On Saturday, October 4, 2025, the Philoptochos Archdiocesan Council of Canada convened under the presidency of Mrs. Zoe Veroutis. The meeting was attended by ladies from across Canada.
After offering a prayer, Archbishop Sotirios, elaborated on the new theme of the Archdiocese for 2026: “Remember God more than breathing” (St. Gregory the Theologian), and gave directives for the mission and work of the Philoptochos.
Warm congratulations were extended to President Veroutis, the members of the Philoptochos Archdiocesan Council of Canada, and all local Philoptochos Chapters across Canada for their outstanding work.
On Monday, October 6th, the Archdiocesan Council held its meeting, chaired by Archbishop Sotirios, and attended by the Honourable Consul General of Greece in Toronto, Mr. Ioannis Hatzantonakis, who conveyed the message and love of the homeland, Greece, and His Grace Bishop Athenagoras.
The Archdiocesan Council consists of twenty-five (25) committees, each submitting reports related to the Theological Academy and the pastoral, missionary, social, catechetical, and other ministries of the Archdiocese of Canada. The meeting was attended by thirty-five (35) members from across the country.
The session began with prayer and a reflection on this year’s theme. The work proceeded from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., in a spirit of cooperation and Orthodox Christian faith.
At the end of the meeting, Archbishop Sotirios thanked all the participants and offered glory to the Triune God for all the blessings He bestows upon the Archdiocese of Canada. He conveyed the blessings and greetings of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, and everyone chanted his Fimi (Many Years).
From Tuesday, October 7th, to Thursday, October 9th, the clergy from across Canada gathered for their annual assembly in Kingston, Ontario. The sessions were presided over by Archbishop Sotirios, with the participation of Bishop Athenagoras, the President of the Priests’ Brotherhood Archimandrite Fr. Photios Tsamis, and all the clergy.
Topics discussed included: a) Active participation of parishioners in church life through programs such as choirs, Sunday School, dance groups, altar servers, Bible study, outreach, etc. b) Ministry to parishioners facing serious mental health challenges. c) Online Orthodoxy and its impact on community life. d) The priest as both healer and one who is healed through the Sacrament of Holy Confession. e) Catechumens and Converts.
Following the presentations, elections were held for the Executive Board of the Priests’ Syndesmos, which retained its existing composition.
On Tuesday, October 7th an Evening Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos in Kingston by Archbishop Sotirios, with the participation of all the clergy.
During the Liturgy, Archbishop Sotirios ordained Mr. Innocent Chang to the diaconate. Deacon Innocent, originally from Indonesia, is a graduate of the Archdiocese’s Theological Academy. Axios! (Worthy!)
After the Liturgy, a wonderful dinner was offered for all clergy and parishioners, generously hosted by the Greek Orthodox Community of the Dormition of the Theotokos in Kingston. The priests sang traditional songs, and at the end of the evening, the Archbishop thanked the president and the board of directors of the Community for their excellent hospitality. He also conveyed the blessings of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, and everyone chanted his Fimi.
