View source for Montréal QC Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Chomedy Laval 1971



[[File:StNicholasGOCLavalQCFrontview 2.png]]

'''Montréal, Québec : Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Chomedey, Laval, 1971'''

'''Montréal, Québec : Église orthodoxe grecque Saint-Nicolas, Chomedey, Laval, 1971'''


==Prehistory==

The prehistory of the Greek Orthodox parish of Saint Nicholas in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laval,_Quebec Laval], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec Québec], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada Canada], is found in the history 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] parishes of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montreal  Montréal], Québec, Canada, as well as of the other parishes that developed in the various parts of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_Montreal Greater Montréal] after [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II World War II], and the [https://kingstongreekhistoryproject.com/immigration-post-wwii/ subsequent substantial immigrations] from Greek-speaking lands thereafter.  In particular, the history involves also the history of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chomedey,_Quebec Chomedey], itself a consequence of amalgamating other towns, and now part of Laval.

In addition, the roots of this parish are found in the establishment of the [https://www.facebook.com/stnickgreekschool/posts/782633950222547/ Saint Nicholas Greek School], which began in 1971. 

The Saint Nicholas Greek School is a Saturday Greek School which grew to have 430 students.

==Establishment of the parish==

The establishment of the Saint Nicholas school was itself a reflexion of the increasing [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_language Greek-speaking] population in the Laval area of Greater Montréal, which then brought about the necessity of establishing a Greek Orthodox Temple in this region.

At that time, with the establishment of a committee, the decision was taken to form the parish, to receive the blessing from the bishop, to register the parish legally, to purchase a suitable property, and to construct the Temple.

In 1976, the Temple of Saint Nicholas was constructed.  


[[File:StNicholasGOCLavalQCInteriorAltarview 2.png]]  '''Interior view'''

==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 [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.

==Merger of the Laval and Montréal Communities, 2010==

In 2010, Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church became a part of the Hellenic Community of Greater Montréal ([https://hcgm.org/ HCGM]) after the union of the 2 Communities of Laval and Montréal.

==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”.

==Hellenic Community of Greater Montréal==

Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church is a parish of the [https://hcgm.org/  Hellenic Community of Greater Montréal] (HCGM) located in Laval, Québec, and it serves the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_Montreal greater Montréal area]

The parish operates under the ecclesiastical and spiritual authority of the [https://goarchdiocese.ca/ Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada], and it is part of the Hellenic Community of Greater Montréal ([https://hcgm.org/ HCGM]), which has worked for over a century to preserve Greek language, culture, and faith in the region.  The parish is supported by its own [https://hcgm.org/governance/regional-councils/ Church Committee], and [https://www.philoptochos.org/ Ladies Benevolent Society], and it maintains its own archives for sacraments and ceremonies.

It became a part of the HCGM following the union of the Communities of Laval and Montréal.  

The parish operates under the ecclesiastical and spiritual authority of the [https://goarchdiocese.ca/ Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada], and it is part of the Hellenic Community of Greater Montréal ([https://hcgm.org/ HCGM]), which has worked for over a century to preserve Greek language, culture, and faith in the region.  The parish is supported by its own [https://hcgm.org/governance/regional-councils/ Church Committee], and [https://www.facebook.com/p/Greek-Orthodox-Archdiocesan-Philoptochos-Council-of-Canada-100064650554041/ Ladies Benevolent Society], and it maintains its own archives for sacraments and ceremonies.

'''Parishes subject to the Hellenic Community of Greater Montréal, 2024'''

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, 1975)

•  [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 [https://hcgm.org/community-executive-committee-regional-councils/ 3 regional councils] of the community : Montréal, South-Shore, Laval.

==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://orthodoxwiki.org/Revised_Julian_Calendar  New (Revised Julian) Calendar].

The [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Altar Altar] [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Feast_day  Feast-day] of this parish is the Feast of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Nicholas_of_Myra Saint Nicholas of Myra] (6 December).  

In 2026, the pastor of the parish was [https://goarchdiocese.ca/archdiocese-clergy/ Priest Cristian Socosan].


Address :

[https://goarchdiocese.ca/parishes/ Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church]

3780, Chemin du Souvenir 

Chomedey,

Laval, Québec 

H7V 1Y3

Telephone : 450-973-3480 

Fax : 450-973-1326

E-mail : stnicolas@hcgm.org

[https://goarchdiocese.ca/parishes/ Web-site]

[https://www.facebook.com/pages/Saint-Nicholas-Greek-Orthodox-Church-Laval/686143064846558 Facebook]



Directions :

By public transit :  

Consult [https://www.stm.info/en/info/advice/visitors Société de transport de Montréal].    

By car :

Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church is situated in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chomedey,_Quebec  Chomedy] district of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laval,_Quebec  Laval], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_Montreal  Greater Montréal].
It is between [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec_Autoroute_13  Autoroute #13] and Autoroute #15 (Trans-Canada).  It is east of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec_Route_117  Highway #117] (Boulevard Cure-Labelle), south of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec_Autoroute_440_(Laval)  Autoroute #440], and north of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec_Autoroute_40  Autoroute #40] ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trans-Canada_Highway  Trans-Canada]).  

Drive north on Highway #117 from Autoroute #40, or south on Highway #117 from Autoroute #440.  At Chemin du Souvenir, take the exit for Chemin du Souvenir, eastwards.  After Rue Antonio, and before Rue du Val-Martin (on the right side), the Temple is on the right (south side), across from Rue Hébert.   



[https://goarchdiocese.ca/archdiocese-clergy/ Priest Cristian Socosan]

==References==

[https://hcgm.org/churches/st-nicholas/ HCGM reference to Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church]

[https://orthodox-world.org/en/i/10972/canada/quebec/chomedey-laval/church/saint-nicholas-orthodox-church Orthodox World reference to Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church]


'''Additional information :'''

[https://quescren.concordia.ca/en/resource/8QW3Q2P9 “To Build the Dream” – The Story of the Early Greek Immigrants in Montréal] (Montréal, Québec : Copyright 2000 Sophia Florakis-Petsalis). ISBN 10 : 0968747108 ; ISBN 13 : 978-0968747100. 

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

[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://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 Patriarchate of Constantinople web-site]    

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

[https://www.facebook.com/groups/935298504740890/ Holy Cross Church Facebook]

[https://www.instagram.com/popular/holy-cross-greek-orthodox-church-laval/ Holy Cross Church Instagram] 

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

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

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

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Bishop_Bartholomew_(Mostratos) Article about Bishop Bartholomew (Mostratos)] 

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

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

[https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/orthodox-church Canadian Encyclopaedia article about the Orthodox Church]

[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)

[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)


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

[[Category:Parish Communities]]  [[Category:Quebec]]  [[Category:GODT]]  [[Category:EP]]