Some events are unforgettable and become ingrained in the social fabric of a community. One such gathering took place at the Metropolitan Cultural Centre of our Archdiocese on Sunday, June 14, 2026, when more than 600 people participated in a great dinner to pay tribute to the life and works in Christ of Archbishop Sotirios of Canada.
The event formally presented a recent publication from the St. Nicholas Cathedral Community, “90 Years of a Bright Journey,” in celebration of the historical and continuing ministry of Archbishop Sotirios.
Organized by the Cathedral Community President, Anastasia Sotiropoulos, together with a selfless team of supporters, the event brought distinguished guests, including many Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, elected officials, and community leaders, in unity and love.
The head table guests consisted of:
- Archbishop Sotirios
- Ignatius IV, former Metropolitan of Arta from the Church of Greece (accompanied by Archimandrite Theologos Ntouvalis)
- Fr. Photios Tsamis, President of the Clergy Syndesmos of Canada
- Fr. Evangelos Athanassoulas, Parish Priest of the St. Nicholas Cathedral
- Abbess Alexia of the St. Kosmas Aitolos Monastery
- Consul General of Greece in Toronto, Ioannis Chatzantonakis, and his wife, Dr. Marilena Griva
- Archon Evagelos Sotiropoulos, President of the Ecumenical Patriarchate Archons in Canada
- Archon Jim Anas, Treasurer of the Archdiocese
- Anastasia Sotiropoulos, President of the St. Nicholas Cathedral
- Zoe Veroutis, President of the Philoptochos of Canada
- Betty Skoutakis, President of the Greek Community of Toronto
The Archdiocese also acknowledges and warmly thanks the elected officials who made the event even more noteworthy by their presence:
- Vince Gasparro, MP
- Jean Yip, MP
- Effie Triantafilopoulos, MPP
- Jonathan Tsao, MPP
- Nick Mantas, Toronto City Councillor
The formal program commenced with the evening’s masters of ceremonies, Nancy Gymnopoulos and Vicky Topos-Tsakalos, introducing Nicholas Sirmalis – a graduate of the Patriarchal Toronto Orthodox Theological Academy – to sing the Greek and Canadian national anthems.
Greetings were provided to Mrs. Anastasia Sotiropoulos, who delivered a heartfelt message of gratitude to the Archbishop, in addition to thanking and welcoming all attendees; Fr. Photios Tsamis, who conveyed sincere greetings and admiration to the Archbishop on behalf of all clergymen across Canada; and Consul General Chatzantonakis, who provided wise and meaningful words about the Archbishop’s accomplishments.
Thereafter, Archon Sotiropoulos furnished a formal presentation regarding the four books published by the St. Nicholas Community since 2022, and thanked the Holy Patriarchal and Stavropegic Monastery of Chrysopigi in Chania, Crete, who were instrumental in their publications.
This was followed by moving remarks by Archon Anas, the long-time Treasurer of the Archdiocese’s National Board of Directors, who has been a friend and distinguished collaborator with His Eminence for more than fifty years.
The keynote address was delivered by former Metropolitan of Arta, Ignatius, a dear friend of the Archbishop. The Metropolitan spoke with great emotion, sincerity, and love about the childhood of the Archbishop, his humble demeanour, and his many accomplishments serving in the vineyard of the Lord.
Final remarks were delivered by Archbishop Sotirios. He spoke in his traditional approach, with simple words and without notes, detailing his challenging life growing up in Epirus, Greece, his love for and commitment to the Church as a young boy, his benefactors who helped pave the way for his schooling and lifelong ministry, as well as the growth of the Church in Canada over the last half-century.
Archbishop Sotirios remarked, “Τhe Great Benefactor, not only of myself but also of the Church of Canada, is His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, whose determination and vision led, in 1996, to the establishment of Canada as a separate Metropolis, distinct from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America. This historic decision greatly fostered the growth and flourishing of the Orthodox Church in Canada.”
With great love and respect, all people present paid special attention to the words and paternal remarks of the Archbishop.
Afterwards, all the clergymen present delivered a wonderful musical interlude including “Axion Estin,” the Apolytikion of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra, as well as the fimi of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
Greek dances were carried out by a number of youth groups, who delighted the assembled guests with their traditional performances.
A wonderful reception with Lenten food in observance of the Apostles’ Fast was held afterwards, with great fellowship and a Christian spirit of love permeating the Cultural Centre.
