Montréal QC Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel Greek Orthodox Church, 1967
Montréal, Québec, Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel Greek Orthodox Church, 1967
Pre-history
The pre-history of the Greek Orthodox Temple and Community of the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel in Montréal, Québec, Canada, may be found in that of “Evangelismos Greek Orthodox Church” in Montréal.
It may be discerned also in the histories of “Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church”, “Holy Dormition Greek Orthodox Church”, “Saint George Cathedral”, and others which preceded this community (or are approximately contemporaneous with it). Many of the other Greek Orthodox Temples in Montréal came to be owned and operated by the Hellenic Community of Greater Montréal instead of having a direct relationship with the Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada.
As was indicated by Sophia Florakas-Petsalis in her book “To Build the Dream” (p. 291), it was very soon after the establishment of Saint George’s Greek Orthodox Church that some people amongst the Greek-speakers perceived that there was a noticeable loss of the younger people amongst the Greek Orthodox believers in Montréal. It was understood that the children of earlier and previous immigrations were no longer fluent in speaking the Greek language, nor were they all learning the older forms of the Greek language which are useful in comprehending the Greek used in church services. There was a concern that English be introduced to help the young understand the Orthodox Christian Faith.
Founding the parish, 1966
In 1966, a group of 100 Montréal area residents proposed to build a new Temple church in the Ahuntsic-Cartierville area, in the north end of Montréal. These persons were of Greek descent, many of whom were English-speaking, and part of the first generation born in Montréal.
Initially, they called their project “Our Very Own” Parish. Their purpose was reflected in the resolution they all supported and signed :
We have resolved that we, the undersigned, are determined to exert all our efforts, both physical and financial, towards establishing an autonomous parish, under the guidance and jurisdiction of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America, which will enable us to more effectively and realistically fill our propagation of our Orthodox Faith and the Greater Glory of God.
In 1967, they petitioned Archbishop Iakovos (Coucouzis) of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America to form what became commonly known as “Saint Michael’s Parish” (in memory of their popular Greek school-teacher Michael Stavrides of Montréal). (Archbishop Iakovos of New York was at that time also actively the bishop of the "Ninth District" of the Archdiocese, also known as the Greek Orthodox Diocese of Toronto (Canada).)
The petition was approved by the Archdiocese, and an ecclesiastical charter was granted by the Archbishop and the Archdiocese in April, 1967.
Although the Temple was officially dedicated to the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel (and all the Bodiless Powers of Heaven), it was popularly known as Saint Michael’s Parish in memory of their popular Greek schoolteacher, Michael Stavrides, of Montréal.
The chairman of the interim executive committee in 1966 and president of the interim parish council later in 1967 was Mr Dimitrios Kotsos.
This Temple became the focus of the fourth Greek Orthodox parish in Montréal.
First Divine Liturgy, 1968
On 1 January, 1968, the first Divine Liturgy was served by Priest Panagiotis Sbilis.
This was possible because of the benevolence of the Roman Catholic Order of the Sisters of Saint-Croix at their complex in Saint-Laurent (in north Montréal).
Provincial incorporation, 1968
On 16 May, 1968, a provincial charter was granted to incorporate as an ecclesiastical corporation, “The Greek Orthodox Community of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel”, with Mr Nicholas Stavrides (son of Michael Stavrides) as president.
Purchase of property, 1969
In January, 1969, land was purchased on Elie-Blanchard Avenue in Cartierville.
Archbishop Iakovos (Coucouzis) of New York presided at the ground-breaking ceremonies.
Then, construction was begun for the erecting of a church building which was named “The Greek Orthodox Church of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel”. The Temple, constructed in a functional (modern) style, was completed in 1970.
The Ladies’ “Philoptochos”, 1969
In 1969, the “Ladies ‘Philoptochos’ charitable auxiliary of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel” was founded. (“Philoptochos” means “lover of the poor”.) The first president of the local Philoptochos was Mrs Frances Panopalis.
In addition to supporting various charitable causes, the “Philoptochos” of the parish was very active in fundraising for the new church building, as it always has been since then.
In the 1970s, the Community welcomed many more immigrants of Greek descent, who had begun to move to the surrounding areas of Saint-Laurent, Cartierville, New Bordeaux, and Ahuntsic.
Saturday Greek School
In 1974, a group of parents organised and founded the “Saturday Greek School of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel”. The first classes during that inaugural 1974-1975 school year were held in the parish hall, and under the direction of the Community’s well-known member and Greek language school-teacher Mr Vasilios Iliopoulos.
Renovations
After its inception, the community grew significantly.
The community continued it attempts to bear more effective witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as expressed in the apostolic tradition, and worship in the manner of the Greek Orthodox Christian Church.
In 1984, major renovations and expansion of the church building were undertaken in order to accommodate the large number of new parishioners.
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.
Sanctification of the Temple, 1997
On Saturday evening, 24 May, 1997, the Archangels Michael and Gabriel Greek Orthodox Church was formally sanctified by Metropolitan Sotirios (Athanassoulas). He was assisted by all the local Greek Orthodox clergymen, and representatives of other Orthodox Christian parishes in Montréal.
On Sunday Morning, 25 May, 1997, the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was presided by Metropolitan Sotirios (Athanassoulas) in the newly-sanctified Temple.
Afterwards, a celebratory luncheon was held at the Palace Convention Centre in Chomedey, Laval. It was attended by more than 400 Faithful under the distinguished patronage of Metropolitan Sotirios (Athanassoulas), and in the company of many elected officials from all levels of government.
Interior of the Temple
Temple Iconostas
Activities of the community/parish council
After the 1997 sanctification of the Temple, a series of necessary renovations were undertaken for the building by the Community, including the installation of an elevator for wheelchair access ; the replacement of the old church roof ; the renovation of men’s and women’s washrooms in the church hall ; and, later, the renovation of the large kitchen in the church dining-hall.
During the same period, some new icons for the Temple were commissioned and completed. Moreover, all long-term debt (3 mortgages) was retired. A final acquittance and discharge was obtained from the mortgagor, the National Bank of Greece (Canada), on 7 November, 2004 (the eve of the parish’s annual feast-day).
All this good work was made possible by the generosity of the members, parishioners, and many volunteers of this Community. Messrs. John Zakkas (1998-1999) ; Constantinos Dracopoulos (2006-2007) ; and Nicholas D Smirnios (2000-2005 ; 2008-2009 ; 2015-2016) also served ably as presidents of the Community.
Mr Nicholas D Smirnios
In his retirement years, Mr Nicholas D Smirnios was elected 9 times to the board of directors. Thus, he served faithfully on the Board of Directors of the Community for 18 years. He served during 1996-2011 ; and 2015-2016 – including 10 years as its longest-serving president to date (2000-2001 ; 2002-2003 ; 2004-2005 ; 2008-2009 ; 2015-2016). He led 5 councils with these notable accomplishments :
• extinguished $200,000 in old mortgage debt in the short time from 2000 to 2004 ;
• completed several capital improvements (new roof, windows, storage rooms, kitchen, and others) worth more than $150,000 without incurring any new debt ;
• donated more than $280,000 in higher contributions to the Archdiocese up to $40,000 per year (whereas the Community contributed as little as $12,000 in each of the years 1994 and 1995 during Thomas Bouras’ first term as president) ;
• segregated $150,000, and obtained the unanimous approval of the members, in order to create a Contingency Fund based on a strategic plan to fund an estimated $500,000 in recurring capital expenditures (e.g. roof, brickwork, cement stairs) every 20 years by saving $25,000 each year.
Nicholas Smirnios served also as a director of the Hellenic Congress of Quebec and Taygete Laconian Association, and a member of the Hellenic-Canadian Federation of Laconian Associations Fundraising Committee, “Koimisis” (Dormition), and “Evangelismos” (Annunciation) Parish Committees, and Barclay and William Hingston Greek School Committees.
The Community has also maintained very close ties with and supported other community groups over the years, such as :
• the Hellenic Seniors’ Association L’Acadie (Centre L’Acadie)
• the Hellenic Seniors’ Association Anagennisis (Galeries Normandie),
• the Metamorphosis Project (substance abuse support group),
• the Foundation for the Creation of Hellenic Chronic Care Hospital (since 1989), and
• the Hellenic Ladies Benevolent Society’s Annual Fundraising Radiothon, which evidences the Community’s commitment to serve and support the cultural and social needs of the Greek Community residing primarily in the Saint-Laurent, Cartierville, New Bordeaux, and Ahuntsic areas which areas number about 15,000 residents of Greek origin.
Past presidents of the HGOM
Twenty presidents served the Community on a volunteer basis during its first 30-year history (1967-1997), including : the first woman to lead a Greek Orthodox Community, Madam Justice Dionysia Zerbisias (1972) – later Judge ad hoc of the Québec Court of Appeal ;
John E Hadzipetros (1975) – a Past Supreme Vice-President (Canada) of the AHEPA Fraternity (American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association);
Mr George Vathilakis (1979-80) – past Chairman of the PSBGM (Protestant School Board of Greater Montréal) school board ;
Dimitrios Sifakis (1983-1986, 1990-1991, 1996-1997) – the oldest member to serve as president, who presided over the renovations of the church building in 1984, as well as the formal [sanctification of the Temple] in 1997 ;
Elias Scoufaras (1988-1989) – who led a fundraising effort during his tenure together with fundraising co-chairs Constantine P Papageorgakopoulos and Roubini Zakkas that raised more than $150,000 for the Community ;
Mr Emmanuel Spanoudakis (1992-1993) – who presided over the paving of the large parking lot adjacent to the church in 1993 ;
Mr Thomas Bouras (1994-95, 2010-2013) – former elected board member of CLSC (Québec Health "Centre local de services communautaires") Saint-Laurent.
2015 Patronal Feast
On Sunday, 8 November, 2015, Metropolitan Archbishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas) of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto (Canada) concelebrated the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy with Archbishop Irenée (Rochon) of the Archdiocese of Canada (Church in America), on the occasion of the Altar Feast-day of the parish in its 49th year of service and witness in Montréal. They were assisted by 2 presbyters, and by acolytes.
Patronal Hierarchical Divine Liturgy
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”.
Construction of the Second Temple
In the context of increasing population, a project was established towards the construction of a new Temple for the parish.
The construction of this Temple has been a significant project. As of October, 2023, the work was about 70% complete. The exterior work was completed. The interior work was progressing at a slower pace, with metal partitioning, electrical work, and plumbing being completed. At that stage, the slower progress was caused by the financial obstacles posed by inflation and other factors.
Second Temple in progress
Parish activities
The parish functions with various focus-groups, such as :
Community/Parish Council
To begin with, there is the Community Council which is chiefly responsible for the proper administration of the affairs of the parish. It is composed of faithful men and women who are dedicated Orthodox Christians, and who sacrifice their time, talents, and resources for the good of the Church. Working closely with the parish priest, the Community Council seeks to fulfil the mission given to us by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Sunday School
The Church Sunday School programme fosters spiritual learning through age-appropriate lessons. These may include an introduction to Church feasts, fasts, liturgical practices, prayers, Bible stories, crafts, projects, and liturgical singing.
Saturday Greek School
The Parish Community operates one of the leading supplementary education programmes within the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada.
Altar Servers
In the Eastern Orthodox Church, altar servers (of various ages) assist the clergy during services in various ways. They might carry the Processional Cross, candles, or liturgical fans in processions and entrances.
Bible Study Group
Every Saturday after Vespers at 6:00 p.m. there is offered a fun and interesting Orthodox Bible Study Session. This group is open to all, and it meets in the parish conference room.
Youth Ministry
It is accepted that the goal of Orthodox Christian Youth Ministry (GOYA) is the integration of each young person fully into the total life of the Church. The purpose is to help young Orthodox Christians to commit themselves to living the Orthodox Christian Faith daily. Worship, Witness, Service, and Fellowship are the natural expressions of that commitment.
Ladies’ Philoptochos
The Ladies’ Philoptochos is the principal charitable organisation of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada, and this group is called to serve those in need as well as to support the Church at various other levels. The Philoptochos chapter of this community is one of the most active chapters within the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada.
Parish Bookstore
The parish operates a small bookstore with useful books in English, Greek, and French.
Music Ministries
Music plays an integral role in the liturgical life of the Orthodox Church. This parish community supports 3 distinct choirs.
Greek School of Archangels Michael and Gabriel
Past principals of the of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel Greek School in succession include :
• Mary Papageorgakopoulos Theophilopoulos
• Eleni Papadopoulos
Prior to joining the Greek School, Mr D Smirnios aided the Community as a volunteer to organise summer day camps for children 6-13 years of age ; French classes for adults ; a demographic survey of the Greek community ; and a community day centre for seniors. He also helped the Community to obtain numerous federal and provincial government grants and to create summer jobs for university students.
Mr Smirnios chaired the organisation’s fundraising and album committees on the occasion of its 30th and 40th anniversaries. and he also served on the constitution committee, elevator building committee, election committees, by-laws committee, Clergy-Laity regulations committee, and the Archdiocesan Council. He also provided “pro bono” legal services for many years, including advice on constitutional amendments in 1989 and 1996, registration under the new "Quebec Act respecting the legal publicity of enterprises" in 1994, preparation and registration of deeds of acquittance after 3 mortgage loans were paid in full in 2004, and he was instrumental in securing a supplementary insurance indemnity of $10,000 in 2015.
Parish priest
Since 2024, Priest Athanasios Giocas serves as the parish priest of the Greek Orthodox Parish of the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel.
Father Athanasios Giocas is married to Presbytera Polyxeni Giocas, and together, they have 3 children.
Priest Athanasios, Presbytera Polyxeni Giocas
Father Athanasios, who studied in the fields of engineering, law, and theology, has achieved 6 university degrees. The highest of these was the Doctor of Law degree, which he received in 2016. Moreover, he has a licence to practice law professionally.
A specialist in the field of law and religion, Father Athanasios has participated in many conferences, and he has published extensively. One such publication is a treatise on the legal philosophy of the 19th century Russian religious philosopher Vladimir S Soloviev. Father Athanasios serves as an adjunct professor at the Faculty of Theology and Religious Sciences of Laval University. His homilies are available on the parish's Facebook page.
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 the parish is the Feast of the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel (and all the Bodiless Powers of Heaven) (8 November).
In 2026, the pastor of the parish was Priest Athanasios Giocas.
Address :
Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel Greek Orthodox Church
11801, Avenue Élie-Blanchard
Montréal, Québec
H4J 1R7
Telephone : 514-334-6868
Fax : (514) 334-6040
E-mail/Courriel : https://orthodoxchurch.ca/contact/community-office/
Directions :
By public transit :
Consult Société de transport de Montréal
By car :
Find Boulevard René Lévesque Ouest, and from it, find an access to Route #135, Boulevard Ville-Marie. Drive westwards on Boulevard Ville-Marie until signs for Autoroute #15 North. Drive on Autoroute #15 North. After Rue Jean-Talon, keep to the right, following A #15 as it joins Autoroute Métropolitaine. Then keep left so as to continue northwards on Autoroute #15. Drive on Autoroute #15. After passing Rue Dudemaine, take the exit to the right on Rue de Salaberry. Turn right onto Rue de Salaberry, and then turn right (first right) onto Rue James-Morrice. Drive on Rue James-Morrice until Rue Dudemaine. Turn right and drive on Rue Dudemaine until Avenue Élie-Blanchard in Ahuntsic-Cartierville. Drive on Avenue Élie-Blanchard, and the Temple is on the right.
Telephone : (514) 334-6868
Reflections
Although many past-presidents of the community are mentioned in the historical comments about the parish, the only priest mentioned there is the one who currently serves the parish. Without the series of parish priests who have served the Faithful from the beginning, there would be no parish. We must understand that the parish priest is not an employee, but the spiritual leader and father of the community. We must be grateful both to the pastors and to the community presidents for their care and their labours in Christ.
References
ΑΦΙΕΡΩΜΑ ΣΤΗΝ ΠΡΩΤΗΝ ΕΛΛΗΝΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΗΝ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑΝ ΚΑΙ ΚΟΙΝΟΤΗΣ ΣΤΟ ΜΟΝΤΡΕΑΛ «ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΣΜΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΘΕΟΤΟΚΟΥ» (Tribute to the First Greek Orthodox Church and Community in Montréal “Annunciation to the Virgin”) (1)
ΑΦΙΕΡΩΜΑ ΣΤΗΝ ΠΡΩΤΗΝ ΕΛΛΗΝΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΗΝ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑΝ ΚΑΙ ΚΟΙΝΟΤΗΣ ΣΤΟ ΜΟΝΤΡΕΑΛ «ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΣΜΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΘΕΟΤΟΚΟΥ» (Tribute to the First Greek Orthodox Church and Community in Montréal “Annunciation to the Virgin”) (2)
ΑΦΙΕΡΩΜΑ ΣΤΗΝ ΠΡΩΤΗΝ ΕΛΛΗΝΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΗΝ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑΝ ΚΑΙ ΚΟΙΝΟΤΗΣ ΣΤΟ ΜΟΝΤΡΕΑΛ «ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΣΜΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΘΕΟΤΟΚΟΥ» (Tribute to the First Greek Orthodox Church and Community in Montréal “Annunciation to the Virgin””) (3)
Additional information :
Florakas-Petsalis, Sophia, “To Build the Dream” –The Story of the Early Greek Immigrants in Montréal (Montréal, Quebec : Copyright 2000 Sophia Florakis-Petsalis).
Hellenic Community of Greater Montréal listing for Archangels Michael and Gabriel Greek Orthodox Church, Montréal, Québec
Evangelismos-Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Montréal, Québec
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada web-site
Orthodoxwiki article about the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada
1996 Special Regulations and Uniform Parish Regulations Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Uniform Community Regulations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada, 2021
Orthodoxwiki article about the Orthodox Church of Greece
Patriarchate of Constantinople web-site
Orthodoxwiki article about the Patriarchate of Constantinople
Patriarch Athenagoras (Spyrou)
Patriarch Demetrios I (Papadopoulos)
Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis)
Archbishop Athenagoras (Kokkinakis)
Archbishop Iakovos (Coucouzis)
Archbishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas)
Bishop Christophoros (Rakintzakis)
Bishop Bartholomew (Mostratos)
Protopresbyter Nicholas Salamis
History of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada
Orthodoxwiki list of Orthodox parishes in Québec
Hellenic Post historical article about the Hellenic Community of Greater Montréal
Canadian Encyclopedia article about Greek Canadians
Wikipedia article about Greek Canadians
Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto, Canada, elevated to Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada (13 June, 2019)
Montréal was home to two Trinity Churches built in 1865 (12 July, 2020)
Three Vicar-Bishops received into the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada (2 August, 2020)
Archbishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas) : 50th Year Golden Jubilee (10 January, 2024)
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)
Video : “The 80 goes to Sparta” (National Film Board of Canada) 1969
Video : A Scattering of Seeds : Century Man – The Father Salamis Story (2010)
If any details need correcting, or if any information is missing, please send a note to the Contact E-mail : Info@orthodoxcanada.ca