On Saturday, February 24, 2024, the new Ambassador of Greece to Canada, Akaterini Dimakis, visited Holy Archdiocese and had a productive series of meetings with Archbishop Sotirios.
The Ambassador, who was accompanied by the Consul General of Greece in Toronto, the Hon. Panayotis Antonatos, was greeted by the Archbishop; Bishop Athenagoras of Patara, who is the Dean of the Patriarchal Toronto Orthodox Theological Academy (PTOTA); Rev. Fr. Kosta Chialtas, Secretary to the Archbishop; Archon Evagelos Sotiropoulos, Secretary of the Archdiocesan Board of Directors; and, students of Theological Academy.
Archbishop Sotirios led the tour of the Archdiocese’s Headquarters for the Ambassador and Consul General, which commenced at the Church of St. John the Theologian; there, the students chanted two hymns, one each for St. John and Panagia Torontoessa (poems of Archbishop Sotirios), which emotionally moved the visiting dignitaries.
Following a tour of the PTOTA classrooms and supporting facilities, the visitors went to the fourth floor of the Archdiocese, where the main workplaces are located, including the Archbishop’s office. Following a fruitful discussion, Archbishop Sotirios and the ambassador exchanged gifts.
Following the tour, the Archbishop, Ambassador, Consul General, and Archon Evagelos Sotiropoulos, visited the Metamorphosis Greek Orthodox School (MGOS) in North York. Ms. Anna Saradidis, the very dedicated and capable MGOS Principal, led the visitors on a tour of the school, including the classrooms, science labs, athletic facilities, and other amenities for staff and students. Archbishop Sotirios and Principal Saradidis provided the Ambassador and Consul General with a history of the school and its founder, Ms. Toula Reppas, with both dignitaries expressing their amazement and gratitude for this ongoing and successful Greek and Orthodox initiative.
The delegation’s final stop was the Cathedral of St. Nicholas in Scarborough, together with the Metropolitan Cultural Centre. The Ambassador was overwhelmed by the impressive Byzantine iconography of the parish, as well as the size and beauty of the recently renovated Cultural Centre.
Archbishop Sotirios, the ambassador, the Hon. Consul General, and the Archon Sotiropoulos had a wonderful luncheon where many important issues related to Hellenism and Orthodoxy were discussed in a spirit of unity, friendship, and commitment to continued collaboration, including the upcomig visit of the Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
