On August 23-24, by invitation of Metropolitan Sotirios, Archbishop of Toronto, Exarch of all Canada (Patriarchate of Constantinople), Bishop of Kasira Iov, Administrator of Patriarchal Parishes in this country, took part in celebrations of patronal feast in the convent of Equal to the Apostles Cosmas Aitolos located in 80 km to the north-west of Toronto.

On August 23 evening service was performed in the field near the convent cathedral with participation of more than 1000 believers. Next morning Metropolitan Sotirios celebrated the Divine Liturgy with Bishop Iov and numerous clergy. Following the Liturgy there was moleben singing to the Equal to the Apostles Cosmas and blessing of the loaves. Minister of the Patriarchal Podvorye in Toronto archpriest Rasskazovsky and minister of Orthodox V parishes in Alberta province priest George Sergeev also took part in the Divine Service.

Short history of the convent.

In 1993 with the blessing of Metropolitan Sotirios nuns community was founded with hegumenness Alexiya at the head of it, confessor of the convent the elder Ephraem and nuns emigrated from Greece to Canada. Soon the community bought a plot of land in the north-western suburbs of Toronto where the convent was founded and the cathedral of Equal to the Apostles Cosmas Aitolos was built. Nowadays there are 15 nuns and female novices in the convent. Divine services are celebrated according to the convent’s rule which is close to Athos tradition mainly in ancient Greek.

Equal to the Apostles Cosmas Aitolos

(1714-1779) – is indeed national Greek saint. His icon is in every Greek saint. His icon is in every Greek church, every Orthodox family, Greek people connect their moral and state revival with the name of Venerable Cosmas. He was great Apostle of the 18 century. His ardent sermons, prophetic gift and miracles were so great that even the enemies of Orthodox faith couldn’t resist that God’s grace that came from him and adopted Christianity. His life and deeds have become a guide to piety for millions of Christians. He devoted all his life to the glory of Christ and took martyr’s crown at the age of 65.