Montreal Greeks Mark 120 Years With New Archbishop’s First Visit

The Greek community of Montreal marked Oxi Day with a first pastoral visit from Archbishop Apostolos of Canada, as the Hellenic Community of Greater Montreal celebrates 120 years.

This year, the community’s Oxi Day events carried extra weight. They coincided with the 120th anniversary of the Hellenic Community of Greater Montreal, founded in 1906.

Apostolos, the former Metropolitan of New Jersey, was enthroned in Toronto in September. He now leads the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada.

Greece’s delegation included Maira Myrogianni, Secretary-General for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy. MPs Thanasis Papathanasis and Stavros Michailidis, of Parliament’s cross-party committee on Greeks abroad, joined her.

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Liturgy honours the heroes of 1940

The celebrations peaked with a festive Divine Liturgy at St George’s Cathedral, led by Archbishop Apostolos. The historic church of the Greek community of Montreal was full.

Worshippers included students from the Socrates-Demosthenes schools, as well as members of local associations.

Afterwards, clergy held a memorial service for the fallen and for the community’s founders. Officials then laid wreaths inside the church.

Those paying tribute included Greece’s new Ambassador to Canada, Vasilis Vikas, and Consul General Nikos Karalekas. Community president Vasilis Angelopoulos and anniversary committee chair Justine Frangouli-Argyris also took part.

Earlier, on Friday, the Archbishop visited the community’s head offices on arrival, where he heard about its work in education and culture. He also signed the community’s Golden Book.

Greek community of Montreal toasts 120 years

The Archbishop also toured the community’s day and Saturday schools. Myrogianni and the two MPs visited the schools with Karalekas.

In particular, they praised the high level of Greek spoken by third- and fourth-generation children of migrants. They also recognised the role of the Greek community of Montreal in keeping the language alive.

However, the highlight of the anniversary celebrations was a gala at the Palace Convention Centre in Laval. More than 500 guests honoured the Archbishop, the 28 October anniversary and the community’s 120 years.

During the evening, the venue’s owner, Nikos Tsatas, donated $50,000 to mark the milestone.

Days earlier, Archbishop Apostolos had marked Oxi Day in Toronto. Now, after 120 years, the Greek community of Montreal remains a beacon of Greek education, culture and Orthodox faith in North America.

Source: ERT News

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