Cardinal Leo Leads Catholic Delegation for a Luncheon with the Orthodox Bishops

On November 6, His Eminence Frank Cardinal Leo, Metropolitan Archbishop of Toronto, together with the four Auxiliary Bishops, were invited to an annual luncheon in honour of the Feast of Saint Andrew.  It was held at the headquarters of the Greek Orthodox Diocese of Canada. Fr. Luis Melo, Director of the Office for Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations and Fr. Arthur Lee, the Cardinal’s Priest Secretary, were also in attendance.

This local longstanding tradition is modelled on the annual fraternal exchanges between Catholic and Orthodox bishops in Rome and Constantinople, honouring their respective patron saints and bearing witness to the apostolic heritage shared by both Churches.

The gathering this year held special significance as it was hosted by His Eminence Archbishop Apostolos who was recently installed as Metropolitan for the Greek Orthodox Church of Canada.  He was accompanied by Archbishop Sotirios (former Archbishop of Canada), His Grace Bishop Athenagoras of Patara (Director of the Patriarchal Orthodox Theological Academy), Reverend Protopresbyter Panagiotis Avgeropoulos (Vicar General and Head of Inter-Christian Relations) and the Very Reverend Archimandrite Evdokimos Mathioudakis (Director of Office of Communication).   

Archbishop Apostolos welcomed the Catholic delegation warmly, offering fraternal hospitality in a spirit of sincere dialogue. He also conveyed the good wishes and patriarchal blessing of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

The meeting highlighted the importance of strengthening an esteemed ecclesial relationship and our shared responsibility to witness to the Gospel today, especially by defending human dignity, serving our neighbour in charity, caring for those who suffer, promoting Christian unity, and working together for peace in society.

With great joy, the Archdiocese of Toronto looks forward to continuing this annual gathering in a spirit of cordiality and mutual esteem, reaffirming the shared desire to preserve and deepen the ties between the Orthodox and Catholic Churches. The luncheon will be hosted at the Rectory of the Saint Michael’s Cathedral Basilica in honour of the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul in the coming year.