View source for Archimandrite Cyril (Bulashevitch)



[[File:Archimandrite Cyril (Bulashevich) 2.jpg]]

'''Archimandrite Cyril (Bulashevitch) (1925-1998)'''


— edited from an article in the “Canadian Orthodox Messenger”


Konstantin may be spelt Constantine.  

Cyril may be spelt Kirill, Kyrill, Kiryl. Bulashevitch may be spelt Bulashević, Bulashevich.  

Tlingit may be spelt Tlinkit.  


==Early years of Konstantin Sergeievich Bulashevitch==

Konstantin Sergeievich Bulashevitch was born on 3 June, 1925, in the city of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prijepolje Priepole] (Prijepolje), [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yugoslavia Yugoslavia] (now [https://www.google.ca/search?q=serbia&sourceid=ie7&rls=com.microsoft:en-GB:IE-Address&ie=&oe=&gfe_rd=cr&ei=TZm1U_K4K4K48wfJ8IGQAw&gws_rd=ssl Serbia]) to Sergei and Milena (born Besarevitch) Bulashevitch.   His father, Sergei Bulashevitch, had been a Commander in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperial_Russian_Navy Russian Imperial Navy], and had served with the Baltic and the Black Sea Fleets.  After the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/October_Revolution Bolshevik revolution], he had evacuated to the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Yugoslavia Kingdom of Yugoslavia], as did very many other refugees.  

Soon after the birth of Konstantin, his family moved to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Po%C5%BEarevac Požarevac], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Serbia Serbia], in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, where Konstantin received his primary and secondary education, and where he completed high school (“[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gymnasium_(school) gymnasium]”).  

His parents also had another child, Konstantin’s sister Melica (Militsa).

==Exile, 1945==

At the end of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II World War II], Konstantin was sent to a [http://www.dpcamps.org/munich.html camp] for [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Displaced_persons_camp displaced persons] near [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Munich Munich], in [https://www.britannica.com/place/Germany Germany].  

His mother and sister had been taken to Germany earlier to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forced_labour_under_German_rule_during_World_War_II "work"] (it was forced labour).  His father vanished without a trace.  His mother and sister returned to Yugoslavia, but Cyril remained at the camp, where he served in a church and where he was tonsured to be a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Reader reader].  

==Monastic tonsure, 1951==

In 1951, Konstantin was [https://orthochristian.com/101607.html tonsured] to be a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Monk monk], and he was given the name Cyril (Kyrill) after [https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/1949/01/18/100220-saint-cyril-archbishop-of-alexandria Saint Cyril of Alexandria].   

==Diaconal ordination, 1951==

He was then ordained to the Holy [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Deacon Diaconate] by Archbishop Palladiy in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulm Ulm], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germany Germany].  

==Diaconal service==

'''Emigration to the USA, 1952'''

In the context of the emigration of many displaced persons such as he, the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hierodeacon Hierodeacon] Cyril (Bulashevitch) decided to go to the [ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States USA].  

In March, 1952, the “[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthodox_Church_in_America Metropolia]” in North America (the Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church of North America) received Hierodeacon Cyril into the number of its clergy.  

==Education==

In September, 1952, Hierodeacon Cyril (Bulashevitch) enrolled in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Tikhon's_Orthodox_Theological_Seminary Saint Tikhon’s Seminary] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Canaan_Township,_Wayne_County,_Pennsylvania South Canaan], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pennsylvania Pennsylvania].  

In May, 1956, he [https://issuu.com/sainttikhons/docs/2013_tikhonaire_complete__reduced_ graduated] from this seminary.  


[[File:Hierodeacon Cyril (Bulashevich).png]]  '''Hierodeacon Cyril (Bulashevich)'''


==Presbyteral ordination, 1956==

On 3 June, 1956, in the [http://www.nycathedral.org/ Holy Virgin Protection Cathedral] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City New York City], the Hierodeacon Cyril (Bulashevitch) was ordained to the Holy [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Presbyter Priesthood] by [[Archbishop Dimitry (Magan)]].  

==Pastoral service==

The [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hieromonk Hieromonk] (priest-monk) Cyril (Bulashevitch) was then assigned to the [http://www.doaoca.org/ Diocese of Alaska], under [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Amvrossy_(Merejko)_of_Pittsburgh Bishop Amvrosi (Merejko)], where he spent the next 25 years serving in 3 parishes : in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sitka,_Alaska Sitka] (1956-1966), [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juneau,_Alaska Juneau] (1966-1969) and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenai,_Alaska Kenai] (1969-1973). 
 

[[File:Archimandrite-Cyril-(Bulashevitch).jpg|left]]  '''Hieromonk Cyril with Bishop Amvrosi (Merezhko) in the Sitka cathedral'''

[[File:St Michael Cathedral Sitka Alaska.jpg]]  '''Original Saint Michael's Cathedral, Sitka'''

[[File:New Saint Michael Cathedral Sitka 2.png]]  '''Saint Michael's Cathedral, Sitka, after the 1966 fire'''

[[File:Saint Nicholas Church Juneau 2.png]] '''Saint Nicholas' Church, Juneau'''

[[File:Russian Church Kenai 1896 2.png]] '''Holy Assumption (Dormition) Church, Kenai'''


'''Sitka, 1956'''

Beginning in 1956, Father Cyril served at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Michael's_Cathedral_(Sitka,_Alaska) Saint Michael’s Cathedral] in Sitka.  This responsibility (as in other places) involved a certain amount of travel to outlying villages and homes.  In Sitka were (and are) many Orthodox Christian families who belong to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tlingit Tlinkit Peoples] (both coastal and inland).  Another group of the same indigenous people live in the region of Juneau.  

It was in Sitka that Father Cyril first encountered the differences in customs which reflected the indigenisation of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Introduction_to_Orthodox_Christianity Orthodox Christian Faith].  At first, when he visited homes in which there were items of Tlinkit regalia hanging on the walls, and there would be prayers for the departed or some other prayers, he would make a point of asking the people to focus on the pectoral Cross he wore while they prayed.  Eventually he was made to understand that these crests were not objects of worship for the Tlinkits, so he became comfortable in their presence (as had other clergy before him).  The crests had to do with the family and clan history.  There were many cultural similarities between the Orthodox way and the Tlinkit way, but they had to become mutually understood and interpreted.  The Tlinkit are seriously faithful people, and the great majority of them in Sitka are Orthodox Christians.  

In 1957, Father Cyril, while he was in the state capital, Juneau, Alaska, made a petition for naturalisation as a US citizen, and it was granted in 1962.  

On 2 January, 1966, there was a disastrous fire which destroyed the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Michael's_Cathedral_(Sitka,_Alaska) Cathedral of Saint Michael] in Sitka.  This Temple had been built by [[Saint Innocent (Veniaminov)]] and completed in 1848.  Archimandrite Cyril had been amongst the 100 persons who attempted to rescue what was possible to save from the conflagration.  The people rescued 95% of the icons and historical items.  He was amongst those who prepared for the rebuilding of the ruined Temple. 

'''Juneau, 1966'''

In late 1966, Father Cyril was transferred to serve at the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Nicholas_Russian_Orthodox_Church_(Juneau,_Alaska) Church of Saint Nicholas] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juneau,_Alaska Juneau], Alaska. 

'''Kenai, 1969'''  

In 1969, Father Cyril was transferred and assigned to be the rector of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Assumption_of_the_Virgin_Mary_Church Assumption of the Virgin Mary Church] (that is, the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Dormition Dormition of the Theotokos]) in Kenai, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_William_Sound  Prince William Sound], Alaska.  

The Hieromonk Cyril (Bulashevitch) was elevated to the dignity of an [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Igumen igumen].  

'''Juneau, 1973'''

At the end of 1973, Igumen Cyril (Bulashevitch) was transferred, and he was assigned again to be the rector of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Nicholas_Russian_Orthodox_Church_(Juneau,_Alaska) Saint Nicholas Church], Juneau.  

Because the structure of the Church of Saint Nicholas had been placed on the [http://www.nps.gov/nr/ National Register of Historic Places] in 1974 under the pastorate of Father Cyril, it became eligible for matching federal funds.  

In May, 1975, Father Cyril received [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleksandr_Solzhenitsyn Alexandr Solzhenitsyn] and his wife in Juneau, and gave them a guided tour of the city and the region.  It was reported by the media that this author was “trying to find Russia in the people and in the land”.  However, neither Father Cyril nor the Solzhenitsyns gave interviews during this very private visit.  

==Transfer to Canada, 1976==

'''Vancouver, British Columbia, 1976'''

In the spring of 1976, Igumen Cyril (Bulashevitch) was requested to move to [https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/canada Canada].  Having received the blessing, he was transferred, and he was received into the [http://archdiocese.ca Archdiocese of Canada].  He was assigned to serve as the second priest at [[Vancouver BC Holy Resurrection Russian Orthodox Sobor 1924 |Holy Resurrection Church]] in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vancouver Vancouver], [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/british-columbia British Columbia], under [[Bishop Joasaph (Antoniuk)]].   From here, he also cared for families and communities along the upper [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fraser_Valley Fraser River Valley] as far as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hope,_British_Columbia Hope], and in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria,_British_Columbia Victoria], British Columbia, where a mission had been established.  


[[File:Cyril bulashevich 2.jpg]]


Upon the sudden and unexpected repose of Bishop Joasaph in October, 1978, Igumen Cyril (Bulashevitch) was assigned to be the rector of the Temple. 

'''Transfer to Montréal, Québec'''

In 1984, Igumen Cyril (Bulashevitch) was transferred, and he was assigned to the [[Montréal QC Saints Peter and Paul Russian Orthodox Sobor 1907 |Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral]] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montreal Montréal], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec Québec].  Here, he served as second priest under [[Archbishop Sylvester (Haruns)]].  He took up residence in one of the small apartments in the adjoining cathedral precincts, and he served as the main pastor there under Vladyka Sylvester's guidance and supervision.  


[[File:Vladyka 2 archimandrites sisterhood 1980s CBCS 2.png]]  '''Vladyka Sylvester, Archimandrites Antoniy and Cyril, Sisterhood, 1980s''' 


As with other clergy who served at the cathedral, Father Cyril travelled periodically to Quebec City, Quebec, where he served the Divine Liturgy for the Holy Trinity Orthodox Church there.

In 1991, Igumen Cyril (Bulashevitch) was elevated to the dignity of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Archimandrite archimandrite].  

Because of the fragility of the health of [[Archbishop Sylvester (Haruns)]], attempts were made to ease the burden of responsibility for him.  

'''Montréal, Québec, 1992'''

On 15 December, 1992, Archimandrite Cyril (Bulashevitch) was [http://archbishop-of-ottawa.org/content/major-pastoral-acts-1992 assigned to serve] as the Acting [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Proistamenos Rector] of Saints Peter and Paul's Sobor in [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/montreal Montréal], [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/quebec Québec].  

However, although the parishioners loved and respected Archimandrite Cyril, he and they both understood that the meekness of Archimandrite Cyril did not allow him to provide the sort of administrative leadership that was required (he was an excellent pastor and confessor).  The parish councillors were also afraid to be without the authoritative leadership of the archbishop, and they strongly requested an adjustment.  

Therefore, on 1 January 1993, the [http://archbishop-of-ottawa.org/content/major-pastoral-acts-1993 following adjustments were made] in order to enable the parish to function peacefully :  Archbishop Sylvester was given the blessing to supervise the pastoral and practical matters of Saints Peter and Paul’s Sobor in Montréal, Québec.  Archimandrite Anthony (Abramovich) was recalled from retirement, to serve as Temporary Pastor of Saints Peter and Paul’s Sobor in Montréal, Québec.  Archimandrite Cyril (Bulashevitch) was released as Acting Rector, and assigned to be Assistant Acting Rector of Saints Peter and Paul’s Sobor in Montréal, Québec.  

In every place where he served, Father Cyril was known to be a shy, quiet, gentle, kind, self-effacing man.  He had a genuine love and concern for his parishioners, and he was highly regarded as a confessor and a spiritual guide.  He was well-read, and a collector of books (many of which eventually became part of the rich collection of the Pushkin Library at the Sobor of Saint Peter and Paul).  He was also generously hospitable.  


[[File:Archimandrite-Kyril-(Bulashevitch) 1.jpg]]

==Retirement, 1995==

In January, 1995, Archimandrite Cyril (Bulashevitch) retired from active service, because of his weakening health.  Even so, he continued, as much as his health would permit, to serve in the Temple at any opportunity, and to be with his spiritual children. 

'''40th anniversary of presbyteral ordination, 1996''' 

On Monday, 3 June, 1996, on the Feast-day of the Holy Spirit (the day following [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Pentecost Pentecost]), [[Archbishop Seraphim (Storheim) |Bishop Seraphim (Storheim)]] presided at the Divine Liturgy at Saints Peter and Paul's Cathedral in Montréal, Québec.  On this feast-day this year, there was a celebration of the [http://archbishop-of-ottawa.org/messenger/Com1996-4.7-4.pdf 40th anniversary] of the ordination to the Holy Priesthood of Archimandrite Cyril (Bulashevitch).  It was also his 71st birthday.  Those who served on this day with the bishop and the archimandrite were the Archpriests [https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/janowski-archpriest-alexander Alexander Janovski] (rector) and [[Archpriest John and Mary Tkachuk |John Tkachuk]] (Dean of Québec), and Protodeacon Gregory Maksymiuk of the Cathedral,  all of them clergy of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Archdiocese_of_Canada Archdiocese of Canada].  At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, Father John Tkachuk conveyed to Archimandrite Cyril the congratulations of the Orthodox Clergy Association of Québec.  The Sisterhood of the Cathedral provided a celebratory anniversary dinner in the lower hall of the cathedral afterwards.    

==Repose, 1998==

On 4 December, 1998, Archimandrite Cyril (Bulashevitch) fell asleep in the Lord in Montréal after a lengthy illness.  

On Sunday, 6 December, 1998, after the Divine Liturgy at Saints Peter and Paul's Cathedral, a panikhida was served for Archimandrite Cyril in the presence of many parishioners.

On Monday, 7 December, 1998, there was served a Memorial Divine Liturgy by Bishop Seraphim (Storheim), assisted by the Archpriests Alexander Janowski (rector) and John Tkachuk (chancellor), the priest Nicolai Nicolaev and the priest-monk Cyrille (Bradette), and by Protodeacon Gregory Maksymiuk.  The Order of the Burial of a Priest followed the Divine Liturgy.  A large choir sang beautifully and compunctionately under the leadership of Michael A Woinowsky-Krieger.  

Afterwards, the body of Archimandrite Cyril was taken directly to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rawdon,_Quebec Rawdon], Québec, and interred in the [http://www.archdiocese.ca/community/st-seraphims-russian-orthodox-cemetery-rawdon-qc Saint Seraphim Cemetery].  

May his memory be eternal.  "Vetchnaya pamyat".  


[[File:Archimandrite Cyril (Bulashevich) Grave and Grave-marker 2.png]]  '''Grave Marker Rawdon''' 



'''Reflections :'''

Many older parishioners at Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral continued to remember Father Cyril fondly.  He was remembered as a man of restraint, focussed on prayer, on the inner prayer life.  He led the life of a real monk.  He did not enter into empty conversations.  He did not communicate with anyone except for need, and he only went to the Temple for services.

After his repose, the cathedral parish continued to give financial support to Father Cyril's sister, Mila, who continued to live in Serbia.  As usual, the parishioners prayerfully recall Father Cyril on the anniversaries of his repose.


==References== 

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/res/publications/TheOrthodoxChurchInCanadaChronology1890-1988.pdf Archdiocese of Canada — Orthodox Church in America, “The Orthodox Church in Canada : A Chronology” (Ottawa : Archdiocese of Canada, 1988).]  

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.

[https://issuu.com/sainttikhons/docs/2013_tikhonaire_complete__reduced_ 2013 "Tikhonaire" : graduation of Hierodeacon Cyril, 1956]

[https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ru&u=http://zarubezhje.narod.ru/kl/K_628.htm&prev=search Article about Archimandrite Cyril on "zarubezhje.narod.ru" (Russian Religious Workers Abroad)]

[http://archbishop-of-ottawa.org/messenger/Com1996-4.7-4.pdf “Canadian Orthodox Messenger”, Autumn 1996]

[http://archbishop-of-ottawa.org/messenger/Com1999-2.10-2.pdf “Canadian Orthodox Messenger”, Spring 1999]

[http://www.mocavo.com/Cyril-Bulashevich-1925-1998-Social-Security-Death-Index/08240832781467575198 Social Security record]

[http://federationgenealogie.qc.ca/bases-de-donnees/avis-de-deces/fiche?avisID=578727 Obituary]  



'''Additional information :'''

[http://books.google.ca/books?id=E0-Aj0dOSuUC&pg=PA516&lpg=PA516&dq=cyril+bulashevich&source=bl&ots=bK2eSpgHQZ&sig=7LQYkc8tU7jt7b1fZeCbfZGlPC4&hl=en&sa=X&ei=d-2zU5T5I9HMsQT1o4LwDw&ved=0CCwQ6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=cyril%20bulashevich&f=false Tlingit customs Kan, Sergei, “Memory Eternal : Tlingit Culture and Russian Orthodox Christianity through Two Centuries” (Washington, WA : University of Washington Press, 2014). ISBN-10 : 0295993863, ISBN-13 : 978-0295993867.]   

[https://www.oca.org/cdn/PDFs/dept-archives/orthodox-christians-na.pdf Stokoe, Mark and Kishkovsky, Leonid, “Orthodox Christians in North America”.]   

[https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Alaska,_Naturalization_Records_-_FamilySearch_Historical_Records Alaska naturalisation records]

[http://vilda.alaska.edu/cdm/search/field/person/searchterm/Bulashevich,%20Cyril,%20Rev/mode/exact Photo of Father Cyril in Saint Michael the Archangel Cathedral, Sitka.]  

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Michael%27s_Cathedral_(Sitka,_Alaska) Wikipedia article about Saint Michael's Cathedral, Sitka]  

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Nicholas_Russian_Orthodox_Church_(Juneau,_Alaska) Wikipedia article about Saint Nicholas Church, Juneau]  

[http://www.doaoca.org/parishes.html?type=details&id=41 Diocese of Alaska listing about the Assumption of the Virgin Mary Church, Kenai, Alaska ]

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Assumption_of_the_Virgin_Mary_Church Wikipedia article about the Assumption of the Virgin Mary Church, Kenai, Alaska]

[https://www.solzhenitsyncenter.org/timeline Solzhenitsyn visited Juneau while Father Cyril was the rector of Saint Nicholas' Church]

[http://www.holyres.org/en/?page_id=68 1978-1984 ‘Hegumen Cyril (Bulashevich)’ in “Holy Resurrection Russian Orthodox Church’s List of Clergy” (in English)]

[http://zarubezhje.narod.ru/kl/K_628.htm ‘1978-1984 Hegumen Cyril (Bulashevich)’ in “Russian Religious Workers Abroad”, « РЕЛИГИОЗНЫЕ ДЕЯТЕЛИ РУССКОГО ЗАРУБЕЖЬЯ » (in Russian)]

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Nazi_Germany Wikipedia article about "Religion in Nazi Germany"] 

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Cathedral_of_St._Michael_the_Archangel_(Sitka,_Alaska) St Michael’s Cathedral in Sitka, Alaska]      

[https://www.oca.org/parishes/oca-ak-sitsmk Diocese of Alaska listing for St Michael’s Cathedral in Sitka, Alaska]   

[https://stmichaelcathedral.org/ Web-site of Saint Michael's Cathedral, Sitka]  

[https://www.oca.org/parishes/oca-ak-junsnc Diocese of Alaska listing for St Nicholas in Juneau]     

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Nicholas_Russian_Orthodox_Church_(Juneau,_Alaska) St Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church in Juneau, Alaska]  

[https://www.stnicholasjuneau.org/ Web-site of Saint Nicholas' Church, Juneau]  

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Assumption_of_the_Virgin_Mary_Church Wikipedia article about the Holy Assumption of the Virgin Mary Church in Kenai, Alaska]  

[https://www.facebook.com/pages/Holy-Assumption-Orthodox-Church/1519244685035775 Facebook reference to Holy Assumption Church, Kenai]

[[Montréal QC Saints Peter and Paul Russian Orthodox Sobor 1907 |Saints Peter and Paul Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Montreal, Quebec]]  

[[Archbishop Sylvester (Haruns)]] with photo of Archimandrite Cyril

[https://www.oca.org/orthodoxy/the-orthodox-faith/church-history/nineteenth-century/relations-between-the-churches-east-and-west “Orthodoxy in America, Part One : From the Russian Mission to the OCA”]  

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Archdiocese_of_Canada The Archdiocese of Canada (OCA)]     

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Orthodox_Church_in_America Orthodoxwiki article about the Orthodox Church in America]       

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Alaska Orthodoxwiki article about Alaska]      

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthodox_Church_in_America Wikipedia article about the Orthodox Church in America]  

[https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/121400535/kyril-bulashevich Findagrave reference for Archimandrite Cyril (Bulashevic)]  

[http://archbishop-of-ottawa.org/messenger/Com1999-2.10-2.pdf 'Archimandrite Cyril Reposes in Montreal' in "Canadian Orthodox Messenger" (Spring, 1999), p. 9.]      






[[Category:Clergy]] [[Category:Monastics]]  [[Category:ROGCCNA]]  [[Category:ADOCA]] [[Category:OCA]]