ΙΕΡΟΣ ΝΑΟΣ ΤΙΜΙΟΥ ΣΤΑΥΡΟΥ
ΑΓΙΟΥ ΝΕΚΤΑΡΙΟΥ
Welcome to Holy Cross - St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church in Barrie, a Parish of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada. While we hope that our website provides you with information about our Parish, we sincerely pray that you will come and pay us a personal visit. We welcome all Orthodox Christian faithful (and those interested in learning about Orthodox Christianity) to our Parish.
Our Community was established in 1984 in the Township of Springwater, Ontario (just outside of the City of Barrie) to provide a place of worship for ALL Orthodox Christians in Simcoe County and Muskoka Region. We are a community of families and individuals from various backgrounds who share in the traditions and ageless beliefs of our Holy Orthodox Christian Faith.
With God’s grace, we aim to provide a place where all belong to Christ, through worship (δοξολογία), sacramental life (μυστἡρια), everyday spiritual discipline (ασκήσεις), sanctification (θέωσις), education (παιδεία), witness (μαρτυρἱα), fellowship (κοινωνία) and service (διακονία).
of the Holy Cross
The Wondermaker
Basement Chapel
Rev. Fr. Alexandar Petkoski was born in Ohrid. He completed his Undergraduate studies at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Pastoral and Social Theology and Postgraduate studies in Social Theology and Christian Culture at the academic field Applied Theology. He holds a diploma from the Ioannina Katsarios School of Byzantine Music, that qualifies him to teach others how to sing Byzantine music. Deacon ordination October 2022. Priestly Ordination August 2025. Married to Simona Jovchevska.
EDUCATION
- 2023 - Aristotle University of Thessaloniki - Social Theology and Christian Culture
- 2018 - Aristotle University of Thessaloniki - Pastoral and Social Theology
- 2018 - Metropolis of Ioannina Katsarios School of Byzantine Music (Diploma of Byzantine Music)
- 2016 - Metropolis of Ioannina Katsarios School of Byzantine Music (Certificate of Byzantine Music)
RESEARCH INTERESTS
- Byzantine liturgical tradition
- Byzantine Liturgical Slavonic tradition
- Liturgical Source
- Manuscript Studies
- Typikon –Heortology
- Euchologion
- Byzantine Music
ORDINATIONS
- 19 August 2025 - Ordination to the Priesthood
- 30 October 2022 - Ordination to the Diaconate
LANGUAGE SPOKEN
Greek, English, Bulgarian, Serbian.
At Holy Cross – St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church, we are blessed to be a vibrant and welcoming Orthodox Christian community serving Barrie and the surrounding area. Rooted in the ancient faith of the Apostles, we are a spiritual home where all are invited to encounter Christ through worship, fellowship, service, and education.
Our parish life is rich and active. Through the leadership of our Parish Council, we work to ensure the good order, growth, and stewardship of our community. The dedicated women of our Ladies Philoptochos serve those in need through acts of charity, compassion, and love. Our Youth Ministry nurtures the next generation, offering programs that ground our young people in the life of Christ and His Church.
Throughout the year, we gather for community events, feast day celebrations, educational programs, and fellowship opportunities — strengthening our bonds with each other and deepening our faith. Whether you are joining us for worship, volunteering your time, attending a festival, or simply visiting, there is a place for you here.
Together, we strive to live out our faith, supporting one another in the journey toward Christ and His Kingdom. We invite you to join us — to worship with us, grow with us, and become a part of our parish family.
Explore our collection of Orthodox icons, books, prayer items, and thoughtful gifts.
Every purchase supports the life and ministries of our parish.
I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands,
without wrath and doubting.
(1 Timothy 2:8)
God — Father, Son and Holy Spirit — is the true and uncreated Light. He is the “creator of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible,” as we recite in the Creed.
In order for us as Orthodox Christians to follow the words of Christ recorded by Matthew the Evangelist, we must be properly educated about the Truth of God and His Church, which is the Kingdom of Heaven realized on earth.
For this reason, together with the many other spiritual offerings of our Holy Metropolis, this small Question and Answer-formatted guidebook was developed to help inform the faithful — and those interested in learning about Orthodoxy — about our Christian faith, which alone leads man to salvation in Christ.
Read this guidebook; contemplate the information provided in it; apply the lessons on a daily basis; become an active Orthodox Christian who prays, fasts, is a cheerful giver, merciful, goes to confession and church services, and lives a sacramental life.
By learning more about what a tremendous blessing it is to be an Orthodox Christian, we can give light … and shine before men in today’s society and glorify the Triune God. We hope that this guidebook — together with our “Orthodox Catechism: Basic Teachings of the Orthodox Faith” book – enhances your relationship with the saints of our Church, the Most Holy Theotokos and, above all, Christ, the only Redeemer and Savior of the world.
With fatherly love and blessings,
ARCHBISHOP SOTIRIOS
