TORONTO, CANADA – [Photos by Holy Archdiocese of Canada]
On Saturday, October 10, 2026, His Eminence Archbishop Apostolos of Canada made his first visit to the Holy Monastery of St. Kosmas Aitolos in Bolton, Ontario, where he was warmly welcomed by Abbess Alexia, the monastic sisterhood, and a large gathering of faithful.
Founded in 1993 with the blessing of the late Elder Ephraim of Arizona, the Holy Monastery is an important spiritual centre of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada, offering a valuable witness of prayer, ascetic life, and monastic service for more than three decades.
Following the official welcome and the Service of Doxology, Abbess Alexia addressed His Eminence, expressing the joy and gratitude of the sisterhood on the occasion of his first visit. In her remarks, she reflected upon the missionary example of St. Kosmas Aitolos and the spiritual legacy of the late Elder Ephraim, emphasizing the importance of prayer, humility, and sacrificial love.
In his response, His Eminence expressed his particular joy and emotion at visiting the Monastery, recalling with gratitude the late Elder Ephraim and his invaluable contribution to the growth of Orthodox monasticism throughout North America.
The Archbishop emphasized the essential place of monasticism in the life of the Church, describing monasteries as spiritual pillars of the faithful and places of unceasing prayer. He also reflected upon the remarkable contribution of St. Kosmas Aitolos to the preservation of the Orthodox faith and Greek education, while reaffirming his personal commitment to supporting the monastic communities of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada.
During his address, His Eminence emphasized: “The Church cannot exist without monasticism. There can be no Diocese, Metropolis, or Archdiocese without monasticism.”
He further reaffirmed his steadfast commitment to supporting the monasteries of the Archdiocese, declaring: “I will stand alongside our monasteries as a fellow pilgrim, collaborator, and supporter,” while expressing his conviction that together “we will become a very strong spiritual Orthodox family.”
A particularly moving moment was the exchange of gifts. Abbess Alexia presented His Eminence with an icon of our Lord Jesus Christ, while the Archbishop offered his hierarchical mandyas to the Monastery as a gesture of love and spiritual unity with the sisterhood.
The Service of Great Vespers followed, with a large congregation filling the monastery church. At the conclusion of the service, His Eminence greeted the faithful during the traditional reception and personally distributed small icons of St. Kosmas Aitolos as a blessing.
