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WHO WE ARE The Archdiocese of Canada, Orthodox Church in America, is a part of the canonical Orthodox Church, with its beginnings in the Russian Orthodox Mission in Alaska in 1794. It shares in the missionary past of Alaska with its luminous examples of saints on the North American continent, including the humble monk, St. Herman of Alaska and the First Nations’ confessor of the faith, St. Peter the Aleut. The Church in Canada took root in 1897 with newly arrived immigrants, largely Ruthenians (western Ukraine and neighbours), who settled in the North-West Territories, later known as the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan. Settlers donated land, felled trees, and planed lumber to build the unique and beautiful Orthodox temples that continue to grace the western countryside, carving crosses and working precious embroideries to adorn them. |
FOR ALL From its earliest day, the Orthodox Mission, like its USA parent, was intended by its mother church to minister to all the Orthodox on the territory, regardless of language or national heritage. However, with the political turmoil of Eastern Europe, the fall of the Russian Empire, the vast distances between parishes and the onslaught of nationalist currents, the way was tested and tried by obstacles. Hence, the modern Orthodox experience, as we know it, is characterized by many overlapping jurisdictions. EARLIEST WORSHIP It is interesting to note in the historical record that Orthodox worship predated Confederation on Canadian soil. Services were held in Lennoxville, Québec for the benefit of a community of Syro-Lebanese Christians, who were served by priests from the United States. It was not, however, until the summer of 1897 that the lasting missionary presence was established with the serving of the Divine Liturgy at Stary Wostok (“Old East”) Alberta, some 110 kilometres north-east from Edmonton. There, immigrants from Galicia had settled and were seeking restoration with the Orthodox church. It was Father Dmitri Kamnev who served both at Stary Wostok, and at Rabbit Hills, south-west from Edmonton, at the farms of Theodore Nimirsky and Theodore Fuhr. This work was taken up again the following year with the blessing of newly-built temples, and the receiving of many converts by Fr. Vladimir Alexandrov. At the same time, Father Nestor Dmitriwa, accomplishing similar work, served the first liturgy at Star, in its new temple. Soon after, Father Michael Malyarevsky made the beginnings with immigrants in Winnipeg, rural Manitoba, and what is now Saskatchewan. Father Jacob Korchinsky was the first of many permanent priests, beginning at St. Barbara’s in Edmonton. BY THE PRAYERS OF THE SAINTS In 1901, Bishop Tikhon (who would be canonized St. Tikhon) consecrated three churches in Alberta. Travelling by train and horse-drawn wagon, he encouraged the young Orthodox communities, staying in the homes of parishioners. In 1903, Bishop Tikhon visited Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Here he incorporated, in the person of the Bishop, the Church in the Northwest Territories: Alberta and Saskatchewan. In 1904, Bishop Tikhon extended the foundations with another visit, and consecrated St Barbara’s Church in Edmonton, and Holy Trinity Church in Winnipeg. URBAN AND RURAL GROWTH, 1900 – 1920s Between 1900-1904, church communities were formed at Sifton, Smoky Lake, Sochava, Wostok-Bukovina, Sandy Lake, Wasel, Mundare, Stenen, Rhein, Winnipeg, Chahor, Kyselew and Pakan. Urban parishes were also formed in major cities, including Montréal (1907), Toronto (1916), Ottawa (1918) and Vancouver (1924). The 1914-1918 War years brought new tribulations as many Orthodox young men went forward to enlist. Accompanying them was an Orthodox Chaplain, Father John Osvianitsky. In 1916 the Church in Canada was strengthened: it received its own, first, resident bishop, His Grace Bishop Alexander. The post-war era with the great dislocation of peoples especially from Eastern Europe brought a wave of Orthodox immigrants to the west, swelling parishes, especially in cities. The Great Flu that followed in those years has served as a testament to the helping spirit of Orthodox families, even of children, who assisted their sick neighbours in their time of need. VLADYKA ARSENY YEARS, 1926 – 1937 The Lord had a special gift for the Church in the form of a holy and strong shepherd, Vladyka ARSENY (Chahovtsev), outstanding preacher, pastor, teacher and monastic founder. In his early years he edited a journal, The Canadian Field, which was reportedly read even by Tsar Nicholas II of Russia. In 1928 he established a pastoral school at Sifton, Manitoba, near the Holy Ascension Monastery. He travelled vigorously across Canada by train and other means, making use of the telegraph in communicating with parishes. In his lifetime, he would also found Holy Protection Skete at Bluffton, Alberta(1933) and St. Tikhon of Zadonsk Seminary (1938) in South Canaan, Pennsylvania. Despite the ensuing Depression, by 1934 the Canadian bishopric had six provincial deaneries, with 67 parishes, 34 priests and two deacons. 1940s – 1962 A period of great administrative change occurred in these years. In 1940 Canada became a distinct diocese. A few years later it was decided to divide Canada into three parts, due to its great distances. During this time Archbishop JOASAPH (Skorodumov), Bishop ANTHONY (Tereshchenko), Bishop NIKON (de Grève) and Bishop ANATOLY (Apostolov), Bishop ANATOLY (Apostolov) served Canada. It was declared an Archbishopric in 1954. In the meantime, parishes were multiplying in Ontario and Québec, and older parishes were beginning to build new buildings, such as Holy Resurrection Parish, Vancouver. In 1960, the Romanian Episcopate was received into the OCA, where it continues to care for numerous parishes. ARCHBISHOP SYLVESTER (Haruns), 1963 – 1981 The Canadian Archdiocese was blessed with Bishop (later Archbishop) SYLVESTER (Haruns), who served as ruling bishop for almost thirty years. The main obstacle at this time was a great shortage of clergy, especially of those who could speak and serve in English. In 1968, Bishop IOASAPH (Antonuk) was consecrated Bishop of Edmonton, to serve as auxiliary bishop in the West. In 1970, the granting of autocephaly ( the right of full self-government) to the Orthodox Church in North America by the Russian Orthodox Church and the establishment of its new name, the “Orthodox Church in America,” was an key chapter in our development. In the same year, also the 175th anniversary of Orthodoxy in North America, St. Herman of Alaska was canonized. In 1977, history was made in Montreal, when the fifth All-American Council convened there, elected a new Metropolitan, THEODOSIUS (Lazor). New missionary communities began to appear in Edmonton, Montréal, Rawdon, Ottawa, Kingston and Vancouver, under the blessing of Archbishop SYLVESTER. 1981 – 1989 Following in the footsteps of Metropolitans IRINEY and LEONTY before him, Metropolitan THEODOSIUS became administrator of the Archdiocese for nine years. Missionary ventures continued to appear. This was also a time of new charitable works, including Project Ukraine, for the assistance of Orthodox believers there. It was also a time of renewal of diocesan life and structure. This led to the election of a new bishop, His Grace SERAPHIM consecrated Bishop of Edmonton in 1987 and ruling bishop of Ottawa and Canada in 1990. VLADYKA SERAPHIM, since 1990 This has been a very busy time for the Archdiocese, with a strong renewal of communication (the development of a regular publication, The Canadian Orthodox Messenger) and growing cooperation among other Orthodox throughout the country. There has also been a hearty growth of missions and parishes. We are at last, from sea to sea, with parishes reaching from Vancouver Island and Newfoundland. Our Chancery near Ottawa, affectionately known as Fair Haven, has been developed to include a monastery, chapel, library and archives. Year by year, many exciting and interesting blessings have come our way in the form of pilgrimages of the faithful, regular Archdiocesan Assemblies, retreats and teaching institutes under the auspices of organized efforts such as the Montréal Theological Institute, the St. Vladimir’s Seminary Institute in Saskatoon and many others. Since 1997, there have been many opportunities to celebrate and reflect as we encounter numerous anniversaries. We have also seen a commitment to youth with special and regular retreats, and assistance such as Project Mexico and Child Care International (Ukraine). Miloserdie, a longstanding charitable endeavour in Vancouver, has provided monumental help for the Russian needy. In the year 2000, many of our parishioners were glad to have the opportunity to attend the special Millenial Divine Liturgies. These services were concelebrated by the five canonical Orthodox bishops of Canada in Montréal, Milton, Winnipeg, Edmonton and Vancouver. Parish and monastic life continues to grow and deepen across Canada. In June 2007, we were pleased to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Vladyka SERAPHIM’s consecration as bishop. We currently are experiencing the rise of missions with special language needs. New parishes, the consecration of a steady volume of priests and deacons year by year, and the growing involvement of youth in parish services are extremely heartening, underlining the vibrancy of the Orthodox Way - a faith with encompassing answers for the life of the pioneer in the previous century, the contemporary seeker and members of the Church still to come. St. Tikhon, All Saints of North America, …there was no fitting home in which to have a liturgy and so it was decided to have it in the open air. A kholm (an elevated spot) in the midst of the open prairie on the farm of Theodore Nemirsky was chosen. On the crest of land was placed a big, three-barred cross,
decorated with a wreath of wildflowers and greenery. A new table
was placed there, with spruce saplings along its three sides and
white cloth was draped between them so that the candles would
remain lighted. Although at this time there is often rain, the
weather remained quiet and clear, as if for our purposes…. |
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ARCHDIOCESE OF CANADA (OCA) |