Thunder Bay-Port Arthur ON Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 1918

Thunder Bay-Port Arthur ON Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 1918

Prehistory

In 1904, the first Greek immigrant, Stavros Petrakos, came to what is now known as Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. Over the next 14 years, a small number of Greek immigrants came to reside in the Lakehead area.

After 1911, they worshipped when and as possible with the Holy Assumption Orthodox parish that had then been established there.

With strong faith in God, they decided to build a church to worship the Lord. Although money was scarce, nothing hindered them from fulfilling their desire. According to the records, the cost of the lot was $800.00 and the material and labour for the erection of the church was $2,300.00.

Establishment of the parish ; construction of the Temple

In 1918 the Greek Orthodox Community, with its Church, was founded.

Parishioners, 1919

The first priest to serve the Community was Priest Michael Tsimperis from 1918-1920.

He was succeeded by Priests Michael Stoikos ; Daniel Gambrillis ; Leonidas Kyriakakos ; Gabriel Mathopoulos.

Parishioners, 1935

Hard times ; pause

In 1935, financial difficulties arose, forcing the Community to close its Temple for 20 years. During those years, the Holy Assumption Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Thunder Bay served the Faithful.

The Greek Community nevertheless persevered together as well as possible.

Parade, 1951

Re-opening, 1955

After re-opening in 1955, the Community was blessed with the establishment of the following organisations :

 In 1956, the Ladies Auxiliary received their charter and in 1956 became known as the Greek Orthodox Ladies’
 Philoptochos Society.  A Ladies’ Junior Auxiliary, later known as the Holy Trinity 
 Altar Guild, was also formed.  It participated in cultural activities, and dedicated its services to 
 the Church. 
 
 Under the guidance of Hieromonk Christophoros (Tsarouhas), the Order of AHEPA, the Greek School, and a Church 
 Choir were also organised.

Establishment of a Canadian Pastoral District (Ninth Region), 1960

In 1960, it was decided by Patriarch Athenagoras (Syprou) to establish an episcopal region for Canada, of which the assigned bishop would be "Episcopal Commissioner" for Canada. The region was a preparation for a future diocese ; the "episcopal commissioner" was the preparation for a future ruling bishop.

 In 1962, the youth of the parish formed the GOYA (Greek Orthodox Youth of America).

Father Tsarouhas served the Community for 7 years. His name will be remembered for generations to come as a person who gave his life for the parish. Because of his careful and devoted pastoral attention, the parish was established both legally and spiritually on a firm and healthy foundation.

Father Christophoros (Tsarouhas), who then returned to Greece, was succeeded by Protopresbyter Ambrose Giannoukos ; Priest Peter Vasiliadis ; Priest Christos Kavadas ; Protopresbyter Andreas Desypris.

Construction of the Trans-Canada Highway, 1960

The construction of Ontario Highway #17, a part of the Trans-Canada Highway #1, began a long period of change in the economic life of the Lakehead region.

Formation of the City of Thunder Bay

On 1 January, 1970, the cities of Fort William and Port Arthur, along with the municipality of Neebing and McIntyre amalgamated to form the new city of Thunder Bay.

Towards a new structure

In 1971, a Building Fund Committee was formed with its primary goal being to raise enough money to build a new Temple.

In 1975, the Greek Community of Port Arthur celebrated the 20th anniversary of its re-opening.

In 1976, after many fundraising activities, enough money was raised to purchase 6 acres of land at the corner of Beverly and Balmoral Streets.

60th anniversary

In 1978, the Diamond Jubilee (60th anniversary) was celebrated. It marked the founding of the community in 1918.

Father Andreas Desypris was succeeded by Priests Sterios Mihandasis ; John Anemos ; Yusef Frei ; Dimitrios Gianniou ; Christopher Decavalles.

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.

Construction of a new Temple, 1989

On the Feast of Pentecost, 18 June, 1989, at a General Assembly, the members voted to build a new Temple.

In September of that same year, the ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of the Temple took place.

Ordination

In 1989, one of the sons of this parish, Panagiotis (Peter) Ioannou Avgeropoulos was ordained to the Holy Diaconate, and then to the Holy Priesthood by Metropolitan Sotirios (Athanassoulas). He had graduated from both Saint Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary (Yonkers, New York), and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology (Brookline, Massachusetts).

He was assigned to serve in parishes in Markham, Hamilton, and Toronto, Ontario. His last and longest service was at the Holy Annunciation (Panagia) Cathedral in Toronto.

He taught at the Toronto Orthodox Theological Academy from its inception in 1998. He fulfilled many other highly responsible administrative and pastoral responsibilities within the Metropolis of Toronto (later, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Toronto and Canada).

Father Panagiotis is the first Canadian-born Greek Orthodox man to be ordained to the Holy Priesthood, who remained, and served in Canada.

Protopresbyter Panagiotis Avgeropoulos

Second Temple, 1991

On 1 February, 1991, the new Temple was officially opened by Metropolitan Sotirios (Athanassoulas) of Toronto and Canada. He was assisted by Priests Christopher Decavallas, Paul Zmiyiwsky, and Vasyl Maluzynski of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada.

Second Temple

Greek Orthodox Church Non-Profit Housing Corporation

The “Greek Orthodox Church Non-Profit Housing Corporation” was formed to construct a 50-unit townhouse complex for needy families in Thunder Bay.

On 8 December, 1991, the housing project “Hellenic Village” was officially opened by Metropolitan Sotirios, representatives of the Federal and Provincial Government Housing delegates, Member of Parliament (MP) Joe Comuzzi, and His Worship Mayor David Hamilton.

During the following years, the following priests served the Community : Priests Dimitrios Callozzo ; Elias Buzinde ; Makarios Giannopoulos ; Nikolaos Tambakis ; Konstantinos Tsiolas.

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church

It is the prayer of the Faithful and the leadership of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church that all will be enabled by Grace to continue to work diligently in the coming years for the glory of God.

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”.

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 Descent of the Holy Spirit (Pentecost).

In 2025, the pastor of the parish is Priest Konstantinos Tsiolas.

Address :

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church

651 Beverly Street

Thunder Bay, Ontario

P7B 6N2

E-mail : htgoctb@gmail.com

Telephone : 807-344-9522

Tel/Fax : 807-357-9984

Web-site : http://gothunderbay.org/

Directions :

By car :

From Highway #1 (TransCanada), take the Harbour Expressway exit eastwards. Drive on the Harbour Expressway (east) until the Balmoral Street Roundabout. Take the third exit to Balmoral Street (north), and drive on Balmoral Street until Beverly Street. Turn right (east) onto Beverly Street. The Temple is on the corner, at the first exit on the right.

By Bus :

Consult the Thunder Bay Transit System.

There is bus service on McPherson Street and McLeod Street.

By railway :

There is VIA Rail railway service to Thunder Bay.

By air :

The Thunder Bay International Airport (YQT) is served by various airlines.

Priest Konstantinos Tsiolas

E-mail : htgoctb@gmail.com

Telephone : 807-344-9522

References

Original parish history article

Orthodox World listing for Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church

Additional information :

Avgeropoulos, Protopresbyter Panagiotis, “Brief History of the Greek Orthodox Church in Canada” (Toronto, 2024).

Pappaioannou, Priest George, ‘The Historical Development of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America’ in “A Companion to the Greek Orthodox Church”, ed. Litsas, F K (New York, NY : Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America, 1984).

Archdiocese listing

Toronto, Ontario, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada

Orthodoxwiki article about the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America web-site

Wikipedia article about the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

Orthodoxwiki article about the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

1996 Special Regulations and Uniform Parish Regulations Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

Uniform Community Regulations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada, 2021

Church of Constantinople web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about the Church of Constantinople

Wikipedia article about the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople

Patriarch Demetrios I (Papadopoulos)