Our Hierarchs

  • The Most Blessed Tikhon

    METROPOLITAN OF ALL AMERICA AND CANADA

    His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon has served as Primate of the Orthodox Church in America since 2012, providing spiritual leadership and oversight to Orthodox communities across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. A former seminary professor, monastic, and diocesan bishop, he is known for his steady pastoral leadership, commitment to Orthodox witness in North America, and dedication to the Church’s mission in the modern world.

  • The Most Reverend Irénée

    ARCHBISHOP OF OTTAWA AND THE ARCHDIOCESE OF CANADA

    His Eminence Archbishop Irénée was born in Montréal, Québec, and has served the Church in Canada, France, and the United States for more than four decades as a monk, priest, and bishop. Elected Bishop of Québec City in 2009 and Archbishop of Ottawa and the Archdiocese of Canada in 2015, he is known for his pastoral care, missionary spirit, and longstanding commitment to Orthodox ministry in both English- and French-speaking communities.

Our Clergy

  • Fr Yuri Hladio

    RECTOR

    Fr Yuri was ordained a Presbyter on August 17, 2019, by His Eminence Archbishop Irénée and was officially assigned to our community in May 2020. In addition to his pastoral duties he serves as a military chaplain in the Canadian Armed Forces Army Reserves, ministering to service members with spiritual care and support. Fr Yuri is joined in ministry by his wife, Nikyla, who serves as the music director of St. Maria’s. They were married in 2014 and, together by God’s grace, have started a family and are working to make their little corner of existence into paradise.

  • Fr Sean Reid

    PRIEST

    Fr Sean was officially assigned as a deacon to our community in May 2020 and was ordained to the priesthood on August 10, 2025. In his secular work, he serves as an executive with a Toronto-based construction technology company. A certified professional coach, Fr Sean is also the President and Head Coach at Arrowhead Coaching and Facilitation Solutions and serves as a Parish Health Coach with theOrthodox Christian Leadership Initiative. He is married to Matushka Juliana, and is the father of two.

  • Dcn James Dale

    DEACON

    Deacon James was ordained on April 21, 2024 by His Eminence Archbishop Irénée, and was officially assigned to our community on the same day.  He has worked as a counsellor with developmentally delayed adults, an ecologist, and a librarian, and has a great love for the Canadian outdoors.  Deacon James holds a degree in Eastern Christian Studies from St Paul University and the University of Ottawa.  He is married to Martha, who is a biblical scholar.

Parish Council

  • Jeremy Ludwig

    PRESIDENT

    Jeremy Ludwig is a trained opera singer who now works as a web developer. He, along with his wife, Julie, and their three children, was received into the Orthodox Church in 2023. They live in an old farmhouse in the country where Jeremy enjoys gardening, whittling, reading, and figuring out how to take care of fruit trees.

  • Nicole Lyon

    VICE-PRESIDENT

    Nicole Lyon is a communications professional  and certified coach who has been attending St. Maria's since she moved to Hamilton in 2021. In her free time she enjoys writing, reading, making socially awkward comments, and running marathons. 

  • Claire Mongeon

    Claire Mongeon

    SECRETARY

    Received into the Orthodox Church in November 2023, Claire regularly applies her creative talents to the beautification of St. Maria's. A registered practical nurse and licensed paralegal, she spends her free time fishing, camping, and exploring Ontario Parks.

  • Daniel Opperwall

    TREASURER

    Daniel is an instructional designer, author, and academic. He currently teaches courses in Orthodox Church history and patristics at Trinity College, Toronto, while also serving on staff at the University of Waterloo. He, his wife, and three children are founding members of St Maria's who all enjoy reading, sailing, skating, family games, and lots of baseball.

  • Rosemary Schooley

    MEMBER-AT-LARGE

    Rosemary is retired from a successful career as an Executive Director in the floor covering industry. Her responsibilities included overseeing education programs and trade shows across Canada and throughout the States.

    She keeps busy spending time with her 4 children, their spouses and 11 grandchildren. 

    Since joining St. Maria’s in September 2023, Rosemary is an active volunteer in several committees and events.

  • Simon Khames

    MEMBER-AT-LARGE

    Simon Khames works in municipal operations and is currently pursuing studies in business administration. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, attending sporting events, and spending time with his wife, family, and friends.