With
the blessings of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the
spiritual leadership of His Eminence Metropolitan Sotirios, the Greek Orthodox
Metropolis of Toronto (Canada )
held a historic and very successful Conference on the Ecumenical Patriarchate
with the theme, Reflecting on the Past –
Looking Towards the Future.
The
Conference was held at the Metropolitan Centre in Toronto and attended by 300 individuals,
including many dignitaries.
The
day began with introductory remarks from Metropolitan Sotirios and a video
address by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. Four distinguished speakers
presented on various subjects that aligned with the Conference’s theme:
·
Fr. Maximos Constas, a former
Professor at the Harvard Divinity School, a monk at the Monastery of
Simonopetra on Mount Athos, who is currently a Senior Research Scholar at the
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, discussed the historical and
ecclesiastical role of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and, specifically, St.
Proklos of Constantinople.
·
The keynote address was given
by His Eminence Metropolitan Ambrosios of Korea on the Ecumenical
Patriarchate’s sacred missionary work. A short but moving video was also shown
about Orthodoxy in Korea .
·
Canada ’s
Ambassador for Religious Freedom, Andrew Bennett, spoke on Truth, Dignity and Justice and on efforts to promote religious freedom
around the world, particularly in Turkey .
·
The Order of St. Andrew’s
National Commander, Dr. Anthony Limberakis, discussed the Order’s efforts to
defend, protect and promote the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
A
number of prominent North American Orthodox clergymen participated in the
Conference including His Grace Bishop Christophoros of Andida, His Grace Bishop
Ilia of Philomelion and His Grace Bishop Andriy of Krateia, each of the
Ecumenical Throne, as well as His Grace Bishop Georgije of the Serbian Orthodox
Church.
Other
eminent attendees included His Eminence Thomas Cardinal Collins; Robert W.
Peck, Ambassador of Canada to Greece; Alexandros Ioannidis, Consul General of
Greece in Toronto; Rev. Fr. Alex Karloutsos of the U.S. Archdiocese; James
Anas, President of the Canadian Archons; Efthimia Coutsougeras, President of
the Metropolis Philoptochos; Archdeacon Bruce Myers, Representing the Most Rev.
Frederick James Hiltz, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada; Dr. Karen
Hamilton, General Secretary – Canadian Council of Churches; and, Dr. Kenneth
Matziorinis, President of AHEPA Canada.
The
Conference was a unique opportunity for participants and interested observers
to learn about the Ecumenical Patriarchate, its illustrious history,
present-day challenges and sacred role in Christendom, as well as the many
honourable and principled initiatives of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch
Bartholomew, the 270th successor of St. Andrew the Apostle.
During
his concluding remarks, Metropolitan Sotirios specifically thanked Fr.
Fanourios Pappas (Parish Priest at St. Nicholas) and Mr. E. Sotiropoulos, who
were the principle organizers of the Conference. In addition, His Eminence
conveyed the love, good wishes and blessings of His All-Holiness Ecumenical
Patriarch Bartholomew. He also thanked and glorified the Triune God and
requested that participants do the same; after praising God, everyone chanted
the blessed Phos Hilaron.
Photos
and videos from the Conference are available on the Metropolis website gometropolis.org and YouTube channel GOMetropolisToronto.
From the office
of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto (Canada )
October 22, 2014
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