London ON Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church 1936, 1952
London, Ontario, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 1936, 1952
Foundation of the parish, 1936
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in London, Ontario, Canada, was first organised as a community on 12 January, 1936, and the first president was Mr. Gus Mandas.
Incorporation of the community/parish, 1949
The community was incorporated in 1949 by letters patent in the province of Ontario with the name "Hellenic Community of London & Vicinity".
A new constitution was ratified by the General Assembly, on 30 April, 1950.
Purchase of property, 1952
On 17 April, 1952, the community council signed the papers to purchase the land at 1114, Richmond Street North for $9,000.
Building the first Temple, 1954
On 26 May, 1954, a contract for $54,277 was signed to build the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. Then the community president (Mr. George Kerhoulas) turned the sod on the site to build the new Temple on Sunday, 6 June, 1954, and the service with accompanying ceremony was conducted by the community’s first pastor, the Priest Ambrosios Sarantides.
The first service in the Temple was a wedding on Sunday, 10 October, 1954.
The actual sanctification of the new Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church took place on 16 October, 1955, bv Bishop Ezekiel (Tsoukalas). In the same year, the community approved its by-laws, and constitution, under which it was governed until 1967.
Uniform by-laws, expansion of the property
On 22 October, 1959, the lot behind the house on 1118, Richmond Street North was bought for parking purposes. The house itself was not bought until 4 December, 1969, for $23,000.
In September of 1967, the general assembly of the community approved to adopt the "Uniform Parish Regulations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America".
In March of 1968, the community adopted new by-laws.
On 9 April, 1968, the community amended its original letters patent and changed the corporate name to "Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Community of London & Vicinity".
Purchase of new property, 1975
On 16 June, 1975, the community bought the Glendale Sports Centre, as it was then known, on Southdale Road for $150,000. This property then became the Hellenic Community Centre.
On 28 March, 1978, a one acre property and the house (since demolished) at the front of the Hellenic Community Centre was purchased for $39,000. This was made possible with the financial assistance of the local chapter of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) (Ontario : District 23).
With the purchase of this additional property, the Hellenic Community Centre property was squared off, with a frontage of over 300 feet and a total area of approximately 4.8 hectares (12 acres).
On 24 February, 1975, the official sod turning ceremony took place for the building of a new community centre at a cost of approximately $1,000,000.00. This new addition, when attached to the old community centre, would more than triple its size. The official dedication took place on 7 September, 1975, led by Bishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas) and the Priest Stathis Kontoravdis.
Ninth District becomes a Diocese, 1979
In 1979, following a re-structuring of the Archdiocese of North and South America, the Ninth District of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America was elevated by the Patriarch of Constantinople to be the Greek Orthodox Diocese of Toronto (Canada), and Bishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas) of Constantia became Bishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas) of Toronto (Canada).
In 1979, Bishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas) of Constantia was elevated to be the Bishop of Toronto (Canada), in Ontario.
The Diocese of Canada becomes a Metropolis, 1996
On 30 July, 1996, the Patriarchate of Constantinople divided the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America into 4 parts : the USA, Canada, Central America, and South America. The Diocese of Canada was elevated to the status of a metropolitanate.
At the same time, the Metropolis of Toronto (Canada) was detached from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, and placed directly under the authority of the Patriarchal Throne in Constantinople.
On 24 September, 1996, Bishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas) was elevated to the dignity of metropolitan, and he was given the title and responsibility of Metropolitan Archbishop of Toronto (Canada), and Exarch of all Canada.
Further expansion
During 1997-1998, the community centre had yet another major expansion, of about $500,000.00, with the addition of the East Room, and major renovations to the original structure.
Construction, sanctification of a new Temple, 1999
The time had come now to build a new “Byzantine”-style Temple on the community’s Southdale Road property. The ground-breaking ceremony took place on 19 September, 1999. The old Temple on Richmond Street was sold in 2004 for $650,000. The construction of the new Temple was completed at a cost of about $6,000,000. The Temple was sanctified on 22 December, 2003, by Metropolitan Archbishop Sotirios of Toronto and the Priest Elias Drossos, along with many other area priests. It is commendable that the members and organisations of the parish did fundraising and donated in the millions of dollars to complete this magnificent Temple. During the following 2 years, the Temple’s basement was also completed.
The next project of the community was the re-building of the soccer field facilities. The soccer field was upgraded with a new surface, an irrigation system, lights for night games, new fencing, and seating. The total cost was about $200,000. Of this, $75,000 came from the Ontario Trillium Foundation towards this project. Building upon the success of the soccer teams and staying within the 10-year plan of the community, a new building was designed for construction near the soccer field to house new dressing rooms, a concession, a storage area and a covered area for picnics. The building was completed at a cost of $290,000.00 during the summer of 2010.
The Temple began to be decorated following the planned iconography project in 2010, and there was a multi-year plan for its completion.
Iconostas after its completion
Addition to the Hellenic Community Centre, 2012
In 2012, the then president Mr. James Giannoulis initiated an application for funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, for the construction of a major addition to the Hellenic Community Centre. The application was successful for a grant of $500,000 which the community had to match. This additional community space is home to a Greek Library, new administration offices, cultural and heritage rooms, and an enlarged lobby. The construction was completed during 2013-2014, at a cost of $1,350,000.
The community is evolving constantly and it remains steadfast in serving its members by teaching the Orthodox Christian Faith, its cultural and ethnic heritage and the Greek language at the Greek School. It now embraces the third generation of members and it is welcoming the spouses of other ethnic backgrounds who have joined the community because of intermarriage.
Hellenic Community Centre of London
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada and All the Arctic, 2019
In 2019, the Metropolis of Toronto (Canada) was elevated to the dignity of Archdiocese. Thus, the official title of the diocese became “Holy Archdiocese of Canada and All the Arctic”, and alternatively, “Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada”.
Thus, Metropolitan Sotirios (Athanassoulas) was elevated to the dignity of Archbishop, with the title “Archbishop of Canada and All the Arctic”, and alternatively, “Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Canada”.
In early 2020, the Covid-19 virus made its appearance in Canada, and it quickly became a world-wide pandemic. Because of the rules governing gatherings that were laid down by the provincial and city governments, the parish stopped any further services after 8 March, 2020. Including the rules regarding social distancing, the decreasing numbers permitted for any gathering, and the considerations regarding the health of all concerned, this and other parishes were required to close for a time. All Holy Services are conducted regularly with only the priest, the cantor and the sexton (caretaker) present. The worship services were streamed on the social media.
As elsewhere, there was some controversy about the legal requirements.
Archpastoral visitation, 2022
On Sunday, 12 June, 2022, the Feast of Pentecost, Archbishop Soterios (Athanassoulas) Metropolitan-Archbishop of Canada, made an archpastoral visitation to Holy Trinity Church in London, Ontario. It was the Altar Feast-day of the parish. On this day, he served the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy in the Temple, and he participated in the festal meal which followed afterwards.
Archbishop Sotirios
Priests who have served in the parish : Priest Ambrosios Sarantidis 1953-1954 Priest Emmanuel Athanasiou 1954-1955 Priest Nicholas Andritsopoulos 1955-1961 Priest George Stathis 1961-1961 Hieromonk Timothy Negropontis 1962-1967 Hieromonk Athenagoras Aneste 1967-1970 Priest Apostolos Ananiades 1970-1976 Hieromonk Ilarion (Gerakis) 1977-1978 Priest John Floropoulos 1978-1980 Priest Thomas Tsevas 1980-1983 Priest Ilia Katre 1983-1983 Priest Efstathios Kontoravdis 1983-1992 Priest, Dr. Paul Koumarioanos 1993-1999 Priest Demetrios Chelonis 2000-2000 Priest George Korinis 2001-2001 Hieromonk Luke (Majoros) 2001-2002 Priest Elias Drossos 2002-2017 Priest Demetrios Mouselimas 2017-2019 Oikonomos Konstantine Chatzis 2019-____
The Community Council of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church was organised under the Uniform Community Regulations of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto (Canada) (now an archdiocese), a charitable organisation incorporated under the laws of the Province of Ontario, Canada, as Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Community of London & Vicinity.
Parishioners, Sunday of Orthodoxy
Presidents who have served in the Greek Community : 1936 Gus Mandas 1948-1949 Bill Agnos 1950 Steve Mitches 1951 George Gettas 1952 Tom Kapelos, George Kerhoulas 1953-1957 George Kerhoulas 1958-1959 Sam Anas 1960-1961 Stratos Vafiadis 1962-1965 Steve Giouroukos 1966 Steve Giouroukos, Anthony Demakos 1967-1977 Anthony Demakos 1978-1979 George Anas 1980-1985 Gary Kerhoulas 1986-1987 George Bountis 1988-1989 George Michalopoulos 1990-1993 George Bountis 1994 Dr. Nick Gettas 1995 Mary Singeris 1996-2001 Anthony Demakos 2002-2007 James W Giannoulis 2008-2009 Anthony Demakos 2010-2014 James W Giannoulis 2015 Nick Aroutzidis 2022 Penelope Kerhoulas
Parish organisations
Archdiocesan Philopotochos G.O.Y.A. (Greek Orthodox Youth of America) Y.A.L. Hope Club Saint Nektarios Book Centre Hellenic Choir Arion Greek School London Greek Dance Groups A.H.E.P.A. Canada Daughters of Penelope Arkades Lacones Macedonians Pakoakos Sterea Elias U.W.O. Hellenic Society (University of Western Ontario)
Holy Trinity Temple, aerial view
Particular parish information
This parish is a part of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Canada, of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Constantinople. The bishop is Archbishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas). The Vicar-Bishop is Bishop Athenagoras (Salmas). The patriarch is Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis).
This parish follows the New (Revised Julian) Calendar.
The Altar Feast-day of this parish is the Feast of Pentecost (Descent of the Holy Spirit, the Most Holy Trinity).
In 2022, the pastor of the parish is the Priest Konstantine Chatzis.
Address :
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
(Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Community of London & Vicinity)
133, Southdale Road West
London, Ontario
N6J 2J2
Telephone : (519) 438-7951
Fax: (519) 438-6438
Web-site : https://londongreekcommunity.com
Directions :
London is located 193 km (120 mi) southwest of Toronto, via Highway #401 (or via Highway #403).
By car :
From Highway #401, follow the exit for Exeter Road, and drive on Exeter Road until White Oak Road. Turn right, and drive to Southdale Road. Turn left onto Southdale Road. The Temple is on the left.
By car, the Temple is approached by Wharncliffe Road South or by Wellington Road South, and turning westwards onto Southdale Road.
By bus :
Consult the London Transit Commission. There is bus service from the city centre, using routes #19 and #10.
By rail :
VIA Rail and GO Transit provide service to London.
Mobile : (519) 497-0833
References
Additional information :
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada web-site
Orthodoxwiki article about the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada
Wikipedia article about the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America web-site
Orthodoxwiki article about the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Wikipedia article about the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
1996 Special Regulations and Uniform Parish Regulations Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Uniform Community Regulations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada, 2021
Orthodox Church of Constantinople web-site
Orthodoxwiki article about the Church of Constantinople
Patriarch Athenagoras (Spyrou)
Patriarch Demetrios I (Papadopoulos)
Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis)
Archbishop Iakovos (Coucouzis)
Archbishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas)
Wikipedia article about the Greek diaspora
Wikipedia article about Greek Canadians
Canadian Encyclopaedia article about Greek Canadians
Embassy of the Hellenic Republic in Canada web-site
Metropolis of Toronto named Archdiocese of Canada (20 June, 2019)
Archpastoral visit of Archbishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas) to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church (12 June, 2022)
Unforgettable event to honour Archbishop of Canada for “90 years of a bright journey” (17 June, 2026)
"Archbishop Sotirios of Canada to step down after 52 years" (24 June, 2026)
Orthodox Times : Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey elected as the new Archbishop of Canada (22 July, 2026)