WINDSOR, ON – The Greek Orthodox Community of Windsor, Ontario, Canada, installed its new Memorial Monument on September 19 in front of Holy Cross Church. In a post on Facebook, the community’s presiding priest Fr. Evangelos Aravantinos said: “Our Memorial Monument commemorating past and present members, is now completed. It’s our Monument for the ‘Fallen Soldier’ where our wreaths can be presented for our Independence Day (March 25) and OXI day (October 28). The Cross on the top of the Monument, is the historical Cross on the dome of the original Church that was on Elis Street.”

As noted on the community’s website: “Greek families began settling in the Windsor area in the early part of the 20th century. Their pioneering spirits led them, in one way or another, to this area in search of a better life for their families. Some decided to work in Canada for a while and return, while the majority chose to move their families to this country.”

“In this area, organizations began to form to service the common goal of furthering the Hellenic culture and Orthodox faith. During the dark years of World War II, local Greeks campaigned to raise funds and gather donations for their suffering relatives back home. The early organization collected thousands of dollars and tons of clothes for the Greek War Relief Fund of Canada.”

“A lot at the corner of Ellis and Dufferin was purchased in 1959 and the first phase of the Church construction, the basement, was started in 1962. In 1971, construction was started on the second phase which would expand the building. In September of 1975, the Church was consecrated by His Eminence Archbishop Iakovos, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in North and South America.”

More information is available online: https://www.gocw.ca.