Archive of Archdiocesan Events - 2005
Repose of Deacon Alexander Sulakov
Deacon Alexander Sulakov, Deacon of Christ the Saviour Sobor in Toronto, Ontario, was killed in an automobile accident on 4 October, 2005, in Odessa, Ukraine. His father, Archpriest Pavel Sulakov, was also killed, and his brother, Alexei Sulakov was injured.
Deacon Olexander Pavlovich Sulakov was born in Odessa, Ukraine, on 15 August 1965, in Bolshie-Korani, Ukraine. He graduated from Secondary School in Odessa, and then from the Odessa Medical College as Doctor's Assistant. Soon, he graduated from the Odessa Seminary, in 1990, and then from the St Petersburg Academy in Russia, in 1994. He had served as sacristan in the Odessa Cathedral, and as a reader and preacher in his father's church. His father had rebuilt several churches in the Odessa Diocese, following perestroika.
With his wife, Anna Poloudennaya, and children Iuri and Elizabeth, he immigrated to Canada, and began retraining to work as a Nurse. During the course of his studies, he was ordained to the Holy Diaconate on 27 August, 2000, by Bishop Seraphim of Ottawa and Canada, at Christ the Saviour Sobor, in Toronto, Ontario, to which he was assigned as Deacon. He successfully completed his nursing studies, in the face of many challenges, and was immediately employed, and became a beloved care-giver.
Deacon Alexander had been in Odessa with his father and brother at a service in a cemetery, and departed to visit an ailing uncle, when a truck collided with the car. Funeral services and interment will be in Odessa, Ukraine, on Friday, 14 October. The service will be served at the Odessa Cathedral by Metropolitan Agafangel of Odessa and Ismail, and interment will be in the parish recently built by Archpriest Pavel Sulakov.
May the memory of Deacon Alexander and his father be eternal!
posted by Fr. Justin (Edward) on Monday, October 10, 2005
Calgary-Area Orthodox Women's Retreat 2005
The 5th Annual Women's Retreat was once again a time of refreshment, prayer and fellowship. This year, Entheos Retreat Center was full to overflowing with women from all across Western Canada, Washington, Idaho, and Minnesota. The retreat's theme, "Accepting God's Will," was eloquently addressed by speaker Khourye Joanne Abdalah, a licensed social worker from Pittsburgh, PA. Kh. Joanne spoke to the women's hearts urging them to seek God's will through prayer, the Cross and the gifts God has given to each.
The retreat, as always, was organized around the services of the Church, beginning with Evening Prayers served by Fr. Larry Reinheimer (St. Peter the Aleut, Calgary). Saturday began with Morning Prayers served by Fr. Ibrahim Chahoud (Church of the Annunciation, Calgary) and ended with Great Vespers again served by Fr. Larry. Divine Liturgy was served Sunday morning by Fr. Richard Rene (St. Peter the Aleut, Calgary) ending the retreat with one last exhortation to seek God's will by following the Cross of Christ and dying to one's self.
The highlight of this retreat, and every retreat, is the fellowship among Orthodox women from every jurisdiction. The opportunity to pray, eat, rest and visit with Orthodox women from across Canada and the US was and is treasured by many. Thank God for His many gifts!
Pres. Jaime Rene, St Peter Orthodox Church Calgary AB
Mothers and daughters who attended the retreat
The date for next year's retreat is 2 weeks earlier than our usual date, Sept 8-10, 2006.
For information contact Myra Reinheimer, 403-938-4929 or email
Canadian Orthodox Icon Goes On Tour
 |
His Eminence, Archbishop Lazar Puhalo, and His Grace, Bishop Varlaam, of All Saints of North America Monastery in Dewdney, British Columbia are bringing a sacred icon on tour. In 1985, the icon - Theotokos, Joy of Canada - was written by Serbian iconographer Slavko Protich, in honour of what would become Canada's first Canadian Orthodox Feastday, held every second Sunday of August. The icon, which was written after the Mother of God of Tenderness, has been associated with a miracle, and is admired for its beauty. |
The schedule for the tour thus far is as follows:
September 10-11 in Saskatoon, Sobor of the Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church
September 14-18 in Edmonton, St. Herman of Alaska Orthodox Church
The icon will also visit Kelowna, Revelstoke, and Golden in B.C (dates TBA). For more information, please contact either His Eminence, Archbishop Lazar Puhalo at (604) 826-9336 or via e-mail at synaxis@new-ostrog.org or his assistant, Rebekah Goodyear, Historian-Archivist for St. Nicholas Parish in Langley (B.C.) - or visit the Monastery website: www.new-ostrog.org.
posted by Fr. Justin (Edward) on Sunday, August 28, 2005
More AAC Photos
Memories of the All-American Council continue to trickle in... Here are some more photos of the event. Click on any of the thumbnails below for a larger version of the photograph.
posted by Fr. Justin (Edward) on Wednesday, August 03, 2005
Special Akathist to Be Held in Dewdney, BC
On Sunday, August 14, 2005, the Monastery of All Saints of North America in Dewdney, British Columbia, will be holding services for the Theotokos, Joy of Canada Day, beginning with an Akathist to the Icon and a procession. Services begin with the Divine Liturgy at 10am, but all who have to be at their own Church services are still welcome to attend events in the later afternoon as well. For more information, including directions, please contact His Eminence, Archbishop Lazar Puhalo at (604) 826-9336, or by e-mail at synaxis@new-ostrog.org or visit the Monastery website at www.new-ostrog.org. This is the last time the Icon will be visible at the Monastery for some time, as it will be brought on a pilgrimage across Canada shortly thereafter.
posted by Fr. Justin (Edward) on Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Canada's Friendly Welcome:
Archdiocese of Canada Booth at AAC, Toronto
Hundreds of visitors streamed by the Archdiocese of Canada Booth at the 14th All-American Council held at the Sheraton Centre, Toronto, July 17-22, pausing to pick up many items, including a 4-page historic newspaper collage of articles on the Archdiocese, a Maple Leaf pin in honour of our new Cathedral in Ottawa, and to get a bottle of pure Canadian maple syrup for home. In striking reds and blues, our illuminated exhibit was a welcoming one, strongly visible from the Tradeshow doors. A fine replica of Holy Resurrection Church, Sifton built by Sarje Kachur of that community to inform people of the historic restoration of this focal Orthodox heritage site attracted much interest, and donations to the Sifton project were made in memory of many, from Texas to Alaska. Information on the St. Arseny Theological Institute, on our Cathedral, on "Nashi" (an Orthodox organization working to stop human trafficking in Eastern Europe) and the Spring, 2006 Pilgrimage to Ukraine also enriched our Booth, along with a map of our parishes, missions, theological institutes and other endeavours. At most times, the chairs beside our exhibit were full as people stopped to chat and rest, Canadians too!
A pictorial heading designed and supplied by Deacon Gregory Scratch of Ottawa, a graduate of the Emily Carr Institute, received so many favourable comments that they could fill a book! We send Deacon Gregory our deepest thanks for representing our Archdiocese in such graphic splendour. Archdiocesan Archivist, Katya Szalasznyj, was able to tap the memories of "ex-Canadians" at the table. The photos of Archdiocesan youth in the exhibit were a highlight, a tribute to the future relating to the AAC theme, "Our Church and the Future." Information, cooperation and fun came together at the Canadian Booth - a special thanks to all who worked for it and at it!
Photos:
Aboriginal Friends
Bishop Seraphim and Georgian Attendees
Playing the Bellsposted by Fr. Justin (Edward) on Monday, July 25, 2005
Sifton Restores 80-Year-Old Church
A MODEL PROJECT: SIFTON RESTORES 80 YEAR OLD CHURCH
This striking model of Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church, Sifton, Manitoba, was made by Sargie Kachur of that community, in honour of the Sifton Restoration Project. It was on display at the OCA All American Council, Toronto, July 17 - 22, 2005, where it attracted much interest.
It represents an ambitious project. A new foundation is being poured under their tall Church, in appearance like that of the first church in Unalaska, and the roof and walls restored as part of a Prairie Churches of Manitoba programme in partnership with the Archdiocese, the local parish and the Sifton Historical Society. Many tourists will come to see it in the future and there is hope of developing a seasonal Museum of Orthodoxy there to acquaint visitors with the Orthodox faith and worship. One mile from the site of Holy Ascension Monastery, the area was a central place dear to the heart of St. Arseny, its founder.
PILGRIMAGE REVIVED
The Sifton Pilgrimage from the days of St. Arseny has also been restored as a yearly event: this year on Friday, August 26th, with His Grace, Bishop SERAPHIM in attendance. All are invited to drive out to Sifton, and parishes might organize vans or buses to come out. There is room for some billets in Sifton, and places will be made available for tents or trailers. An Agape meal is being planned in the hall after Divine Liturgy, at a reasonable charge, with a programme to follow.
(Please call the numbers below if you are planning to attend.)
Would you like to help the Sifton Restoration Project?
A donation can be made in memory of a departed loved one, a family, or just as you like. Income tax receipts for Canadian donations will be provided. Please put your donation, cash or cheque (if cheque, please make out to Sifton Restoration Fund) into the model Church or send to Sifton Restoration Fund c/o 2506 Woodward Avenue, Saskatoon, SK, S7J 2E5.
For more information, please contact Katya Szalasznyj, (306) 374-7143 or Dot Connelly at Sifton, (204) 655-3224.
posted by Fr. Justin (Edward)
All-American Council
The 14th All-American Council of the OCA gets underway tomorrow in Toronto! The official OCA.org website has a section dedicated to the council which is being updated on a fairly regular basis, and may well include information about and photos of the council while it is underway. Photos of some of the preparations for the council are already posted there, and more photos are being added to the site as the council progresses, so if you want to see a bit of what is going on at the council, keep checking the OCA photo gallery.
Update (July 23, 2005): The 14th All-American Council has come to a successful conclusion. The photo gallery on the OCA website is now quite extensive - well worth checking out if you want to get a taste of what the event was like. Check the appropriate dates in the July 2005 section of the gallery.
posted by Fr. Justin (Edward) on Friday, July 15, 2005
All-American Council: An Experience Not to Be Missed