The Hon. Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, today sent our Holy Metropolis formal greetings to celebrate both St. Andrew the First-Called Apostle and the Patronal Feast of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.
The Premier’s thoughtful message acknowledges the importance of today’s feast day for the “vibrant Orthodox Christian community” in the province.
The Premier also extended best wishes to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Metropolitan Archbishop Sotirios. We thank and appreciate the words of Mr. Ford and are grateful to him and his new government who support Ontario’s diverse faith communities, and we wish him great success as he carries out his responsibilities to govern the province.
I’m very pleased to extend greetings to the members of our Orthodox Christian community as they celebrate Saint Andrew the First-Called Apostle, and the Patronal Feast of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.
This is an important day for the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto and for all those who commemorate and honour Andrew the Apostle.
Our diverse faith communities are a reflection of our province’s belief in openness, inclusion and tolerance.
I’m proud of our many religious traditions, including those represented by our vibrant Orthodox Christian community, which includes the members of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto.
On this special occasion, I offer my best wishes to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Metropolitan Archbishop Sotirios, and to all Orthodox Christians for an enjoyable feast day. [Note: original letter below.]
