On Monday, November 30, 2020, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada, along with the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Canada, organized an online meeting to discuss the current state of the First Throne of Orthodoxy. The meeting coincided with the celebration of St. Apostle Andrew the First Called and Patron Saint of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The theme of the online meeting was “Challenges and Opportunities of the Ecumenical Patriarchate”.
Under the leadership of Archbishop Sotirios of Canada, participated the three Auxiliary Bishops of the Holy Archdiocese of Canada, Bishop Bartholomew of Keramos, Bishop of Athenagoras of Patara, Bishop Iakovos of Zinoupolis, priests of the Holy Archdiocese of Canada from all over the country, many Archons, presidents of Communities, as well as students of our Patriarchal Orthodox Theological Academy.
The meeting began with the Sunday prayer of the Archbishop and was followed by the greetings of Bishop Iakovos and Archon Evangelos Sotiropoulos. The special guest and main speaker of the online meeting was the distinguished professor and researcher Dr. Elizabeth Prodromou, a leading academician and researcher on topics related to the Ecumenical Patriarchate and religious freedom in general. Professor Elizabeth Prodromou informed the participants with apt and successful presentation.
This enlightening discussion covered many topics and gave participants the opportunity to understand and learn more about the current challenges and opportunities facing the Ecumenical Patriarchate as well as to discuss possible initiatives that the Church in Canada could implement to support the First Throne of the Orthodox Church.
The extensive discussions concluded with remarks by Archon Chrysostomos Perentes, President of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Canada, and Archbishop Sotirios, who emphasized the importance of the Mother Church for all the Orthodox of Canada, for Christianity and for the whole world. The Archbishop of Canada also conveyed the love and blessings of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, before wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.
It was truly a blessed and spiritually constructive event. The organizers expressed their appreciation and gratitude to all participants and especially to Professor Elisabeth Prodromou who was consistent in her time and discreet in her comments, helping each person to realize the current state of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.