On October 7, 2024, Archbishop Sotirios presided over the Archdiocesan Council Meeting at the Headquarters of the Church in Canada in Toronto.
Participants included Bishop Athenagoras of Patara, the new Consul General of Greece in Toronto, Ioannis Chatzantonakis, representing the Ambassador of Greece, Mrs. Ekaterina Dimakis, the Executive of the Archdiocesan Board of Directors, and members of the Council from across Canada.
The Archbishop commenced the meeting with prayer and thanksgiving to God, and proceeded to discuss in fatherly detail the 2025 theme of the Archdiocese: “… Make full proof of thy ministry” (2 Timothy 4:5).
Comprehensive written reports were tabled by the leads of the various departments and ministries of the Church in Canada, which were discussed by Council members. All of the conversations were constructive and conduced in a Christian and cordial environment.
Lunch was served in the hall of the Archdiocese; at its conclusion, Consul General Chatzantonakis offered warm remarks and congratulated the Archbishop and the Archdiocese for all its successes and progress to promote Orthodoxy and Hellenism in Canada.
The following day, October 8th, through October 10th, all active Reverend Fathers in Canada gathered in Kingston for the annual Synaxis. The Archbishop led the discussions, assisted by the President of the Clergy Syndesmos, the V. Rev. Fr. Photios Tsamis, together with the participation of all clergy.
Important issues, including various opportunities and challenges facing the Church in Canada, were discussed and the necessary decisions taken.
As is tradition, an evening Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the local parish community of Koimisis Tis Theotokou. Following the Liturgy, the community council and Philoptochos chapter organized a wonderful dinner for all clergy and parishioners – we extend our sincere appreciation for their efforts.
All meetings ended with the Archbishop conveying the love and the blessings of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and chanting the fimi of the Patriarch.
