Philoptochos Spiritual Retreats are held annually across Canada. For 2026, three retreats were scheduled. The first retreat was organized in the Community of Sarnia for the Philoptochos Societies of Southwestern Ontario. The second retreat will take place in Montreal for the Philoptochos Societies of the Province of Quebec and Eastern Ontario, while the third retreat will be held in Toronto for the Philoptochos Societies of the Communities of Ontario.
The program for the first retreat was held on Saturday, March 7, 2026, in Sarnia. Archbishop Sotirios of Canada, accompanied by the President of the Archdiocesan Philoptochos Council of Canada, Mrs. Zoe Veroutis, and members of the Board of Directors, first visited the Community of London, Ontario. On Friday evening, March 6, the Service of the Second Salutations to the Most Holy Theotokos was celebrated at Holy Trinity Church.
Following the service, the delegation traveled to Sarnia, where the Divine Liturgy was celebrated on Saturday, March 7, at St. Demetrios Church, presided over by Archbishop Sotirios, with the participation of Fr. Elias Drossos, Fr. Evangelos Aravantinos, and Fr. Chrysostomos Achilleos.
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, His Eminence elevated Fr. Chrysostomos Achilleos, parish priest of the community, to the rank of Protopresbyter, and tonsured David Shoesmith, Connor Bede Hussey, and Nicholas Zuniga as Readers. The Philoptochos Spiritual Retreat followed and continued throughout the day.
Later that afternoon, a visit was made to the city of Windsor. In the evening, a meeting was held with the boards of the Community, the Philoptochos Society, and the Youth of the Windsor Community.
On the following day, Sunday, March 8, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Archbishop Sotirios and Fr. Evangelos Aravantinos. Following the service and the communal luncheon, the Archbishop and the members of the Archdiocesan Philoptochos Council of Canada returned to Toronto.
All events were marked by strong participation and enthusiasm. The communities of London, Sarnia, Windsor, Kitchener, and Chatham expressed their support and appreciation for the work of the Philoptochos Society and the presence of Archbishop Sotirios.
The remaining Philoptochos Spiritual Retreats will be held in Montreal on Saturday, March 14, and in Toronto on Saturday, March 21.
