Montréal QC Saint Irene and Saint Markella Greek Orthodox Church

Montréal, Québec, Saint Irene, and Saint Markella Greek Orthodox Church

Église grecque orthodoxe de Montréal, Québec, Sainte-Irène et Sainte-Markella

History of the structure

The Temple of Saint Irene and Saint Markella is located in the “Mile-End” borough of Montréal, Québec, Canada. The district is named after the original Mile-End farmland of that region.

The building which is now the Temple of Saints Irene and Markella was constructed in 1920, and it originally housed the Tifereth Israel Synagogue. When that group moved elsewhere, the building was used as a Protestant church.

The layered history of the building reflects that of the neighbourhood itself, with its shifting populations throughout the same streets, albeit with new meanings.

Establishment of the parish

Under the pastorate of Father Spyridon, the building was purchased, renovated, and sanctified as a Greek Orthodox Church dedicated to the Great-Martyr Saint Irene of Thessalonika, and the Martyr Saint Markella of Chios.

At that time, the parish belonged to a Greek-Old-Calendarist jurisdiction.

The parish originally followed the Old Style (Julian) calendar, until it became part of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto (Canada) (now the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada) under the jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of Constantinople. This was under the omophor of Metropolitan Sotirios (Athanassoulas).

The Great-Martyr Saint Irene of Chrysovalantou was originally from Cappadocia, and she was the abbess of the monastery of Chrysovalantou during the ninth century. Her Feast-day is 28 July.

The Holy and Glorious Virgin-Martyr Saint Markella of Chios is the patron saint of Chios. She was born and lived during the fourteenth century in the village of Volissos of the Island of Chios (in the Aegean Islands near Turkey). Her Feast-day is 22 July.

The Iconostas

Since the move to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada, this parish offers services to the Lord regularly, and frequently. These mark the liturgical calendar during the weekly Divine Liturgies, lesser and major Feast-days of the Orthodox Church, observances associated with Great Lent, and various services of need (sacraments).

The building itself is a modest structure with a long memory that continues to anchor a community of Faithful, which, although no longer concentrated in Mile End, still returns there with purpose.

As of 2026, there is no further specific information about the history of this parish available on the internet. However, the parish and parishioners remain very active, as seen in the Church services for the month of August, 2026.

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.

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada and All the Arctic, 2019

On 13 June, 2019, the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, in its meeting with Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis) presiding, elevated the Metropolis of Toronto (Canada) to be the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada, and of the Arctic”, “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”.

He was also made the Patriarchal Exarch of the Archdiocese of Canada.

Particular parish information

This parish is part of the Greek Orthodox Diocese of Canada, of the 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-days of this parish are the Feast of Holy Abbess Irene of Chrysovalantou, 28 July ; and the Feast of Saint Markella, Martyr of Chios, 22 July.

In 2026, the pastor of the parish was Protopresbyter Panagiotis Pavlakos.

Address :

Saint Irene and Saint Markella Greek Orthodox Church

5390, rue Saint Urbain Street (between Rue Saint Viateur and Avenue Fairmount)

Montréal, Québec

H2T 2X1

Telephone : (514) 270-4513 Web-site

Facebook

E-mails : info@stirenestmarkella.org ; admin@stirenestmarkella.org

Directions to the Temple :

By public transit :

Consult Société de transport de Montréal

By car :

The Temple of Saint Irene and Saint Markella is situated on the west side of Rue Saint-Urbain, in the “Mile End” district, west of the “Plateau-Mont-Royal”, which is to the east of Mount Royal, and south of “Park Extension”.

• From the east :

Approach the Mile End district from the eastern part of the city by approaching from the north or south along Papineau Avenue, and turning to the west at Saint Joseph Boulevard East. Then turn right (north) along Boulevard Saint-Laurent, and drive until Rue Saint-Viateur Ouest. Turn left, and drive until Rue Saint-Urbain. Turn left, and the Temple is on the right.

• From the north (and also east and west) :

Approach the Mile End district from Autoroute #440 (east or west), and exit southwards at Boulevard de l’Acadie. Turn left (east) at Rue Jean-Talon Ouest. Drive eastwards until Rue Clark. Turn right (south), and drive southwards. Veer to the right as the road becomes Rue Saint-Urbain. After Rue Saint-Viateur the Temple is on the right.

• From the south :

From the south, cross the Saint Lawrence River northwards on the Champlain Bridge (via Highway #10), or on the Jacques Cartier Bridge (via Highway #134).

From the Jacques Cartier Bridge, continue northwards on Papineau Avenue and turn westwards at Saint Joseph Boulevard East. Then turn right (north) along Boulevard Saint-Laurent, and drive until Rue Saint-Viateur Ouest Turn left, and drive until Rue Saint-Urbain. Turn left, and the Temple is on the right.

From the Champlain Bridge, follow the signs for Highway #10 towards the city centre. Continue straight on Henri Bourassa Boulevard as far as Sherbrooke Street. Turn right on Sherbrooke Street and drive to Saint Laurent Boulevard. Turn left (northwards) on Saint Laurent Boulevard, and continue until Rue Saint-Viateur Ouest. Turn left, and drive until Rue Saint-Urbain. Turn left, and the Temple is on the right.

Protopresbyter Panagiotis Pavlakos