List_of_Orthodox_churches_in_Toronto

List of Eastern Orthodox churches in Toronto

List of Eastern Orthodox churches in Toronto

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The following list presents Eastern Orthodox churches in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. As of January 2010, there are 28 Orthodox churches within Toronto, 9 Mission stations, 4 Chapels, and 1 monastery, for a total of 42 canonical Orthodox sanctuaries.

The first Orthodox community established in the city of Toronto was the Greek Orthodox Community of St. George, founded in 1909, presently located on Bond Street in the heart of downtown Toronto.[1][note 1] This was followed by Sts. Cyril and Methody Macedono-Bulgarian Church, founded one year later in 1910, presently located on Dundas and Sackville Streets, and the Russian Orthodox Church of Christ the Saviour in 1915, of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA).

Canonical Orthodox Churches[note 2]

Ecumenical Patriarchate

Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto (Canada)

More information Congregation, Location ...

Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada (UOCC)

(Diocese: Toronto and the Eastern Eparchy)

More information Congregation, Location ...

American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese (ACROD)

More information Congregation, Location ...

Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Diocese of the USA, Canada, and Australia

More information Congregation, Location ...

Macedonian Orthodox Church - Ohrid Archbishopric

More information Congregation, Location ...

Orthodox Church in America (OCA)

OCA - Archdiocese of Canada

More information Congregation, Location ...

OCA - Romanian Episcopate

More information Congregation, Location ...

Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR)

(Diocese: The Montreal and Canada Diocese)
More information Congregation, Location ...

Patriarchal Representation of the Russian Orthodox Church in Toronto

More information Congregation, Location ...

Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Canada

More information Congregation, Location ...

Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese in the Americas

More information Congregation, Location ...

Georgian Orthodox Diocese of America and Canada

More information Congregation, Location ...

Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America

More information Congregation, Location ...

Not members of the Canadian Conference of Orthodox Bishops

Old Calendar Jurisdictions or Traditional Orthodox Churches[note 21]

Bishop Akakios (Ntouskos) of Montreal

More information Congregation, Location ...

Metropolis of the Genuine Greek Orthodox Church (GOC) of America

(Florinite, 1937-)[59]
(Holy Metropolis of Toronto, under Metropolitan Moses)[note 22]
  • (A Metropolis of the Genuine Orthodox Church of Greece, under Archbishop Kallinikos of Athens and All Greece (2010-present))
More information Congregation, Location ...

True Orthodox Church of Greece ("Makarian (Lamian) Synod")

(Florinite, 1995-)
(True Orthodox Church of Greece under Archbishop Makarios of Athens and All Greece (2004-present))
More information Congregation, Location ...

Matthewite True Orthodox Christians in the United States

(Matthewite)[note 25]
(Genuine Orthodox Church of Greece, under Archbishop Nicholas of Athens and All Greece)
More information Congregation, Location ...

Unrecognized Independent Churches

Belarusian Autocephalous Orthodox Church

More information Congregation, Location ...

Free Serbian Orthodox Church

More information Congregation, Location ...

See also

Toronto Church Lists

Other Church Lists

General

Notes

  1. The first immigrant of Greek origin is reportedly Dr. Peter Constantinides[2] who came to Toronto in 1864 to attend the Medical School at the University of Toronto. On May 21st 1909 a meeting was held at the Y.M.C.A. attended by about 200 Greeks living in Toronto. They constituted themselves into a corporate body identified as the "St. George Greek Orthodox Community of Ontario".[3][4]
  2. Members of the Canadian Conference of Orthodox Bishops.
  3. "An important part can be played by the Christian church in helping to bring about a peaceful settlement of the world's problems, according to Most Rev. R. Athenagoras, of New York, head of the Greek Orthodox church in North and South America. Archbishop Athenagoras is in Toronto to officiate at the dedication tomorrow of the new Greek church on Bond St. In spite of various modernistic ideas, religion never changes, the archbishop declared. He was met at Union station by 150 representative Greeks of Toronto and vicinity. A vesper service will be held at the Bond street church tonight and the dedication service will start tomorrow at 10 a.m."[7]
  4. A photograph in The Globe and Mail is described as follows:
    • "...Top centre shows a part of the procession when Most Rev. R. Athenagoras of Long Island, New York, dedicated the old Holy Blossom Synagogue, Bond Street, in the rites and to the services of the Greek Orthodox Church..."[8]
  5. The Pachomaioi are perhaps best known for their work on the Basilica church of Saint Demetrios, Thessalonike. They have also painted the convent church of Panaghia Malevi in Kynouria, Greece.[10]
  6. George Martell Miller (1854/5-1933) was born in Port Hope and educated at the School of Practical Science, University of Toronto, working for Charles Walton in 1883-5. In practice on his own by 1886, he designed a number of important buildings and was also the supervising architect for the construction of Massey Hall. Many of Miller's drawings are held in the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, University of Toronto.[12]
  7. (in Greek)
    "Τῇ 14ῃ Νοεμβρίου 1967 Άγαπητοί,

    Μετά βαθείας πατρικῆς χαρᾶς ἀγγέλομεν ὑμῖν, ὅτι ἀνεκηρύξαμεν τόν Ἱερον Κοινοτικόν ὑμῶν Ναόν τοῦ Εὐαγγελισμοῦ τῆς Θεοτόκου, Καθεδρικόν Ναόν τῆς Θ.’ Ἀρχιεπισκοπικῆς ὑμῶν Περιφερείας. Τούτον θά καθιερώση εἰς Καθεδρικόν, ἐντός ὀλίγων ἡμερῶν, ὁ νέος Βοήθος ὑμῶν Ἐπίσκοπος ἐν τῇ ὑμετέρα Θ’ Ἀρχιεπισκοπικῇ Περιφερείᾳ, ὁ θεοφιλέστατος Ἐπίσκοπος Ἀγκῶνος κ. Θεοδόσιος. Συγχαίροντες ὑμῖν ἐπί τούτῳ, ἐκφράζομεν τήν βεβαίαν ἐλπίδα ὅτι προθύμως θά παρέχητε τῷ θεοφιλεστάτῳ Ἐπισκόπῳ ὑμῶν Ἀγκῶνος κ. Θεοδοσίῳ, πᾶσαν δυνατήν συμπαράσρασιν καί βοήθειαν εἰς ἀνάδειξην τοῦ νέου Καθεδρικοῦ ὑμῶν Ναοῦ καί δι’αὐτοῦ τῆς Ἁγίας ὑμῶν Ὀρθοδόξου Πίστεως καί Ἐκκλησίας ἐν τῇ πόλει καί Περιφερείᾳ ὑμῶν, καί διατελοῦμεν.

    Μετά πολλῆς ἐν Κυρίῳ ἀγαπής
    καί θερμῶν πατρικῶν εὐχῶν πρός πάντας

    Ο ΑΡΧΙΕΠΙΣΚΟΠΟΣ
    Ο ΑΜΕΡΙΚΗΣ ΙΑΚΩΒΟΣ"[13]
  8. The exquisite Byzantine Icons in the Altar were painted by the master icon painter Father Theodore Koufos, while the Baroque wooden iconostasis, Altar Table, Cantor’s Stand and Bishop’s Throne were hand-carved by Master Wood Sculptor Stylianos Kavroulakis of Crete. The Cathedral holds over 850 seated worshippers, and has parking facilities for 50 cars.
  9. Patriarch Bartholomew visited Toronto May 30–31, 1998 as part of his first-ever visit to Canada.[21]
  10. Merged with West United Church in 1928, then became the home of Dewi Sant Welsh United Church.
  11. The building itself houses:
    • The Youth Centre "Megas Alexandros"
    • The offices for the Church
    • Offices for the Greek Community Social Services
    • Offices for Olympic Flame Soccer club
    • A multi-purpose room
    • The Church, with a seating capacity of 450, and room to accommodate an additional 400 people on major feast days.
  12. United Church, located at 40 Donlands Avenue in Toronto, was established in 1925, formerly Methodist. It began a portable mission at Langford and Danforth Avenues in 1914. The church relocated to corner of Donlands Avenue and Strathmore Blvd. in 1923. It joined the United Church of Canada in 1925. In 1984 it amalgamated with Eastminster United Church in the Eastminster building.[28]
  13. At a meeting, held at the Ukrainian Peoples’ Home on October 31, 1926, the decision was made to lay the foundation for the parish.[29]
  14. In 1935, the congregation bought the site at 400 Bathurst St. on which to erect a church. But for their immediate needs, the Congregation acquired a large building at 404 Bathurst.[29]
  15. The new church was officially opened and named St. Vladimir’s Church.[29]
  16. "In 1972 the Sveta Troica (Holy Trinity) Macedono-Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Church was established in Toronto, mostly for political reasons. Many members belonged to the Bulgarian National Front (BNF) and the Macedonian Patriotic Organization (MPO) and firmly believe that Slavic Macedonians are part of the Bulgarian nationality. The parish was initially within the Bulgarian diocese of the Orthodox Church in America, during the late 1970s within the Russian Church Abroad, and since 1982 under the Holy Synod in Bulgaria. It has about 150 members and is strongly committed to promoting Bulgarian identity and language."[37]
  17. On November 2, 1949, Archbishop Joasaph of Edmonton, representing the synod of bishops of the Russian Orthodox church outside of Russia, appointed Father Mathew Andrushenko as rector of the new parish. Reminiscent of the early days of Christianity, the small community gathered in a rented loft above a laundry on Parliament Street near Queen. Here they brought beautiful icons and began holding services. The very first took place on December 15, 1949 with Father Mathew. Eleven people were present at that service.[40]
  18. A small church was built by the hands of the first parishioners on Richmond Street just west of Berkeley, in Cabbagetown. It was begun in the autumn of 1952 and was consecrated on September 6, 1953, by Archbishop Vitaly.[40]
  19. The Beth Jacob Synagogue was the first synagogue to be built by a Jewish architect in the city.[51] One of the founders of the synagogue was Samuel Tepperman (d. March 1, 1960).[52]
  20. Bishop Hilarion Alfeyev later became the Archbishop of Volokolamsk, and chairman of the Department of External Church Relations (DECR) of the Russian Orthodox Church).
  21. The Old Calendar schism occurred in 1935, when three bishops (Germanos of Demetrias, the former Metropolitan of Florina, Chrysostom (Kavouridis), and Chrysostomos (Demetriou) of Zakynthos) declared their separation from the official Church of Greece stating that the calendar change that had been implemented in 1924 was a schismatic act. Greek Old Calendarist groups maintain that they have not separated over a mere calendar, rather that the calendar is a symptom of what has been called "the pan-heresy of ecumenism."
  22. See also:
  23. See: Parishes and Monasteries abroad. Confessor (Unofficial site).
  24. In 1995, a resistance faction of six bishops formed within the Old Calendar Florinte Synod of Archbishop Chrysostom (Kiousis) (Church of the Genuine Orthodox Christians of Greece) and separated itself over what they claimed to be a series of canonical infractions, headed by Metropolitan Kallinikos (Hatzis) of Lamia. By early 1997, the movement had fragmented into three groups, one of which reconciled with Archbishop Chrysostom (Kiousis). A second group, led by Paisios Loulourgas (Met. of America) and Vikentios Malamatenios (titular Bp. of Avlona), submitted to the Ecumenical Patriarchate (in 1998).[62] Later in 1997, Kallinikos of Lamia and Euthymios of Thessaloniki proceeded to ordain five titular bishops in an attempt to create a new synod; in 2003, they finally decided to elect a primate, and elected Makarios (Kavakides) of Athens.
  25. The first Primate of Athens selected by the Matthewites was Agathangelos of Athens in 1958, who reposed in 1967. His successor was Archbishop Andreas of Athens who was elected to the primacy in 1972, retiring in 2003 (+2005). In 2003 Archbishop Nicholas of Athens was elected, considered by many to have a progressive vision for the Matthewite church.
  26. Built in 1889, as a 19th century Anglican church, it has been the Serbian community's downtown-Toronto local church since the 1960s.[63]
  27. This was a recent architectural project (2002-2005), to partially demolish, totally renovate, and add to, an existing 500 sm, circa 1890, church, in order to create a 1,700 sm/18,000 sf, universally-accessible, barrier-free, 4-storey, single-aisled, basilica and community centre. Stylistically, the building synthesizes Serbian late-Byzantine architectural-styles and icon styles. It has many copper domes, cupolas, and trim; and great lighting & wood panels.[64]
  28. As a result of an internal conflict ca.late 2009/early 2010, this parish was transferred out of the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Canada , and placed under the Archdiocese of Etna (California) . The first Liturgy under the new jurisdiction was on Sunday April 11, 2010.
  29. Transfers to the Metropolis of the Genuine Greek Orthodox Church (GOC) of America.

References

  1. Dr. Peter Jeffreys. Saint George's Greek Orthodox Church: An Architectural and Iconographic Guide. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2000. p.1.
  2. William Nellis. Heritage Fair to Recall Ethnic Past: Toronto's Peoples, Their Contributions. The Globe and Mail. Saturday September 24, 1983. Page S8.
  3. George D. Vlassis. The Greeks in Canada. 2nd Edition. Ottawa: G.D. Vlassis, (Hull, Que.: Leclerc Printers), 1953. p.186.
  4. St. George's Greek Orthodox Community of Toronto. 100 Years: 1909-2009, 100th Anniversary Commemorative Book. 2009.
  5. Toronto Daily Star. Opening New Church for Toronto Greeks: Former Holy Blossom Synagogue, Bond St., Beautifully Transformed. Friday November 26, 1937. Page 36.
  6. Toronto Daily Star. Greek Church Takes Over Synagogue. Monday June 20, 1938. Page 6.
  7. Toronto Daily Star. "Here to Dedicate New Greek Church. N.Y. Archbishop Says Christianity is Hope of World." Saturday June 18, 1938. p.2.
  8. The Globe and Mail. "Sunday Round-Up of Picture Events." Monday June 20, 1938. p.16.
  9. Angus Skene, Special to the Star. "Byzantium, five minutes from the mall; St. George's church a stroll from Eaton Centre; Greek monks painted heavenly dome inside." Toronto Star. Sunday June 13, 2004: B04.
  10. Dr. Peter Jeffreys. Saint George's Greek Orthodox Church: An Architectural and Iconographic Guide. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2000. p.49.
  11. Toronto Daily Star. "Sentiment Ruled Deal: Million Dollar Church for $160,000." Saturday July 8, 1961. p.52.
  12. Eric Ross Arthur, Stephen A. Otto. Toronto, No Mean City. 3rd Ed. University of Toronto Press, 1986. Page 255.
  13. (in Greek) Archbishop Iakovos (Coucouzis) of America. Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church - Cathedral Church. Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America. 14 November 1967.
  14. Hamida Ghafour. Church Fire Leaves Greek Community in Shock. The Globe and Mail. Tuesday April 4, 2000. Page A20.
  15. Robert Arnold and Peter Vogel. "CCI Responds to Fire at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral." CCI Newsletter, No. 26, November 2000.
  16. "Landmark church goes up in flames, dozens of firefighters bring blaze under control." Canadian Press Newswire. Toronto:Apr 3, 2000.
  17. Jim Wilkes. "Church reborn from ashes: Greek Orthodox cathedral to reopen after blaze in 2000." Toronto Star. Thursday June 27, 2002. Page B04.
  18. Lighthall, WD. "Rebuilding of church a true labour of love." Daily Commercial News and Construction Record. Mar 26, 2002. Vol.75, Iss.60, p.A1,A5.
  19. Odyssey Montessori School - Sorauren Campus. Odyssey Montessori School. Retrieved: 1 June 2016.
  20. Parish History - Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. Toronto, Ontario. Accessed 2017-04-12.
  21. (in Greek) Μιχάηλ Κ. Μουρατίδης. «Όσα δεν έσβησε ο χρόνος - Το Χρονικό της Παροικίας των Ελλήνων του Τορόντο». Ελληνική Κοινότητα Τορόντο. 2016.
  22. Saint Irene Chrysovalantou. Greek Community of Toronto. Retrieved: 2013-06-20.
  23. Stan Josey. Greek Parish Vows to Rebuild Church. Toronto Star. Monday, January 7, 1991. Page: A06.

  24. . TORONTO IN BRIEF. Church blaze probed. The Globe & Mail. Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Jan 7, 1991. Page: A6.
  25. Saint John. Greek Community of Toronto. Retrieved: 2013-06-20.
  26. Donlands United Church (Toronto, Ont.). Archeion (Ontario's Archival Information Network). Retrieved: 2013-06-20.
  27. Fonds F1440 - Donlands United Church (Toronto, Ont.) fonds. Archeion (Ontario's Archival Information Network). Retrieved: 2020-02-07.
  28. Andrew Gregorovich. The Ukrainian Community in Toronto from World War One to 1971 Archived 2007-08-12 at the Wayback Machine. Multicultural History Society of Ontario, 1984.
  29. St. John the Compassionate Mission. St. John the Compassionate Mission. Retrieved: 13 November 2018.
  30. Welcome. St. Silouan the Athonite Orthodox Church. Retrieved: 11 December 2019.
  31. St. Zoticos - Mission Parish. St. Zoticus Orthodox Church. Retrieved: 30 October 2018.
  32. History. Macedono-Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Cathedral Sts. Cyril and Methody.
  33. Paul R. Magocsi, Multicultural History Society of Ontario. Encyclopedia of Canada's Peoples. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1999. p.291.
  34. Holy Trinity Macedono-Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Church. Holy Trinity Macedono-Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Church. Retrieved: 2013-06-20.
  35. Christine Harmanac. "Priest Ousted as Judge Rules on Jurisdiction of Riven Church." The Globe and Mail. Monday June 27, 1988. Page: A13.
  36. Vladimir I. Handera. The Russian Orthodox Church in Toronto. Multicultural History Society of Ontario, 1984.
  37. Cathedral, Russian Orthodox Christ The Saviour. "Russian Orthodox Christ the Saviour Cathedral". Retrieved 2019-12-11.
  38. Rector of the Church of St. Mary Magdalene in Toronto. —lostanglicanchurches. Retrieved: 2013-06-20.
  39. History of our parish and our temple. Christ the Saviour Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Toronto. Sun, 07/18/2010 - 22:06 — Admin.
  40. Ian Vorres. Epilogue to Imperial Drama: Handful of Russian Soil on Casket. The Globe and Mail, Toronto, Thursday December 1, 1960. Page 29.
  41. "Holy Myrrhbearers Orthodox Mission, Toronto, ON". Archdiocese of Canada. 2016-05-23. Retrieved 2019-12-11.
  42. (in Russian) Vasily Petrovich Malikov. История Прихода: Краткий исторический очерк. Holy Trinity Cathedral. 2010. Retrieved: 2013-06-21.
  43. Toronto Daily Star. Jewish Composer and Cantor. Wednesday August 23, 1922. Page 5.
  44. Toronto Daily Star. Proposed Beth Jacob Synagogue. Saturday November 13, 1920. Page A1 - Front Page. (Image).
  45. Lesley Ciarula Taylor. The History at 21 Henry St. Toronto Star. Tuesday September 08, 2009.
  46. Deaths: Samuel Tepperman. Canadian Jewish Review. Vol. XLII, No. 24. March 11, 1960. Page 11.
  47. Heritage Property Detail - 23 HENRY ST. City of Toronto. Retrieved: 2013-06-21.
  48. The Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. Protopriest Vladimir Malchenko Honored with a Government Award. November 26, 2012.
  49. The Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia - News Archive. Celebrating the 400th Anniversary of the Romanov Dynasty. DIOCESE OF MONTREAL AND CANADA: September 12, 2013.
  50. 70th-anniversary celebrations at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Toronto, Ontario, led by the First Hierarch. Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. December 2, 2019.
  51. St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church. Forming the Congregation and Building the Church on River Street. Retrieved: 2012-01-12.
  52. GNISIOS. The Florinite Synod. True Orthodox Christian Resources.
  53. Fr. Panagiotes Carras. Metropolitan Moses and Bishop Sergius to be received into TOC of Greece Synod. Yahoo! Groups: OrthodoxInfo. Sat May 14, 2011 12:51 am.
  54. Sander Gladstone Architect. Projects: Serbian Eastern Orthodox Church. Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 2005.
  55. Parish Directory: Church of the GOC of America. The Church of the GOC of America. Last Updated on Tuesday, 31 March 2015 21:02. Retrieved: 15 July 2015.

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