View source for Montréal QC Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral (GOC) 1956



[[File:MontrealStGeorgeCOCathedral 2.png]]

'''Montréal, Québec : Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral (GOC), 1956'''



==Prehistory==

The prehistory of the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Saint George in Montréal, Québec, Canada, may be found in the histories of the [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Montréal_QC_Evangelismos-Annunciation_Greek_Orthodox_Church_1909-1931,_1975 Evangelismos] and [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Montréal_QC_†Holy_Trinity_Greek_Orthodox_Church_1925-1986 Holy Trinity] Greek Orthodox parishes in Montréal.

After [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II World War II], the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_of_Canada Government of Canada] relaxed immigration restrictions, and many [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_language Greek-speaking] families were able to sponsor the immigration to Canada of family-members.  

As a consequence, the Holy Trinity Temple soon became over-crowded, and it was obvious that another Temple was needed.  

In 1954, the Greek Community of Montréal established a fund towards the enabling of this end.  Active fundraising followed in 1955.

==Establishment of the parish==

By 1956, the Hellenic Community of Greater Montréal (HCGM) laid the technical foundation for the new parish of Saint George in Montréal by organising the legal framework of its existence.   Saint George’s became the third Greek Orthodox Temple to be established in Montréal. 

'''Purchase of land'''

On 24 October, 1956, the Hellenic Community of Greater Montréal purchased a choice piece of land (303,000 square feet/ 28,149.6211square metres) for the price of $290,000, on the corner of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C%C3%B4te-Sainte-Catherine_Road Chemin de la Côte-Ste-Catherine Road] and [https://www.google.ca/maps/place/Av.+Wilderton,+Montr%C3%A9al,+QC/@45.510213,-73.6351285,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x4cc919968de9f047:0x22ffd8f69c9ff071!8m2!3d45.5102135!4d-73.6248502!16s%2Fg%2F1tg9mrmf?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDcwOC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D Avenue Wilderton], where St-George’s Cathedral and the Community Centre would be constructed.

'''Construction'''

In May, 1959, the construction of Saint George’s Cathedral commenced at 2455 Côte-Sainte-Catherine Road, Montréal.

On 24 May, 1959, [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Iakovos_(Coucouzis) Archbishop Iakovos (Coucouzis)], Archbishop of North and South America, led the service of laying the foundation-stone of the new Temple.  

Saint George’s Cathedral was designed by world-renowned Architects, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dimitri_Dimakopoulos Dimitris Dimakopoulos] and [https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/legacyremembers/kimon-caragianis-obituary?id=46820935 Kimon Karagiannis]. 

The construction of the Temple was realised, thanks to the efforts of the Greek-speaking Montrealers who worked tirelessly to fund its construction, brick by brick.

==Establishment of a Canadian Pastoral District (Ninth Region), 1960==

In 1960, it was decided by [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Patriarch_Athenagoras_(Spyrou) Patriarch Athenagoras (Syprou)] to establish an episcopal region for [https://www.britannica.com/place/Canada Canada], of which the assigned bishop would be "Episcopal Commissioner" for Canada.  The region was a preparation for a future diocese ; the "episcopal commissioner" was the preparation for a future ruling bishop.

'''Services begin in the new Temple'''

On 28 May, 1961, the Temple was sufficiently completed that the initial blessing was performed, and services began to be offered in the Temple (which was still being completed).  

==Sanctification of the Temple==

On 6 January, 1962, the Sanctification of the Temple was performed, and the regular life of the parish of Saint George began.


[[File:SaintGeorgeGOCMontrealQCInterior 2.png]]  '''Iconostas'''


[[File:StGeorge int 2.png]]  '''Interior'''

==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].  

==Construction of the Hellenic Community Centre of Montréal==

On 1 November, 1981, the construction of the “Centre hellénique communautaire de Montréal” began just behind the Cathedral Temple of Saint George, at  5757, Avenue Wilderton.

On 1 September, 1982, the construction of the “Centre hellénique communautaire de Montréal” at 5757 avenue Wilderton, Montréal, was completed. 


[[File:HellenicCentreMontreal 2.png]]  '''The Hellenic Centre'''


This complex, which covers a total of 76,000 square feet (7,060.6310 square metres), includes École primaire Socrates – Campus II with 27 classrooms, gymnasium, cafeteria, Grande Salle, the Greek Library, 106 outside parking spaces.

On 15 December, 1982, the Head Office of the Community was moved to 5757 avenue Wilderton.

Also in 1982, the Community led in the establishment of the [https://www.facebook.com/canadianhelleniccongress/ Hellenic Canadian Congress].

In 1982, the Montréal Institute of Hellenic Studies and Archaeology is established.

In 1983, The Community’s Centre d’ Études Grecques de Montréal was established.

In July, 1984, the first stage for the unification of the Communauté hellénique de la Rive-Sud de Montréal with the Communauté hellénique de Montréal was initiated, and the construction of the Centre hellénique Communautaire de la Rive-Sud at 5220 Grande Allée, Saint-Hubert, QC, began.

In October, 1984, the construction of the Foyer hellénique pour personnes âgées at 5775 avenue Wilderton commenced.

On 1 July, 1985, the construction of the Foyer hellénique pour personnes âgées was completed.   It has 7 floors, and contains 80 apartments : 5 studios, 50 of 3 ½, 5 of 3 ½ handicapped, 20 of 4 ½, office space on the ground floor for the Head Office of the Community and 29 inside (garage) parking spaces. (Total 80,000 sq.ft.).

On 15 September, 1985, the École hellénique Omeros of the Communauté hellénique de la Rive-Sud de Montréal merged with École hellénique Platon of our Community and is called École hellénique Platon-Omeros (Plato-Homer).

On 15 November, 1985, the Head Office of the Community moved to 5777 avenue Wilderton.  Its offices on Saint-Laurent were later on, in 1988, converted into a day-care centre for 46 children. 

)n 4 October, 1987, the Greek Minister of Culture, Melina Mercouri (accompanied by a group of Greek government officials) inaugurated the Hellenic Community Centre of Montréal.  Because of this event, the first Greek Month in Canada, a series of cultural events and lectures, took place in collaboration with the Greek Government and the Greek Organisations across Canada.

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

On 30 July, 1996, the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/CHurch_of_Constantinople 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.

'''Centennial, Hellenic Community of Montréal'''

In 2006. the Hellenic Community of Montréal celebrated its 100th Anniversary, a tribute to thousands of Greek Canadians who, since 1906, worked hard to preserve the roots of Hellenism, and to keep the values that unite them as Québecois and Canadians.

In 2010, the Hellenic Community of Montréal was officially united with the Greek Orthodox Community of Laval, which formed a new organisation under the name “Hellenic Community of Greater Montréal” with a 27-member Board of Directors, and 3 Regional Councils.  This new organisation then consisted of : 2 trilingual daytime, primary schools (“Socrates” and “Démosthène”) in 6 campuses ; 3 Complementary Education Schools (Aristotelis,Platon-Omeros and Saint-Nicolas), in 4 campuses ; 6 churches ‘ 6 daycare centres ; 6 sports centres ; 2 Youth Departments ; Boy Scout and Girl Guide Troops, and Social Services in the Montréal, Laval, and South Shore areas.
 
In July, 2015, Metropolitan Sotirios (Athanassoulas) and HCGM President Nicholas T. Pagonis signed an Agreement which put an end to the $600 payment made by parishioners directly to the Metropolis for holy sacraments held in HCGM Churches.

==Major repair and renovation, 2017==

In 2017, a major repair and adjustment of the structure of the Cathedral of Saint George was undertaken, 56 years since the first Divine Liturgy in 1961.  

Saint George’s Cathedral has served the community well in times of joy and sorrow, with thousands of Divine Liturgies, marriages, baptisms, funerals, and other services of need for the people.  The cathedral, in fact, a place of worship and inspiration, a meeting hub, a landmark, a heritage site, and a source of joy for all Greek Montrealers, no matter which Temple they frequent.

With the passage of time, the building had begun to show its age, and the need for major repairs.  For the first time since the cathedral opened its doors in 1961, an official fundraising campaign was launched for a restoration project divided into 4 phases, and slated to be completed within 2 years at a total cost of $1,875,000.00.

Already, Phase 1 of the restoration project had begun, and was completed by the end of the summer at a cost of $550,000.00 (before tax).  This includes the reconstruction of the front walkway, new retaining walls, and drainage to protect the foundations of the cathedral.  As of 1 July, 2017, $415,700,00 had been raised, and the balance was raised by the end of the summer.


[[File:St.-George1 2.jpg]]  '''Construction'''



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

On 13 June, 2019, the [https://ec-patr.org/en/ecumenical-patriarchate/administrative-structure/holy-and-sacred-synod/ Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate], in its meeting with Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis) presiding, elevated the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_Orthodox_Archdiocese_of_Canada Metropolis of Toronto (Canada)] to be the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada, and of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arctic Arctic]”, “[https://goarchdiocese.ca/ 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, “Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Canada”.

He was also made the Patriarchal [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Exarch Exarch] of the Archdiocese of Canada.

==Hellenic Community Centre of Montréal information==

The organisation has served the Greek population in the greater Montréal area since 1906, and it grew to represent citizens of Hellenic origin in Montréal, Laval, and the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Shore_(Montreal) South Shore].

[https://hcgm.org Hellenic Community Centre of Montréal/Centre hellénique communautaire de Montréal]

5777, Avenue Wilderton

Montréal, Québec 

H3S 2V7


The office is open Monday through Friday from 09:00 to 17:00 and it is closed on weekends.  

Telephone : (514) 738-2421

E-mail : info@hcgm.org 

[https://hcgm.org/  Web-site] 

[https://www.facebook.com/TheHCGM/ Facebook]


All Hellenic Community of Greater Montréal ([https://hcgm.org/ HCGM]) Churches are administrated by the Community’s Board of Directors and as a “body” are under the ecclesiastic and spiritual authority of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Archdiocese_of_Canada_(Greek) Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto (Canada)]. Each church is managed by its Dean. All churches are supported by their Church Committee and Ladies Benevolent.  In addition to its own Church Committee, Saint-John the Baptist church is supported by the [https://www.facebook.com/p/Greek-Orthodox-Archdiocesan-Philoptochos-Council-of-Canada-100064650554041/ Ladies Auxiliary].

Each Church keeps its own archives where all sacraments and ceremonies are recorded. Additionally St.-George Cathedral keeps Holy Trinity Church archives as well as the registry book. The General Archives and Register of Records are under the authority of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto (Canada) who issues licenses, marriage, and birth certificates, and the like.

By 2024, the Hellenic Community of Greater Montréal was operating 6 parishes : 

•  [https://hcgm.org/churches/st-george-cathedral/ Saint George Cathedral] (1961) 

•  [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Montr%C3%A9al_QC_Evangelismos-Annunciation_Greek_Orthodox_Church_1909-1931,_1975 Evangelismos (Annunciation)]  (1909) 

•  [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Montr%C3%A9al_QC_Dormition_of_the_Theotokos_Greek_Orthodox_Church_1968 Koimisis (Dormition)]  (1968) 

•  [https://hcgm.org/churches/st-john-the-baptist/ Saint John the Baptist] (1984) 

•  [https://hcgm.org/churches/st-nicholas/ Saint Nicholas] (1971) 

•  [https://hcgm.org/churches/holy-cross/ Holy Cross] (1991)   

There were 3 regional councils of the community : Montréal, South-Shore, Laval.

==Particular Parish Information==

The cathedral parish of Saint George is a parish 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://orthodoxwiki.org/Revised_Julian_Calendar New (Revised Julian) Calendar].  

The Altar Feast-day of the parish is the Feast of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/George_the_Trophy-bearer Saint George the Great-Martyr and Trophy-Bearer], 23 April.  

In 2026, the pastor of the parish was [https://hcgm.org/churches/st-george-cathedral/ Priest Nikodimos Kodogiorgakis] (or Kodogeorgakis).



Address :

[https://hcgm.org/churches/st-george-cathedral/ Saint George’s Greek Orthodox Cathedral]

2455 chemin de la Côte Ste-Catherine Road, 

Montréal, Québec, 

H3T 1A8

Telephone : 514-738-2421 ext 139 

Fax: 514-738-5466

E-mail : stgeorges@hcgm.org

[https://hcgm.org/churches/st-george-cathedral/  Web-site] 

[https://www.facebook.com/pages/St%20George%20Greek%20Orthodox%20Cathedral%20of%20Montreal/792909607458488/# Facebook]



[https://hcgm.org/churches/st-george-cathedral/ Priest Nikodimos Kodogiorgakis]

==References==

[https://hcgm.org/ Hellenic Community of Greater Montréal web-site]

[https://hcgm.org/about-us/history/ Hellenic Community of Greater Montréal history] 


'''Additional information :'''

Florakas-Petsalis, Sophia, [https://quescren.concordia.ca/en/resource/8QW3Q2P9 “To Build the Dream” – The Story of the Early Greek Immigrants in Montreal] (Montréal, Quebec : Copyright 2000 Sophia Florakis-Petsalis).

[https://hellenicpost.net/historical/ History of Greek Montréal] 

[https://orthodox-world.org/en/i/10977/canada/quebec/montreal/cathedral/saint-george-orthodox-cathedral Orthodox World reference for Saint George Orthodox Cathedral, Montréal]  

[https://goarchdiocese.ca/parishes/ Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada listing for Saint George Cathedral] 

[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://orthodoxwiki.org/Greek_Orthodox_Archdiocese_of_America Orthodoxwiki 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://ecclesiagreece.gr/English/EnIndex.html Church of Greece web-site]    

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Church_of_Greece Orthodoxwiki article about the Orthodox Church of Greece]   

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

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

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

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

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

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Athenagoras_(Kokkinakis) Archbishop Athenagoras (Kokkinakis)]  

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

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

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Bishop_Christophoros_(Rakintzakis) Bishop Christophoros (Rakintzakis)]  

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Bishop_Athenagoras_(Salmas) Bishop Athenagoras (Salmas)]  

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Toronto_ON_Greek_Orthodox_Archdiocese_of_Canada_1960 History of the Greek Orthodox Church in Canada]   

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/List_of_parishes_in_Quebec_(Canada) Orthodoxwiki list of Orthodox parishes in Québec]   

[https://hellenicpost.net/historical/ Hellenic Post historical article about the Hellenic Community of Greater Montreal]  

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

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

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_diaspora Greek diaspora] 

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_Orthodox_Archdiocese_of_Canada Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto, Canada, elevated to Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada] (13 June, 2019)   

[https://orthodoxtimes.com/three-auxiliary-bishops-for-greek-orthodox-archdiocese-of-canada/ Three Vicar-Bishops received into the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada] (2 August, 2020)   

[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) 



'''If any details need correcting, or if any information is missing, please send a note to the Contact E-mail : Info@orthodoxcanada.ca'''


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