Archbishop of Canada: Preserve and cultivate the precious gift of ecclesiastical unity

Archbishop of Canada Apostolos has issued his first pastoral encyclical to the clergy and faithful of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada ahead of his arrival in the country and his enthronement on September 19, placing ecclesiastical unity at the center of his ministry.

Drawing on Christ’s High Priestly Prayer, “That they all may be one” (John 17:21), Archbishop Apostolos stressed that unity is not simply a biblical exhortation but “the very foundation of our ecclesial life” and the guiding vision for the common journey of the Church. He emphasized that clergy and laity, monastics and families, young and old alike are united in their calling to proclaim the Gospel and bear witness to Christ’s love and truth.

The Archbishop also expressed his profound gratitude to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew for entrusting him with the pastoral care of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada, praying that he may prove worthy of the responsibility by serving with humility, discernment, compassion, and faithfulness.

At the same time, he paid tribute to his predecessor, Archbishop Sotirios, acknowledging that his more than five decades of devoted ministry shaped the spiritual life of…