Archbishop Seraphim (Storheim) 60th Birthday Commemorations Jan 24-25, 2006

Hierarchs, clergy and faithful representing three jurisdictions and five provinces of Canada gathered at St. Herman’s Orthodox Sobor, Edmonton, Alberta for a Service of Thanksgiving and banquet on January 24th, and a Pontifical Divine Liturgy on January 25th (Bishop Seraphim’s actual birthday).

His Grace, NIKON, Bishop of Boston, New England and the Albanian Archdiocese brought congratulations and blessings from the Holy Synod of Bishops, retired hierarchs, clergy, monastics and faithful of the Orthodox Church in America through a letter from His Beatitude, Metropolitan HERMAN.

His Grace, Job, Bishop of Kashira and Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada of the Russian Orthodox Church brought heartfelt greetings to Vladyka from His Holiness, Patriarch Alexei II of Moscow and All-Rus’.

His Grace, Metropolitan-Elect JOHN of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada delivered a warm tribute to Bishop SERAPHIM.

Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Canada, Archpriest Dennis Pihach, brought special greetings from OCA Chancellor, Protopresbyter Robert S. Kondratick and birthday cards from all the parishes of Canada.

The choir of St. Herman’s Sobor joyfully participated in the services.

Guests were numerous, joining twenty-one clergy in attendance of the occasion.

Igumen Nestor (Mikhailetcho) of the St. Seraphim of Sarov Mission, Toronto, with Matushka Oksana and Father Vasyl Kolega of central Alberta and Father Oleg Razumov of Winnipeg.

Banquet organizer, Katherine Ewanchuk of Edmonton with guests, Katherine Tikon, parishioner from Suchava, Alberta and Katherine Szalasznyj, Archdiocesan Archivist of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Matushka Myra and Archpriest Larry Reinheimer of St. Peter the Aleut Church, Calgary.

Father John Hainsworth of All Saints of Alaska Orthodox Church and St. Arseny of Konevits Mission, Victoria, British Columbia served as Master of Ceremonies for the evening.

In honor of Bishop Seraphim’s Scottish roots, Fr. John in full kilt offered His Grace a haggis, as his birthday coincides with Robbie Burns Day.

A mirthful evening of fellowship followed with reflections by various clergy, a guitar solo by Rod Tkatchuk of Edmonton (he sang two of his compositions, O-O-O Canada and 64), and a Power Point “Walk Through the Years” - by Dianne Storheim, sister of His Grace and humorist.

Very Reverend Oleg Kirillov of Christ the Savior Sobor, Toronto congratulated Bishop SERAPHIM.

Reader Jordan Eriksson, Father John Hainsworth and Matthew Francis, Father Lawrence Farley gave a lively addresses. God Grant You Many Years - was sung in both of Canada’s official languages for His Grace.

On January 25th, the faithful gathered for Holy Liturgy. After the service, a luncheon at the Continental Inn brought the celebration to a joyful conclusion.

Photo Albums from the Birthday Commemorations for Vladyka SERAPHIM
Jan 24-25, 2006 60th Birthday Commemorations for Vladyka SERAPHIM
Jan 24, 2006 Walk Through the Years presentation for Bishop Seraphim 60th birthday