rom January 26 to February 3, 2023, Archbishop Sotirios visited the Greek Orthodox Communities of British Columbia.
January 27: His Eminence visited Fr. Demetrios Partsafas, accompanied by the three priests of the Vancouver area, Fr. Timoleon Prattas, Fr. Georgi Despodov and Fr. Nikolaos Sideras. Fr. Demetrios has served the province of British Columbia with devotion and love and His Eminence went first to see him and his Presvytera, during this visit to British Columbia, in gratitude for all his years of service.
With the help of the clergy of British Columbia, His Eminence celebrated an evening Divine Liturgy at Sts. Constantine and Helen in Surrey, British Columbia. It was the 49th anniversary of the ordination of Archbishop Sotirios to Bishop. Many pious faithful participated in the Divine Liturgy, which was followed by a wonderful reception by the Community.
Praying in the Altar was Fr. Dorotheos Tryfonopoulos, another one of our retired priests in British Columbia. Archbishop Sotirios expresses his sincere thanks to Fr. D. Tryfonopoulos for his many years of contribution to the Church.
January 28: In the morning, Archbishop Sotirios had several meetings, including with Mr. A. Tsakumis, new President of the Vancouver Greek Community. God bless the new Council and all the efforts of the Community.
The Consul General of Greece in Vancouver Mrs. Eleni Georgopoulou, together with her husband, invited His Eminence and the clergy of Metro Vancouver to dinner. Many thanks to the Honorable Consul General for her kind hospitality.
January 29: Assisted by Fr. Nikolaos Sideras, Archbishop Sotirios celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of St. George in Vancouver. At the end of the Divine Liturgy, His Eminence performed the Swearing-in Ceremony of the new Philoptochos Board of St. George’s Church, and the cutting of the Vasilopita for the Community.
After the Divine Liturgy, the Community of Sts. Constantine and Helen Surrey hosted a fundraising luncheon in the hall of the Hellenic Community of Vancouver. Congratulations to all the organizers!
January 30: For the Feast Day celebrations of the Three Hierarchs, Patron Saints of Greek Orthodox Education, Archbishop Sotirios celebrated an evening Divine Liturgy at the Greek Orthodox Community of Sts. Nicholas and Dimitrios in East Vancouver, assisted by the priests of the Vancouver area: Fr. Timoleon Prattas, Fr. Georgi Despodov, and Fr. Nikolaos Sideras. After the Divine Liturgy, the Greek schools of the area held a Celebration in honour of the Three Hierarchs. Warmest congratulations!
Archbishop Sotirios was pleased to meet the new Honorary Consul of Cyprus in British Columbia, Ms. Kyriaki Arsoniadis. His Eminence wished her success in her new duties.
February 1-2: In Victoria, British Columbia, Archbishop Sotirios celebrated Vespers and the Divine Liturgy at the Celebrating Church of Ypapanti, assisted by Fr. Timoleon Prattas, Fr. Georgi Despodov, Fr. Nikolaos Sideras and Fr. Demetrios Vickery.
At the end of the Divine Liturgy, a memorial service was held for pilots Mario-Michael Touroutsikas and Efstathios Tsitlakidis, along with Geron Metropolitan John of Pergamon.
After the Divine Liturgy, a luncheon was served to all. Everything was perfectly organized. Warmest congratulations to the President, Mr. T. Petropoulos, the Board of Directors, and to Fr Dimitrios Vickery. That evening, Archbishop Sotirios had dinner with the Community Council.
Archbishop Sotirios expressed his satisfaction with this trip to Western Canada, as the Communities are progressing with a spirit of good cooperation. After the Coronavirus Pandemic, Christians are returning to our churches. His Eminence praises our All-Good God for everything and thanks the family of Archon D. Stasinopoulos for their hospitality.
