Archbishop of Canada highlights freedom and Greek heritage at Oxi Day Event in Toronto

Archbishop Apostolos of Canada attended a cultural event commemorating Greece’s October 28 national anniversary at the Polymenakion Cultural Centre, located at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Toronto, on Sunday, October 18, 2026.

The event, titled “Hours of Freedom – Acts of the Greeks,” was organized by the Greek Community of Toronto, following an invitation from its President, Betty Skoutakis.

The occasion also marked Archbishop Apostolos’ first visit to the Greek Orthodox community of St. Demetrios.

In his address, the Archbishop reflected on the historical significance of October 28, 1940, when Greece rejected an Italian ultimatum, an event commemorated annually as Oxi Day.

He described the historic “Oxi” (No) as a symbol of freedom, national dignity, courage and sacrifice, emphasizing the importance of preserving historical memory among Greeks living abroad.

Archbishop Apostolos: “No to War, Violence and Injustice” Referring to the enduring message of October 28, Archbishop Apostolos stressed that the anniversary should serve not only as a remembrance of the past but also as a call to uphold fundamental human values.

“No to war, no to violence, no to…