Saint Mary Antiochian Orthodox Church

Ever wonder how a church becomes a spiritual home for hundreds of families? Right here, before Saint Mary Antiochian Orthodox Church, that story unfolds. Saint Mary Antiochian Orthodox Church stands as a testament to the growth of Montreal’s Middle Eastern Christian community. Its story begins in 1992, arising from the burgeoning congregations of St. George and St. Nicholas churches. Driven by the need for a dedicated space, Mr. Fawaz, then St. George’s Choir Chief, and Father Crow initiated the formation of a founding committee. This committee, comprised of twenty-four devoted individuals, embarked on the journey of establishing a new parish. The Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, under Metropolitan Philip Saliba, embraced this vision. Bishop Antoun Khoury was dispatched to Montreal, where he appointed the first twelve members of the parish council. The church, christened the Church of the Virgin Mary, held its inaugural event at the Lebanese Canadian Syrian Association. Saint Mary Antiochian Orthodox Church’s early days saw it holding services at Father McDonald’s School in Ville St Laurent. A dedicated committee then sought a permanent home for the growing congregation, eventually acquiring the building at 120 Blvd Gouin East. Fundraising efforts within the community allowed the parish to secure the down payment. The church blossomed, undergoing renovations and embellishments. Beautiful iconography murals, a harmonious blend of Gothic and Byzantine art, adorned the walls. A cemetery was established, and land was acquired north of Montreal, solidifying Saint Mary’s presence in the community. The church has seen several spiritual leaders guide its flock. Father Ghattas Hajal, Archpriest Emile Hanna, and Archpriest George Shaheen each served the parish before Mr. Fawaz himself was ordained as a priest and took the helm in 1994. In 2017, Father Michel Fawaz retired, and Father Georges Berbari was appointed. Following Father Berbari’s return to Lebanon in 2019, Father Elias Ferzli, formerly of St. Philip Parish in Edmonton, became the current Parish Priest. Saint Mary Antiochian Orthodox Church continues to be a vibrant hub. Numerous organizations cater to the spiritual needs of children and youth, including Sunday school, Teen SOYO, and the Young Adult Ministry. A Social Committee, Scouts, an Arabic School, and the Antiochian Women’s group further enrich the community. Services are conducted in Arabic, incorporating French and English, with hymns sung in Arabic and Greek, following the beautiful Byzantine melodies.