Toronto, June 25, 2026
Photo: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada
Archbishop Sotirios of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada has confirmed his intention to resign in early July, ending a 52-year episcopal tenure.
While on a pastoral visit to Vancouver, the Archbishop confirmed the news, as reported by The National Herald, stating: “Your information is true. I’m planning on going to the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople on the first Saturday of July, where I will discuss it with the Patriarch, and afterward I will make statements.”
The announcement follows his recent 90th birthday, which was marked with gala events hosted by the Greek diaspora across Canada.
When Abp. Sotirios assumed his episcopal duties in 1974, the Greek Orthodox presence in Canada consisted of 22 parishes. Over the course of his 52-year administration, that network expanded to more than 75 parishes across the country.
He also oversaw the development of additional institutional infrastructure. He established the Toronto Orthodox Theological Academy, full-time day schools, two monasteries, and nine senior care homes for aging community members.
Born Sotirios Athanassoulas in 1936 in the village of Lepiana (Arta, Epirus, Greece), he was the eighth of ten children. He graduated from the School of Theology at the University of Athens and moved to Canada to pursue graduate work, earning a Master’s Degree in Theology from the Université de Montréal. He is fluent in Greek, English, and French. Before taking holy orders, he served as Dean of Students at the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, Massachusetts.
Abp. Sotirios has been honored with the Centennial Medal of Canada; the 125 Canada Medal; the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal (2002); the medal of the city of Athens; and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012). He has also been named Grand Commander of the Order of Phoenix of Greece.
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