Archimandrite Philip [Speranza]

TORONTO, ON, CANADA [OCA]

Archimandrite Philip [Speranza], 71, Associate Pastor of Toronto’s Christ the Savior Sobor, fell asleep in the Lord on February 4, 2019.

Born Philip Joseph Speranza in Aurora, IL on March 19, 1947, the son of the late Samuel and Mary [Mondello] Speranza, he was raised in Wheaton, IL.  A convert to Orthodox Christianity from Roman Catholicism, he studied at Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, after completing his high school studies at Sacred Heart Seminary, Geneva IL.

Ordained to the priesthood of the Orthodox Church in America in 1973, he recently celebrated the 46th anniversary of his ordination.  He faithfully served OCA parishes in Ontario and Alberta before his assignment to Christ the Saviour Cathedral.

He is survived by his sister, Joanne Speranza Walker [Larry], Inverness FL; his nephew Eric P. Walker [Michelle] and their daughters Michelle, Heather and Hannah, Kingston, IL; and numerous cousins in Illinois, Indiana, Texas, Florida, Brazil, Belgium and Sicily.

Visitation will be held at Christ the Savior Cathedral, 823 Manning Ave., Toronto from 6:00 until 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 12.  A panikhida will be celebrated at 7:00 p.m.  On Wednesday, February 13, His Eminence, Archbishop Irénée of Ottawa and Canada will preside at the celebration of the Divine Liturgy at 8:30 a.m., after which the Funeral Service for a Priest will commence at 10:00 a.m.  Interment arrangements will be announced at a later date.

May Archimandrite Philip’s memory be eternal!