Whitehorse YT Saint Nikolai Bishop of Zhitsa Orthodox Mission 1997

Whitehorse, Yukon, Mission of Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Zhitsa, 1997

Nikolai may be spelt Nikolaj, Nikolas, Nicholas, Nicolas.

Zhitsa may spelt Zhitcha, Zhicha (as it is pronounced in Serbian).

Prehistory

There is a very old pre-history to the establishment of this mission in Whitehorse. Whitehorse is the capital city (and the only city) in the Yukon. It is also the largest city in northern Canada. Yukon is the smallest (by amount of land and by population) of the 3 federal territories in the Canadian north.

During the 19th century, the Yukon River had the occasional presence of one or another Orthodox Christian missionary. During trading expeditions and through other encounters, some of the Inland Tlingit people had found the Orthodox Faith through the activity of missionaries in the region of Juneau and Skagway, Alaska (such as Saint Innocent (Veniaminov). A few descendants of these persons in the Teslin region remained consciously Orthodox.

In the summer of 1905, the newly-arrived Bishop of Alaska, Innocent (Pustynsky) made a pastoral journey from Sitka, Alaska, to the city of Dawson, where there were previously resident many Russian-speakers and other Orthodox persons during the time of the Klondike Gold Rush. By the time he had arrived, however, these had all moved away. He nevertheless had made a thorough investigation of both Dawson and the surrounding region before he continued his voyage westwards along the Yukon River.

Founding of the parish, 1997

With the blessing of Bishop Seraphim (Storheim), the mission began in 1997 with the regular offering of prayer-services at regular times locally in Whitehorse. This local worship (which was and is similar to the experience of communities in the many villages of Alaska) was supplemented on a regular basis through visits of priests who would come and serve the Divine Liturgy and provide other Mysteries, such as Holy Baptism and Holy Matrimony.

After many years, it became possible for there to be a priest to serve the community on a permanent basis.

The mission is named in honour of Saint Nikolaj (Velimirović), Bishop of Ochrid and Žiča, and South Canaan (Pennsylvania, USA). Saint Nikolaj was a great missionary, who suffered as a Confessor for Christ during his lifetime. He spent his last years teaching at Saint Tikhon’s Orthodox Seminary in South Canaan, Pennsylvania. The naming of the mission for Saint Nikolaj reflects the fact that there were many people who had settled in the 1990s in Whitehorse who had come from Serbia as a result of the wars that followed the disintegration of Yugoslavia in 1991-1992.

Saint Nikolaj (Velimirović)

The Mission of Saint Nicholas in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, may be described as a mission outpost of the Archdiocese of Canada in The Orthodox Church in America, under the spiritual care of the ruling bishop, Archbishop Irénée (Rochon).

The mission community is a small, caring group of Orthodox Christians and friends, who gather regularly for prayer and for Divine Services. Their way of life and worship is in accordance with the tradition of the Orthodox Christian Faith. The community represents many different ages, countries, and backgrounds. All are warmly welcome to join them. This mission parish is served by the Priest John and Matushka Sharon Gryba. While they were working, and since they retired from secular work, they have continued to nurture this community. They are, in fact, the main founders of the mission.

Archpastoral visitation of Bishop Irénée (Rochon), 2012

From 19-21 December, 2012, the mission was blessed to host Bishop Irénée (Rochon) in Whitehorse. During the 1½ day visit, the bishop offered direct pastoral care to the Orthodox faithful. On Thursday morning, Vladyka Irénée served the Divine Liturgy at Maryhouse in Whitehorse. On Thursday evening, the mission community was pleased to host a supper gathering at the home of one of the mission members. This time together allowed the parishioners to talk together with their bishop, to receive his counsel, as well as to enjoy Christian fellowship, friendship and hospitality. The parishioners are deeply grateful for Vladyka Irénée's visits and for his pastoral care.

Places of worship

First place of worship

For some years, the mission community met for services at the Roman Catholic parish of Our Lady of Victory, a little north of the City of Whitehorse, in Porter Creek.

Our Lady of Victory church

Second place of worship

Then it became possible to rent a place which the community could afford, in the business centre of Whitehorse itself. Formerly, the building had been known as "The Wharf", a seafood market.

It is located at the corner of 4th Avenue and Hoge Street. It is also near the main thoroughfares of Robert Service Way and 2nd Avenue, as well as a block from the Yukon Convention Centre. Such a site was clearly Providentially provided.

Second place of worship

Parish news

Father Matthew Francis assigned, 2013

In 2013, Priest Matthew Francis was assigned to serve as pastor of this mission. He was not the very first priest to serve in the mission, since priests had travelled there previously from Alberta to serve the mission on an occasional basis. The assignment of Father Matthew Francis served as a step towards becoming a stable, and regularly-served community, although he served the community on a "commuting" basis.

On 6 January, 2013, Priest Matthew Francis served the Divine Liturgy and the Great Blessing of Water in the Mission of Saint Nikolai of Zhitsa in Whitehorse. This was his first pastoral visit from Edmonton, Alberta. At that time, the mission was meeting at the Yukon Transportation Museum.

Great Vespers was served Saturday evening, 5 January, followed by the Great Blessing of Water. On Sunday morning, 6 January, the Divine Liturgy was served. Immediately afterwards, all the Faithful travelled to the Rotary Centennial Walking Bridge for the Blessing of the Yukon River.

Theophany, 2013, with Father Matthew Frances, and Deacon John Gryba

Deacon John Gryba ordained to the Holy Priesthood, 2014

On 2 March, 2014, Bishop Irénée (Rochon) ordained Deacon John Gryba to the Holy Priesthood at Holy Annunciation-Saint Nicholas Cathedral in Ottawa, Ontario. Father John was attached to the Saint Nikolai of Zhitsa Mission in Whitehorse, Yukon, where with his wife Sharon, they had long served as leaders in the mission. He became also the first resident priest in and for the mission.

Ordination in Ottawa, 2014

Icon of Saint Nikolaj ; a Holy Relic of Saint Nikolaj, 2014

On 4 September, 2014, the Saint Nikolai Mission received 2 very special gifts : a beautiful, hand-painted icon of Saint Nikolaj (Velimirović) the patron saint of the community ; the mission also received a portion of the Holy Relics of Saint Nikolaj.

In March, 2015, Father Matthew Francis was transferred and assigned to serve the new Holy Apostles Mission in Chilliwack, British Columbia.

Assignment of Priest John Gryba, 2015

On 18 March, 2015, Bishop Irénée (Rochon) assigned Priest John Gryba to serve as Priest-in-charge of the Saint Nikolai of Zhitsa Mission in Whitehorse, Yukon.

Fundraising for a possible property, 2015

On 12 September, 2015, the Mission of Saint Nikolai of Zhitsa posted a fundraising announcement on the Archdiocese of Canada web-site regarding the possible purchase of a property :

 We have been praying for, and looking for, a piece of property 
 on which to establish a permanent home for the St. Nikolai of 
 Zhitsa Orthodox Mission in Whitehorse, Yukon.  A lot has come 
 available, Lot 21 in the Raven’s Ridge development in Whitehorse for an asking price 
 of $149,900 that appears to have a good potential for a Church property.
 
 Though there would be a lot of effort and some funds required 
 to get approval from the City to use it for a Church (which is 
 not a sure thing), the first step is to ensure we have 
 sufficient funds to pursue a purchase.

It seems from subsequent events that this particular step was not possible, and that further time would be required.

Great Blessing of Waters at the Feast of Theophany, 2019

On 6 January, 2019, after the serving of the festal Divine Liturgy on the Feast of Theophany (commemorating the Baptism of Christ in the River Jordan), Father John Gryba served the Great Blessing of Waters as customary. Thus, he blessed the waters of the Yukon River from a pedestrian bridge high above it. Although at -27 degrees Celsius (-16.6 Fahrenheit), a camera could take only 2 photos, the river was running quickly enough to be open. In the following photo, Father John fetches a bucket of Yukon River water for the blessing.

Collecting the water for blessing

Particular parish information

This parish is part of the British Columbia & Yukon Deanery of the Archdiocese of Canada, of The Orthodox Church in America. The dean is the Mitred Archpriest Michael Fourik. The bishop is Archbishop Irénée (Rochon).

This community follows the New (Revised Julian) Calendar.

The Altar Feast-day of this parish is the Feast of Saint Nikolaj, Bishop of Zhicha, 5 March.

In 2023 the founding and presently-serving pastor is the John Gryba.

Address :

Saint Nikolai, Bishop of Zhitsa, Orthodox Church

4040-4th Avenue

Whitehorse, Yukon

Y1A 1G9

E-mails : grybas@northwestel.net ; stnikolaiwhitehorse@gmail.com

Web-site

Facebook

Telephone : 867-332-4171

Mailing address :

Saint Nikolai Orthodox Church

PO Box 30232

Whitehorse, Yukon

Y1A 5M2

Directions :

Whitehorse, despite its remote situation in the north, has a milder climate than other urban settlements at a similar latitude in Canada.

There are many ways in which it may be approached.

To arrive by air, there is the Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport.

To arrive by road, there is the Alaska Highway, which connects Whitehorse with both Alberta (from Grande Prairie).

From southern British Columbia, highways reach north through Prince George and Prince Rupert to join the Alaska Highway near Fort Saint John or Watson Lake in Yukon. There is also a road which links Skagway and Haines in Alaska with Whitehorse.

The Alaska Highway connects also to Fairbanks, Alaska, USA from the northwest. This drive takes about 11 hours. Anchorage, Alaska, is accessible through Fairbanks by road and by air.

Whitehorse, Yukon, is about 2,400 km (1,500 mi) north of Vancouver, British Columbia. The travelling time from there is about 28 hours by car. It is 1,990 km (1,236 mi) northwest of Edmonton, Alberta. The travelling time from there is about 24 hours by car.

From the north, on the Alaska Highway, approach Whitehorse, and turn left at Two Mile Road. Drive straight on to 4th Avenue. The place of worship will be on the right.

From the south (about 16 hours' drive from Dawson Creek, British Columbia), approaching Whitehorse, take the exit from the Alaska Highway towards S Service Road/Robert W Service Way. At the roundabout, take the third exit onto 4th Avenue. The place of worship is on the left.

Priest John Gryba

Telephone : 867-332-4171

E-mail : grybas@northwestel.net

Saint Nikolai