On Friday, August 2, 2019, the leader of the Conservative Party of Canada Andrew Scheer, and also leader of the Opposition, visited the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada and met with Archbishop Sotirios.
Mr Scheer, a Saskatchewan MP and former Speaker of the Canadian Parliament, congratulated the Archbishop on the recent advance of the Metropolis of Toronto to Archdiocese of Canada.
Afterwards, Mr. Scheer was guided to the areas of the Archdiocese of Canada in Toronto by the Archbishop.
The tour included the Church of Saint John the Theologian, located on the ground floor of the building which is beautifully painted with Byzantine frescoes.
Mr. Scheer also visited the Patriarchal Orthodox Theological Academy of Toronto and the offices of the Archdiocese.
The two leaders then had a private conversation in the Archbishop’s office. Among other topics they discussed the various challenges and opportunities that Canadian society faces: the various world developments; the importance of peace and unity among peoples as well as the need for religious freedom around the world, especially in Turkey, with regard to the respectable Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.
Following the meeting, the Archbishop donated to the leader an icon of St. Andrew the Protoclete, designed in St. Kosmas Holy Monastery of Bolton.