Montréal QC Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church Saint-Hubert 1981

Montréal Québec : Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church, Saint-Hubert, 1981

Montréal, Québec : Église orthodoxe grecque Saint-Jean-Baptiste, Saint-Hubert, 1981

Saint John the Baptist may be written Saint Jean-Baptiste in French.

Prehistory of the region

The municipality of Saint-Hubert, Longueuil, Montréal, Quebec, Canada. This is within the Montérégie region of southwest Québec.

As is frequently the case in Québec, the name of the place is derived from the name of the main church associated with the settlement itself. In this case, it is Saint Hubert of Liège (+727). (Liège is now part of the Kingdom of Belgium.)

For Québec, the municipality of Saint-Hubert is a relatively recent settlement, which became a parish only in 1860. Its growth was largely related to the growth of the City of Montréal over the years. This growth was slow, largely because of the distance across the Saint Lawrence River, and Saint-Hubert did not become a city until 1958.

It had been a separate city prior to 1 January, 2002, when it and several other neighbouring south-shore municipalities were merged into Longueuil (at the same time as another, similar merger).

Prehistory of the parish

The prehistory of this parish is found in the history of the Evangelismos, and Holy Trinity parishes of Montréal, Québec, Canada, as well as the other parishes that developed in the various parts of Greater Montréal. All this development eventually included the beginning of the development of a Greek Orthodox parish and community in Saint-Hubert, since Greek-speakers had begun to settle in the south-shore settlements as well as in the parts of Greater Montréal to the north.

The establishment of the parishes and communities on the South Shore part of Greater Montréal was associated with the establishment of the Greek Schools, Socrates-Démosthène, and Omeros.

This parish was preceded on the South Shore by the Parish of Saint Marina (1974), and the establishment of the Hellenic Community of the South Shore.

Establishment of the parish

The parish and community of Saint John the Baptist in Saint-Hubert was incorporated officially and legally on 6 July, 1981.

This community, together with that of Saint Marina, belonged to the “Communauté hellénique de la Rive-Sud de Montréal”.

This parish was the second parish to be established in Saint Hubert, Quebec, in the South-Shore region of Greater Montréal, known as in Longueuil.

Meanwhile, activities were in progress towards the raising of funds towards construction. In 1984, construction of the Temple of Saint John the Baptist began, and the work was completed in 1985.

On 15 September, 1985, the Socrates Primary School (École primaire Socrates) – Campus IV began functioning.

On the same date, “l’École hellénique Omeros” (the Homer Hellenic School) of the “Communauté hellénique de la Rive-Sud de Montréal” merged with “l’École hellénique Platon” (Platon Hellenic School), and was called l’École hellénique Platon-Omeros (the Platon-Homer Hellenic School).

Services begin

On 22 December, 1985, the first services of Orthros and the Divine Liturgy were served, in the context of the necessary preliminary blessing of the whole structure.

Interior view of Saint John the Baptist Church

Iconostas of Saint John the Baptist Church

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

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”.

Hellenic Community of Greater Montréal

The parish and community of Saint John the Baptist belong to the Hellenic Community of Greater Montréal (HCGM). All HCGM Churches are administrated by the Community’s Board of Directors and as a “body” are under the ecclesiastic and spiritual authority of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto (Canada). Each church is managed by its Dean. All churches are supported by their Church Committee and Ladies Benevolent. In addition to its own Church Committee, Saint-John the Baptist church is supported by the Ladies Auxiliary.

Each Church keeps its own archives where all sacraments and ceremonies are recorded. Saint George Cathedral keeps Holy Trinity Church archives as well as the registry book. The General Archives and Register of Records are under the authority of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto (Canada) who issues licenses, marriage, and birth certificates, and the like.

The Parish of Saint John the Baptist offers an annual Greek Festival during the days near the Altar Feast-day (24 June).

By 2024, the Hellenic Community of Greater Montréal was operating 6 parishes : Saint George Cathedral (1961) ; Evangelismos (Annunciation) (1909) ; Koimisis (Dormition) (1968) ; Saint John the Baptist (1984) ; Saint Nicholas (1971) ; Holy Cross (1991) .

There were 3 regional councils of the community : Montréal, South-Shore, Laval.

Particular Parish Information

This parish is 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 Nativity of the Forerunner, Saint John the Baptist, 24 June.

In 2026, the pastor of the parish was Protopresbyter Ignatios Delis.

Address :

Saint John the Baptist (Genethliion)

4350, Montée Saint-Hubert

Saint-Hubert, Québec

J3Y 1V1

Telephone : 450-676-4027

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Directions :

By public transit :

Consult Société de transport de Montréal

By car :

The Greek Orthodox Church of Saint John the Baptist is located in the South Shore area of Greater Montréal.

It is located between Autoroute #10 and Route #116, south of Route #134, and north of Route #112, and Autoroute #30.

From Montréal, gain access to Autoroute #15 or Autoroute #10, and drive south over the Pont Champlain Bridge. Take the exit for Route #134 (Boulevard Tascherau), and turn left onto Route #134. At Avenue Auteuil, turn right onto Avenue Auteuil, and drive to the junction with Boulevard Grande Allée. Turn left onto Boulevard Grande Allée, and then turn right onto Montée Saint-Hubert Ascent. Drive on Montée Saint-Hubert until after Avenue Normand. The Temple is on the left (before Avenue Grenier).

Alternatively, drive to Avenue Papineau, and drive south towards the Pont Jacques-Cartier Bridge, Route #134. Cross the bridge, and continue on Route #134 until the junction with Route #116. Take the exit to the right for Route #116, and drive on Route #116 until the exit for Route #112 (Boulevard Cousineau). Follow the exit to the right, and drive on Boulevard Cousineau until Montée Saint-Hubert. Turn right, and drive on Montée Saint-Hubert Ascent. After passing Boulevard Kimber/Boulevard Maricourt, the Temple is on the right.

From Autoroute #30, take the exit for Route #116 towards Montréal. Then take the exit for Route #112 (Boulevard Cousineau). Turn left onto Boulevard Cousineau, and drive on Boulevard Cousineau until Montée Saint-Hubert Ascent. Turn right, and drive on Montée Saint-Hubert Ascent. After passing Boulevard Kimber/Boulevard Maricourt, the Temple is on the right.

Protopresbyter Ignatios Delis