A Brief History:

Greek settlement in Saskatchewan dates back at least to the turn of the 20th century. Influential early pioneers of Greek origin in Saskatoon included Kostas Valaris in 1901, as well as Gus Thanagen and Gus Golf respectively in 1909 and 1910. However, most early settlers of Greek origin arrived during the 1930’s. The Girgulis, Golf, Pontikes and Leakos families in Saskatoon were particularly responsible for encouraging chain migration from the Pelopónnisos region (the southernmost region of mainland Greece), especially Kastri in Arkadia and later Nafplion in Argolis. Throughout Canada, the Greek population increased substantially after World War II due to crop failures, excessive Taxation, escalating inflation, widespread unemployment, hunger, and continuing civil unrest in postwar Greece. In these years a large proportion of Greek immigrants were single males, who initially lived in shared apartments and rooming houses. Once established and employed in Canada, they were joined by women and children whom they sponsored.

Greeks tended to develop restaurants in Saskatchewan cities: there were more than forty Greek-owned restaurants in Saskatoon alone by the 1970’s, most operated by relatives and/or immigrants from the same areas in Greece. Although these restaurant businesses were by definition competitive, they were largely established through the strong Greek tradition of mutual help. A close familial and geographical link prevailed in the Greek communities of Saskatoon and Regina. Greek restaurant owners eventually became investors in prime urban real estate, condominiums and apartment buildings, the stock market, and many business ventures. They tended to view the restaurant business as intermediary toward improving the financial and social status of the next generation. While the educational level increased with each generation—many second and third generation Greek-Canadians entered university—efforts were made to preserve the Greek cultural heritage in Canada: Greek language schools had been established in Saskatchewan cities by 1970, which served to familiarize the younger generation with Greek history, literature and drama, to teach non-Greek partners in mixed marriages, and to cement bonds between Greek children.

While Eastern Orthodox Churches had long existed in Saskatchewan, a specific Greek Orthodox congregation was not formally established in Saskatoon until 1964 when the Hellenic (Greek) Orthodox Community of Saskatoon was registered as a charitable organization. In Saskatoon a former German Protestant church was purchased in 1976 and was named “Koimisis Tis Theotokou” (Assumption of the Virgin Mary), located at the corner of Dufferin Avenue and Eighth Street in the Broadway district. The first priest was Fr. Kakavalakis, himself an immigrant from Greece. In 1980 Fr. Nikolaou took over and served the community until his retirement in the spring of 2008. Fr. Michael was ordained as priest in May, 2008 in Saskatoon and served as priest of the Hellenic (Greek) Orthodox Community of Saskatoon until August 2012. Fr. George Tolias took over serving as priest from August 2012 – July 2016.  As of August 1, 2016, the Hellenic Orthodox Community of Saskatoon is very pleased to announce that Father John S. Kaoukakis will be serving as priest.

Alan Anderson