View source for Protopresbyter Panagiotis (Peter), Presbytera Hara Avgeropoulos



[[File:Protopresbyter Panagiotis Avgeropoulos 2.png]]

'''Protopresbyter Panagiotis (Peter) (1959-____)'''

and 

'''Presbytera Hara (born Ioannou) Avgeropoulos (1963-____)'''


Panagiotis is sometimes written as Peter.

Presvytera may be spelt Presbytera.



==Early life of Panatiotis Avgeropoulos==

In 1959, Panagiotis (Peter) Ioanou Avgeropoulos was born in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Arthur,_Ontario Port Arthur] ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thunder_Bay Thunder Bay]), [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ontario Ontario], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada Canada], to [https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/greeks Greek immigrant] parents John and Georgia (born Saitis) Avgeropoulos. 

In 1957, they had emigrated from [https://mapcarta.com/12863184 Krokylion], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phocis Phokidos],[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Greece_(administrative_region) Central Greece] ; and they had arrived first through [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halifax,_Nova_Scotia Halifax], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nova_Scotia Nova Scotia], whence they travelled to Port Arthur, Ontario.  They arrived with 4 children aged 8 to 14 years.  

They had arrived at Port Arthur because of Demetrios Saitis (father of Georgia), who had previously emigrated there with some friends in 1930.  He had gone first to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winnipeg Winnipeg], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manitoba Manitoba], for work, and then moved to Port Arthur.  

When he arrived in Canada, Demetrios had left his wife Demetroula (with 3 daughters and a yet-unborn child) in Greece, and he was never able to return because of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Depression Great Depression] (1929-1939), [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II World War II] (1939-1945), and the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_Civil_War Greek Civil War] 1946-1949).  Of course, he sent funds to his family in Greece for their support, and he funded their travel to Canada when it became possible.  

After the civil war, his wife emigrated with 2 unmarried daughters, as yet unmarried.  Her eldest daughter had been killed (with others) by the communist rebels in 1948).  Her husband had paid for the cost of their travel.  Their second daughter, Georgia, had been already married, and her family could not emigrate until later.  

Demetrios Avgeropoulos reposed in the Lord in 1958.  Demetroula Avgeropoulos reposed in the Lord in 1966.  

At that time, there was only 1 Greek Orthodox Church, [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Thunder_Bay-Port_Arthur_ON_Holy_Trinity_Greek_Orthodox_Church,_1918 Holy Trinity Church], in which they worshipped and where the children received their Greek Orthodox formation.  

At its establishment (1918), this parish had become the third-oldest Greek Orthodox parish in Canada.  

All the family’s social life was focussed on the spiritual life of the parish.  The parishioners were to one another like extended family.  The Greek-speakers of the Port Arthur-Fort William area naturally celebrated important feast-days and Greek national occasions all together, as they would in their villages in Greece.    

Panagiotis received his primary education in Port Arthur.

==Bereavement==

In 1968, the brother of Panagiotis, Avgeros, reposed suddenly in the Lord at age 18. 

This bereavement, and his mother’s consolation in the Lord in the Church brought Panagiotis closer to the Church, and he was very much helped by Priest Christos Kavadas.  It was then that he invited Panagiotis to serve in the Altar.  Later, he was taken to the parish choir, where he learned to sing.

They had moved to London in 1974, and Paagiotis began to be part of the spiritual and social life of [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/London_ON_Holy_Trinity_Greek_Orthodox_Church_1936,_1952 Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church] there. 

Panatiotis received his and his secondary and post-secondary education in London, Ontario. 
It was at this time that Panagiotis began playing key-board in a Greek band.  He had already been playing the accordion, and he had learnt to play many Greek folk-melodies, especially from his father’s home region.  He played in this band for 10 years, and his colleagues in the band were all honourable young men.  The group played at special occasions in various places between Windsor and Toronto.

==Higher education==

He attended the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Western_Ontario University of Western Ontario], where he graduated with a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bachelor_of_Arts Bachelor of Arts degree] (Honours History).  He had taken courses in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History history], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosophy philosophy], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_antiquity classical history], and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine_studies Byzantine studies], as he reflected on the meaning of life.  

He later commented that one influential person in his future life had been [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/William_S_Bush Professor William (Vasilios) Bush].  Professor Bush introduced him also to [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Dimitry_Vladimirovich_Pospielovsky Professor Dmitry Pospielovsky].  

While he was a student, Panagiotis sometimes visited the English-language [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/London_ON_Holy_Transfiguration_Antiochian_Orthodox_Church_1916 Antiochian Mission of the Holy Transfiguration] in London, where both these professors attended, and which mission they had founded.   

His post-graduate studies were done in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Master_of_Divinity United States of America].  

First, from 1984, he studied at [https://orthodoxwiki.org/St._Vladimir%27s_Orthodox_Theological_Seminary_(Crestwood,_New_York) Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary] in Crestwood, New York. 

He graduated in 1987, when he received a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Master_of_Divinity Master of Divinity degree].  He was the Valedictorian for his graduating class.  His thesis title was  "Preparation of Holy Chrism", and his readers were Professors [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Protopresbyter_John_and_Matushka_Marie_Meyendorff John Meyendorff], and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_H._Erickson John Erickson]. 

'''Pilgrimage to the Holy Land'''

During the following summer in 1987, Panagiotis participated in a pilgrimage to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerusalem Jerusalem] and the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Land Holy Land] of parishioners from [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/London_ON_Holy_Trinity_Greek_Orthodox_Church_1936,_1952 Holy Trinity Church] in London, Ontario.  It was led by the rector, [https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/efstathios-kontoravdis-obituary?pid=131061402 Priest Evstathios Kontoravdis].  

'''Meeting Hara (Joy)'''

It was on this pilgrimage that he met his future wife Hara Ioannou.  She had been born in London, Ontario, and had been raised in Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church there.  They became friends during that pilgrimage, and they continued their friendship while Panagiotis concluded his studies in the USA.  Her family came from near [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ioannina Ioannina], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Greece Northern Greece], and the family is very devoted to [https://orthodoxwiki.org/John_the_Forerunner Saint John the Forerunner].  

Hara had been a student also at the University of Western Ontario, where she had  studied in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academic_division#Faculty_of_Arts Faculty of Arts], and then of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academic_division#Faculty_of_Arts Education].  

She received the Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Western Ontario, in London, Ontario, in 1984.

She received the Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Western Ontario, in London, Ontario, in 1985.

Following her graduation, she began her long career in teaching (mostly in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_Toronto_Area Greater Toronto Area]) in 1985.   

Because of his high marks, Panagiotis qualified for a scholarship to pursue further post-graduate studies at the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Holy_Cross_Greek_Orthodox_School_of_Theology_(Brookline,_Massachusetts) Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brookline,_Massachusetts Brookline], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massachusetts Massachusetts].  He finished his [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Master_of_Theology Master of Theology degree] studies there in 1988.

==Marriage==

In 1988, Panagiotis I Avgeropoloulos was married to his now good friend Hara  at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in London, Ontario.  

In time, Father Panagiotis and Presvytera Hara received by the mercy of the Lord, 3 sons, John, Gregory, and Theodore. 

==Diaconal and presbyteral ordinations==

In 1989, on the Feast of Pentecost, his life-long hope to serve the Church was realised when he was ordained to the Holy Diaconate.  

On 25 July, 1989, Deacon Panagiotis Averopoloulos was ordained to the Holy Priesthood (on the Feast of the Dormition of Saint Anna) in the Greek Orthodox Church of Canada. 
He has the distinction of being the first Canadian-born priest to have remained in and to serve in the Greek Orthodox Metropolitanate (now Archdiocese) of Toronto (Canada) (any other Canadian-born priests left to serve elsewhere).

==Pastoral service==

Priest Panagiotis Avgeropoulos was assigned to serve as the founding pastor of [https://gocmarkham.com/ Saints Panteleimon, Anna, and Paraskeva Greek Orthodox Church] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Markham,_Ontario Markham], Ontario, where he served from 1989 until 1995.


[[File:SSPanteleimonAnnaParasekevaMarkham 2.png]]  

'''Saints Panteleimon, Anna, and Paraskeva, Markham, Ontario''' (present day)

==Bereavement==

In 1991, Demetrios Avgeropoulos, brother of Father Panagiotis, fell asleep in the Lord.

==Continued pastoral service==

In 1995, Father Panagiotis was transferred to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamilton,_Ontario Hamilton], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ontario Ontario], where he served at the [https://panagiahamilton.ca/ Dormition of the Virgin Mary Church], which he served for 1 ½ years. 


[[File:HolyDormitionGOCHamiltonOn 2.png]] 

'''Holy Dormition of the Theotokos Church, Hamilton'''


On 1 November,1996, Father Panagiotis was transferred to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto Toronto], Ontario, where he was assigned to serve as rector of the [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Toronto_ON_Annunciation_to_the_Theotokos_Greek_Orthodox_Cathedral_1961 Annunciation of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Cathedral].  


[[File:Greek-Orthodox-Cathedral-Annunciation-Of-The-Virgin-Mary-Church-Toronto 2.png]]  

'''Holy Annunciation to the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Church, Toronto'''


Over the several decades of his pastorate, he became a spiritual father to the parishioners, and he baptised several generations of the Faithful in the parish. 

When asked, he commented on the continuing and increasing tensions between Canadian society and the Orthodox Christian Way of Life.  With the passage of time, the ways of Canadian society have increasingly contrasted and conflicted with that of the Orthodox.  

Upon his arrival, the parish council asked for the increase of English in services for the sake of the children.  This process took time, and it bore fruit.  He emphasised that language alone is not the concern.  Rather, the primary concern is having a living and lively relationship with the Lord.
Patriarch Bartholomew

In 1998, [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Patriarch_Bartholomew_(Archontonis) Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis)] of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Church_of_Constantinople Constantinople] [https://www.upi.com/Archives/1998/05/26/Orthodox-patriarch-begins-Canada-visit/5517896155200/ made a pastoral visit for 8 days] to the Metropolis of Toronto (Canada), and he visited various Greek Orthodox and Ukrainian Orthodox communities in Canada.  During this visit, Father Panagiotis had been given the obedience by Metropolitan Sotirios (Athanassopoulos) of Toronto to serve on the organising committee, and to translate most of the homilies and speeches of the patriarch from Greek into English, as well as other materials.  This labour began 3 weeks before the visit, and continued while the visitation was in progress.

For this, the patriarch awarded him the Patriarchal Cross.

'''Fire'''

On 3 April, 2000, there was a [https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/toronto-fire-church-dufferin-dundas-street-west-1.7229569 catastrophic fire] in the Temple, in the very early morning.  

As a consequence, Father Panagiotis had to learn about construction.  For the next 2 years, intense labour was involved (on his part, and on the part of the parishioners) in re-constructing and repairing the Temple, while services were offered in the parish hall.  The parishioners and their friends committed themselves with energy under his pastoral leadership to the immense work of reconstruction.  

A video was produced to record the events – “[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GLZYeFH19s Rising from the ashes : The Restoration of the Church of Panagia]”  Most significantly, this event enabled first the moving of the Altar-area to the east side of the building ; and then the renewing of the rest of the Temple in Eastern Orthodox (“Byzantine”) style.  


[[File:PanagiaTorontoIconostasSolea 2.png]]]

'''Iconostas and Solea of the rebuilt Annunciation (Panagia) Cathedral'''


[[File:Platytera,RoyaldDoorsAmboAnnunciationGOCCTO 2.png]]

'''Platytera, Royal Doors, Holy Table, Ambo of the rebuilt Annunciation Cathedral'''

==Bereavement==

On 23 October, 2002, Ioannis Avgeropoulos, father of Father Panagiotis, [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/71051919/ioannis-avgeropoulos fell asleep in the Lord] in London, Ontario. 

Following his repose, the body of Ioannis Avgeropoulos was taken to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in London for visitation, and the serving of the Trisagion Memorial Service.

Then, at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in London, the Funeral Service for the Burial of a Lay-person was offered.  

Following the funeral obsequies, his body was interred in the [https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2160548/woodland-cemetery Woodland Cemetery] of London, Ontario.


[[File:Ioannis Avgeropoulos Grave 2.jpg]]  '''Grave-marker'''

==Bereavement==

On Monday, 6 June, 2011, [https://www.legacy.com/ca/obituaries/thestar/name/georgia-avgeropoulos-obituary?id=44783763 Georgia (born Saites) Avgeropoulos], mother of Father Panagiotis, [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/71051895/georgia-avgeropoulos fell asleep in the Lord] in Toronto, Ontario, where she lived in a seniors' residence.  

On Tuesday, 7 June, 2011, from 6-9 p.m., visitation was held at the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Cathedral (136, Sorauren Avenue, Toronto), including a Trisagion Memorial Service.

On Wednesday, 8 June, 2011, from 6-9 p.m., at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, London, Ontario (133 Southdale Road West) the Funeral Service for the Burial of a Lay-person was chanted. 

Following the funeral obsequies, the body of Georgia Avgeropoulos was interred in the [https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2160548/woodland-cemetery Woodland Cemetery] of London, Ontario.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband Ioannis in 2002, and her two sons : Avgeros in 1968, and Demetrios in 1991, in Thunder Bay.  Mourning her loss are her children : Alexander (Tina), Martha (Peter), and Father Peter (Presvytera Hara) ; 9 grandchildren : Georgette, Nicole, John, Marie, Constantine, John, Yianni, Gregory, and Theodore ; 6 great-grandchildren : Sierra, Mitchell, Victoria, Dylan, Markella, and Nicholas ; and her sisters Efthimia, and Virginia, and their families.

==Covid-19 Pandemic==

Father Panagiotis spoke in an interview about the difficulties associated with the closures resulting from the pandemic closures.

Because of the resources available in this community, Panagia Cathedral was the first Greek Orthodox Parish to be able to offer live-streamed services, Bible-studies, youth-group communication, and others.  

It was during this time that the trust of people in the Lord was very much tested, and it required a great deal of pastoral patience to pass through this test (as was the case everywhere).  He did his best by his example to show that there is no need to fear receiving Holy Communion, but to have confidence in the Lord and His life-giving Love.

'''Illnesses'''

Especially from the 1990s, there were many particular challenges that faced Father Panagiotis and Presvytera Hara.  Presvytera Hara, who had been very active in teaching children in the parish, and in many other activities, was discovered to be suffering from Parkinson’s Disease.  In time, this required her to retire from teaching.  Nevertheless, the Lord enabled her to persevere in hope. 
Father Panagiotis required surgeries to replace painful leg joints ; and then, later on, he encountered a life-threating infection (sepsis), during which he was hospitalised in intensive care for some time.  His recovery, by God’s mercy, was complete, and he was enabled to return to his family and to his parishioners (his spiritual family).

'''Presvytera Hara's activity'''

Since their marriage, Presvytera Hara has worked in harmony with her husband in caring for the Flock of Rational Sheep (in every place they were assigned).  Between her personal and practical example, she has encouraged Orthodox Christians to grow in the daily practice of their Orthodox Christian Faith. 

"Presvytera is a wonderful lady" wrote one person who knows her.  She had met Presvytera in 1994, when she had organised the Orthodox Educators Seminar in Toronto.  She noted that at that time, she and Father Peter were offering a Summer Camp for Orthodox Children.

Through the course of her own life-formation, and through her life with her husband, Presvytera Hara became well-grounded in the Orthodox Christian Faith and Theology.   She was a professional teacher.   She coordinated (and still coordinates) the Church School of the parish.  She maintains  contact with the teachers (there are 6 classes for the children and youth).  She continues to post material suitable for the school-age students and their families).  

Presvytera Hara has organised the text for the Pageants for the Feast of the Nativity, and Church School Retreats.  She works hard, and successfully, for the integration of the children and youth in the life of the Church.


[[File:Avgeropoulos family 2.jpg]]  '''Avgeropoulos family'''

==Other pastoral service==

In the context of his very active pastoral service, Father Panatiotis has, for many years, offered every 2 weeks the "Orthodox Religious Education for Adults".  This programme covers the Bible, the Feast Days, the life of the Saints, the Services and Christian life.  During the Pandemics, Father Peter continued to offer this "class" by livestreaming, and he maintained the connection with the people, and those searching for the Faith. 

In loving obedience, and as a servant of Christ, Father Panagiotis fulfilled many obediences given to him from time to time by [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Sotirios_(Athanassoulas) Metropolitan (later Archbishop) Sotirios (Athanassopoloulos)].

From 1990, Father Panagiotis served as the Director of Inter-Church Relations for the Greek Orthodox Church in Canada, serving as his Church’s representative to the Canadian Council of Churches since 1990. 

From 1998, Father Panagiotis served as Professor of Patristics and Orthodox Pastoral Ministry at the [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Toronto_ON_Patriarchal_Toronto_Orthodox_Theological_Academy_1998 Patriarchal Toronto Orthodox Theological Academy] since 1998. 


[[File:Metropolis Headquarters (Toronto).jpg]]

'''Archdiocese of Toronto and Canada, site of the Academy'''


Father Panagiotis and one other person have been teaching in the Academy from the beginning.  His students have generally loved and respected their esteemed teacher, not only for his teaching, but perhaps mostly for his loving example.


[[File:ProtopresbyterPanagiotisAvgeropoulos 2.png ]]  '''Father Peter'''

==Reflections==

An important perception of the pastorate of Father Peter is this :  As a priest and pastor to a large community, he is always available and approachable.  He serves with joy and love to God and His People.

Father Peter has worked very hard in his pastoral service, but he has avoided calling attention to himself.  He considers himself simply to be a servant of the Lord, and he constantly refers to the Lord and to the Theotokos with gratitude and love.   As a servant of the King of Kings, he takes seriously his responsibility to nourish the Lord's flock of Rational Sheep (human beings) with the substantial spiritual food of the Orthodox Christian Faith.

==References==


[https://www.faithincanada150.ca/about/cabinet-of-canadians/bio/avgeropoulos Article in “Faith in Canada 150 – Cabinet of Canadians”]

Video : [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnRbP3z7g6M “My Journey to the Priesthood” : Greek Canadian Archives Interview of Father Avgeropoulos]  (Pentecost, 2025)



'''Additional information :'''

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Archdiocese_of_Canada_(Greek) Orthodoxwiki article about the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada]  

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Greek_Orthodox_Archdiocese_of_America Orthodoxwiki article about the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America]   

[https://ecclesiagreece.gr/English/EnIndex.html Church of Greece web-site]    

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Church_of_Greece Orthodoxwiki article about the Orthodox Church of Greece]   

[https://patriarchateofconstantinople.com/index.html Patriarchate of Constantinople web-site]    

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Church_of_Constantinople Orthodoxwiki article about the Patriarchate of Constantinople] 

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Patriarch_Demetrios_I_(Papadopoulos) Patriarch Demetrios I (Papadopoulos)]  

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Patriarch_Bartholomew_(Archontonis) Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis)]  

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Sotirios_(Athanassoulas) Archbishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas)]  

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Bishop_Christophoros_(Rakintzakis) Bishop Christophoros (Rakinzakis)]

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Toronto_ON_Greek_Orthodox_Archdiocese_of_Canada_1960 History of the Greek Orthodox Church in Canada]   

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/St._Vladimir%27s_Orthodox_Theological_Seminary_(Crestwood,_New_York) Orthodoxwiki article about Saint Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary] 

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Holy_Cross_Greek_Orthodox_School_of_Theology_(Brookline,_Massachusetts) Orthodoxwiki article about Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology] 

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/List_of_parishes_in_Ontario_(Canada) Orthodoxwiki list of Orthodox parishes in Ontario]     

[https://www.greekcommunity.org/ Greek Community of Toronto web-site]  

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Thunder_Bay-Port_Arthur_ON_Holy_Trinity_Greek_Orthodox_Church,_1918 Article about Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Thunder Bay, Ontario]

[https://gocmarkham.com/ Web-site of Saints Panteleimon, Anna, and Paraskeva Greek Orthodox Church, Markham, Ontario] 

[https://panagiahamilton.ca/ Web-site of Dormition of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Church, Hamilton, Ontario] 

[https://www.panagia.ca Web-site of the Annunciation to the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Toronto, Ontario] 

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Toronto_ON_Annunciation_to_the_Theotokos_Greek_Orthodox_Cathedral_1961 Article about Annunciation to the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Toronto, Ontario]   

[https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/greeks Canadian Encyclopedia article about Greek Canadians]   

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_Canadians Wikipedia  article about Greek Canadians]  

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_diaspora Wikipedia article about Greek diaspora] 

Video : "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GLZYeFH19s Rising From The Ashes : The Restoration of the Church of Panagia]"








[[Category:Clergy]]  [[Category:Ontario]]  [[Category:GODT]]  [[Category:EP]]