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Archbishop-elect of Canada delivers Great Message at the Ecumenical Patriarchate (VIDEO)

July 23, 2026 · 1 min read

The Service of the Great Message for Archbishop-elect Apostolos of Canada was held on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at the Patriarchal Church of St. George at the Phanar, in the presence of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

The ceremony followed the election of Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey as the new Archbishop of Canada by the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which convened under the presidency of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on Wednesday, July 22.

The election took place at the Patriarchal Church of St. George, where the members of the Holy and Sacred Synod gathered for their session and unanimously chose Metropolitan Apostolos to succeed Archbishop Sotirios as Primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada.

During the Service of the Great Message, Archbishop-elect Apostolos formally accepted his election before the Ecumenical Patriarch and the members of the Holy and Sacred Synod, marking an important step before his episcopal enthronement in Canada.

Source: Orthodox Times · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (15) 🌐 Show original

Надежда Тарасова

Congratulations to Bishop Apostolos. It’s interesting that he was already the Metropolitan of New Jersey, and now he’s being transferred to Canada. The service in the Church of St. George in Phanar must have been very solemn.

Γιάννης Μακρής

Good strength to the new Archbishop Apostolos. It's a big change from New Jersey to Canada, but they seem to trust him a lot. The ceremony at Fanari with Patriarch Bartholomew must have been beautiful, as always there.

Petar Nikolić

I am happy for Bishop Apostolos. Moving from New Jersey to Canada is no small step, but when the Synod unanimously chose him, it means that he is really appreciated. The service of the Great Message in the Church of St. George in Fanar must have been beautiful, as always there.

Μιχάλης Παναγιωτόπουλος

I agree John, moving from New Jersey to Canada is no small feat, especially with the weather up there. They seem to trust him enough, as you say. I hope he finds his footing quickly and people help him there.

Radmila Radovanović

I agree, Peter, a unanimous decision of the Synod always speaks louder than words. However, the transition from New Jersey to Canada also means a change of climate and a greater distance from Phanar, so I wonder how Bishop Apostolos will organize it with his priests there.

Đorđe Simić

I agree, Peter, a unanimous decision always seems serious. I was also in Fanar two years ago for a similar service, that small church of St. George always seems warmer than it looks from the outside. I'm only interested in whether Bishop Apostolos will keep some of his priests from New Jersey or if they will start all over again in Canada.

Ειρήνη Αντωνίου

Yes, the weather in Canada is harsh, especially in the winter when it reaches minus thirty. On the other hand, Apostolos has shown that he knows how to organize parishes, so I hope he gets along with the people there quickly. You, Michael, do you think he will also keep some associates from New Jersey?

Nikola Živković

I agree, Peter, a unanimous vote always seems like one has solid support. It's interesting to me how they will manage with that large expanse of Canada - I was once with my relatives in Toronto and there the parishes are not exactly on every corner like in New Jersey. Do you think he will need to travel more than before?

Χρήστος Μακρής

Yes, winter there is a real test, I remember being told from Toronto that the snow doesn't melt until April. Apostolos is good at organizing, as you say, but we'll see if he takes any New Jersey stalwarts with him. What do you think, will it take time for him to adjust with the Canadians?

Yes, Nikola, that space is huge. Toronto is still crowded, but as soon as you head out into the prairies or west, the parishes are scattered for hundreds of kilometers. I think he'll need a good car and a lot of road time, more than in New Jersey. Have you been to those relatives outside of Toronto?

Ηλίας Μακρής

Yes, winter in Toronto is harsh, I remember my son from there telling me that the snow is knee deep and the cold is breathtaking. Apostolos is a good organizer, but I think he will need at least a year to learn the peculiarities of the parishes there. Do you think he will bring someone with him from New Jersey or will he start from scratch?

Miloš Marković

Yes, Peter, you're right - in New Jersey, everything is within a couple of hours' drive, and here in Canada, you have to plan your days on the road. I was with relatives in Calgary, so I know what those empty prairies look like between the parishes. Do you think he will need an assistant for those distant visits?

Jovan Savić

Yes, Peter, you are right about those distances. Everything is packed in New Jersey, and here one can drive all day and not meet a single parish. Have you heard if they will give him another priest from Greece for those distant regions?

Bojana Nikolić

Yes, Jovan, those distances are huge, I know from my daughter who was in Toronto and drove to some parishes in the west. If they send him another priest from Greece, that would be good, but it better be someone who already knows English and the Canadian way of life, otherwise he will struggle. Have you heard anything new about it?

Miloš Radovanović

Yes, those prairies are huge, Petre told me the same from Toronto. In Calgary, I once cooked for a celebration at a relative's house and saw how many kilometers it took to get to the next church. I think he will definitely need a vicar bishop for those parts, otherwise he will get tired of the journey.