Patr. Bartholomew Honors Abp. Sotirios for Decades of Service

ISTANBUL — Patr. Bartholomew offered warm words of gratitude for Abp. Sotirios of Canada during the Divine Liturgy celebrated at the Church of St. Kyriaki, praising the hierarch's more than five decades of service to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Greek Orthodox faithful of Canada, and the wider Greek community.

During his address, Patr. Bartholomew commended Abp. Sotirios for his longstanding pastoral ministry and his efforts to strengthen Orthodox life in Canada. The Ecumenical Patriarch also acknowledged the Archbishop's intention to submit his resignation to the Patriarchate, expressing appreciation for his many years of dedicated and fruitful service to the Church.

Born in Lepiana, Arta, Greece, in 1936, Abp. Sotirios (Athanassoulas) studied theology at the University of Athens before earning a master's degree from the Université de Montréal. Ordained a deacon and priest in 1962, he has served in Canada ever since. He was consecrated a bishop in 1974, elevated to Metropolitan of Toronto and Exarch of All Canada in 1996, and became Archbishop of Canada in 2019.

During his episcopal ministry, the number of parishes under his care grew from 22 to 75. He also established numerous ministries and institutions, including annual youth assemblies, the Orthodox Way newspaper, social services, transitional housing through Metahomes, a nationwide television ministry, the School of Byzantine Music, monasteries, Greek Orthodox day schools, and the Toronto Orthodox Theological Academy. In addition to publishing catechetical works, he has received numerous Canadian and Greek honors recognizing his contributions to the Church and society.

Previously, the UOJ reported that Turkish authorities approved Divine Liturgies at historic sites.