Archbishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas)
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Archbishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas) (1936-____)
Early life of Sotirios Athanassoulas
Sotirios Athanassoulas was born on 19 February, 1936, to George and Anastasia Athanassoulas in Lepiana, Arta, Epirus, in northwestern Greece.
They received 10 children from the Lord. Sotirios was the eighth.
Sotirios was raised as an Orthodox Christian in an Orthodox Christian family, and within the bosom of the Orthodox Church of Greece.
Higher education ; move to Canada
After completing his basic education, Sotirios Athanassoulas attended and then graduated from the School of Theology of the University of Athens with a Diploma in Theology (Dip.Th.) (conferred in 1961).
He then moved to Canada, in order to continue his studies. He entered the Université de Montréal in Montréal, Québec, from which he graduated with a Master of Theology (M.Th.) degree in 1961, at which time he also received his degree from Athens.
As a layman, he served as Dean of Students at Holy Cross School of Theology in Brookline, in Greater Boston, Massachusetts. He was already able to speak Greek, English, and French.
Ordinations, 1962
On 17 July, 1962, Sotirios Athanassoulas was ordained by Archbishop Iakovos (Coucouzis) to the Holy Diaconate.
On 18 July, 1962, the Deacon Sotirios Athanassoulas was ordained by Archbishop Iakovos (Coucouzis) to the Holy Priesthood.
Pastoral service
Priest Sotirios Athanassoulas was then assigned to serve parishes in Canada, and he served especially in Montréal and in Edmonton, Alberta.
In 1968, Father Sotirios Athanassoulas began his long service as a member of the Archdiocesan Council of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North America (under the chairmanship of Archbishop Iakovos (Coucouzis)).
In 1973, Father Sotirios Athanassoulas was chosen and elected by the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Constantinople (under the chairmanship of Patriarch Demetris I (Papadopoulos) to become a bishop.
Episcopal ordination, 1974
On 27 January, 1974, Archimandrite Sotirios (Athanassoulas) was ordained to the Holy Episcopate in Montréal, Québec.
Episcopal service
At the ordination, he was given the title “Bishop of Constantia” (a titular see), and he was given the responsibility to serve in the Ninth District as the Bishop of Toronto in Ontario.
In 1979, following a re-structuring of the Archdiocese, Bishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas) was given the title Bishop of Toronto (Canada).
From 1968 to 1996, Bishop Sotirios served as a member of the Archdiocesan Council of the Greek Archdiocese of North and South America. During 1996, he served as the Administrator of the Archdiocese after the retirement of Archbishop Iakovos (Coucouzis) and until the installation of his successor.
Metropolitan of Toronto (Canada), 1996
Then followed a further re-structuring (during which the Diocese of Toronto (Canada) was placed in a direct relationship with the Patriarchate of Constantinople). It was at this time that Bishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas) was released from his responsibilities within the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America.
On 30 July, 1996, Bishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas) was given the title Metropolitan Archbishop of Toronto (Canada), and the diocese was elevated to the status of a metropolitanate. This title clarifies that he became the diocesan bishop (also called ruling bishop) of the Greek Orthodox Diocese of Canada (now a metropolis). These changes made a clear distinction between the Greek Orthodox Church within Canada and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (USA). The former Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America had at the same time been divided into 4 distinct parts : the USA, Canada, Mexico, and South America.
On 24 September, 1996, Bishop Sotirios was formally elevated by the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Constantinople to be the Metropolitan of Toronto, with the dignity and title “Metropolitan Archbishop of Toronto”.
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Toronto
Patriarchal Exarch of all Canada
During 1986, Metropolitan Sotirios was assigned by the Patriarchate of Constantinople also to serve as the Patriarchal Exarch of all Canada. This responsibility is not merely titular nor honorific. The exarch in Canada oversees the ecclesiological, canonical and spiritual life of the Orthodox dioceses and parishes under the care of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the country. He also maintains ecclesiastical and spiritual relationships with other Orthodox Christian bishops in Canada on behalf of the patriarch.
Metropolitan Sotirios continued to be active on behalf of the Patriarch of Constantinople in addressing practical and pastoral concerns in Canada. It was his responsibility, well-fulfilled, to organise and coordinate the official visit to Canada in 1998 of His All-holiness, Patriarch Bartholomew I (Ahontonis) of Constantinople.
Monastic establishments, 1993
In 1993, 2 women’s monasteries in Canada were established : Saint Kosmas of Aitolos in Ontario, and the Virgin Mary of Consolation in Québec. There was also for a short time, a men's monastery near Picton, Ontario, but it moved into the USA. The women's monasteries are supervised by Saint Anthony's Monastery in Arizona.
Patriarchal Toronto Orthodox Theological Academy, 1998
In 1998, the Toronto Orthodox Theological Academy was established. It became affiliated with Saint Paul’s University in Ottawa, Ontario. The seminary includes 2 Temples : Saint John the Theologian Greek Orthodox Church, and the Lifegiving Font Greek Orthodox Chapel. Bishop Christophoros (Rakintzakis) of Andida served as the first dean of the academy.
Purchase of new headquarters for the metropolis, 1998
In 1998, a large, former office-building was purchased in Toronto at 89, Overlea Boulevard (a portion of which was then named Patriarch Bartholomew Way). This building became the new centre for the Metropolis. Besides providing ample necessary office-space, it became the home of the Toronto Orthodox Theological Academy, a library, student residences, meeting-space for the Metropolis Council, and the residences of Metropolitan Sotirios and of the Vicar-Bishop.
New diocesan headquarters in Toronto
Bishop Sotirios served as a member of the Governing Board of the University of Toronto (1975-1978). He visited China (1981) with the Canadian Council of Churches and Australia with the World Council of Churches (1982). He composed and published : "Catechism of the Greek Orthodox Faith" in English. It was also published in Greek prose and poetry.
The Canadian Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops, 2000
Besides these things, Metropolitan Archbishop Sotirios has been crucially important in the foundation, development and continuation of an annual assembly of active canonical Orthodox bishops in Canada (The Canadian Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops). Since it began under his leadership in 2000, the annual and amiable synaxis has promoted many more occasions for the bishops to serve liturgically together, and to undertake common action in practical ways.
In 2014, through the Patriarch of Constantinople, this assembly received the blessing of the Holy Autocephalous Churches to be an official local assembly in Canada of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops, similar to the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America.
One of the works of practical common action of the Canadian Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops was the institution of the annual dialogue with Canadian Roman Catholic Bishops. This dialogue is not an official theological dialogue as such, but rather a general discussion of pastoral and other mutual concerns.
Theological matters naturally arise in such a discussion, but this is for helping the mutual understanding of the local bishops. In association with this work of dialogue, Metropolitan Sotirios entered the Metropolis of Toronto into the Canadian Council of Churches.
Bereavement, 2012
In 2012, two siblings of Metropolitan Sotirios, Priest Konstantinos Athanassoulas and his sister Aglaia, who was a presbytera and married to a priest, were killed in an automobile accident in Greece. The niece of Metropolitan Sotirios, Anastasia, daughter of Priest Konstantinos, was seriously injured.
Bereavement, 2013
On Saturday, 15 August, 2013, Anastasia Athanasoula, mother of Metropolitan Sotirios, fell asleep in the Lord in Lepiana, Arta (at age 111). She had been in good health and of clear mind until her last moment of life.
On Wednesday, 19 August, 2013, Metropolitan Sotirios (Athanassoulas) led the Funeral Services for the Burial of a Lay-person in the Temple in the Village of Lepiana.
Following the funeral services, the body of Anastasia Athanasoula was interred in the parish cemetery.
Retirement of Bishop Christophoros (Rakintzakis), 2017
In 2017, the much-loved Bishop Christophoros (Rakintzakis) was given the blessing to retire after his many years of service in the Metropolis of Toronto (Canada). Soon afterwards, he moved to Greece, where he lived in retirement in a monastery.
Metropolis of Toronto elevated to Archdiocese, Metropolitan Sotirios to Archbishop, 2019
On 13 June, 2019, Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontas) and the Holy Synod of the Church of Constantinople decided to elevate the Metropolis of Toronto (Canada) to become the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada. It was given the same status as the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North America in the USA.
On 13 June, 2019, Metropolitan Sotirios (Athanassoulas) was elevated to the dignity of archbishop.
Congratulations by Toronto Mayor, 2019
On 7 July, 2017, following the Divine Liturgy at the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Nicholas in Toronto that was presided over by Archbishop Sotirios, assisted by Parish Priest Fanourios Pappas, a small celebration in the parish hall took place in order to acknowledge the elevation of the Metropolis to an Archdiocese ; and, the elevation of the Metropolitan to an Archbishop.
Amongst the participants was the Honourable Jim Karygiannis, who is the Chair of the Scarborough Community Council. He presented the Archbishop with a congratulatory certificate from both Mayor John Tory and himself.
The statement read as follows :
It gives us great pleasure to congratulate His Eminence Archbishop Sotirios on the occasion of his elevation to Archbishop of Canada and Exarch of the Arctic. Upon this milestone occasion, we would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to you for your commitment to guiding and supporting our Toronto community members. Your contribution towards building a stronger and more vibrant City are greatly appreciated. Congratulations ! [Original signed by Mayor Tory and Councillor Karygiannis]
Presentation of contratulation certificate
Repose of Bishop Christophoros (Rakintzakis), 2020
On 14 February, 2020, Bishop Christophoros (Rakintzakis) fell asleep in the Lord in Greece. At this time, Archbishop Sotirios was unable to travel for the funeral of Bishop Christophoros, since he was on the same day presiding at the funeral of a relative. He made his care and prayerful presence known through messages instead.
Vicar-Bishops, 2020
In 2020, Archbishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas) received the blessing from Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontas) and the Holy Synod of the Church of Constantinople to receive 3 Vicar-Bishops who would assist him in the pastoral care and the administration of the Archdiocese and Exarchate of Canada. All the ordinations took place during July, 2020.
The Vicar-Bishops are : Bishop Bartholomew (Mostratos) of Keramos ; Bishop Athenagoras (Salmas) of Patara ; Bishop Iakovos (Antonopoulos) of Zenoupolis.
Archbishop Sotirios and Vicar-Bishops, 2020
At that time, Archbishop Sotirios commented :
I am delighted that the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada has received three worthy Auxiliary Bishops. We are determined to work as a family so that our Church in Canada can continue its spiritual and material progress. I congratulate the three new Auxiliary Bishops. I wholeheartedly wish them to live according to God. To work with all their souls. To enjoy true happiness, which stems from accomplishing God’s will and the satisfaction one receives from the fruits of one’s efforts. I deeply regret that many Faithful could not attend the ordinations due to the measures taken as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. I respectfully and gratefully thank His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate for the tremendous love and support they have shown to our Holy Archdiocese. On bended knees do I bless, glorify and praise, and wholeheartedly thank the Thrice-Holy God, who watches over the least of us and has given us three new Bishops. I promise to work together and in harmony with their Graces the new Bishops so that our Church in Canada can continue to progress in glory to the Thrice-Holy, Trinitarian God.
In 2020-2021, the Covid-19 virus came to Canada. With it and its treatment as a pandemic came repeated and prolonged closures and/or limited permitted attendance in the Temples everywhere in Canada. The particular nature of these limitations depended on the regulations established by each province. Interprovincial travel was severely curtailed, and international travel became almost impossible.
90 years
On 14 June, 2026, there was a grand banquet and celebration of the 90th birthday of Archbishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas) at the Metropolitan Cultural Centre of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada. More than 600 people participated in a great dinner in order to pay tribute to the life and works in Christ of Archbishop Sotirios. The event formally presented a recent publication from the Saint Nicholas Cathedral Community of Scarborough, “90 Years of a Bright Journey”, in celebration of the historical and continuing pastoral service of Archbishop Sotirios.
Organised by the Cathedral Community President, Anastasia Sotiropoulos, together with a selfless team of supporters, the event brought distinguished guests, including many Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, elected officials, and community leaders, in unity and love.
Besides Archbishop Sotirios, the principal dignitaries present included Metropolitan Ignatius IV (former Metropolitan of Arta, of the Church of Greece accompanied by Archimandrite Theologos (Ntouvalis)) ; Father Photios Tsamis, President of the Clergy Syndesmos of Canada ; Father Evangelos Athanassoulas, dean of Saint Nicholas Cathedral ; Abbess Alexia of the Saint Kosmas Aitolos Monastery ; Consul General of Greece in Toronto, Ioannis Chatzantonakis, and his wife, Dr. Marilena Griva ; Archon Evagelos Sotiropoulos, President of the Ecumenical Patriarchate Archons in Canada ; Archon Jim Anas, Treasurer of the Archdiocese ; Anastasia Sotiropoulos, President of the Saint Nicholas Cathedral ; Zoe Veroutis, President of the Philoptochos of Canada ; Betty Skoutakis, President of the Greek Community of Toronto ; Vince Gasparro, MP ; Jean Yip, MP ; Effie Triantafilopoulos, MPP ; Jonathan Tsao, MPP ; Nick Mantas, Toronto City Councillor
Metropolitan Ignatius gave the main speech of the evening. Then Final remarks were delivered by Archbishop Sotirios. He spoke in his traditional approach, with simple words and without notes, detailing his challenging life growing up in Epirus, in northwestern Greece, his love for and commitment to the Church as a young boy, his benefactors who helped pave the way for his schooling and lifelong ministry, as well as the growth of the Church in Canada over the last half-century.
Archbishop Sotirios speaking at the gala
On 19 June, 2026, there was a grand celebration in Toronto that continued the marking of the 90th anniversary of the birth of Archbishop and Exarch Sotirios (Athanassoulas) of Canada. His birthday had actually been in February, and there had been a series of gala events throughout the archdiocese to mark the occasion. The event in Toronto was the last of the series. It took place at the Sunday Divine Liturgy at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Scarborough.
By this time, Archbishop Sotirios had understood that his health was no longer as strong as it had been, and that it was becoming too difficult to fulfil his responsibilities in the same way he had managed during the previous 52 years. He had begun to prepare for retirement, which included the confidential consultation with the archdiocesan administration.
Retirement
On Saturday, 4 July, 2026, in accordance with his previous statements, Archbishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas) was in Constantinople (Istanbul), where he met with Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis), and submitted his request for retirement.
This request was submitted to the Holy Synod of the Church of Constantinople, and the request was granted.
Two weeks later, the Holy Synod (which had been made aware in advance of the impending retirement) met during its regular sessions, and Metropolitan Apostolos (Koufallakis) was elected to succeed him.
— Bishop of Constantia 1974-1996 (Bishop of the Ninth District, in and for Toronto). Preceded by : Bishop Theodosios (Sideris) (Ninth District, Toronto). Succeeded by : ____.
— Bishop of Toronto (Canada) 1979-1996. See was created. The title was changed.
— Metropolitan Archbishop of Toronto (Canada) 1996-2019. See was created. Succeeded by : ____.
— Exarch of the Patriarchate of Constantinople foe Canada and the Arctic 1996-____. Title was created. Succeeded by : ____.
— Archbishop of Toronto and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada 2019-2026. See was created. Succeeded by :Archbishop Apostolos (Koufallakis) 2026-____.
Reflections
During his episcopal service as the Bishop of Toronto, Canada, the number of parishes in the metropolis increased from 22 to more than 75. The Diocese and then Metropolis established the annual Youth Assemblies (1980) ; the monthly newspaper "Orthodox Way" (1982) ; the "Social Services" (1984) ; "Metahomes" (1984) (providing transitional housing for the homeless) ; the "Greek Orthodox Order of Canada" (1987) ; the weekly television programme "Orthodox Voice" (1990) (which is broadcast across all Canada) ; the "School of Byzantine Music" (1991) ; the "Greek Orthodox Education of Ontario" (Day Schools) (1996) ; the "Patriarchal Toronto Orthodox Theological Academy" (1998).
Awards
Archbishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas) was honoured with
• the Centennial Medal of Canada
• the “125 Canada” Medal
• the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal (2002)
• the Medal of the city of Athens
• the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012)
• Grand Commander of the Order of Phoenix of Greece.
Writings
• "Orthodox Cathecism" (Toronto : The Greek Orthodox Diocese of Toronto, 1996).
References
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada, "90 Years of a Bright Journey" (Toronto, 2026)
Wyrwoll, Nikolaus ed., “Orthodoxia 2014-2015" (Regensburg : Ostkirchliches Institut, 2015). ISBN 978-7245-1959-1.
Ecumenical Patriarchate biography of Metropolitan Sotirios (in Greek and English)
Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto biography
Additional information :
Saints Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church, Kitchener, Ontario, biography
Orthodoxwiki article about the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Toronto
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada web-site
Ecumenical Patriarchate web-site
Orthodoxwiki article about the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Patriarch Athenagoras (Spyrou)
Patriarch Demetrios (Papadopoulos)
Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis)
Archbishop Iakovos (Coucouzis)
Metropolitan Gerasimos (Michaleas)
Bishop Christophoros (Rakintzakis)
Video of the episcopal ordination of Bishop Sotirios
Ordinations of three auxiliary Bishops for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada
Orthodoxwiki article about the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada and All the Arctic
Interview of the Auxiliary Bishop Iakovos (Antonopoulos) (formerly Archimandrite Demetrios)
“Synaxis of Orthodox Bishops of Canada” (11 April, 2013)
Celebrating the Feast of the Holy Monastery of Saint Kosmos Aitolos (24 August, 2016)
Archdiocese of Canada news item (6 August, 2016)
Statement by Metropolitan Archbishop Sotirios about the Danforth Avenue Shooting in Toronto (July, 2018)
Letter of Metropolitan Sotirios about the fires in Greece (in Greek) (2018)
Metropolis of Toronto, Canada, elevated to Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada (13 June, 2019)
Metropolis of Toronto named Archdiocese of Canada (20 June, 2019)
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada mourns the Loss of Life in Nova Scotia (20 April, 2020)
“Archbishop Irénée concelebrates at Consecration of new Greek Orthodox Bishop” (25 July 2020)
Three Vicar-Bishops received into the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada (2 August, 2020)
Unforgettable event to honour Archbishop of Canada for “90 years of a bright journey” (17 June, 2026)
GreekTimes.ca Dimitri Papadopoulos : Orthodoxtimes.com : "Archbishop Sotirios of Canada to step down after 52 years" (24 June, 2026)
UOJNews : Abp. Sotirios to Step Down After 52 Years (24 June, 2026)
Youtube Video : A Commemorative Book Presentation in Honour of His Eminence Archbishop Sotirios of Canada | GrecaTV (14 June, 2026)
Video : CA GrecaTV : The Final Liturgy of Archbishop Sotirios of Canada (as Archbishop of Canada) at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Toronto, Ontario (Sunday, 19 July, 2026)
Orthochristian.com article "Greek Archbishop of Canada stepping down after 52 years" (25 June, 2026)
‘Greek Orthodox Enthrone Metropolitan in Canada, Archbishop in America’ in "Canadian Orthodox Messenger" (Winter 1996/1997), pp. 1-2.