The Reverend George Betsos, who was ordained at the chapel of Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre in Mississauga during the recent Synod, will move to Victoria at the end of November to take up his post as the Assistant Curate of Saint Mark’s Traditional Anglican Parish. His arrival is eagerly awaited, and there are plans for a parish supper in his honour on the evening of Dec. 9 following an Advent Carol Service.

Deacon Betsos is a graduate of the University of Toronto and holds the Master of Divinity degree from the Toronto School of Theology, through which he also had clinical pastoral training. Raised in the Greek Orthodox Church but has found his spiritual home as a “traditional Anglican.” Archbishop James Provence of the Anglican Province of Christ the King officiated at his Ordination, and Archbishop Haverland of the Anglican Catholic Church was the preacher. George Betsos was an addictions counselor at a Toronto psychotherapy clinic. He intends to continue in his professional field while also serving in the ministry at Saint Mark’s. Ordination to the priesthood will probably take place in the late spring.

He will join another recently ordained Deacon, The Reverend Jonathan A.M. Carrothers, a graduate of Carleton University and former student of the Vancouver School of Theology who has joined the Traditional Anglican Church of Canada. He has formerly served as an assistant verger at Christ Church Cathedral, Victoria, and then in the Royal Order of Commissionaires. He recently completed a business administration course. Preferring to be a perpetual deacon, Deacon Carrothers already assists in the work of Saint Mark’s. His ordination was the first great event to take place after Saint Mark’s took possession in September of this year of the historic “Army garrison church,” opened in the 1890s, which was Saint Saviour’s Church, until closed by the Anglican diocese in 2010. Archbishop Provence was the ordaining bishop, with The Rev. Peter Sandercock, a long time friend, now Associate Rector of Saint Mark’s, preaching.

With this addition of these young clergymen, Saint Mark’s will be making plans for future “outreach,” with an emphasis on ministry to youth and the Armed Forces.