May 25, 2014: Doors Wide Open

Toronto hosts its annual Doors Open, an opportunity to visit buildings that are often closed to the public.  I visit one of the most surprising gems in Toronto’s downtown core.  Hidden just northeast of Yonge Dundas Square is the Byzantine icon-rich Greek Orthodox Church of St. George, the mother church of Greek Orthodoxy in Canada.  The building was the original home of Holy Blossom temple.  I marvel at the vibrant colours covering the large dome, pillars, and walls.  This church was painted completely by Greek Orthodox monks, the only North American church with this distinction.  To cap off the visit, Greek ladies offer homemade baklava in the church basement.

http://www.stgeorgestoronto.org