Archbishop of Canada Apostolos has issued his first pastoral encyclical to the clergy and faithful of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada ahead of his arrival in the country and his enthronement on September 19, placing ecclesiastical unity at the center of his ministry.
Drawing on Christ’s High Priestly Prayer, “That they all may be one” (John 17:21), Archbishop Apostolos stressed that unity is not simply a biblical exhortation but “the very foundation of our ecclesial life” and the guiding vision for the common journey of the Church. He emphasized that clergy and laity, monastics and families, young and old alike are united in their calling to proclaim the Gospel and bear witness to Christ’s love and truth.
The Archbishop also expressed his profound gratitude to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew for entrusting him with the pastoral care of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada, praying that he may prove worthy of the responsibility by serving with humility, discernment, compassion, and faithfulness.
At the same time, he paid tribute to his predecessor, Archbishop Sotirios, acknowledging that his more than five decades of devoted ministry shaped the spiritual life of the Church in Canada and left a lasting legacy for future generations.
Calling on the faithful to remain united, Archbishop Apostolos urged them to “preserve and cultivate the precious gift of ecclesiastical unity,” noting that the strength of the Archdiocese is found above all in the unity of its faithful, their common Orthodox faith, and their devotion to the Mother Church of Constantinople.
Looking ahead, he outlined the priorities of his ministry, highlighting the need to strengthen the spiritual life of the faithful, support and inspire young people, preserve the Orthodox faith and Hellenic heritage, strengthen families, and expand the Archdiocese’s philanthropic, educational, and pastoral ministries. As he noted, “This sacred stewardship belongs not to one person alone, but is a shared vocation and a collective responsibility bestowed upon all of us by God.”
Concluding his message, Archbishop Apostolos asked the faithful for their prayers while assuring them of his own daily prayers, expressing confidence that, through God’s grace and united effort, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada will continue to flourish as “a radiant beacon of Orthodoxy, Hellenism, and Christian witness” throughout Canada.
Read here the full encyclical:
“That they all may be one.” (John 17:21)
Beloved Fathers, Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,With profound thanksgiving and heartfelt gratitude to the All-Holy and Life-Giving Trinity, I address this first paternal message to you as I prayerfully and joyfully anticipate my arrival in Canada and my official enthronement on September 19.
The High Priestly Prayer of our Lord Jesus Christ—“that they all may be one”—is not merely a scriptural exhortation; it is the very foundation of our ecclesial life and the sacred vision that must guide our common journey. The Church is the living Body of Christ, and each of us has been entrusted with a unique ministry and vocation. Whether clergy or laity, monastic or married, young or old, we are united in our calling to proclaim the Gospel of Christ and to bear witness to His love, truth, and saving presence in the world.
With filial devotion and deep humility, I offer my heartfelt gratitude to His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew for his paternal love, confidence, and trust in entrusting me with the pastoral care of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada, this historic and blessed Eparchy of the Ecumenical Throne. Conscious of the magnitude of this sacred responsibility, I pray unceasingly that I may prove worthy of this high calling by serving God’s people with humility, discernment, compassion, and unwavering faithfulness.
At the same time, I respectfully and prayerfully seek the blessing of my venerable predecessor, His Eminence Archbishop Sotirios, whose more than five decades of devoted and sacrificial ministry have shaped the spiritual life and witness of the Church in Canada. His enduring legacy of faith, pastoral care, and visionary leadership will remain a source of inspiration and gratitude for generations to come.
Until the blessed day of our meeting, I earnestly ask all of you to preserve and cultivate the precious gift of ecclesiastical unity. In the words of the Holy Apostle Paul, let us be “eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3). The strength of our Archdiocese is found not only in its institutions or ministries, but above all in the unity of its faithful, in our common Orthodox faith, and in our steadfast devotion to our Mother Church of Constantinople.
I look forward with great joy to coming to Canada and personally meeting our devoted clergy, parish leaders, Philoptochos members, Archons, monastic communities, educators, volunteers, benefactors, and, most especially, our young people—the living hope and future of our Holy Archdiocese. It will be a blessing to listen, to learn, and to labor together in a spirit of mutual respect and Christian love.
A great and sacred mission lies before us. Together, we are called to strengthen the spiritual life of our faithful, to nurture and inspire our youth, to preserve and promote our Orthodox faith and Hellenic heritage, to support and strengthen our families, and to expand the philanthropic, educational, and pastoral ministries entrusted to our care. This sacred stewardship belongs not to one person alone, but is a shared vocation and a collective responsibility bestowed upon all of us by God.
I humbly ask for your prayers as I assure you of my own daily prayers for each and every one of you. Confident in God’s abundant grace, strengthened by the paternal blessings of our Ecumenical Patriarch, and united in faith and purpose, I am certain that the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada will continue to flourish as a radiant beacon of Orthodoxy, Hellenism, and Christian witness throughout this blessed country.
With paternal love and joyful anticipation, I eagerly await the day when we shall gather together in prayer and fellowship, getting to know one another and laboring side by side as one family in Christ for the glory of God and the building up of His Holy Church.
Invoking upon all of you the abundant blessings of our Lord Jesus Christ and the intercessions of the Most Holy Theotokos, I remain,
With paternal blessings and abiding love in Christ,+APOSTOLOS
ARCHBISHOP OF CANADA
