The Dean of St. Paul’s Seminary at the Patriarchal Toronto Orthodox Theological Academy

As it is known, the Patriarchal Toronto Orthodox Theological Academy (PTOTA) is affiliated with St. Paul’s University in Ottawa. Through this affiliation, the degree granted by the Metropolis is recognized by all universities worldwide.

Yesterday, for the first time, Fr. Ivan Mathau, the new Dean of the Seminary of St. Paul’s University visited our Holy Metropolis and the PTOTA.

He first was warmly greeted by Metropolitan Sotirios; together, the Metropolitan, Fr. Mathau and Fr. A. Ziliaskopoulos, Dean of PTOTA, had a friendly meeting.

Following this, a working meeting was held between Fr. Mathau and Fr. A. Ziliaskopoulos.

 

Fr. Mathau was shown all the grounds of the Holy Metropolis and the Theological Academy. In conclusion, he had a meeting with the students of the Academy.

The working relationship between PTOTA and the Theological School of St. Paul’s University in Ottawa is excellent. The Dean, Fr. Mathau, congratulated Metropolitan Sotirios and Fr. A. Ziliaskopoulos for the wonderful work that is being done at our Theological Academy. Both Fr. A. Ziliaskopoulos and Metropolitan Sotirios warmly thanked Fr. Mathau for the excellent working relationship between our Theological Academy and St. Paul’s University.

On Sunday evening, February 18th, the holy service of Vespers of Forgiveness was held at the Church of St. Nicholas in Toronto, celebrated together with the feast of St. Philothei of Athens, Patron Saint of the Philoptochos Societies of Canada.

Metropolitan Sotirios presided at the Vespers, assisted by Fr. A. Ziliaskopoulos, Fr. P. Philippou, Fr. F. Pappas, and Fr. S. Voutos.

The church was filled to capacity and the atmosphere was emotional.

 

After the kiss of forgiveness at the end of the service, a meal was served to all. While most of the faithful did not stay for the meal, the hall was still full. Everything was perfectly organized by Fr. F. Pappas, Community President A. Sotiropoulos, the Community Council, and the Philoptochos Society.

Participating were the ladies of Philoptochos of Toronto and vicinity, members of the Metropolis Philoptochos Board, including the National, S. Rassia.

Just as every year, Metropolitan Sotirios visited the Hellenic Home for the Aged on Clean Monday evening. He spoke to all the elderly individually. He then presided at Great Compline sung with the Great Canon, assisted by Fr. C. Socosan, Fr. A. Ziliaskopoulos, and Fr. S. Voutos. It was a very emotional evening. A live broadcast of the service was shown to all the rooms of the Hellenic Home residents. Metropolitan Sotirios spoke poignantly at the end of the service with much love to all. After the service followed a Lenten dinner (Koulouma) for all, in the great hall of the Hellenic Home, which was filled to capacity. Speakers included Mr. D. Karas, Vice President of the Hellenic Home, and Mrs. I. Dotsikas, President of the Women’s Auxiliary. Metropolitan Sotirios conveyed the gratitude of the Church for the excellent work that is being done at the Hellenic Home. He congratulated and thanked the Council, K. Kostouros, Chief Executive Officer, the staff and the volunteers.

 

On Tuesday, February 20th in the afternoon, a synaxis of the Toronto-area clergy took place at our Holy Metropolis under the presidency of Metropolitan Sotirios.

Attending the meeting were 22 clergy. The biblical passage, “Today salvation has come to this house” was expounded upon by Fr. A. Ziliaskopoulos, Dean of our Theological Academy.

 

The agenda had many topics of discussion, including the 20th Anniversary of PTOTA, Youth, Summer Camps, and the annual Spiritual Clergy Retreat.

The synaxis began and finished with hymns from the Triodion. Metropolitan Sotirios asked the clergy to intensify their efforts to increase the spirituality of our communities. In closing, His Eminence wished all brother clergy that “stadium of virtues” be journeyed with much spiritual revival and prayer.