A campaign was launched by 1,094 Macedono-Bulgarian immigrants to establish an Orthodox church in Toronto. The community, newly arrived in Canada seeking a better life, was determined to preserve their religious traditions, Bulgarian language, and cultural heritage in the New World. The campaign demonstrated extraordinary community solidarity and fundraising effort.

The building at the corner of Trinity Street and Eastern Avenue is purchased for $5,000. The lower floor is converted into a church; the upper floor is used for meetings and school lessons. Membership dues: $3 per year. This marked the official establishment of the cathedral's physical presence in Toronto.

The church was consecrated by Russian Metropolitan Platon on May 24, 1911 — coincidentally on the feast day of Sts. Cyril and Methody. This providential date would later give the cathedral its permanent name. The ceremony was attended by hundreds of community members and marked a spiritual milestone for the Macedono-Bulgarian community in Canada. Archimandrite Theophilact served as the first priest.

The "Prosveta" (Enlightenment/Education) society was established, with Kozo Temelkov as the first teacher. This Bulgarian school for children began the cathedral's educational mission that continues to this day. The school taught Bulgarian language, culture, and Orthodox religious knowledge — ensuring that the second generation of immigrants would remain connected to their heritage.

The "Balkanski Yunak" (Balkan Hero) society opened a Bulgarian school for adults, serving the educational needs of the growing immigrant community. This initiative recognized that many adult immigrants also wished to improve their literacy in Bulgarian and maintain cultural connections. The society hosted various cultural and social events alongside its educational programs.

Archimandrite Theophilact was proclaimed Honorary Chairman of the church community, cementing his pivotal role in guiding the cathedral through its formative years. His spiritual leadership from 1911 onward had been instrumental in building the community and establishing the cathedral's traditions. His honorary chairmanship recognized his extraordinary contribution to the Macedono-Bulgarian Orthodox community in Toronto.

Dr. Malin withdrew from active ministry and became the chief advisor to the church community. His professional expertise and dedication to the community contributed significantly to guiding parish affairs during a period of growth and development. He would continue to serve in this advisory capacity for nearly three decades until his passing on April 30, 1949.

The church was officially renamed "Sts. Cyril and Methody," honouring the two saints who created the Cyrillic alphabet and brought Christianity to the Slavic peoples. This choice of name was deeply meaningful — Sts. Cyril and Methody are venerated as the Apostles to the Slavs and patrons of Bulgaria. The renaming on February 2, 1926 gave the cathedral its enduring identity.

The first church choir was created with over 30 volunteer choristers, conducted by Benyo Bener. This marked the beginning of a rich choral tradition that continues to the present day. The choir performed at Sunday Liturgy and feast day services, filling the church with the distinctive sound of Bulgarian Orthodox sacred music. The tradition of volunteer choristers giving their time and talent to enrich the worship has been maintained for nearly a century.

A Community Hall was opened, providing dedicated space for social gatherings, cultural events, community celebrations, and Bulgarian school activities. The hall became the social heart of the Macedono-Bulgarian community in Toronto, hosting banquets, dances, theatrical performances, and countless community milestones over the decades.

A new church was consecrated at 237 Sackville Street — the cathedral's present location. This beautiful new building in the Cabbagetown neighbourhood better served the growing congregation. The move to Sackville Street marked a new era for the cathedral and embedded it permanently in the fabric of Toronto's historic east end. The address 237 Sackville Street has been the spiritual home of the community ever since.

Construction of a new, expanded church hall provided the growing community with greatly improved facilities for social and cultural activities. The hall was designed to accommodate the increasingly large gatherings that the thriving community organized. This investment in infrastructure reflected the community's confidence in its future and its commitment to preserving Bulgarian Orthodox culture in Canada.

The $28,000 mortgage on the Sackville Street property was fully paid off through the diligent contributions of community members. This financial milestone freed the community from debt obligations and secured the cathedral's future on an unencumbered basis. It was a remarkable achievement for an immigrant community and a testament to the members' generosity and dedication to their church.

Three landmark anniversaries were celebrated with special services, festive banquets, cultural programs, and commemorative publications. The 100th Anniversary (Centennial) in 2010 was particularly significant, drawing Bulgarian Orthodox faithful from across North America and featuring the publication of comprehensive centennial bulletins in both Bulgarian and English. These anniversaries renewed the community's pride in its heritage and inspired younger generations to continue the tradition.

Despite the extraordinary challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the community found meaningful ways to mark its 110th anniversary, celebrating the cathedral's enduring faith, resilience, and adaptability. The anniversary reaffirmed the community's bonds during a time of isolation and uncertainty, demonstrating that the spirit of the Macedono-Bulgarian Orthodox community transcends even the most difficult circumstances.

Father Ioan Ivanov served as parish priest from June 2023 to 2026, bringing pastoral dedication and theological depth to the cathedral's ministry. Educated at the Plovdiv Theological Seminary and the Orthodox Faculty of Theology at the University of Bucharest, Father Ioan upheld the rich Macedono-Bulgarian Orthodox tradition of the parish. The cathedral is currently seeking a new parish priest and continues its mission as a living centre of Orthodox faith, Bulgarian language education, and cultural heritage for the community in Toronto.