Starting from the year 2011, Rev. Father Paul Zakaraia started serving in the Iveron Icon of Mother of God Georgian Orthodox Church in Toronto. With tireless efforts he gathered the Georgian community around the Georgian Orthodox Church and pursued spreading religious sense and teachings amongst Georgian immigrants. Building a church from scratch, far from the motherland, required Father Paul’s complete devotion to serving his parish and the Georgian Orthodox Church.
Archbishop Dimitri
In July 22nd of 2014 Archimandrite Saba was consecrated as Bishop of North America by his Holiness and Beatitude Catholicos Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II and Holy Synod. Metropolitan of Batumi and Lazeti Eparchy, Archbishop of North America and Canada Dimitri Shiolashvili, was anointed as a head of the council.
With blessing of his Eminence Archbishop Dimitri Metropolitan of Batumi and the Eparchy of Lazeti, first Georgian Orthodox Church was founded, which was named after widely known miracle-bearing Iveron Icon of Holy Mother of God.
What is more, there also exists a Sunday school for the youth, where children learn Georgian language, history and Divine Law.
Bishop Saba
Immigrant’s life never was easy and nor full of joy. Immigration is especially challenging for those Georgians, who not only seek material wellbeing, but spiritual nourishment as well. Georgian community is one of the youngest communities in North America and requires supervision and guidance from the Georgian Orthodox Church, as well as from local Canadian government and authorities. This is so the newcomers are able to integrate in the Canadian society and understand Canadian values and culture, especially that of multiculturalism and respect in a multi-religious society.In August 19th 2014, Bishop Saba consecrated Fr. Thomas as the priest at the Church of Iveron Icon of Mother of God in Toronto.
In October 2014, following a long service of gathering and guiding the Georgian Orthodox parish in Toronto, Rev. Father Paul decided to move back to his motherland Georgia to help build another church in the capital of Georgia, Tbilisi. Rev. Father Paul left Fr. Thomas to serve in his place.
Translated by Ketevan Tadiashvili