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Archdiocese of Canada: Completion of a historical chapter of half a century, challenges and Greek Orthodox Educationtranslated

July 8, 2026 · 1 min read

By Nikolaos Zaimis Long fraternal communication with the Ecumenical Patriarch Mr. Bartholomew had on Monday, July 6, 2026, the Archbishop of Canada Mr. Sotirios during the private meeting they had in Fanari where he informed him of his intention to resign, after more than half a century of ministry and contribution to the Province of the Ecumenical Throne in Canada. In fact, during yesterday's Divine Liturgy at the celebratory Holy Church of Agia Kyriaki Kontoskaliou, His Holiness introduced Archbishop Sotirios in his speech, praising him for his many years of faithful ecclesiastical ministry and announcing His Eminence's intention to retire from active service and retire.

With this decision of the Archbishop of Canada, a great historical chapter is closed which was written for decades in the central administration, the parishes as well as the communities of the diaspora in Canada.

The election and the challenges of the following day Now all that remains is for the Holy and Sacred Synod to proceed with the election of the successor of Archbishop Sotiriou who will be called to continue the work. According to an exclusive report by…

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (14) 🌐 Show original

Aleksandar Stojanović

Ο Σωτήριος υπηρέτηση πελάπο πενήντα προνή, αυτό δεν το το περισσότερας. I would like to know exactly what challenges are waiting for the next one for the Greek-Orthodox education in Canada, because it seems to be the most difficult part.

Ana Tudor

True, over 50 years of service is not seen every day. I also wonder what concrete challenges Hellenic Orthodox education in Canada has right now – schools, youth programs, or perhaps a lack of teachers? It would be nice to know more.

Petar Nikolić

I agree Alexander, fifty years is no small thing - the man literally built most of the parishes there. For the Greek-Orthodox school in Canada, the main problem is that the children switch to English already in the second generation and lose the language, so it is difficult for them to maintain their religious education and identity. What do you think, would it help to include more Serbian priests from the diaspora in some joint programs?

Ewa Kaczmarek

Fifty years of service is truly a rarity, it is hard to imagine how many parishes and people passed through the hands of Archbishop Soterios. The most difficult thing will probably be what Petar writes about - how to keep second-generation children who already speak English at home and are slowly losing Greek along with catechesis. I wonder if the new archbishop will have any specific plan for these schools.

Cristina López

It's true, more than fifty years of service are not seen every day. I was struck by what Petar says about second-generation kids who already speak English at home and lose Greek; The same thing happens here with the children of Greeks and Russians. I hope the next archbishop puts strength in schools and catechism that really reaches young people.

Radu Constantinescu

More than 50 years of service is not bad, really. Petar made a good point with the problem of second-generation children who lose Greek at home and then stop learning Veronauca. I wonder if the new archbishop will be able to find good teachers to teach attractive classes, otherwise we risk being left with only the older parishioners.

Katarina Jovanović

I agree, Alexander, fifty years is really rare. For Hellenic Orthodox teaching in Canada, the biggest challenge is that parents work two shifts, so they don't have time to take their children to supplementary school on Saturdays, and they quickly get bored with online classes. Do you think that local parishes should be more involved or that some programs should be attended through the Greek community?

Teodora Ionescu

Yes, Radu, 50 years of service does not come every day. In our parish in Chisinau, we saw how second-generation children quickly lose Greek if they don't have nice lessons, with songs and stories, not just dry grammar. Do you think it would help to bring in teachers from Greece or use more video material?

Paweł Nowak

I agree, Ewa, fifty years is truly a rarity and a great thing. Here in Białystok, we also see second-generation children moving away from Greek and catechesis when Polish or English dominates at home. I wonder if the new archbishop will focus on simpler, bilingual classes in parishes, because Greek schools alone will probably not be enough.

Katarzyna Zielińska

I agree, Ewa, the second generation is the biggest problem - in our parish in Warsaw, we can also see how children speak Polish at home and Greek escapes them. I think that the new archbishop would have to start with simple things, e.g. weekly meetings with embroidery and prayer in Greek for mothers with children, because sometimes this sticks better than the lessons themselves. What do you think would realistically work in Canada?

Andreea Stoica

Yes, Teodora, you are right, in Chisinau it is clear how Greek is lost in the second generation without something alive. At our parish in Constanța, we held classes for years with carols and stories from the Lives of the Saints, not just with declensions, and the children remained connected to the church. Do you think it would work to send from us also younger singers or teachers, not just teachers from Greece?

Mihai Barbu

Yes, Andreea, exactly as you say with the second generation from Chisinau - the same happens with the children of Romanian electricians who arrived in Canada, they lose Greek if they don't have something alive at church. Your idea with young singers and teachers from Constanța seems good to me, not just teachers; maybe a short exchange of experience in the summer, after the new archbishop is elected. How about, have you already talked to your priest about this?

Dorota Wiśniewska

I agree, Katarzyna, the second generation really escapes us at home - in our Lublin, kids also prefer Polish to Greek, even when grandma tries. These meetings with embroidery and prayer sound sensible, because in our choir it is through singing together that more Greek is retained in our heads than from the textbook. What about fathers, do you think it's worth involving them somehow or is it a waste of time?

Maria Dobre

Yes, Mihai, you are right about the children of Romanian electricians in Canada - and in our parish I see how Greek is lost if there is not something concrete at church, not just lessons. The idea with the young singers and teachers from Constanța seems practical to me, especially an exchange for a month in the summer. Have you spoken to anyone at the Archdiocese about this, or are we waiting for the election of the new archbishop?