With the blessing and permission of Archbishop Sotirios of Canada, on Thursday, May 8, 2025, the ordination to the holy diaconate of Basilios Roccas took place at the celebrating Church of Saint John the Theologian, patron of the Patriarchal Toronto Orthodox Theological Academy. The ordination was officiated by Bishop Athenagoras of Patara.
A large number of clergy from the Greater Toronto Area and other remote regions participated in the sacrament, along with students and faculty of the Academy and many devout Orthodox faithful.
Also present was the Consul General of Greece in Toronto, Ioannis Chatzantonakis; the President of the Archdiocesan Philoptochos of Canada, Mrs. Zoe Veroutis, accompanied by members of the Philoptochos; and Archon Spyridon Volonakis, Director of Greek Education in Canada.
At the conclusion of the ordination, Archbishop Sotirios offered remarks about the newly-ordained Hierodeacon, who is currently serving in the Secretariat of the Holy Archdiocese.
He noted that although Hierodeacon Basilios graduated from the Theological Academy 21 years ago, the fullness of time had now come, and God had called him to serve in the Holy Priesthood. From a young age, Hierodeacon Basilios was actively engaged in the life and ministry of the Church and had always aspired to become a clergyman.
