ΙΟΥΛΙΟΣ/ΑΥΓΟΥΣΤΟΣ 2008

JULY/AUGUST 2008

 

Monasteries celebrated their feastdays

On August 23rd and 24th, the Monasteries of Panagia the Comforter in Quebec and St. Kosmas Aitolos in Bolton, Ontario, respectively, celebrated their feastdays. Both services were attended by many faithful in both provinces.

 

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His Grace Bishop Christoforos Represents His All Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew I at

Extraordinary Sobor of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada

 

From August 22nd to 24th, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada held its Extraordinary Sobor in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. His Grace Bishop Christoforos of Andida was appointed to represent His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I. His remarks at the Sobor are below.

 

Your Eminence Metropolitan John,

Your Graces,

Reverend Fathers,  

Beloved in the Lord,

 

It is a great honour for me to represent His All Holiness, Patriarch Bartholomew, at this Clergy-Laity Assembly (Sobor) of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada and I convey to all of you the love and blessings of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

 

When I think of a Clergy-Laity Conference, my mind goes to the Holy Synods, especially the ecumenical ones. The fathers there had always in mind that everything should be guided and governed by the Holy Spirit. The phrase they used was the following:  “it seemed good for the Holy Spirit and us”.

 

Standing in humility in front of all of you, I brotherly ask that all the participants in this very important Sobor keep in mind this phrase: “it seemed good for the Holy Spirit and us” and speak and act by the Holy Spirit

 

This Sobor must be a turning point in the history of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada. Among other things, this Sobor will propose names of candidates to be elected as bishops for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada by the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. This is the work of the Holy Spirit and I am sure that the right names will be proposed.

 

I thank His All Holiness for giving me this special honour to represent him here. I thank our God for all His blessings bestowed upon all of us and I pray that he will bless this Sobor with the greatest success for best serving the people and for His glory.

 

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Fall Session of the Metropolis Council

 

As is the custom of the Metropolis Council, a fall session date has been chosen.  The Fall Session of the Metropolis Council will be convening on Monday, October 20th at the Greek Orthodox Metropolis Headquarters in Toronto.

 

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Parish Priest Transfers

 

Throughout the entire summer, various Parish Priests have been transferred to new communities.

 

On July 1st, the Community of St. Demetrios Winnipeg welcomed its new Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Theodore Paraskevopoulos. A graduate of the Toronto Orthodox Theological Academy and St. Vladimir's Seminary, Fr. Paraskevopoulos previously served at Prophet Elias Church in Mississauga, Ontario.

 

The same day, the city of Hamilton welcomed its two new Priests. Rev. Fr. Demetrios Gianniou began his pastoral duties at St. Demetrios Church, while Rev. Fr. Theologos Drakos, a graduate of Holy Cross School of Theology, began his tenure at Koimisis Church.

 

Rev. Fr. Stavros Chatzis was welcomed to Windsor as the new Parish Priest of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Community, also on July 1st.

 

The city of Toronto also welcomes its new Priest, Rev. Fr. Dimitrios Tzaneteas, who began serving at All Saints Church in Toronto on July 1st.

 

In mid-July, Rev. Fr. Charalambos Elles began serving at St. George Church in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on a temporary basis.

 

Starting August 1st, the Very Rev. Fr. Constantine Siarapis, Preacher of the Ecumenical Throne, will begin to serve St. Irene Chrysovalantou Church in Toronto. Rev. Fr. Spyros Vitouladitis, formerly an assistant priest at St. Nicholas Church in Toronto, will be the Parish Priest of St. George Church on a temporary basis.

 

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Statement from His Eminence Metropolitan Archbishop Sotirios

Regarding Appointment of Dr. Henry Morgentaler to the Order of Canada

 

The Greek Orthodox Church has soundly condemned abortion as murder from the very beginning of the Church’s existence. Abortion can never be accepted as being solely considered as a woman’s right, without reference to the rights of the unborn child. It is a pity that there is no law for or against abortion in Canada. The responsibility lies with parliament. Does this, however, make abortion morally or ethically acceptable?

 

Should a man who disrespected the life of the unborn be awarded the honour of the Order of Canada? Does this prove that Canada truly protects human rights?

 

The position of Dr. Morgentaler on abortion is supported by two-thirds of Canadians. Does this, though, make it right? Is the majority always right? Are ethics, morals and principles based on the opinion of the majority or do they stand by themselves?

 

I invite all faithful people to voice their opinion on this matter. I invite those who have had abortions to truly repent and abide by the principles of the faith. The church is here to help them and Christ is ever present to forgive them.

 

God has put the unborn child in the womb of its mother to be protected by her, by the father and the doctors according to the Hippocratic Oath that they take.

 

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Camp Metamorphosis 2008

 

Camp Metamorphosis Toronto was a huge success, with over 60 participants!  Together, campers and counsellors lived a week of faith, fun and new friendships.

Congratulations to all the organizers!

 

 

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Πρόγραμμα του Σεβ. Μητροπολίτου Τορόντο κ. Σωτηρίου - Ιούλιος/Αύγουστος 2008

Program of His Eminence Metropolitan Sotirios of Toronto - July/August 2008

 

Για να δείτε το Πρόγραμμα του Σεβασμιωτάτου Μητροπολίτου κ. Σωτηρίου για τους μήνες Ιουλίου και Αυγούστου, πατήστε εδώ.

To see the Program of His Eminence Metropolitan Archbishop Sotirios for the months of July and August, click here.

 

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Οικουμενικον Πατριαρχειον

ΑΝΑΚΟΙΝΩΘΕΝ

 

Ἐν σχέσει πρός τά πρό τινος δημοσιευθέντα ὅτι δῆθεν ἡ Α. Θ. Παναγιότης ὁ Οἰκουμενικός Πατριάρχης κ. κ. Βαρθολομαῖος θεωρεῖ δυνατήν τήν «διπλῆν ἑνότητα» τῶν λεγομένων Ἑλληνορύθμων Καθολικῶν (Οὐνιτῶν), ἤτοι τήν πλήρη κοινωνίαν των τόσον μετά τῆς Ρώμης ὅσον καί μετά τῆς Κωνσταντινουπόλεως, τό Οἰκουμενικόν Πατριαρχεῖον διαψεύδει ταῦτα ὡς ἀνακριβῆ καί ὡς οὐδέποτε λεχθέντα καί ἐπαναλαμβάνει τήν θέσιν του ὅτι ἡ πλήρης ἑνότης ἐν τῇ πίστει ἀποτελεῖ προϋπόθεσιν διά τήν μυστηριακήν κοινωνίαν.

 

Ἐν τοῖς Πατριαρχείοις, τῇ 5^ῃ Ἰουλίου 2008

Ἐκ τῆς Ἀρχιγραμματείας τῆς Ἁγίας καὶ Ἱερᾶς Συνόδου

 

ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE

PRESS RELEASE

 

 With respect to the recently published articles reporting that allegedly His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew believes that it is possible for the Greek Catholics (Uniates) to have a "double union", in other words, full communion with Rome as well as with Constantinople, the Ecumenical Patriarchate refutes this inaccurate statement and affirms it was never made.  The Ecumenical Patriarchate repeats its position that full union in faith is a prerequisite for sacramental communion.

 

At the Patriarchate, the 5th of July 2008

From the Chief Secretariat of the Holy Synod

 

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Golf Classic 2008

On Thursday, July 3rd, our Metropolis held its 7th Annual Golf Classic at Nobleton Lakes Golf Club in Nobleton, Ontario. Proceeds of the event go to the Toronto Orthodox Theological Academy. The Metropolis would like to thank all the sponsors, golfers and volunteers for their commitment to the Toronto Orthodox Theological Academy and the Greek Orthodox Church in Canada.

Tournament Sponsor

• Eglinton – Bayview Physiotherapy Centre and Joints in Motion

 

Silver Sponsor

• Scotia Bank Commercial Banking

• Dignity Memorial

• Advanced Combustion Paul Loukas

• Mr. and Mrs. Ernie Afaganis

 

Bronze Sponsor

• George Georgiou

 

Dinner Sponsor

• Segal LLP Chartered Accountants

 

Live Auction Sponsors

• Turtle Island

• John Dagonas

• George Seretis

 

Gifts Donated

• RBC – Commercial Financial Services

• Teranet Inc.

• Harbour 60

• John Dagonas

 

Table Sponsors

• Lorne Drugs PharmaChoice

• Pasquale Bros. Downtown Ltd.

• Paul’s Plumbing

• Gallagher Lambert Group

• Mr. & Dr. Tsatsaronis

 

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Ο Σεβασμιώτατος επισκέπτηκε τα "Ελληνικά Σπίτια" στο Τορόντο /

His Eminence visited the "Hellenic Homes" in Toronto

 

On Monday, June 30th, His Eminence Metropolitan Archbishop Sotirios visited the Hellenic Home for the Aged in Scarborough, Ontario. The day began with His Eminence celebrating the Divine Liturgy at Sts. Cyril and Methodius Chapel, assisted by Rev. Fr. D. Koumarellas, Parish Priest of the Scarborough Chapel.

 

That evening, assisted by the Clergy of Toronto, His Eminence presided over Great Vespers for the Feast of the Holy Unmercenaries, Patron Saints of the Chapel at the Hellenic Home for the Aged, located in Toronto, Ontario.  On Tuesday, July 1st, Canada Day, His Eminence celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Chapel, assisted by Rev. Fr. V. Stavropoulos, Parish Priest of the Toronto Chapel, and Rev. Fr. D. Koumarellas. A reception followed both events.

 

It was a moving experience for everyone present at the events, with His Eminence blessing the residents and all those who help our Hellenic Homes in Toronto and across Canada.

 

To find out more about the Hellenic Homes for the Aged in Toronto and Scarborough, click here.