On Wednesday, June 26, the Most Reverend Francis Leo, Metropolitan Archbishop of Toronto hosted a delegation of Orthodox representatives for a luncheon meeting. His Grace was accompanied by the four Auxiliary Bishops of Toronto as well as Fr. Luis Melo, the Director of the Office for Promoting Christian Unity and Religious Relations with Judaism.

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

For the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (June 29) His Grace, Archbishop Francis Leo (Metropolitan Archdiocese of Toronto) hosts a luncheon meeting for an Orthodox delegation of bishops led by His Eminence, Archbishop Sotirios (Greek Orthodox Diocese of Canada) and for the Feast of Saint Andrew (November 30) His Eminence, Archbishop Sotirios reciprocates welcoming a delegation from the Archdiocese of Toronto led by His Grace, Archbishop Francis Leo.

This is an opportunity to celebrate and strengthen the deep bonds of ecclesial unity that exist between our two sister Churches as well as to explore areas for cooperation in common witness in our discipleship.

The photograph was taken outside St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica Rectory with a wide representation of Catholic (Roman-Rite) and Orthodox bishops (Greek and Ukrainian) accompanied by their ecumenical officers.