Thorsby AB Holy Trinity (Whitsuntide) Russo Greek Orthodox Church and Cemetery 1920

Thorsby, Alberta, Russo Greek Orthodox Church and Cemetery in the Name of the Holy Trinity (Whitsuntide), 1920

Prehistory

Thorsby, Alberta, Canada, is situated south-west of Edmonton, 38 km (23.6 mi) south-west of Leduc, 20.5 km (12.7 mi) south-west of Calmar, and 20.3 km (12.5 mi) north of Pigeon Lake.

The history of this parish of the Holy Trinity in Thorsby, Alberta, dates back to the years 1917-1918, when the residents of the area gathered at homes to worship in the manner of the Orthodox Christian Faith of their ancestors.

As had been the case in Calmar, Alberta, the settlement by Slavs in the area west of Leduc and Nisku followed the previous non-indigenous settlement of the region by Scandinavians as early as the 1880s. The name "Thorsby" (Thor's town) demonstrates the previous presence of the Scandinavians. The region had grown because of the earlier activity of the Rundle Mission by Pigeon Lake to the south, where there had been a Hudson's Bay Company post.

As also had been the case in Calmar and at Rabbit Hill, the people who arrived in this region had come from what is now called Western Ukraine, which had been part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

As this part of Alberta became more settled, a Temple was built through the efforts of the people of the area, both Orthodox Christians and others. Since this district was yet farther west and yet more remote than Leduc, Nisku or Calmar, this early building was shared for the purpose of worship. This sharing may explain why "Whitsuntide" (an English Protestant term for Pentecost) is associated with the name of the Temple.

First organisation within the Russian Mission's Canadian diocese

Serving the Orthodox group in those early days were first Archimandrite Arseny (Chahovtsov) and then Archimandrite Amphilokhy (Vakulsky). They each used the Russo Orthodox Church of Saint Barbara in Edmonton, Alberta, as their base from which they undertook extensive missionary work.

Along with other communities at that time, this community was organised within the Diocese of Canada of the Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church of North America (ROGCCNA). This diocese was part of the continuation of the original Russian Orthodox Mission in North America.

Forming the parish, 1920

Then, in 1920, a small group of faithful Orthodox Christian people purchased a 2-acre site from the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) for the purpose of constructing a Temple and a graveyard. The first executives of the parish were :

 Nick Harrish ; Andrew Poholko ; Peter Shymansky.

Building the Temple, 1920

In the summer of 1920, the land (southwest of Thorsby) was cleared and construction was begun on the Temple building that still stands today. The building was built from materials and labour donated by all the members.

The original Temple, from the southwest

Division, 1925

Because of the development of the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada, differences between this diocese and the Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church in America about jurisdiction and language grew sharp. There were many factors involved. However, a central tension was that some wished to continue as always worshipping in the Slavonic language to which their hearts were accustomed. Others strongly wished to use instead the Ukrainian language which they spoke every day.

As a consequence, before the Holy Trinity parish had been formed 5 years, a different, Ukrainian Orthodox congregation was established in the Town of Thorsby itself.

Rural depopulation

From the early 1930s, most rural areas, especially those in western Canada, began to experience changes imposed by exterior events. These events hastened the development of the phenomenon of rural depopulation. The most prominent of these events were the Great Drought (1921-1939), which affected much of the population of the Prairie Provinces. The Great Depression (1929-1939) was another, which produced wide-spread unemployment throughout the country. Increased and more refined mechanisation of farming methods brought about the consolidation of farms into larger and larger operations, which eventually developed into farming as business ("agribusiness"). This phenomenon contributed greatly to the reduction of the rural population, and these latter 2 phenomena continued on for many decades.

Maintenance of the Temple

The Temple building has been renovated on several occasions. In the 1940s, the original siding was removed, and it was replaced by new stucco, and the shingles and the foundation were renovated.

Move to the Russian Exarchate of the Moscow Patriarchate

At some time not yet indicated, the parish moved to the Russian Exarchate of North and South America of the Moscow Patriarchate. From after the 1930s, there were certain difficulties which influenced such decisions. One such difficulty was that of finding and providing a sufficient number of clergy to care for the parishes.

In the 1950s, a new iconostas was built by the skilful hands of Mr. Daruda. Materials were supplied by the other members of the parish.

Holy Trinity parishioners

In the 1960s, the interior took on a new look with new wall panelling and a new ceiling. Electric power was installed, as well as propane heating.

Alongside the Temple is a hall which was built from the siding that was removed from the Temple building. This hall is used during the summer for annual picnics.

The cemetery was renovated, and all the unidentified graves were marked with pillow-markers (small, rectangular stone, metal or concrete markers at or slightly above ground-level).

In 1987, the Temple was repainted on the outside. The iconostas and the interior were also redecorated.

Visit of Metropolitan Philaret (Vakhromeyev) of Minsk, 1997

In July, 1997, during the celebration of the centennial anniversary of the first Divine Liturgy served in Canada, there was a visit to this parish by the visiting bishops of the Moscow Patriarchate. Bishop Mark (Petrovtsiy), the Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada was accompanied by Metropolitan Philaret (Vakhromeyev) of Minsk (who represented Patriarch Aleksey II (Ridiger)) ; Archbishop Ireney (Seredniy) of Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine (who represented Metropolitan Volodymyr (Sabodan), and who had previously served in Canada) came to visit the parish of Holy Trinity. During this visit, a Moleben was served, and refreshments were offered to all present.

Centennial visit, 1997

Archpastoral Visitation of Bishop Matthew (Andreev) of Sourozh of the Canadian Patriarchal Parishes to Alberta (20-26 May, 2023)

In May, 2023, Bishop Matthew (Andreev) of Sourozh, the Administrator of the Canadian parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate made an archpastoral visitation to some of the parishes. Vladyka Matthew had been blocked for several years from travelling to Canada (and also to the USA) because of the travel prohibitions associated with the 2019-2022 Covid-19 pandemic.

Although Vladyka Matthew was not able on this occasion to visit all the parishes, he presided over many meetings having to do with the work of the Canadian administration, and some people were able to travel to Edmonton and other places where he was able to serve.

Russo-Greek Orthodox Holy Trinity Cemetery, 1920

Holy Trinity cemetery was established at the same time as was the parish.

In 2023, there were more than 125 known interments in the cemetry.

Russo-Greek Orthodox Holy Trinity Cemetery

28177, Township Road #490 (Glen Park Road)

GPS co-ordinates : 53.19197, -113.99959

Leduc County, Alberta

T0C 2P0

Holy Trinity Cemetery Memorial Cross

Particular parish information

The original “Little Church on the Hill”, as it is often referred to by the local people, remains in active service. The Temple fulfils the spiritual needs of the local families who worship in the Orthodox manner and who live the Orthodox Christian Faith as did their ancestors.

This parish is part of the Parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in Canada. The bishop is Bishop Matthew (Andreev).

This parish follows the Old (Julian) Calendar.

The Altar Feast-day of this parish is the Feast of Pentecost (Descent of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Trinity).

In 2023, the pastor of the parish is Archpriest Evgeniy Protsenko.

Address :

Russo-Greek Orthodox Holy Trinity Church and Cemetery

28177, Township Road #490 (Glen Park Road)

Leduc County, Alberta

T0C 2P0

Directions :

Holy Trinity Church is located approximately 85 km (53 mi) southwest of Edmonton. The journey takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Drive south from Edmonton on Highway #2 (Queen Elizabeth II Highway) to the City of Leduc. Take the second exit for Leduc, and turn right (west) at Highway #39. Drive west to Thorsby, which is located 38 km west (24 mi) of Leduc. Follow the turn to the left into Thorsby on Highway #39 which ends in Thorsby. Then drive 3 km (2 mi) south of Thorsby on Range Road #778. At Township Road #490 (Glen Park Road), turn left and drive 3 km (2 mi) east. The Temple is on the right.

Wrought-iron parish sign

Archpriest Evgeniy Protsenko, Pastor of the parish

10812-108 Street

Edmonton, Alberta

T5H 3A6

Telephone : (780) 426-5163

Mobile : (780) 818-7343

E-mail : pokrova70@gmail.com

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

"Patriarchal Parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in Canada, 100 Years of Orthodoxy in Canada 1897-1997 : Pictorial Memories" (Edmonton : Patriarchal Parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in Canada, 1997).

Russian Orthodox Church History Book Committee, “Patriarchal Parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in Canada, Millennium of the Baptism of Rus’” (Edmonton : Russian Orthodox Church History Book Committee, 1988). ISBN: 0-88925-830-9.

“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.

Additional information :

MP parish listing

Moscow Patriarchate Parishes web-site

Wikipedia article about the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada

Orthodoxwiki article about the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada

Archdiocese of Canada web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about the Archdiocese of Canada

Orthodox Church in America web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about The Orthodox Church in America

Archbishop (Saint) Arseny (Chahovtsov)

Bishop Amphilokhy (Vakulsky)

Archbishop Alexander (Nemolovsky)