His Eminence Visits British Columbia
CHRIST IS RISEN!
On Friday, May 20, 2016, His Eminence Metropolitan Sotirios presided at the Great Vespers for Sts. Constantine and Helen in Surrey, assisted by Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Konstadinos Kaltsidis and clergy from British Columbia. Following the service, the Community Council and Philoptochos hosted a reception for all.
During the reception, His Eminence exhorted the faithful to participate and support all parish youth and Byzantine music programs, along with supporting our Theological Academy.
The Metropolitan thanked the members of the Community Council, the Philoptochos, along with the Presbyteres and Archons of our Ecumenical Patriarchate for their dedication to the Church. Finally, he wished all those celebrating a blessed Name Day.
On the morning of the Feast, His Eminence celebrated the Divine Liturgy. The parish was filled to capacity; among the faithful was the Marine Attache of Greece, the President of the Hellenic Community of Vancouver, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and other dignitaries. After the Divine Liturgy, the Community offered a free luncheon to all the pious faithful.
During the May long-weekend, His Eminence joined the Regional Youth Assembly which took place in Penticton, organized and led by Rev. Fr. Constantinos Economos and Met Youth Board members, Elleni Asimakis (VP), Yanni Alexandropoulos, and Aphrodite Koseos.
His Eminence spoke to our youth, answered their questions, ate meals with them, and celebrated the Divine Liturgy (for the Sunday of the Paralytic) at the Greek Orthodox Community of Penticton. The assembly concluded with the Youth’s Dinner Dance. The theme of the Conference was the Middle Way which focused on the importance of living a Christian life in the modern world.
Rev. Fr. Evangelos Aravantinos, Rev. Fr. Kostadinos Kaltsidis,and Rev. Fr. Timoleon Prattas also participated in the Vespers, Divine Liturgies, and Youth Assembly.
