Montréal QC Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church Dollard-Des Ormeaux 1979

Montréal, Quebec : Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, Dollard-Des Ormeaux, West-Island, 1979

Prehistory

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 after World War II, and the subsequent substantial immigrations from Greek-speaking lands thereafter.

Establishment of the Parish of Saints Constantine and Helen

On 1 April, 1979, a handful of courageous residents of the Montréal West Island area decided to create the Greek Orthodox Community of West Island under the auspices of the then Holy Metropolis of Toronto, by accepting the “Community Uniform Regulations of the Holy Archdiocese of North and South America”.

On 20 June, 1979, the “Community of West Island” was officially inaugurated. The first official community council included :

 Konstantinos Asimakis ; Dimitrios Kambisis ; Konstantia Tsassi ; Konstantino Sousaris ; Ioannis Georgiadis ; Georgios Pilos ; 
 Nikolaos Enepekidis ; Pandelis Despotopoulos ; Georgios Kalaidopulos ; Panagiotis Marinopoulos ; Zanis Rafaletos ; 
 Athanasios Fotakis ; Stelios Ioakim ; Michael Spanogiannis.

Although the community was ready to proceed, the main spiritual pivotal member was missing. The presence of a priest was not only an important factor in establishing the community and parish, but in fact a necessary element.

Protopresbyter Konstantinos Spanos

The council which was formed in 1979, accepted a motion to request the services of retired Protopresbyter Konstantinos Spanos, then residing with his relatives, who were also members of the newly formed Community. Father Konstantinos kindly agreed to offer his services ; and with the blessing of Bishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas), the Orthodox members of the Community were able to celebrate the Holy Week Services in the rented Christ the Redeemer Lutheran Church on Westpark Street in Dollard-des-Ormeaux.

Although the Community vision was to have a more permanent place for its religious services, the financial means were not very promising. The council rented the Anglican Church (which existed at that time) at 11400 Gouin Boulevard for the religious services of the Greek Community of West Island. Despite the hardships of those days, the community made important progress towards its establishment. Sunday school and teaching of Greek dances were initiated by the already in operation at the Pythagoras Saturday Greek School.

Protopresbyter Konstantinos Spanos

Establishment of the parish/community council, 1979

On 25 November, 1979, the temporary council passed on the administration of the church to the first officially elected council.

Father Konstantinos and others

Canada Ninth District named a diocese, 1979

In 1979, following a re-structuring of the Archdiocese of North and South America, The Ninth District 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).

Priest Konstantinos Halvatzakis

On 1 September, 1980, Priest Konstantinos Halvatzakis (Chalvatzakis) was assigned to serve as the priest of the Community.

The council’s goal at that time was to have a proper church facility.

On 22 March, 1981, during the General Assembly meeting, it was decided to purchase a vacant lot on Pierrefonds Boulevard. On May 29, 1981, the purchase contract was signed for the lot of 115,000 square feet (10,683.850 square metres).

Priest Konstantions Halvatzakis

Sanctification of the ground, laying the foundation stone

On 22 August, 1981, Vespers and the Divine Liturgy were celebrated, and the site was sanctified by Bishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas).

Change of direction

However, the plans changed suddenly changed. The parishioners learned that the Anglican Church was for now sale. The new council decided to purchase the existing building for $135,000.00,

The documents were officially signed on 11November, 1982.

Fire

Sadly, life’s ordeals did not spare this community.

On 7 February, 1983, at 10:00 p.m., a fierce fire destroyed the Holy Sanctuary. The previous joy and happiness were replaced by sorrow and disappointment. However, without a Golgotha there would be no Resurrection.

A new endeavour begins

The City of Dollard-des-Ormeaux come to the rescue, and the parish was offered the use of the Coolbrooke Park Chalet to offer their religious services.

The Sunday Divine Liturgy was celebrated alternately in various halls, restaurants, and reception rooms of the region.

Return to construction of a new temple

When the time seemed right, during a General Assembly meeting, a decision was taken to form a committee whose purpose would be to explore the proposal to build a new temple.

Following a feasibility study, the newly-formed committee recommended to have the new Temple built in the Dollard-des-Ormeaux area, where most West Island Greeks lived.

The Cemp Investments STD offered for free, the lot at the corner of Brunswick and Spring Garden Streets in Dollard-des-Ormeaux.

Mrs. Eva Karagianni, Mr. Panagiotis Prassas, and the late Stavros Spanos, personally got involved in order to complete the transaction.

The property transfer documents were completed and signed on 5 August, 1983.

Construction of the Second Temple

Then the “Site Exploration Committee” became the “Building Committee”. The wish of all concerned was to build a Byzantine Cruciform type of Temple, with a dome. However, the cost was found to be too great to undertake.

This architectural design was replaced by another, simpler, and less costly design, a Byzantine Basilica of Temple, the cost of which was about $370,000.00.

The construction of the Temple began in the month of August, 1984, and it was completed in early December, 1984.

The Temple was now ready to be used, and the Divine Liturgies and other services began to be offered right away.

Initial blessing, 1984

On 8 December, 1984, the initial blessing took place.

Sanctification

All hardships and efforts were coming to an end, because of the Divine help, the co-operation of the Executive Council members, the Philoptochos and all Ecclesiastical committees. Through their dedication, hard work, generous donations, and support, the dream became a reality.

Father Konstantinos Chalvatzakis was transferred away from the parish in 1986.

Protopresbyter Konstantinos Spanos

Thanks to God, the parish was able again to be served by Father Konstantinos Spanos.

Meanwhile, the West Island Community of Saints Constantine and Helen passed through a few months of uncertainty until Archimandrite Nektarios (Mostratos), from Greece, was assigned to serve as the parish priest of the community.

Interior of the second Temple

Archimandrite Nektarios (Mostratos)

In January, 1987, Bishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas) and the Greek Orthodox Diocese of Toronto (Canada) petitioned (through Archbishop Iakovos (Coucouzis) the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece for the transfer of Archimandrite Nektarios (Mostratos) to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America, and to Canada. The transfer was blessed, and Archimandrite Nektarios was assigned by Bishop Sotirios to serve as the pastor of the Temple and Community of Saints Constantine and Helen of the Greek Orthodox Community of the West Island.

Archimandrite Nektarios (Mostratos)

In his priestly service, he was known for his preaching, and for his gift as a Spiritual Father. He worked tirelessly for this newly-founded community and parish by gathering its participants, and by completing the iconography and other work that was needed in the Temple.

Father Nektarios was a member on the Metropolitan Board of the Holy Metropolis, the Secretary, and a Member of the Spiritual Court in Montréal. He also served as Principal of the Community’s “Pythagoras” Greek Saturday school.

On 1 August, 2004, Archimandrite Nektarios was transferred to the Hellenic Community of Greater Montréal, where he assumed his duty as the pastor of the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church.

On 25 July, 2020, in the Holy Temple of Holy Cross in Laval, Greater Montreal, Quebec, Archbishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas) of Toronto and the Greek Orthodox Diocese of Canada ordained Archimandrite Nektarios (Mostratos) to the Holy Episcopate.

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.

Archpriest Lambros Kamperidis

In 2004, Archpriest Lambros Kamperidis was assigned to serve as the pastor of the Saints Constantine and Helen parish.

A new period of spiritual enlightenment embraced all the parishioners. The rallying, and the participation in the Holy Divine Worship and the cultural and community gatherings, raised the religious organisation’s morale, and the Temple became the joy of the West Island Greeks.

The Internal church decoration and improvements became ongoing. The generous donations, the support of the Montréal Greek Community and the prominent benefactors and donors of the West Island Community, made this a reality.

Biography

The Archpriest Lambros Kamperidis was born in Constantinople, Turkey. He was raised, and schooled in Athens, Greece, and he emigrated to Canada in 1970. There, he received his University education.

By 1990, Lambros was participating in the parish of The Sign of the Theotokos parish of the Archdiocese of Canada, The Orthodox Church in America.

On 14 April, 1991, Lambros was ordained by Bishop Seraphim (Storheim) of Ottawa to the Holy Diaconate at The Sign parish, and he served there as a deacon.

Later, on 3 December, 2000, Deacon Lambros Kamberidis was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by Bishop Seraphim (Storheim) of Ottawa. He was transferred (“on loan”) to Metropolitan Sotirios (Athanassoulas) and the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto, a transfer which later became permanent.

From 2001 until 2026, he served as a Rector, under the omophorion of Metropolitan Sotirios (Athanassoulas), and the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto. First, he served in the parish oEvangelismos (2001-2004).

From 2004 until his announced retirement in 2026, he served as Rector at Saints Constantine and Helen in the Greek Community of West Island.

Pastoral service

Father Lambros brought a new approach το service as a priest. He understood that the vast majority of the parish was third generation Canadian-Greek-born, and that they had a limited understanding of the ecclesiastical Greek language used during the Divine Services. He also understood that there was a need to care for and embrace the younger generation, and those non-Greeks who have embraced the Greek Orthodox Church through marriages and baptisms.

Father Lambros began to provide a certain portion of the services in English. His in-depth knowledge of the Orthodox Christian Faith, as well as his general interest in and understanding of Orthodox Christian theology gives him God-given resources that help him provide to all a proper guidance in the Orthodox Christian Faith. Father Lambros has been regarded as a great spiritual leader, who brought a much-needed spirituality to the Montréal West Island Greek Community.

Father Lambros giving a homily

Father Lambros holds degrees in Philosophy and Byzantine History. He received his Doctorate in 2004 on the subject of the Phanariot Governors of Romania during the 17th and 18th centuries. He has authored 6 books on theological and historical subjects ; he has edited a translation in English of the Selected short stories of Alexandros Papadiamandis (“The Boundless Garden”, Denise Harvey Publisher, 2006), and he has written numerous articles in Greek, English, and French, on subjects related to literary criticism, theology and history. He has taught literature and theology at the Universities of Concordia, and Sherbrooke, and he participates regularly as a speaker in international conferences in Europe and America.

His special interest lies in the historical moments when literature, art and theology have converged to produce significant works expressing the truths which have underpinned European tradition in both its western and eastern aspects. His publications in the main explore this theme, and include

Writings

• “The Nay, Sweet and Serene” (in Greek), a study of Alexandros Papadiamandis and the meeting of his Orthodox Christian world with that of Islam

• “From Bret Harte to Papadiamandis” (in Greek), a study of Papadiamandis’s translations of Bret Harte’s short stories

• “The Monasteries of Sozopolis, XIV – XVII Centuries”

• “The Marriage of Heaven and Earth” (in Greek), an interpretation of Zissimos Lorenzatos’s understanding of William Blake and his translation of ‘The Marriage of Heaven and Hell’

• “Give me this Stranger” (in Greek), a personal account of the Greek experience of estrangement and exile through the understanding of the meaning of Diasporas, both Jewish and Greek

• A two-volume edition of Nicolas Mavrokordatos’s “Treatise on Duties” (Περί Καθηκόντων), which was first published in 1719 : “Le Traité des Devoirs”, and “Les devoirs et la chose publique dans l’œuvre de Nicolas Mavrocordatos”, published by the Cultural Foundation of the National Bank of Greece in 2026.

• “The Rider, the Steed, the Dragon. The Saint George Icons of Péris Ieremiadis”.

• “Speaking in Parables. The Quest for the Parabolic Truth” (foreword by Bishop Maxim of Los Angeles).

• His work on the translations of Papadiamandis in English as co-editor with Denise Harvey is completed with the third volume of “The Boundless Garden.

• Selections from the short stories of Alexandros Papadiamandis”, the third and final volume will be published in September 2026 with a Foreword by Rowan Williams.

Concurrently, he teaches courses in theology, literature, and the Greek language at the universities of Concordia and Sherbrooke in Montréal.

He is married to Presbytera Christina, also a teacher and an avid beekeeper, and they have 2 children, Despina and Seraphim.

Archpriest Dr. Lambros Kamperidis

Watch Father Lambros in an ERT1 Show (Greek TV show) talking about Alexandros Papadiamandis during his 100th anniversary from his death, that was celebrated in Greece in October, 2011

Read also Father Lambros’ speech at the Clergy-Laity Assembly : In Greek : “Όλοι είμαστε παιδιά του Θεού: Πώς θα σωθούμε” ; In English : “All of us are children of God : How to be saved”.

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”.

Retirement

In the Spring of 2025, Father Lambros submitted his resignation for retirement purposes, with the intention of continuing to serve as usual until the Feast of Pascha, 2026. The intention was to allow time to find a successor.

It was arranged that Hieromonk Antonios (Athanasiadis) would be available, and that he would serve all Divine Liturgies from 14 April, 2026, until the new priest arrives, or, and maximum until 12 July, 2026.

It was arranged that Father Panagiotis Pavlakos would performing all Sacraments of need.

The council and parishioners expressed their appreciation for the services of Fathers Antonios, Panagiotis, and Lambros, and for their commitment.

Because of complications in finding a successor (immigration regulations, and other factors), Father Lambros returned to serving the parish after taking a needed health-break after Pascha in 2026. The search for a successor continued, and the final date of retirement for Father Lambros was determined to be the end of September, 2026.

Father Lambros and Presbytera Christina served in this parish with love and joy for 22 years.

Father Lambros

Reflections

As more young families of Greek descent began moving to the West Island area, the Community of Saints Constantine and Helen has witnessed during the past years a resurgence of its life, and an active interest from the new members flocking to the Church in exploring their Faith and in discovering the hidden treasures of Orthodoxy.

An important factor for the newly aroused interest of the younger generation may be ascribed to the fact that English has been introduced into the services, and the second and third generation Greek-Canadians are finally comprehending the message of the wonderful hymns, and also the scriptural readings from the Gospel.

The Holy Sacraments (especially those of Holy Matrimony and Holy Baptism) are also celebrated in various languages, such as Italian, Spanish, German, and others. Thus, the services are made accessible, and they communicate to the non-Greek spouses the message and meaning of the sacramental texts. This is a reality which cannot be ignored, since over 60% of marriages conducted in our Community are between spouses of mixed origins.

In these various ways, this Community, this spiritual family, is led in its mission to the world by the Holy Spirit, the dynamic principle, the Life-giver, who moves us closer to the life of Christ, leading us to the Father, acting energetically to reveal our living faith in this modern, multicultural and complex society in which we have been called to live.

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-day of this parish is the Feast of Saints Constantine and Helen, Equals-to-the-Apostles, 21 May.

In 2026, the pastor of this parish was Archpriest Dr. Lambros Kamperidis.

Address :

Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church

20 Brunswick Boulevard

Dollard Des Ormeaux, Quebec

H9B 2N8

Telephone : 514-684-6462

Fax : 514-421-6788

Web-site

Facebook

Directions to the Temple :

By public transit :

Consult Société de transport de Montréal

By car :

The Temple of Saints Constantine and Helen is located in the city of Dollar-Des Ormeaux (a part of Greater Montréal), on the north side of the Trans-Canada Highway, Autoroute #40. This is to the west of the main part of the city, and west of Autoroute #13. From Autoroute #40, the exit for Boulevard des Sources Nord (North). Take the firs turning to the right on Brunswick Boulevard. The Temple is on the right, as the road veers to the left and becomes Spring Garden Street.

Archpriest Lambros Kamperidis