The Archdiocesan Centre

The Archdiocesan Centre of the Archdiocese of Canada was established in 1988. We decided to name this place Fair Haven, keeping in mind the bay in Crete where the Apostle Paul stopped. For the Bishop, and for visitors, it has been described as fitting the name. Over the years, a lot of renovation and extension has taken place, in order to make the Diocesan Centre not only an administrative place, but more, a spiritual centre for the diocese, and a focus also for the many monastic who live across the country.

Although it is truly at a distance from Ottawa (85 kilometers from the present Cathedral, which is in the city centre), it is within easy driving distance from Ottawa, from Montréal, from Kingston, and from Toronto. It is also a possible drive to New York.

Fair Haven, the Diocesan Centre, is becoming more and more a fitting residence for the Archdiocesan Archbishop, and a place where the faithful may on visiting find some refreshment for their hearts.

The Chapel of St. Silouan the Athonite

The Chapel of St Silouan the Athonite, as the Bishop's Chapel, has various clergy from across the Archdiocese attached to it and is also the focus of the Monastic Community of St. Silouan the Athonite (although few monks are actual residents). Mothers Dorofea (Miroshnitchenko) of blessed memory and Sophia (Zion) resided at Fair Haven for many years and filled the Chapel with their melodious chant. Igumen John (Scratch) and his family were its strong supporters and contributed much to the building effort.

The chapel itself contains significant historic items from across the Archdiocese, beginning with its altar. The surface of the Holy Table came from the Ascension Monastery in Sifton, Manitoba. The base on which it rests came from the Cathedral of the Annunciation in Ottawa, as did the lovely seven-branched candle-stand behind it.

The side-tables in the Altar came from Holy Transfiguration Skete in Fitch Bay, Québec, when the Skete moved to BC. The antique reader's stand came from Holy Trinity Sobor in Ottawa, while the historic central candle-stand is from Holy Trinity Sobor in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The central lampada in front of the iconostas came from the Sifton Monastery. The lampada in the Altar before the Icon of the Theotokos in the High Place came from Holy Transfiguration Church in Kirkland Lake, Ontario. Similarly, there are other items that have historic connectedness with various parts of the Diocese.

It has to be noted that one-third of the historic Icon Collection of the retired Ophthalmologist from Montréal, Dr. John Foreman, was donated to the Archdiocese, the donation facilitated by John Hadjinicolaou. Many of these icons date to the 19th century, and some earlier.

The icons of the iconostasis were written by Tatiana Ianovskaia of Toronto.

The two new central analoys were made by Bob Kanerva of Toronto's Christ the Saviour Sobor.

The Chapel of St. Silouan the Athonite has become the focus of a growing mission, caring for the Orthodox faithful in the Prescott-Cardinal area of Ontario, and in the Upstate New York area of Ogdensburg-Canton-Potsdam. As much as possible, there has been growing regularity of services at the Chapel; services are followed by a potluck agape meal. It is best to call the Chancery Office at (613) 925-5226 for a service schedule. Those who are able to spend time at the Diocesan Centre speak of the spiritual renewal of strength that they are given by the Lord.

Welcome!

History of the Centre

The Diocesan Centre was purchased by the Archdiocese in 1988 for the purpose of establishing a permanent residence for the ruling bishop, and for housing the permanent records of the Archdiocese. This action was undertaken at the direction of Metropolitan Theodosius, then the Locum Tenens of the Archdiocese, while Archbishop Seraphim was still Bishop of Edmonton, and Administrator of the Archdiocese.

"Finding this place was the end of a process that lasted for over a year. Money was very limited, and we needed to find a place that would accommodate present and future needs, together with accessibility and flexibility. The possibility of this purchase came at a moment when it was thought that we would never find any place." Vladyka Seraphim

The Archdiocese received from the Lord a stucco, brick-and-frame, vintage farm-house that was 150 years old with 28 acres of land (around 14 hectares). It was quiet and beautiful location, yet centrally located. Part of this land was water in the form of a marsh and stream, while most of the land was wooded or former fields returned to the wild. Its buildings consisted of a house, one large Ontario-frame barn, and a shed for drying tobacco. Located in a very historic part of southern Ontario, the land of this area for the most part was opened after 1783 through military land-grants that made provision for United Empire Loyalists. Their descendents remained here, and even the way of English is spoken in this area bears UEL influence.

The basic structure of the house was good and flexible, but many things would need to be done, in time, to improve it and to adapt it to the needs of a Diocesan Centre. The original house had been constructed in several stages: first, a main house, then a "summer kitchen" which is now the Refectory (off which was a veranda), then an entry-way over a cistern (which then became a garage). In time, the garage was extended and it was off this that the most recent garage was constructed. One might say that the structure has many arms, or wings in various directions from a main structural core.

Office facilities were at first meagre, and office work was first performed in the what was then the dining room of the Residence, already named for St Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow, Enlightener of North America, and founder of the Archdiocese of Canada. There were, at that time, minimal records and minimal resources. Soon, since this room was beginning to be used as an improvised chapel, the office was moved to the glassed-in, uninsulated porch. Winter work there was "interesting". Olga Jurgens and her sister Hélène Culhane wore fur coats to help the bishop at that time. Sometimes the work had to be moved close to the wood-stove heater near the kitchen. The house was sound in construction, but rather old and somewhat drafty, and in need of renovation to meet the Diocesan needs.

Over the years, the development of the property has been led by John Hadjinicolaou, who has headed the Metamorphosis project. Under his guidance, the Diocesan Centre has seen a garage become an office; a previously converted garage become a proper and modern kitchen; a small and dark dining room become a bright, two-storey refectory; a Diocesan Chapel was constructed, along with a bright and spacious entrance hall for the complex. A cupola and cross from the former Sifton Ascension Monastery of Manitoba was placed above the entrance.

In recent years, a second house across the lane was purchased through a gift; now forming the Arcbishop's residence (St Arseny's House). Major renovations and improvements are being made there as well, with Philip Bodnar of Fair Haven working long hours to bring them forward. Many donations of time, effort and financial resources have brought Fair Haven forward, to a place where we can say, "Glory to Thee, O Lord."

Metamorphosis (Transfiguration) Project

The Metamorphosis (Transfiguration) Project was undertaken primarily by members of the Parish of the Sign of the Theotokos in Montréal, Québec, under the leadership of John Hadjinicolaou, from 1992. This group of persons was concerned about the living conditions of the diocesan bishop, after a few years of residing on the new Fair Haven Diocesan Centre premises, from 1988 onvward. They galvanized themselves to collect funds, so as to enable renovations at the Diocesan Centre, the Archbishop's Residence. A metamorphosis it has indeed proved to be over the years! The following is a summary of its major work.

The St Arseny Renovating Auxiliary and Principals

The first renovation was that of the kitchen. What had been a very small galley kitchen, situated over the former cistern, became a lavatory, and the place for washing-machine and dryer. What had been a family-room, adjacent to it, was in much earlier times a garage, so its barn-board floor rested on earth. This floor was removed, and insulated, and it became a modern kitchen and informal dining area with a wood stove.

The second renovation involved the garage, adjoining this new kitchen. It was extended, insulated, and floored. The area then accommodated a pantry for the kitchen, and a new, warm, bright, Archdiocesan Office with a sky-light.

The third renovation involved the establishment of the Archdiocesan Centre's and Bishop's Chapel of St Silouan the Athonite. This project was encouraged also by the late Igumen John (Scratch) and his family. He served in this chapel many times after its construction. This phase began with constructing a free-standing chapel, but local regulations demanded its being joined to the main house. This led to the construction of a new main entrance to the Centre, parallel to the entrance to the office, on the north side of the structure, which also included the insulating and inclusion of the former veranda. In front of the Chapel and the office is a rock and rose garden. The completion of the Chapel itself has taken many years.

The next renovation involved the removal of the ceiling over the dining room off the kitchen. The room above had been too small in height to be of practical use. Once the ceiling was removed, and the whole area re-insulated, dry-walled, and painted, the new Refectory was very bright, with windows on two levels.

Following this, a room was added beside the kitchen, over what had formerly been a kind of patio, to serve as a "solarium", or work-room, together with a wood-room/entrance to the kitchen. Properly roofing of all the buildings with their additions is a continuing challenge. Metal roofing has begun, as this is the most long-lasting.

Animals came to live in the old barn from 2005, and this has provided impetus for the repair of that building, and also of the nearby smaller building. There are now goats, many varieties of chickens which contribute eggs to the Refectory table, and ducks that hatch their young. In days past, there was an indoor cat, Chorna, nearly 20 years resident at Fair Haven, and an outdoor cat, Minou, for seventeen years.

The main structural changes at Fair Haven have been made. Now many, mostly "cosmetic" repairs are needed. However as it turns out, of course, cosmetics are not necessarily so inexpensive, but the end result can be pleasing and we hope it is so to the Lord.

Assistants and Helpers

Provided by Divine Providence, there have been, and are still, persons who are able to be present at the Centre: they provide care for the property and animals, and support the Archbishop himself.

Mother Dorofea (Miroshnitchenko) had arrived early on. She had volunteered to take on the responsibility of cooking for the bishop, and for supplying hospitality to the many visitors. She faithfully offered this work of Christian love for more than twelve years, until her repose in the Lord in 2004.

Later, Mother Sophia (Zion) arrived, and while editing the Canadian Orthodox Messenger, she supplemented the work of Mother Dorofea, and began helping communication through answering the telephone and passing messages, and other like work, in addition to caring for the gardens, and organising the chapel services. After eight years, Mother Sophia moved temporarily to Toronto to support her daughter, and continues to edit the Canadian Orthodox Messenger.

For several years, Fr. Basile (Paradis) lived at Fair Haven. He lived in the newly-bought house of St Arseny, and served weekly and festal Liturgies at St Silouan's Chapel. Frail health in 2006 forced his retirement to Montreal.

In 2007 Novice Jakob Kepka arrived, who lives in St Tikhon's House. He maintains the hospitality requirements of the Centre.

Phillip Bodnar has been living at Fair Haven now for nearly two years, and his work on the land has enabled much more of its beauty to be seen by all who arrive. Many are commenting on how nice it is, with the trees all trimmed, to be able to see much more of the land itself as they arrive. Phillip has also been very busy (mostly single-handedly) in renovating the St Arseny House. The exterior appearance and the interior renovation are not far from completion. Phillip has also been steadily working on repairing the walls and interior of the large barn, which now "teems" with life.

The St Arseny House at Fair Haven

A private contribution enabled the purchase of a house resting on almost an acre, across the lane to the north from the main Diocesan Centre. It was in the course of needed renovations (since it was both inexpensive to acquire, and not completely finished).

St Arseny's House from West

St Arseny's House

St Arseny's House from East

For several years, the Priestmonk Basile (Paradis) lived in this house, until ill health took him to Montréal. Now the archbishop is living in this house, separate from the main building, and it affords an "arms-length" distance from the office.

The work of bringing this house into really good condition has become the responsibility of Phillip Bodnar. This was supplemented by the work of a number of persons from the Cathedral in the spring of 2007, which sped this work along. But Phillip has much more to do in addition. The grounds and animals take many hours of work daily.

In the main building at the beginning of 2007 lived the Priestmonk Ambroise, and Jesse Butler, the volunteer Bishop's aide for two quarters of the year. After Jesse's departure for "regular life" after Pascha, the Novice Jakob Kepka arrived. Father Ambroise was also taken back to Paris at the sudden ill-health of his father.

Local Farm: Animals came to live at Fair Haven

In recent years, it has been a joy to see the barn repopulated with fowl and stock, and its loft filled with hay. The out-buildings are also returning to life. There are now resident chickens, ducks, pea-fowl among the grass and trees, and the goats graze, or rest in their corralled area. One rooster has chosen the tree as his place for nightly rest.

With all the animals and such at Fair Haven, has the Archbishop possibly been influenced by Tolstoy, or by other agrarians? If there is such an influence, it is most indirect. But if we have the land and the buildings, and if it ends up being in part given into our hands to have these animals, then it is important to be as good stewards as possible of everything here. This is possible, and it continues to have its increased potential, through the support of the Faithful, and of the Metamorphosis Project.

Nature at Fair Haven

The new life and beauty that shows in springtime is evident at Fair Haven. It begins around Pascha every year, with the frog-and-toad chorus as the nearby marsh melts. This is accompanied, of course, with the return of birds beginning in late March, and then the appearance of blossoms of various descriptions. There is a quietness about Fair Haven that is evident, if one but seeks.