The visit to Canada of Gerontissa Theoxeni and Sr. Theolekti from the Holy Patriarchal Monastery of Chrysopigi in Crete has concluded with many great spiritual benefits for the faithful.
With the blessing of Archbishop Sotirios, Gerontissa Theoxeni visited a number of parishes in the Greater Toronto Area to speak with the faithful and provide them spiritual nourishment during this blessed period of Holy and Great Lent.
Following the successful youth and young adults spiritual homily at the Cathedral of the Archdiocese on March 13, 2025, Gerontissa Theoxeni visited the Metamorphosis Church in Toronto on Friday for the Second Salutations to the Theotokos. Following the service and warm introduction by Parish Priest Fr. Fanourios Pappas, the Gerontissa spoke about the Most-Holy Theotokos, emphasizing the light, hope, and love that She emits to the entire world. All of the gathered faithful greeted Gerontissa and received an icon of the Mother of God of the Life-Giving Font, the Protectress of the Chrysopigi Monastery.
The following morning, Gerontissa Theoxeni and Sr. Theolekti visited the St. Nicholas Greek School where they spoke to the assembled students with simple yet profound words about living a life in Christ. The students asked various questions in a truly blessed environment that left all participants with feelings of love and zeal for the Lord.
On Saturday evening, the main homily was delivered by Gerontissa Theoxeni at the St. Nicholas Cathedral on the theme: Be Holy As I Am Holy: Living a Christian Life in Today’s Society. Together with Archbishop Sotirios, His Grace Bishop Athenagoras, and many Reverend Fathers, hundreds of faithful from across the Greater Toronto Area gathered to hear these spiritual words. Following the homily, the St. Nicholas Community organized a complimentary Lenten dinner meal for all people at the Cultural Centre of the Archdiocese.
On the Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas, Gerontissa Theoxeni and Sr. Theolekti attended the Divine Liturgy at the St. Nicholas Cathedral.
On Monday, March 17th, which is the feast day of St. Alexios the Man of God, Gerontissa Theoxeni and Sr. Theolekti went to the St. Kosmas Aitolos Monastery in Bolton to visit Gerontissa Alexia and the Sisters, and to especially wish Gerontissa Alexia many happy and blessed years on the celebration of her Name Day.
On Wednesday, March 19th, a visit was paid to the Metamorphosis Greek Orthodox School (MGOS) of the Archdiocese, where Gerontissa Theoxeni and Sr. Theolekti met with all of the students, spoke to them about Holy and Great Lent, and distributed icons to all of them. The students sang traditional Greek songs and engaged in questions.
To conclude the visit, Gerontissa Theoxeni and Sr. Theolekti went to the Prophet Elias Church in Mississauga for the evening Presanctified Divine Liturgy.
Presided over by Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Theodore Paraskevopoulos, many faithful were present and communed of the Holy Mysteries. At the invitation of Fr. Paraskevopoulos, the Gerontissa spoke to the parishioners about the significance of the Presanctified Liturgy and the importance of sacrifice during Holy and Great Lent.
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada extends its gratitude and thanksgiving to both Gerontissa Theoxeni and Sr. Theolekti for their visit and encourages all Orthodox across Canada to deepen their spiritual focus always, but especially now as they prepare to observe Holy Week and the Resurrection of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
