The annual graduation ceremony of the Patriarchal Toronto Orthodox Theological Academy (PTOTA) was held at the Cultural Centre of the Holy Archdiocese of Canada on Friday, May 2, 2025.
It was a truly splendid and spiritual evening that was attended by almost 500 people, who came to celebrate the Theological Academy, this year’s graduate and valedictorian, to support the Church in Canada, and to proclaim, as one, the life-saving chant Christ is Risen!
Archbishop Sotirios provided opening and closing remarks, including fatherly words of encouragement and advice for graduate Anastasios Skenderidis and all students of the PTOTA.
Greetings were provided by Fr. Photios Tsamis, President of the Presbyters Council; Ms. Zoe Veroutis, President of the Philoptochos Council; Ioannis Chatzantonakis, Consul General of Greece in Toronto; and, Stavros Hatziyiannis, High Commissioner of Cyprus to Canada.
Following her remarks, Ms. Veroutis provided a $50,000 donation to the PTOTA from the National Philoptochos, which almost completes the $1 million pledge made when the Theological Academy was created. The Archdiocese sincerely thanked and expressed its gratitude to Ms. Veroutis, the Philoptochos Board of Directors, and to all the local chapters across Canada for helping to ensure the long-term sustainability of the PTOTA.
The evening’s main speaker was Gerontissa Alexia from the Holy Monastery of St. Kosmas Aitolos in Bolton, Ontario. Gerontissa delivered a spiritually uplifting and motivating address about the importance of church and theology, together with the significance of the Holy Priesthood.
There was a beautiful musical interlude consisting of traditional Greek folk songs from the Reverend Fathers and PTOTA students that was skillfully led by Rev. Fr. Elias Drossos.
The presentation of the degree was delivered to Mr. Skenderidis by Bishop Athenagoras, the Dean of the Academy, while the gift of the traditional icon of St. John the Theologian, who is the Patron of the PTOTA, was presented by Gerontissa Alexia.
The benediction was offered by Bishop Andriy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Canada, which is under the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
Finally, His Eminence led all participants in the chanting of the fimi of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, and conveyed to attendees the love, prayers, and blessing of the Ecumenical Patriarch.
