Metropolitan Sotirios: “Love sacrifices and never blackmails”

His Eminence Metropolitan Sotirios presided at the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Monastery of Panagia Parigoritissa outside Montreal on Saturday, September 24, 2016. It was the Feast of St. Thekla the Protomartyr and Name Day of Abbess Thekla. The Metropolitan and many pious faithful flocked to the Monastery to wish her well. Among them was Abbess Alexia and Sisters from the Holy Monastery of St. Kosmas Aitolos; and, the Ambassador of Greece to Canada, His Excellency Georgios Marcantonatos and his wife Vasiliki.

In his homily, His Eminence remarked: “Love sacrifices and never blackmails. God, who is true love, sacrificed Himself on the Cross for us.” He concluded his homily by wishing Abbess Thekla good health and longevity.

On Sunday, September 25, 2016, Metropolitan Sotirios, assisted by Fr. O. Drossos and Fr. Yoan Ivanov, presided at the Divine Liturgy at Sts. Panteleimon, Anna and Paraskevi in Markham, Ontario. Following the Divine Liturgy, he conducted a memorial service for Maria, wife of Larry Mirkopoulos, Archon Aktouarios of theEcumenical Patriarchate Archons in Canada. That afternoon, a fundraising dinner was held by the Brotherhood Pontion Toronto “Panagia Soumela” in support of an ill young woman in need. Our Holy Metropolis provided the cultural center and all the food free of charge; approximately three hundred people participated. The President of the Brotherhood Pontion Toronto, Mr. C. Kotsaboikidis; the Consul General of Greece in Toronto, Mr. A. Ioannidis, and Metropolitan Sotirios spoke at the event.

Great Vespers and the Divine Liturgy were celebrated at the Church of St. John the Theologian, protector of our Theological Academy. St. John is the patron saint of the Toronto Orthodox Theological Academy. Bishop Christoforos of Andida presided at the Great Vespers, while Metropolitan Sotirios delivered the homily.  A reception for everyone followed.

Metropolitan Sotirios, assisted by Fr. G. Nikiforakis and Fr. C. Socosan, priests at our Hellenic Homes, presided at the Divine Liturgy. The students and graduates of our Theological Academy and the priests of our Holy Metropolis, under the direction of Fr. O. Drossos, chanted at both the Great Vespers and Divine Liturgy.  Students of our Theological Academy also served in the Holy Altar. Metropolitan Sotirios said in his homily that "John the Evangelist was the beloved disciple of Christ. Christ said that we are His friends. The question is, how are we going to make our children become friends of Christ. This will be accomplished through our Sunday schools, our Greek Orthodox schools, youth groups, camps and through the altar boys.  Our theme this year is “Let the little children come to Me.”  The Consul General of Greece in Toronto, Mr. A. Ioannidis and Abbess Alexia and Sisters from the Monastery of Patrokosmas, participated in the holy Services. All guests were offered a breakfast after the Divine Liturgy.