Location Ottawa, Ontario Denomination Antiochian Orthodox Architectural type Norman-Gothic Phone +1 613-738-2222 Status Cathedral | Functional status Active Pastor(s) Ghattas Hajal Province Ontario | |
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Similar St Elijah Cathedral - Aleppo, Embassy of Lebanon - Ottawa, Saints Peter and Paul Melk, Beechwood Cemetery, Mooney's Bay Park Profiles | ||
St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral is an Antiochian Orthodox cathedral in Ottawa, Canada. It is located at 2975 Riverside Drive just east of Mooney's Bay, south of the Hog's Back Falls. The pastor of the cathedral is Ghattas Hajal.
History
The congregation was founded in 1929 by immigrants from Kfarmishki, Lebanon. They originally worshiped in a church downtown, that is today St. Elijah's Housing. In part due to the Lebanese Civil War the Antiochian Orthodox population of Ottawa increased dramatically in the 1970s and 1980s and the congregation began to look for a larger home. The land was purchased in 1975, and the church was built from 1990 to 1992. In 2000 it was consecrated as a cathedral.
The Diocese of Ottawa today covers Eastern Canada and Upstate New York.
Vesper services are usually held on Saturday evenings. Sunday morning consists of matins at 8:45 AM, followed by the divine liturgy. The annual Lebanese Fun Festival is held in the parking lot every July and draws Lebanese and non-Lebanese alike from all over Ottawa.
The Cathedral has many groups including the Teen SOYO youth group, the Fellowship of St. John the Divine, and the Antiochian Women.