ Parish History]


'''Additional information :'''

[https://orthodox-world.org/en/i/10942/Canada/Ontario/London/Church/Holy-Trinity-Orthodox-Church Orthodox World listing] 

[https://goarchdiocese.ca/parishes// Archdiocese listing] 

[http://www.londongreekcommunity.com/ Parish web-site]

[https://goarchdiocese.ca/ Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada web-site]  

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Archdiocese_of_Canada_(Greek) Orthodoxwiki article about the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada]    

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_Orthodox_Archdiocese_of_Canada Wikipedia article about the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada]    

[https://www.goarch.org/ Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America web-site]     

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Greek_Orthodox_Archdiocese_of_America Orthodoxwiki article about the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America]   

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_Orthodox_Archdiocese_of_America Wikipedia article about the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America]    

[https://www.goarch.org/-/1996-special-regulations-and-uniform-parish-regulations-of-the-greek-orthodox-archdiocese-of-america 1996 Special Regulations and Uniform Parish Regulations Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America]

[https://goarchdiocese.ca/uniform-community-regulations/ Uniform Community Regulations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada, 2021] 

[https://patriarchateofconstantinople.com/index.html Orthodox Church of Constantinople web-site]   

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Church_of_Constantinople Orthodoxwiki article about the Church of Constantinople]    

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Patriarch_Athenagoras_(Spyrou) Patriarch Athenagoras (Spyrou)]     

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Patriarch_Demetrios_I_(Papadopoulos) Patriarch Demetrios I (Papadopoulos)]    

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Patriarch_Bartholomew_(Archontonis) Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis)]    

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Iakovos_(Coucouzis) Archbishop Iakovos (Coucouzis)]     

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Bishop_Theodosios_(Sideris) Bishop Theodosios (Sideris)]     

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Sotirios_(Athanassoulas) Archbishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas)]     

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_diaspora Wikipedia article about the Greek diaspora]     

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_Canadians Wikipedia article about Greek Canadians]

[http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/greeks/ Canadian Encyclopaedia article about Greek Canadians]

[https://www.mfa.gr/canada/en/ Embassy of the Hellenic Republic in Canada web-site] 

[https://www.reddit.com/r/OrthodoxChristianity/comments/c6vkeg/metropolis_of_toronto_named_archdiocese_of_canada/ Metropolis of Toronto named Archdiocese of Canada] (20 June, 2019) 

[https://www.facebook.com/HolyTrinityLondon Archpastoral visit of Archbishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas) to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church] (12 June, 2022)   

[https://orthodoxtimes.com/unforgetable-event-to-honour-archbishop-of-canada-for-90-years-of-a-bright-journey/ Unforgettable event to honour Archbishop of Canada for “90 years of a bright journey”] (17 June, 2026)  

"[https://greektimes.ca/15620/ Archbishop Sotirios of Canada to step down after 52 years]" (24 June, 2026) 

[https://orthodoxtimes.com/metropolitan-apostolos-of-new-jersey-elected-as-the-new-archbishop-of-canada/ Orthodox Times : Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey elected as the new Archbishop of Canada] (22 July, 2026)






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