Fundraising Dinner for Panagia Parigoritissa Monastery in Montreal
16 February 2018Friday, February 9: Metropolitan Sotirios presided at Great Vespers at the celebrating Church of St. Haralambos in Smithville, Ontario. Despite the bad weather, many pious faithful attended.
Saturday, February 10: Metropolitan Sotirios celebrated the Divine Liturgy at St. John the Theologian Church in Toronto, along with the Trisagion and Memorial Services of Wallace-Michael, late son of Mrs. Eugenia West, and for all the benefactors of our Holy Metropolis. The Divine Liturgy was very solemn; the Church was filled to capacity with pious faithful.
That evening, the Greek Orthodox Community of Ottawa, Canada’s capital, celebrated the 25th Anniversary of their Parish Priest, Fr. A. Michalopulos. Many spoke at the event, including His Eminence Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey, and His Excellency D. Azemopoulos, Ambassador of Greece to Canada.
Sunday, February 11: Assisted by Fr. A. Michalopulos and Fr. Avaccum, Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey celebrated the Divine Liturgy at Kimissis G.O. Church in Ottawa. Both in his homily during the Divine Liturgy and during his remarks at dinner, His Eminence spoke highly of Fr. A. Michalopulos. Both His Eminence and Fr. Michalopulos attended the Theological School of Boston together.
Metropolitan Sotirios celebrated the Divine Liturgy at Sts. Constantine and Helen Church in D.D.O., Quebec, assisted by Fr. L. Kamperidis. That evening, the annual Fundraising Dinner for Panagia Parigoritissa Monastery took place at the beautiful Chateau Royale. The hall and food were donated free of charge by the owner, Mr. Basilis Zannis, whom we thank warmly; it was truly a very spiritual evening. The history of the Monastery was shown on giant screens. More than 500 faithful attended the event. The Masters of Ceremonies were Fr. N. Mostratos and Fr. D. Antonopoulos. Speakers included: Abbess Thekla; Her Worship Catherine Trickey, Mayor of Chatham (where the Monastery is located); the Hon. N. Sigalas, Consul General of Greece in Montreal; and Metropolitan Sotirios. It was truly an unforgettable evening.
Monday, February 12: Metropolitan Sotirios had a meeting with the clergy of Montreal and vicinity. Many topics were discussed, especially those concerning the Youth, the Summer Camps and the 20th Anniversary of the Theological Academy.
It was a weekend filled with wonderful spiritual events. Metropolitan Sotirios congratulated Fr. A. Michalopulos for his 25 excellent years of service to the G.O. Community of Ottawa. He thanked His Eminence Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey and His Excellency Ambassador D. Azemopoulos of Greece for their participation. He congratulated Abbess Thekla and the Sisterhood for their truly spiritual lives, along with everyone who participated in the annual dinner for the Holy Monastery, and the brother priests of Montreal and vicinity. He glorified the Thrice-Holy, Triune God and asked that Panagia Parigoritissa console and protect our motherland Greece and all of us here in Canada and all the world.
