Sachava (Andrew) AB Archangel Michael Russo Orthodox Church and Cemetery 1900

Sachava (Andrew), Alberta, Church and Cemetery of the Archangel Michael, 1900, 1904

Sachava may be spelt Sochava, Sochawa, Suchava, Sachawa, Suceava, Suczava.

The original name of this Temple was “Saint Michael’s Russo-Greek Catholic Orthodox Church of Suczava”.

Prehistory

The Sachava region of Alberta, Canada, was named for the Romanian city Suceava, in the Suceava County of Southern Bucovina. In the main monastery of this city are the Holy Relics of Saint John the New of Suceava. Suceava was the capital city of Saint King Stefan the Great of Moldavia. These settlers had arrived principally from the then united Province of Bucovina of Romania (which was at that time occupied by the Austro-Hungarian Empire). Many of them had responded to the enticements of the Government of Canada (transmitted by Dr. Josef Oleskow) to emigrate and to homestead in Canada.

Sachava, Alberta, in Canada, is situated 5 km (3 mi) south of present-day Andrew, which in those days was called Egg Lake. These settlers were of mixed Ukrainian and Romanian origin.

In 1898, the first settlers arrived in this region. Soon, they established a Temple in which to worship the Lord in the Orthodox manner. For the first 2 years, either the missionary priests serving at Holy Trinity Church in Stary Wostok travelled to care for them, or they travelled the 19 km (12 mi) to Stary Wostok (to the west and north of Sachava) in order to participate in services. (After 1927, and the arrival of the railway, the settlement moved a few kilometres to the southwest from its old site, to the present site of the Hamlet of Saint Michael.)

In 1900, the Faithful in the Sachava region began to organise themselves with a view to establishing a local Temple near their homes. For the next 2 years, the settlers were served by the priests who served at Saint Nicholas Church in Wostok-Bukovina, which is 8 km (5 mi) directly to the west.

Archpastoral visit ; official founding of the parish, 1904

In 1904, Bishop Tikhon (Belavin) made a pastoral visit to the newly-settled areas of Western Canada. During this visit, on 7 July, 1904, he acquired Title #128-X-2 for 40 acres of land at NW 1/4-9-56-16-W4 for the Sachava Church. A condition was noted in the document :

 The land shall be held in trust for the purposes of the Congregation of the St. Michael’s Russo-Greek Catholic 
 Orthodox Church of Suczava and to be devoted to public purposes.

The following 28 founders’ names have been recorded on an archival parish document :

 Alexander Bochanesky ; Evan Bordian ; Georgi Bordian ; Karol Cholodaunk ; Metro Dromaresky ; Doda Dvernachuk ; 
 Wasyl Ewanovich ; Doda Frunchak ; Wasyl Frunchak ; Georgi Gushaty ; Todor Gushaty ; Ewan Katan ; 
 Michalo Kishpan ; Tanasko Kostenuk ; Andriash Kostinuk ; Ekem Lechuk ; Nichola Matansky ; Domitrash Melenka ; 
 Elucia Melenka ; Ivan Mosorochan ; Sandek Pawluk ; Metro Romanchuk ; Evan Romanuk ; Safronie Swab ; 
 Elia Stashko ; Toder Sawchuk ; Stefan Tokaruk ; Evan Trefanenko.

Building the Temple, 1904

With the acquisition of land, Ivan Gudsovaty built a log Temple with a thatched roof in 1904. It was built in the same simple, rectangular style used by various Romanian communities on the prairies. This Temple was at first served by various clergy who lived in the other nearby communities.

At the same time that this little Temple was constructed, a small community hall and a school were constructed on the top of a hill at a crossroads 5 km (3 mi) south of Egg Lake.

Saint John the Forerunner Monastery

There is evidence that a small monastery of women was established also on the same land as the new Temple. It would not have been unusual for female monks to be involved in the education of children. The community was named for the Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptiser of the Lord, John.

Fire ; building the second Temple, 1914

In 1914, the Temple was destroyed by a fire. This very painful event was something shared by other pioneer communities from time to time. Sometimes the cause would be lightning ; sometimes it would be a grass fire ; sometimes it would be a candle.

The headquarters of Archbishop Evdokim (Meschersky), now in New York, came to the aid of the parishioners of this small community. A special meeting was convened, and an agreement was reached that a new Temple would be built, and a large residence besides. This would be accomplished both through locally-raised funds, and through the help of the North American Diocese.

Constructing the second Temple

Mr. Seremata, from the Chipman district, was awarded a contract to build the Temple and the residence for $2,800.00. The 2 structures were completed by the autumn of 1915. Great care was taken to construct the Temple using high quality materials. The interior was beautifully finished, and all the woodwork and pillars were stained using red mahogany and gold-dust paint. A majestically carved iconostas was completed and other items were provided as well, including elaborate, framed icons and a brass chandelier. Bells for the bell-house were imported from Europe, and they had a distinctive, resonating sound.

One part of the iconostas

Wasyl Huculak was the bell-ringer at Sachava for many years. He was talented in knowing how to ring the bells in different manners for funerals, weddings and feast-day services. It is said that the most impressive sound was heard during the Paschal Resurrectional “ring-out”, which could be heard very far away.

Once the residence had been completed, it was possible to have clergy living at Sachava. From then on, regular services were possible, and baptisms, marriages and funerals could be served without waiting. This was a time when people had large families (often 3 generations per household), and the Temple was usually filled to capacity.

Parish life

The clergy received very small compensation, and they were therefore obliged to raise chickens and to keep a cow. A horse was also necessary, since the principal means of transportation was by horse-and-carriage. By necessity, farm buildings were added to the church-yard. There was an abundance of grass and hay in the meadow of the parish land, and a creek supplied ample fresh water for the animals.

Early parish records are incomplete, but the entries provide some information about the lives and milestones of the early founding families and their descendants.

The Priest Nikon Nikulsky married George Kishpan and Mary Huculak on 3 March 1916, and he married Stefan Melenka and Mary Tkachuk on 2 August, 1917. The Priest-monk Afannasiy Markowich married Nick Swab and Sarah Lechuk on 17 October, 1918. The Priest Gregory Soroka married Nickolay Tokaruk and Anastasia Ostashek on 14 October, 1919. There were, of course, many baptisms. Although there were at this time numerous positive factors in life which indicated a more prosperous life for all in this region, there came 2 developments which caused considerable stress and sadness.

"Spanish" 'flu

The first was the arrival of the Spanish Influenza in 1918. The bells of Sachava rang out in the funeral manner for the funerals that had to be served every week. Neighbours tried to help one another in caring for the ill, and in burying the dead, as well as in helping one another with the necessary daily chores.

When the ’flu epidemic had subsided, life began to return to a sort of normal rhythm. As the burials decreased, marriages and baptisms increased. Then, when the Priest Ivan Kusey began to serve in the parish between 1920 and 1923, he blessed the marriages of John Tichon and Mary Bordian, of Fred Swab and Louise Kozak, and of Bill Lechuk and Helen Hackman. Baptisms followed.

The second development had its roots in the same year, but its effects appeared soon afterwards.

Controversy, division, perseverance, 1920

A great challenge faced the community in the wake of the establishment of the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada (UGOC) (1919). This movement spread to the parishes of Sachava, Shepenge and Kolomeya in Alberta. A wave of Ukrainian nationalism had developed in Ukraine during the previous 2 decades, but this was stifled by political events there. A form of this nationalism found an outlet in Western Canada, as immigrants discovered that they had the freedom to form organisations and to determine the direction of their cultural expression. The complaint was that the culture and Church of the Ukrainian people had been “russified” by the leadership of the Russian Orthodox Church in Saint Petersburg/Moscow. Those who believed this wanted to have a distinctive Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and this led to the emergence of a Ukrainian Orthodox Brotherhood in Canada. From this lay organisation developed the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada.

In 1920, 2 of the 28 founding members of the parish of Saint Michael at Sachava invited Father Ivan Kusey to live in the parish residence, and to proceed with re-organising Saint Michael’s Church to become one of these new parishes. Three student priests moved in with him and their responsibility was to re-organise other existing parishes. A great controversy ensued, and in 1923, the bishop’s office became involved. The bishop, Metropolitan Platon (Rozhdestvensky), resolved the situation by asking Father Kusey and his group to vacate the premises. Father Kusey took up temporary residence with one of the dissident families, and he conducted services in the home of another. Before long, he returned to Manitoba. In about 1923, after his departure, there arrived from New York via Manitoba a Romanian-American priest, Dr. Lazar Gherman, and also the Priest Dmytro Stratychuk. It had been decided that they would teach candidates in preparation for ordination to the Holy Priesthood. However, they did not succeed in doing this from Saint Michael’s. Father Gherman went to Boian and Hairy Hill to serve. Father Stratychuk entered and served in the UGOC.

About 10 years later, a Ukrainian parish (of Saint John of Suchava) was established across the road from Saint Michael’s.

It is useful to keep in mind that the concerns about the Ukrainian language would not necessarily be in the forefront of the concerns of many Bucovinian immigrants. A large number of them were of the sphere of Romanian-speakers. The result of the strong, and often forceful pressure for using Ukrainian was a negative reaction elicited from those who did not want it or were not ready for it, and this environment helped to develop other difficulties.

As may be expected, this situation produced disillusioned and disappointed parishioners. Families and clergy of both sides were distressed. Families broke up in this cultural strife, and it became not uncommon for a father to be buried in one cemetery and the mother across the road in another. Brothers and sisters disagreed with each other, and neighbours would not speak to each other for years.

However, in time, succeeding generations took a different view. As people began to intermarry and marriages were often “mixed” marriages, tolerance of different opinions began to develop.

Meanwhile, life at Saint Michael’s Church continued. The canonical Bishops Arseny (Chahovtsov), Joasaph (Skorodumov) and others continued to assign priests to the parish.

Father Theodore Varkhol (Warchol) was one of 2 long-serving priests at the Temple of Saint Michael. He began to serve the parish in 1934, and he continued to do so until his repose in 1951. After his death, the clergy residence was sold and the rest of the buildings in the churchyard were dismantled.

Post-war changes, 1946

With the advent of World War II, a greater assimilation of people took place. The stationing of armed forces, travel, and improved communications influenced every community. War veterans were welcomed back with new brides from other parts of the world. Then, as farm communities changed their ways of doing farming, the memberships of the various rural parishes and farm communities began to decrease. Young people left for post-secondary education and city jobs, and, as parents retired, the farm lands were re-organised and consolidated. There were fewer farmers living on larger parcels of land. This trend has continued for several decades.

From 1952-1968, the parish was served by various clergy who were also serving other nearby rural parishes.

In 1968, the Archpriest Wasyl Ostashek, who had his own residence in Andrew, began to serve Saint Michael’s, and he served it well for more than 25 years. During his years, because of a clergy shortage, Father Ostashek came to serve in other rural Temples as well. In time, the number grew to 11 others. Nevertheless, Saint Michael’s was his “home” parish.

Fire ; building the third Temple, 1978

On 21 June, 1978, the beautiful second Saint Michael’s Church was struck by lightning, and consumed by fire. When he heard about this, the Archpriest George Pokrowsky arrived from Ottawa, Ontario, and he offered some support to the parish. Therefore, with the leadership and tenacity of Father Wasyl and Matushka Lena Ostashek, and the willingness of the descendants of the founding families, a third Temple of Saint Michael the Archangel was constructed. It was financially impossible to reconstruct the Temple as it had been previously. The present, simpler and more modern-looking building began to serve the parish well in accordance with its current circumstances.

Archbishop Sylvester (Haruns) sanctified the third Temple on 7 July, 1980, and a marble cornerstone was placed in the building to commemorate the event. Although the congregation is now small, the roots are deep and well-established.

Parish entrance sign

90 years : 1990

In 1990, the parish marked the first 10 years of worship in the present Temple. Saint Michael’s parish has remained an active community. With the support of other sister Orthodox parishes, there are regular services and celebrations. In conjunction with the celebration of this anniversary, Father Wasyl and Matushka Wasylena (with the members of the parish) commissioned Matushka Henriette Somow in Vancouver, British Columbia to prepare 2 stained-glass windows for the Altar of this Temple. She had already prepared the many new stained-glass windows for Holy Resurrection Sobor in Vancouver, British Columbia. These 2 windows are of Christ the Saviour, and of the Mother of God.

Bereavement : repose of Archpriest Wasyl Ostashek

On 24 July, 1998, at 3:00 p.m., the Archpriest Vasyl Ostashek (who had served the parish for the longest period of time) very suddenly fell asleep in the Lord. He had not complained of any illness. He simply had thought he would like to rest a little. However, sitting beside his beloved wife, he simply collapsed into her arms, and he was “gathered to his fathers”. Of course, this was a great shock for Matushka Vasylyna, but she bore everything as a stalwart servant of Christ, and with deep confidence in Him and His love. It was likewise a great shock to the parishioners.

On 28 July, 1998 (the Feast-day of Saint Vladimir, old-style), a panikhida (memorial service) was served at the Temple of Saint Michael in Sachawa. Bishop Seraphim (Storheim), [holyres.org/?page_id=58#Karateyev Archpriest Evan Lowig], Priest Nicholas Kondratyev, 2 other priests and 1 deacon served together at this time. A good public-address system helped all who attended to hear the prayers and the spoken words at this time. After the conclusion, the reading of the Holy Gospels began, and continued throughout the night.

On 29 July, 1998, Father Vasyl’s body was transported across the North Saskatchewan River to the Temple of Saints Peter and Paul, Dickie Bush. There, the Divine Liturgy and the service of the Funeral of a Priest were served by Bishop Seraphim and the same clergy who had served the previous evening.

100 years : 2000

On Wednesday, 7 July, 2004 (the exact date on which the land was acquired in 1904), despite the inclement weather, nearly 200 people from near and far joined the parishioners of the parish of Saint Michael the Archangel in celebrating their 100th anniversary. Bishop Seraphim (Storheim) of Ottawa presided over the services, along with priests from both Manitoba and Edmonton, and several deacons. The day began with a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy for the Feast-day of Saint John the Baptist. Under the leadership of Igumen Philip (Speranza) and the local cantor John Shandro, the beautiful singing of the choir uplifted the service.

After the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, there followed the blessing of water, and the blessing of the walls of the Temple during a procession. A commemorative sign erected for the occasion was blessed by the bishop. An anniversary dinner and programme followed at the Andrew Community Centre in the town. The parishioners of this parish were deeply grateful to all who participated in this celebration.

Centennial anniversary of Matushka Lena Ostashek, 2013

On Sunday, 30 September, 2013, Matushka Lena Ostashek celebrated her 100th birthday at Saint Michael's Orthodox Church. Her actual birthday was on 1 October, the Feast-day of the Protection of the Theotokos (New-style).

About 100 invited guests of family, friends and parishioners gathered at the Temple at 2:00 p.m., to participate in a special thanksgiving moleben followed by a reception in the church basement hall. Igumen Gerasim (Power) officiated and spoke of Matushka's life of long service to her family, the church and her community.

Liturgical responses at the moleben were led by Mr. Gregory Fedor (Saint Herman's Sobor, Edmonton), who has known Matushka Ostashek for many years. He was assisted by Monk Tikhon (Green) and local singers from various parishes.

At the Thanksgiving Moleben

Matushka Lena Ostashek had been born, baptised and grown up in the Wasel Parish of Holy Ascension. She was married to William Ostashek in Holy Ascension Church, Wasel in 1933. After her husband was ordained a priest on 19 February, 1968, she served alongside Father Ostashek in various parishes (as far away as Saint Walburg, Saskatchewan). She sang, she worked with the Ladies groups, she sewed liturgical vestments, she provided leadership and advice. She was a true inspiration by her faith.

A traditional Ukrainian meal was catered to the guests present and Matushka received congratulatory messages from all levels of provincial and federal government officials including a special greeting from Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, which came from Buckingham Palace. Mrs. Ostashek's children all spoke about their mother achieving this special milestone in her life ; and at the end of the program, Matushka herself spoke about many events that she recalled during her long life of one hundred years. She thanked everyone for coming and helping her celebrate her special day. The singing of "Mnohaya Lita" ("Many Years") was repeated numerous times throughout the afternoon moleben and reception.

Bereavement : repose of Matushka Lena Ostashek, 2018

Early in the morning of Tuesday, 15 May, 2018, Lena Ostashek peacefully fell asleep in the Lord in Lamont. She had been given 105½ years by the Lord. Matushka Lena had been very alert to the end.

A panikhida (memorial prayer service) was offered by the Archpriest Nikolai Nikolaev and Deacon Kolin Berglund at Hainstok's Funeral Home and Crematorium in south Edmonton in the evening of Sunday, 20 May, 2018.

Then, on Monday, 21 May, the Memorial Divine Liturgy was served by the Archpriest Nikolai Nikolaev and Deacon Kolin Berglund at Saint Michael's Russo Orthodox Church at Sachava, south of Andrew, Alberta.

This was followed by the Funeral Service for the Burial of a Lay-person, and a memorial meal at the Temple.

Afterwards, there was a procession to the Temple and Cemetery of the Holy Ascension at Wasel. There, her body was interred beside her husband Father Vasyl Ostashek.

Saint Michael the Archangel Cemetery, 1904

The Saint Michael the Archangel Cemetery is found at the land description site NW 9-56-16-W4, along Highway #855, 8 km (5mi) south of Andrew, on the same property as the Temple.

There are approximately 170 known graves in the Saint Michael’s Cemetery. The oldest marker is that of John Bordeian, who was interred in 1904. As is the case in other early cemeteries, there were many other early burials for which no marker remains. Usually these were Crosses made of wood, and they disappeared in time and they were not replaced by a more durable marker (usually a concrete Cross).

To commemorate and to remember some of the early parishioners, a monument was placed in the cemetery in 1975, which includes the names of 26 people, many of whom have no grave-markers. There were also many infants buried there (especially during the Spanish ‘flu epidemic), whose graves are not presently marked, but whose presence there is known to the families. An iron Cross, salvaged from the ashes of the second Temple, has been placed in a rock garden on the site where this Temple once stood.

Marker of Father Theodore (Feodor) Varkhol

One of the most important annual and well-attended services at Saint Michael’s Church is “provode” (annual memorial service and grave-blessing), which is conducted during the Pascha season. On this occasion, families return to Sachava to pray for their family and friends.

Cemetery

List of names

Much of the historical information in this article is derived from an article written by Verna Topolnitsky, whose maternal grandparents, Stephan and Sanzira Tokaruk were founding members of the parish, and who homesteaded directly north of the Temple.

Some priests who have served in this parish :

 Priest Nikon Nikulsky			1916-1917
 Priest Afanasiy Markowich		1918-1919
 Priest Gregory Soroka			1919
 Priest Ivan Kusey			1920-1923
 Priest Antony Zeminoff			1924-1926
 Priest Nicholas Lewko			1926-1928
 Priest Michael Danilchuk		1928-1934
 Archpriest Theodore Varkhol		1934-1951
 Priest Nn Nikon Nikulsky		1952
 Priest Michael Andruchow
 Priest Wasyl Boyko
 Priest Dmitry Denisuik
 Archpriest Andrew Kokolsky
 Priest John Karateew
 Priest Nn Krowasky
 Archpriest Ivan Wasel
 Archpriest Vasily Hochachka
 Igumen Germogen (Cherkasin) 
 Priest Joseph Khomik
 Priest Nn Krasaway
 Archimandrite Kiprian Nn
 Archpriest John Kowalchuk		1968
 Archpriest Wasyl Ostashek 		1968-1992
 Archpriest Philip Speranza  		1993-1997
 Archpriest Nicholas Kondratyev 	1997-1998 
 Priest Vasyl Kolega			1999-2012
 Archimandrite Gerasim (Power) 	2012-2021
 Note : "Nn" indicates an unknown name

The 2 priests who served the longest in this parish were the Archpriests Theodore Varchol and William Ostashek.

Cantors in the parish have included :

 George Danelesko ; Ben Kastelen ; Matushka W Ostashek ; Wasyl Ostashek ; Bill Palley ; John Shandro ; 
 Prokop Tymchyshyn ; Anton Ulchuk ; Matushka Nn Varkhol.
 Note : "Nn" indicates an unknown name

“Palamars” (Altar-servers) in the parish have included :

 Adam Hurda ; Ewan Katan ; Mike Pysar ; John Tikhon ; Nick Trefanenko.

The Temple and exterior prayer-table

Particular parish information

Services are offered in English and Church Slavonic.

This parish is part of the Alberta & Northwest Territories Deanery of the Archdiocese of Canada, of The Orthodox Church in America. The dean is Archpriest Vincent Lehr. The bishop is Archbishop Irénée (Rochon).

This parish follows the Old (Julian) Calendar.

The Altar Feast-day of the Temple is 8/21 November, the Feast of the Archangel Michael and the Bodiless Powers. There is a second major Feast-day observed by the parish, on 24 June/7 July, the Feast of the Nativity of the Forerunner, John the Baptist.

In 2025, the pastor of the parish is Archpriest Vitalie Manoli.

Address :

Saint Michael the Archangel Russo-Greek Catholic Orthodox Church

Highway #855, 3 km (2 mi) south of Andrew

Sachava, Alberta

T0B 0C0

Chairperson (Warden/Starosta) : George Tichon

Treasurer : Victor Evanowich

Secretary : Victor Evanowich

Sisterhood : Sophie Evanowich

Directions :

Saint Michael the Archangel Russo-Greek Orthodox Church is situated on Highway #855, 8 km (5 mi) south of Andrew, at Township Road #562. The entrance to the property is from Township Road #562.

Saint Michael’s Church is about 116 km (72 mi) northeast from Edmonton, and the drive by car takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

From Edmonton, drive eastwards on Highway #16 (Yellowhead) until Mundare. At Mundare, turn left (north) on Highway #855. Drive north past Highway #29. The Temple is on the right, before arriving at Andrew.

Mailing address :

Saint Michael the Archangel Russo-Greek Catholic Orthodox Church

c/o V Ewanowich

Box 425

Andrew, Alberta

T0B 0C0

Archpriest Vincent Lehr (Dean)

E-mail : frvincent@sthermans.ca

Archpriest Vitalie Manoli

640, Allard Blvd SW

Edmonton, Alberta

T6W 2G3

E-mail : vitalie.manoli@gmail.com

Saint Michael's Temple, seen from the highway

References

Archdiocese of Canada – Orthodox Church in America, “The Orthodox Church in Canada : A Chronology” (Ottawa : Archdiocese of Canada, 1988).

A Chronological History of the Archdiocese of Canada, Part I

“The Russian Mission in North America”

Tarasar, Constance J, ed., “Orthodox America 1794-1976 : Development of The Orthodox Church in America” (Syosset, NY : The Orthodox Church in America Department of History and Archives, 1975). ASIN : B000ZLZAUE.

“Welcome to the 100th Anniversary of St. Michael's Russo-Greek Orthodox Church at Sachava July 7, 2004” (Sachava : Saint Michael's Orthodox Church, 2004). Centennial Anniversary Booklet, 7 July, 2004.

V Alexandrov, "Journey to Canada : A Priest’s Diary"

Additional information :

Sametz, William, "My father the priest : the life and times of the Very Reverend Dr. Peter Sametz : founding missionary priest of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada" (Toronto : Hypertex Plus, 2008). ISBN : 9780969670056.

Archdiocese of Canada listing

Archdiocese of Canada web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about the Archdiocese of Canada

OCA listing

OCA web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about The Orthodox Church of America

(Belavin) Archbishop (Saint) Tikhon (Belavin)

Archbishop Alexander (Nemolovsky)

Archbishop Evdokim (Meschersky)

Metropolitan Platon (Rozhdestvensky)

Metropolitan Theophilus (Pashkovsky)

Metropolitan Leonty (Turkevich)