Our Story
2016-present
2016-2019
In 2016, our community was conceived as an informal gathering of lay people in Hamilton who were inspired by St Maria’s devotion to the least fortunate during the deeply troubled times of the Second World War.
We began by organizing opportunities to contribute to our community and by gathering regularly for communal prayer and fellowship.
The fruits of our prayer, fellowship, and contribution made it clear that a new mission was ready to be born.
2020
With the prayers, guidance, and blessing of our beloved Archbishop Irénée our mission was formally established on July 20th, 2020 when we all received the Eucharist together on the feast day of our patroness, St Maria of Paris.
2021
On Sunday, March 15, 2021, we celebrated our first service in our current church building. Although public health restrictions limited attendance to just fifteen people, the day marked a major milestone in the life of our young parish. To mark the occasion, His Eminence Archbishop Irénée sent a letter of greeting to our community, which was read aloud by Fr Yuri.
In part, he wrote:
““I am full of joy for the opening of your new chapel dedicated to Saint Maria of Paris. It is befitting that this first Divine Liturgy be celebrated on this Forgiveness Sunday, when all the faithful of our churches have been subject to difficult times. Despite all, this gives us hope that you will continue to move forward on the path to salvation with renewed zeal in love for God, His Church, and our fellow men.””
2022
Throughout 2022, we focused on settling into our new church home and establishing the rhythms of parish life. While we remained a small mission, encouraging signs of growth began to emerge as new families joined us, several catechumens began their journey into the Orthodox faith, and new members were received into the Church.
2023
In addition to making his first archpastoral visit to St Maria's, His Eminence Archbishop Irénée formally recognized our growth and established us as a full parish of the Archdiocese of Canada. Announcing this change, he wrote:
““I am pleased to announce that St Maria of Paris Orthodox Mission in Hamilton, Ontario, will henceforth be known as St Maria of Paris Orthodox Church. The spiritual growth and strengthening of the community in the past year has made this possible and continues to be a haven for all those who search for the spiritual wealth of the Orthodox Church in the Hamilton area.””
2024
The year 2024 was marked by significant growth as St Maria's became more firmly established in Hamilton and welcomed many new people into the life of the parish. We were also blessed with the ordination of one of our own parishioners to the holy diaconate, a joyful sign of the continued maturation and vitality of our community.
2025
By 2025, St Maria's had grown to more than ninety parishioners, a remarkable milestone for our young parish. The ordination of a second parish priest also enabled us to embrace a fuller liturgical schedule and expand the number of services offered throughout the week. As our community continued to deepen its roots in Hamilton, we gave thanks to God for the steady growth, new faces, and strengthening parish life that marked the year.
2026
We continue to hold fast to the tradition handed down to us—the faith of the apostles, the prayers of the saints, the worship of the Church—while always looking ahead to how we live it out, both personally and as a community.
Ever ancient, ever new, we walk forward in faith, carrying the light of Christ into the future.