Toronto, September 10, 2025
liturgija.mk
The Macedonian Orthodox Cathedral of St. Clement of Ohrid in Toronto celebrated its 60th anniversary from September 5-7, with His Beatitude Archbishop Stefan of Ohrid presiding over the festivities. The church holds the distinction of being the first Macedonian Orthodox church in Canada and serves as the diocesan cathedral.
The celebrations began on September 5 with a ceremonial academy and awards presentation. Parish priest Protopresbyter Alexander Todorovski opened the event, noting that the jubilee represents a historic moment for the entire community. Parish Council President Boris Stoikos and Vice President Christian Roshtankovski presented “60 Years of St. Clement” awards to former presidents, women’s group presidents, and all parish priests who have served the cathedral, reports Liturgija.mk.
On September 6, Abp. Stefan led Vespers services alongside His Eminence Metropolitan Metodij of the American-Canadian Diocese. Following the service, a gala banquet was held in the cathedral’s festively decorated hall. During the evening, the primate announced that the parish would receive the “Archbishop Dositej Distinction”—the highest honor of the Macedonian Orthodox Church-Ohrid Archbishpric—in recognition of the 60th anniversary.
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A commemorative plaque was presented to be installed at the church’s interior entrance. The plaque reads:
As we celebrate 60 years since the consecration of the Macedonian Orthodox Cathedral of St. Clement of Ohrid, the Executive and Management Board for 2025 proudly recognizes:
The founders of our church, our bishops, priests and deacons, the choirs, the volunteers who offered their time and talents, the financial donors, the staff, the supporters and our faithful community.
From 1965 to 2025, each of them contributed with dedication, generosity and love, shaping St. Clement of Ohrid into a spiritual and cultural home for the Macedonian community in Toronto.
May this milestone also honor the Macedonian community in Toronto and serve as a beacon of faith, heritage and unity for future generations.
The anniversary celebrations concluded on September 7 with a solemn hierarchical Divine Liturgy concelebrated by Abp. Stefan and Met. Metodij, with numerous clergy, guests and faithful in attendance. During the service, parish priest Fr. Sasho Celeski was elevated to the rank of protopresbyter.
liturgija.mk
Abp. Stefan’s visit to North America began on August 21. Among the highlights of his extended visit thus far have been the 60th anniversary celebration of the parish in Columbus, Ohio, and a concelebration with His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon of Washington and All America and Canada, which formally marked the Orthodox Church in America’s recognition of the autocephaly of the Macedonian Orthodox Church.
The three-day celebration in Toronto reaffirmed the cathedral’s role as a spiritual center and beacon of Orthodox faith and Macedonian identity in the diaspora, honoring the generations who built the church while encouraging current and future generations to continue their legacy.
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