Christmas Carols at our Holy Metropolis with Minister Kountoura and the Greek Orthodox Day School

The Metamorphosis Greek Orthodox Day School of the Holy Metropolis of Toronto was founded in 1996 with 16 children. Today it has more than 300 students; another 60 are on a waiting list because there are not enough classrooms. Our Metropolis will soon begin building five new classrooms in March 2017. Glory be to God! Metropolitan Sotirios always says, "Greek Orthodox education is the sap and the oxygen of the Diaspora tree."

On Thursday, December 15, 2016, Greek Minister of Tourism, Ms. Elena Kountoura and her coworkers, along with Consul General Ioannidis, visited our Metropolis in Toronto. Minister Kountoura stayed at the Metropolis for one and a half hours and discussed various matters with Metropolitan Sotirios.

While they were meeting, they heard the joyful voices of about 60 children of the Greek Orthodox Day School singing carols. Minister Kountoura and her coworkers along with Metropolitan Sotirios came out to greet them and joined them in singing.

The cheerful children began with traditional carols from Epirus, because that is where Metropolitan Sotirios is from. The children were accompanied by Ms. Saradidis, Principal of the school; music teacher Ms. Grigoriadis and other teachers.

Ms. Kountoura and His Eminence spoke to the children and Metropolitan Sotirios, according to the caroling custom, put in their money box something "most fitting for their effort." Then they treated the children to some Lenten sweets and Metropolitan Sotirios handed out a small icon of the Nativity of Christ to each child.  Many years to all and next year may we have an even larger school.