Cardinal Leo Leads Catholic Delegation for Luncheon with Orthodox Bishops

On Dec. 3, His Eminence Frank Cardinal Leo (Metropolitan Archbishop of Toronto) accompanied by the four Auxiliary Bishops, met with Orthodox bishops in the Greater Toronto Area for a luncheon held in honour of the Feast of St. Andrew. The luncheon was hosted by His Eminence Archbishop Sotirios (Greek Orthodox Diocese of Canada).

This local esteemed tradition is modelled on the annual fraternal visits of Catholic and Orthodox bishops between Rome and Constantinople, honouring our respective patronal saints that witness to the apostolicity of our Churches.

The 1,700^th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea provided a unique opportunity to celebrate the ecclesial unity that we share.

The Joint Declaration of Pope Leo XIV and the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I signed on Nov. 27 at the Phanar (Istanbul), was read aloud at table by the two ecumenical officers (Fr. Luis Melo, Archdiocese of Toronto and Fr. Peter Avgeropoulos, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada) and occasioned reflection and conversation on various topics for cooperation between our two Churches.

This year, seminarians from the Patriarchal Toronto Orthodox Theological Academy joined us in the Chapel of St. John the Theologian. Cardinal Leo was invited to address the seminarians and imparted a blessing on each one of them, after which they sang hymns honouring the Blessed Virgin Mary.

These highlights were significant moments, giving testimony to the fraternity and deep bonds of unity that already exist between our two sister Churches.   

Cardinal Leo looks forward to welcoming the delegation of Orthodox Bishops led by His Eminence Archbishop Sotirios, for the annual luncheon meeting that will be hosted for the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul on June 29 at the Rectory of St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica.

Note: The group photograph above has a wide representation of Catholic (Roman-Rite) and Orthodox bishops (Greek and Ukrainian) accompanied by their ecumenical officers and Orthodox seminarians. It was taken in the lobby of Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada.