Metropolitan Sotirios Visits Alberta: Elevates Two Priests to Economos

Alberta is a four hour flight from Toronto and in terms of size, it is five times larger than Greece; Canada is 75 times larger than Greece.

On Sunday, August 27, 2017, in Edmonton, Alberta, His Eminence presided over the Divine Liturgy at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, assisted by Rev. Frs. H Tzintis, T. Gove, P. Rougas and R. Poworoznik. The Divine Liturgy was conducted in the third tone, with Byzantine grandeur. Dr. George Georgiou, who is a professor at the University of Alberta, led the choir.

The church was full of pious faithful who participated in Holy Communion. Ten altar boys served.

His Eminence Metropolitan Sotirios spoke on the day’s Gospel; "Is God against the Rich?"

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, Fr. H. Tzintis was presented to Metropolitan Sotirios by Frs. P. Rougas and T. Gove, who bestowed upon him the Rank ofEconomos and all parishioners loudly exclaimed Axios!

On Monday, August 28th, Metropolitan Sotirios presided over an evening Divine Liturgy in Calgary at St. Demetrios, assisted by Frs. D. Rougas, P Rougas, H. Tzintis and T. Chrapko.

The church was filled with the pious faithful of Calgary who received Holy Communion. The Divine Liturgy was celebrated with Byzantine grandeur. Dr. George Georgiou along with Mr. Larry Safaris and others chanted beautifully in Byzantine tones. The altar typically has fifteen altar-servers but some were absent because they were on vacation.

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, Metropolitan Sotirios bestowed the rank ofEconomos on Fr. P. Rougas, the parish priest of the church who received the torch from Fr. D. Rougas and presented him to his Eminence with Fr. H. Tzintis and the faithful loudly exclaimed Axios!

After the bestowing of Economos, a dinner was served as was in Edmonton for everyone.

Metropolitan Sotirios continues his tour of Alberta and will visit the missionary communities of Banff, Jasper, Grande Cache and Edson accompanied by the three Greek priests; D Rougas, P. Rougas and H. Tzintis.