Montréal QC Saint Marina Greek Orthodox Church Saint-Hubert 1974

Montréal, Québec : Saint Marina Greek Orthodox Church, Saint-Hubert, 1974

Montréal, Québec : Église orthodoxe grecque Sainte-Marina, Saint-Hubert, 1974

Prehistory of the region

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

As is frequently the case in Québec, the name of 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, 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 Saint Marina Greek Orthodox Church is 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. 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, Omeros, and Socrates-Démosthène.

Establishment of the parish, and the school

The parish and community of the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Marina of Antioch was established in Saint Hubert, Québec, in the South-Shore region of Greater Montréal. It was the first of the parishes to be established in Longueuil.

The name of the community itself was “Communauté hellénique de la Rive-Sud de Montréal” (Hellenic Community of the South Shore of Montréal), and its address was 5220 Grande Allée, Saint-Hubert.

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.

Development of the Community

In July, 1984, the first stage for the unification of the “Communauté hellénique de la Rive-Sud de Montréal” with the “Communauté hellénique de Montréal” was initiated, and the construction of the “Centre hellénique Communautaire de la Rive-Sud” commenced.

In 1985, The construction of the South Shore Hellenic Community Centre was completed. This complex included Campus IV of the Socrates School, with 18 classrooms, a multimedia room, a library, a cafeteria, a gymnasium, and administrative offices.

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 it was called l’École hellénique Platon-Omeros (the Platon-Homer Hellenic School).

On 15 August, 1986, the construction of the “Centre hellénique communautaire de la Rive-Sud” was completed at 5220 Grande Allée, Saint-Hubert. This complex (covering a total of 47,000 square feet) included l’École primaire Socrates – Campus IV. It had 18 classrooms, a library, a gymnasium, the offices of the South Shore Region, l’Église Saint Jean-Baptiste, and 130 outside parking spaces.

On 1 July, 1986, the unification of the Communauté hellénique de Montréal and the Communauté hellénique de la Rive-Sud de Montréal was completed, and the name was changed to Communauté hellénique de Montréal.

In 1987, the Community’s “Centre de sports, santé et loisirs de la Rive-Sud” at 5220, Grande Allée, Saint-Hubert, was established.

On 28 March, 1989, l’École primaire Socrates-Campus IV became also an associate school with the Commission Scolaire Taillon de la Rive-Sud.

On 21 June, 1994, l’École primaire Socrates-Campus V obtained from the Québec Ministry of Education its operation permit.

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.

Further development

In 2008, the agreements terminated between the Socrates and the school boards. L’École primaire Socrates began to operate as a fully-fledged private academic institution.

In 2010, the Hellenic Community of Montréal was officially united with the Greek Orthodox Community of Laval into a new organisation under the name “Communauté hellénique du Grand Montréal” (Hellenic Community of Greater Montréal) with a 27-member Board of Directors and 3 Regional Councils. This new organisation then consisted of 2 trilingual daytime, primary schools (“Socrates” and “Démosthène”) on 6 campuses ; 3 Complementary Education Schools (Aristotelis, Platon-Omeros, and Saint-Nicholas), in 4 campuses ; 6 churches ; 6 daycare centres ; 6 sports centres ; 2 Youth Departments ; Boy Scout and Girl Guide Troops ; and Social Services in the Montréal, Laval and South Shore areas.

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”, 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”.

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

Hellenic Community Centre of Montréal information

The Hellenic Community of Greater Montréal (HCGM) organisation has served the Greek population in the greater Montréal area since 1906, and it grew to represent citizens of Hellenic origin in Montréal, Laval, and the South Shore.

Hellenic Community Centre of Montréal/Centre hellénique communautaire de Montréal

5777, Avenue Wilderton

Montréal, Québec

H3S 2V7

The office is open Monday through Friday from 09:00 to 17:00 and it is closed on weekends.

Telephone : (514) 738-2421

E-mail : info@hcgm.org

Web-site

Facebook

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. Additionally, Saint George Cathedral keeps the 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.

By 2024, the Hellenic Community of Greater Montréal was operating 6 parishes :

• Saint George Cathedral (1961)

• Evangelismos (Annunciation) (1909, 1975)

• 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 Saint Marina of Antioch, 17 July.

In 2026, the pastor of the parish was Priest Ioannis Fortomas.

Address :

Saint Marina Greek Orthodox Church

5220, Grande Allée

Saint-Hubert, Québec

J3Y 1A1

Telephone : 450-656-4832

Fax : 450-656-1531

Directions :

By public transit :

Consult Société de transport de Montréal

By car :

The Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Marina is located in the South-Shore area of Greater Montréal, called Longueuil. It is located in Brossard, between Autoroute #10, and Route #116, and south of Route #134.

From the North Shore and the City of Montréal, follow Autoroute #15 southwards to the Pont Champlain Bridge. Continue southwards on Autoroute #10 until Route #134. Take the exit towards Boulevard Taschereau (Route #134) Est/East. Continue on Boulevard Taschereau until the exit for Avenue Auguste. Turn to the right onto Avenue Auguste, and drive southwards as it becomes Grande Allée. Just past Rue Bellevue, the Temple is on the left side.

Alternatively, access Route #112 in central Montréal, and follow it south across the Victoria Bridge into Saint-Lambert. At the junction with Route #134 (Boulevard Taschereau), take the exit towards Boulevard Taschereau Ouest (West). Drive until the exit for Avenue Auguste. Turn left onto Avenue Auguste, and drive southwards as it becomes Grande Allée. Just past Rue Bellevue, the Temple is on the left side.

From Autoroute #30, take the exit for Route #116 towards Longueuil. Continue on until the junction with Route #134 (Boulevard Taschereau), take the exit towards Boulevard Taschereau Ouest (West). Drive until the exit for Avenue Auguste. Turn left onto Avenue Auguste, and drive southwards as it becomes Grande Allée. Just past Rue Bellevue, the Temple is on the left side.

Priest Ioannis Fortomas

References

Orthodox World reference for Saint Marina Greek Orthodox Church

Hellenic Community of Greater Montréal web-site

Hellenic Community of Greater Montréal history

Additional information :

Florakas-Petsalis, Sophia, “To Build the Dream” – The Story of the Early Greek Immigrants in Montreal (Montréal, Québec : Copyright 2000 Sophia Florakis-Petsalis). ISBN 10 : 0968747108 ; ISBN 13 : 978-0968747100..

History of Greek Montréal

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada

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

Patriarchate of Constantinople web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about the Patriarchate of Constantinople

Patriarch Demetrios I (Papadopoulos)

Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis)

Archbishop Athenagoras (Kokkinakis)

Archbishop Iakovos (Coucouzis)