Ontario Finance Minister Phillips visits Archdiocese

The Hon. Rod Phillips, Minister of Finance for the Government of Ontario, visited the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada on Saturday, October 12, 2019. His Eminence Archbishop Sotirios warmly welcomed the Minister and began the visit with a tour of the Archdiocesan headquarters.

Minister Phillips first visited the Chapel of Saint John the Theologian, where His Eminence gave the Minister a brief history of the Archdiocese and also discussed the Byzantine iconography of the church. The Minister also saw the Archdiocesan Library and facilities of the Patriarchal Toronto Orthodox Theological Academy.

Following a tour of the Archdiocesan offices and the private residence of the Archbishop, both leaders had an extensive conversation in the office of His Eminence, where they discussed various issues facing the people of Ontario and society more broadly. The Archbishop, who is currently a member of the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, raised the plight of Christians in Turkey, as well as in the Middle East.

The Minister communicated the greetings of Premier Doug Ford to the Archbishop, who in turn sincerely thanked the Honourable Minister for taking the time to visit the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada and through him conveyed his love and esteem to Premier Ford, wishing him progress and success in his Government’s efforts to ensure a prosperous and united society.