Gibsons BC Holy Theophany Mission 2015

Gibson’s Landing (Gibsons), British Columbia, Holy Theophany Mission, 2015

Prehistory

Gibson's Landing

The history of the town of Gibsons, British Columbia, Canada, was established in 1886 by George Gibson and his sons. It was incorporated in 1929 as “Gibson's Landing”, and in 1947 the name was changed to “Gibsons” at the request of the residents.

The town is divided into the seaside area known as “Lower Gibsons”, and a more elevated area known as “Upper Gibsons”. “Lower Gibsons” is mostly residential, but it has some restaurants, shops and a harbour with a marina. It includes “Molly’s Reach”, a restaurant which was founded in association with the building's prominence in a television series, “The Beachcombers”. “Upper Gibsons”, which is clustered along Highway #101, contains the more commercial areas of town, and the high school.

Holy Transfiguration Hermitage

The prehistory of the Holy Theophany Mission in Gibson’s Landing (Gibsons), British Columbia, is directly related with the history of the Hermitage of the Holy Transfiguration (1977/1999/2015).

The Hermitage of the Holy Transfiguration was first established by Hieromonk Gregory (Papazian) in Rawdon, Québec in 1977, with the blessing of Archbishop Sylvester (Haruns). After a few years, because he was living as a hermit and he needed solitude (Rawdon is and was an active town), he moved to a wooded area near the top of La Colline des Porcs near Fitch Bay, Québec, in the Eastern Townships. Hieromonk Gregory built a hermitage with the help of his brother Pierre Papazian, and he lived there for nearly 20 years. During this time, there were 2 monks who had been able to live with him and to follow his very austere way of life (based on the Fathers of the Egyptian Desert). The first was Monk Raphael (Vereshack), who went to the USA after some years, and then moved as a priestmonk to Western Canada. Later, Father Gregory was joined by Monk Samuel (Panchuk), who was later ordained to the Holy Diaconate (2007), and then to the Holy Priesthood (2010).

In 1998, Igumen Gregory (Papazian) fell ill. With the blessing of Bishop Seraphim (Storheim), he closed the hermitage, and he went to Europe for a time. However, despite his hopes, his health worsened, and it only improved upon his return to Canada.

Hermitage moved to British Columbia, establishment at Gibson’s Landing, 1999

Again in Canada, Igumen Gregory and Father Samuel moved to British Columbia (with the blessing of Bishop Seraphim), and shortly thereafter in 1999 to Gibson’s. It was there that they were able to purchase a property together with a local Orthodox Christian family, and it was there that they built the next hermitage. After a little time, they were joined by Monk Moses (Schneider). Many others have tried their vocation in this hermitage, but the monks have remained at the number 3 for some time.

During the 15 years of their life and witness at Gibson’s Landing (at 160, Williamson’s Landing Road), the monks received more and more visitors at the services which were offered in their chapel. Many were Orthodox Christians who lived nearby, and very many were visitors from Vancouver, the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, and elsewhere. Some of the visitors and neighbours converted to the Orthodox Christian Faith through their contact with the monks. The frequency and length of some visits became so great that the monastic life and daily rhythm of the monks came to be in danger of collapsing. Therefore, the monks protected themselves with a fence and with limited hours in which they could receive visitors. In this way, they were able to maintain a balance of work, prayer and hospitality which is necessary to promote unceasing prayer (see 1 Thessalonians 5:17).

Move to Lone Butte, 2015

Then, in 2015, it became necessary to sell the property in Gibson’s Landing, since the co-owning family was forced to sell because of health concerns. Upon the rather rapid sale, the monks had to leave and find a property which they could afford on their own. This was near Lone Butte, about 456 km (284 mi) to the northeast of Vancouver. There, it was required that the monks once again (with the help of friends) construct their cells, chapel and work-space.

However, the departure of the hermits left the people who lived in and round about Gibsons bereft of a spiritual home.

Establishing the Holy Theophany Mission, 2015

At the time of the departure of the monks from Gibsons, the Faithful decided that they must attempt to regroup (as it were) and to organise themselves into a regularly worshipping community. They appealed to the bishop for the blessing of their intentions.

In 2015, with the blessing of Archbishop Irénée (Rochon), Mitred Archpriest Michael Fourik (the dean of the British Columbia & Yukon Deanery of the Archdiocese of Canada) established the Holy Theophany Mission of Gibsons in order to care for the Orthodox Christians who live in the region of the Sechelt Peninsula (northwest of Vancouver, along the Sunshine Coast).

Two meeting places

Those of the residents of the Gibsons region who were ready to participate in the continuation of a visible Orthodox Christian presence (including a family that had moved to Gibsons from central Canada in retirement, in order to be near the monks) began to meet on a weekly basis at the private prayer-chapel of Nun Anna (Barkham) at the Hermitage of Saint Nicholas of Myra. There, they would offer Vespers, the Hours, and the "Obednitsa" (Typical Psalms, Typica). For them all, this was a very sharp contrast from the regular weekly and weekday services which they previously could attend at the Transfiguration Hermitage, and it required a substantial interior adjustment.

Mitred Archpriest Michael Fourik

At first, Father Michael Fourik would visit the mission at least monthly, and he would serve the Divine Liturgy for them.

In this case, the mission rented Chaster House in Gibsons for that purpose. Later, the hall suffered from flooding and other damage, and became not useable. Although parking was not plentiful, the site offered adequate space for worship and fellowship, and also a beautiful view at shore-level of the Georgia Strait. However, after the damage occurred, there was no nearby parking available.

Priest Aleksey Isakov

Then, for a time, Priest Aleksey Isakov was assigned to serve this community. Eventually, he was transferred to other assignments.

Archpastoral visit, 2016

On Wednesday, 28 September, 2016, Archbishop Irénée (Rochon) made an archpastoral visit to the Holy Theophany Mission Station and to the Saint Nicholas of Myra Hermitage, Gibsons, BC. This took place in the midst of a week-long visit to communities of the British Columbia Deanery.

Archpriest Kaleeg J Hainsworth

Then in 2018, Priest Kaleeg John Hainsworth was assigned to serve this community. From the beginning, he was able to serve the mission only once monthly because of other work commitments.

However, in order to compensate for his physical absence, he proposed other means for communicating with the parishioners through the internet on a regular and more frequent basis.

The community rented space at a local seaside multi-purpose facility, "Chaster House" for the services. As mentioned previously, the hall was closed after damage from flooding.

Vespers at Chaster House

Divine Liturgy at Chaster House

Chaster House from the road

Chaster House access door

One meeting place, 2020

From the beginning, the members of the community embraced with hope in the Lord the many challenges of a difficult beginning. It was not long before the Lord blessed the little community with a more suitable and devoted meeting place. This was at a local Protestant church chapel.

Covid-19 Pandemic closures, 2020

However, in 2020, as the year progressed, the activity of the Covid-19 Virus in Canadian society produced legal and other restrictions on the number of persons who could at any time gather. This fact caused a reduction in the frequency of meeting for the Holy Transfiguration Mission in Gibsons. Moreover, the newly-acquired meeting Protestant space became unavailable, because of the virus regulations.

Nevertheless, the mission continued to develop under the protection of Holy Resurrection Russian Orthodox Sobor in Vancouver, British Columbia, and its rector, Mitred Archpriest Michael Fourik.

Another long-term site for the mission, 2020

Later in 2020, it became possible for the mission to gather at the Frank West Fire Hall at 1224, Chaster Road in Gibsons. Since that time, this place remained a convenient place for the services.

Frank West Fire Hall

Priest Peter Choi, 2022

On 24 March, 2022, Archbishop Irénée (Rochon) ordained Deacon Peter Choi to the Holy Priesthood. Deacon Peter had been attached to the parish of Saint John of Shanghai in Vancouver.

Then, after ordination, Priest Peter Choi was given the pastoral responsibility of the Holy Theophany Mission in Gibsons. In addition, he continued helping in both Holy Resurrection Sobor, and in the Saint John of Shanghai parish when he is needed.

Priest Peter Choi giving a homily

More parish details

Attendees come from all parts of the Sunshine Coast : Langdale, Gibsons, Roberts Creek, Halfmoon Bay, Pender Harbour, Egmont, Powell River, and even from the Mainland.

Visitors include travellers, and people who are interested in the Orthodox Christian Faith.

A weekly Newsletter is published with times and dates of upcoming services, including the Epistle and Gospel readings for each Sunday, and a homily. To be included on the mailing list please email a request to Mother Anna at : annebarkham@hotmail.com.

Those who wish to join the mailing list of the mission may request enrolment at annebarkham@hotmail.com.

Parishioners, 2024

Particular Mission information

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

This mission follows the New (Revised Julian) Calendar.

The Altar Feast-day of this mission is the Feast of the Holy Theophany (Baptism of Christ), 6 January.

In 2025, the pastor of the mission is Priest Peter Choi.

Place of worship address :

Frank West Fire Hall

1224, Chaster Road

Gibsons, British Columbia

V0N 1V4

Mailing Address :

Holy Theophany Mission

c/o Mother Anna (Barkham)

116, Williamson Landing Road

Gibsons, British Columbia

V0N 1V6

Web-site

Parish Contact :

Mother Anna (Barkham)

E-mail : annebarkham@hotmail.com

Directions :

Please contact the priest or the parish contact for information in advance.

Although Gibsons is on the British Columbia mainland, it is not accessible by road. Vehicle access, which covers a total of 44 km (27 mi), is by BC Ferries from Horseshoe Bay at West Vancouver, a 40-minute crossing to Langdale on the Sunshine Coast. Consult the web-site for crossing schedules. There is bus service from Vancouver to Horseshoe Bay (a distance of 25 km or 15.5 mi), and a person may pay to walk onto the ferry. The destination is Langdale. Be careful not to take a ferry to another destination.

The Town of Gibsons is also accessible by water, by float plane to the harbour, and by small aircraft to Sechelt Airport, approximately 20 km (13 mi) northwest of Gibsons.

From Langdale to the meeting place (Frank West Fire Hall) :

Upon debarking from the ferry, drive straight on after the intersection, upon the Sunshine Coast Highway (BC Highway #101) North. Drive westwards, After 2.4 km, turn left in order to remain on Highway #101/Stewart Road. Then bear right, continuing on Highway #101/North Road. Then bear right (west) onto Highway #101/Gibsons Way. After 1.2 km, turn left (south) onto Pratt Road. On Pratt Road, drive 1.6 km, and then turn right (west) onto Chaster Road. Drive on Chaster Road, and the hall is on the right. If you come to King Road, you have gone too far (the total distance is 8.6 km).

Priest Peter Choi

Telephone : 604-218-8145

E-mail : fr.peter.t.choi@gmail.com

References

Archdiocese listing

OCA listing

Additional information :

Archdiocese of Canada web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about the Archdiocese of Canada

Archdiocese of Canada listing for Holy Transfiguration Hermitage, Lone Butte, British Columbia

The Orthodox Church in America web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about The Orthodox Church in America

Archbishop Irénée (Rochon)

Mitred Archpriest Michael Fourik

Priest Aleksey Isakov

Archpriest Kaleeg J Hainsworth

Priest Peter T Choi

Holy Resurrection Russian Orthodox Sobor, Vancouver

Holy Transfiguration Hermitage, Lone Butte, BC

Saint Nicholas of Myra Hermitage, Gibsons

Chaster House, Gibsons

The Theophany of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ

Canadian Encyclopaedia article about Gibsons

Wikipedia article about Gibsons

Town of Gibsons web-site

Article about Gibsons, Sunshine Coast web-site

Visit of Archbishop Irénée (Rochon) to the Holy Theophany Mission Station and the St Nicholas of Myra Hermitage, Gibsons, BC (28 September, 2016)