Montréal QC Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church Chomedy Laval 1991

Chomedy, Laval, Montréal, Québec, Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church, 1991

Prehistory

The prehistory of this parish is found in the history of the Evangelismos, and Holy Trinity parishes of Montréal, Québec, Canada, as well as of the other parishes that developed in the various parts of Greater Montréal after World War II, and the subsequent substantial immigrations from Greek-speaking lands thereafter.

Establishment of the parish, 1991

By 1990, the increasing Greek-speaking population in the Laval area of Greater Montréal brought about the necessity of establishing another Greek Orthodox Temple in the region.

Establishment of the parish

Therefore, a committee and administration were established which planned the establishment of the needed Temple and parish.

Construction of the Temple

In April, 1991, the construction of Holy Cross Church began, and it proceeded rapidly.

Initial blessing, 1991

The Temple of the Holy Cross was inaugurated on 14 September, 1991 (the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross), by its first pastor, Priest Dimitrios Gianniou.

He had first blessed the Temple and all its contents with Holy Water.

Then, the Divine Liturgy and other sacramental services began to be served, while remaining refinements of the Temple progressed.

The Diocese of Canada becomes a Metropolis, 1996

On 30 July, 1996, the Patriarchate of Constantinople divided the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America into 4 parts : the USA, Canada, Central America, and South America. The Diocese of Canada was elevated to the status of a metropolitanate.

At the same time, the Metropolis of Toronto (Canada) was detached from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, and placed directly under the authority of the Patriarchal Throne in Constantinople.

On 24 September, 1996, Bishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas) was elevated to the dignity of metropolitan, and he was given the title and responsibility of Metropolitan Archbishop of Toronto (Canada), and Exarch of all Canada.

Archimandrite Nektarios (Mostratos), 2004

On 1 August, 2004, Archimandrite Nektarios (Mostratos) was transferred from the parish of Saints Constantine and Helen, Dollard-Des Ormaux to the Hellenic Community of Greater Montréal, where he took up his responsibilities as the pastor of the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church.

25 years

On Wednesday, 14 September, 2016, the clergy and churchgoers together celebrated their beloved parsh’s 25th Anniversary.

Several celebratory events were held during the following weeks.

On Saturday, 1 October, 2016, the HCGM Laval Regional Council, with the Ladies Philoptochos and the Church Committee, under the supervision of Archimandrite Nectarios (Mostratos), worked fervently to organise the Gala that was held at the Palace Reception Hall, 1717 Le Corbusier, Laval, at 7:00 p.m.

Amongst the performers that evening was the famous Greek singer, Zacharias Karounis.

All proceeds from the dinner were contributed to the Church’s renovations and maintenance expenses.

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”.

Archimandrite Nektarios (Mostratos) ordained to be a bishop, 2020

On 25 July, 2020, in the Holy Temple of Holy Cross in Laval, Greater Montreal, Quebec, Archbishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas) of Toronto and the Greek Orthodox Diocese of Canada ordained Archimandrite Nektarios (Mostratos) to the Holy Episcopate. At this time, he gave the new bishop the name Bartholomew. He was given the titular see of Keramos.

On becoming one of the 3 new Vicar-bishops, Bishop Bartholomew (Mostratos) was given the responsibility of overseeing the Greek Orthodox parishes in western Canada.

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church is a parish of the Hellenic Community of Greater Montreal located in Laval, Quebec, and it serves the greater Montreal area.

The church operates under the ecclesiastic and spiritual authority of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto (Canada) and is part of the Hellenic Community of Greater Montreal (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 Church Committee and Ladies Benevolent society, and it maintains its own archives for sacraments and ceremonies.

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

Saint George Cathedral (1961) ;

Evangelismos (Annunciation) ;

Koimisis (Dormition) ;

Saint John the Baptist (1984) ;

Saint Nicholas (1971) ;

Holy Cross .

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

Particular Parish Information

This parish is a part of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto (Canada), of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Constantinople. The bishop is Archbishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas). The Vicar-Bishop is Bishop Athenagoras (Salmas).

This parish follows the New (Revised Julian) Calendar.

The Altar Feast-day of this parish is the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (14 September).

In 2026, the pastor of this parish was Priest Nicolas P Andreou.

Address :

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church

4865 Chemin du Souvenir

Chomedey, Laval, Quebec

H7W 1E1

Telephone : 450-973-3773

Fax : 450-973-3754

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Directions :

By public transit :

Consult Société de transport de Montréal.

By car :

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church is situated in the Chomedy district of Laval, Greater Montreal. It is between Autoroute #13 and Highway #117 (Boulevard Cure-Labelle), south of Autoroute #440, and north of Autoroute #40 (Trans-Canada).

Drive north on Autoroute #13 from Autoroute #40, or south on Autoroute #13 from Autoroute #440. At Boulevard Notre-Dame, take the exit to Boulevard Notre-Dame Est (east), and turn left (northwards) onto Chemin du Souvenir. After Rue Melville, and before Avenue Effingham, the Temple is on the left (north side).

Priest Nicolas Andreou