Archpriest Alexander, Matushka Antonina Miroshnichenko

Archpriest Alexander Miroshnichenko (1878-1964)

and

Matushka Antonina Miroshnichenko (18__-19__)

Alexander may be spelt Alexandre, Aleksandr.

Miroshnichenko may be spelt Miroshnitchenko, Mirochnitchenko.

(Based on the article in the Parish Newsletter of the Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral in Montréal, Québec, 1964)

Early life of Alexander Miroshnichenko

On 6 August, 1878, Father Alexander was born into a religious and patriarchal family in Western Crimea, which was at that time in the Russian Empire.

His father was the manager (“khozyain”, manager with high authority) of an estate near Yevpatoria, an ancient Greek settlement (Eupatoria) at the north end of Kalamita Bay.

Alexander was baptised and chrismated, and raised as an Orthodox Christian within the bosom of the Russian Orthodox Church. He received his primary and secondary education in his home region.

Higher education

After his graduation from high school, Alexander entered the Churuyevo Military School.

Military service

Upon graduation, he became an officer in the rank of second lieutenant in the 125th Kursk Infantry Regiment, stationed in Rovno, Volyn Province.

World War I, 1914

In 1914, World War I began. The Russian Empire, a member of the Entente was with the other members at war with the Central Powers (the German Empire, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and Kingdom of Bulgaria.

With the rank of staff captain, Alexander went to war with the regiment. For his distinction, he was promoted to the rank of captain (“sotnik”), and he was awarded the Cross of Saint Vladimir with Swords.

In 1916, due to illness, Captain Alexander Miroshnichenko was transferred to Kiev, and to the Konstantinovsk Military Infantry School, as a company commander.

Bolshevik Revolution, 1919

In 1919, the February Revolution brought about the fall of the monarchy in the Russian Empire. The October Revolution of the Bolsheviks overthrew the empire, and introduced the Marxist-Leninist Communist system which was developed thereafter.

Thus began the Russian Civil War between the Communists and the White Movement. Alexander Miroshinchenko participated in the White Army that attempted to restore the empire.

Displacement

At the end of 1919, Alexander was in Rostov-on-Don in the Novocherkassk Governorate.

There, he was appointed as an educator in the Vladikavkaz Cadet Corps, with which he was evacuated to Yalta.

Emigration, exile, 1920

Then, with the Crimean Cadet Corps formed there, he was evacuated to the Kingdom of the Slovenes, the Croats, and the Serbs (Yugoslavia).

Marriage

At some time during these years, Alexander met his future wife Antonina, and they were crowned in marriage.

Subsequently, they received from the Lord 2 sons, Nikolai, and Konstantin.

Theological education

While he was in Yugoslavia, Alexander received the blessing to do so, and he began theological studies in order to prepare for ordination.

Ordinations

In 1926, Alexander was ordained to the Holy Diaconate, and then to the Holy Priesthood by Metropolitan Anthony (Khrapovitsky) in Yugoslavia (Serbia).

Pastoral service

Priest Alexander Miroshnichenko was assigned to serve a Serbian parish.

In 1941 Father Alexander was assigned by Metropolitan Anastasy (Gribanovsky) to the Russian parish in Bechkerel, where he remained until 1950, when the communist government of Mr. J Tito began its persecution of Russians. Then he asked for the blessing to leave Yugoslavia.

With the assistance of Bishop Leonty (Bartashevich) of Geneva, Father Alexander received a temporary assignment to the former Versailles Cadet Corps in France. Afterwards, he received a parish assignment in Ozoir, where he served for 3 years.

In October, 1953, his eldest son, Nikolai Alexandrovich (who had already emigrated to Canada), sponsored his immigration to Canada. His son Konstantin had also already emigrated to Canada. Even in the context of the sponsorship, their aim to bring their parents to Canada was thwarted for some time because of the advanced age of the parents.

Transfer to Canada

Eventually, having received the blessing for the transfer and the travel, Father Alexander, Matushka Antonina emigrated from Europe, and they sailed across the Atlantic Ocean to Canada. When they landed, they settled in Montréal, Québec.

There, Father Alexander served 1 year in the Synodal Church (ROCOR) of Saint Nicholas in Montréal.

Saint Nicholas Church, Montréal

After that, he transferred to the American “Metropolia”.

Father Alexander served in the Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral in Montréal, Québec, along with the rector, Archpriest Oleg Boldireff. In addition to his pastoral work at the cathedral, he travelled to various missionary communities, but most particularly to that of Holy Trinity (of which he was the first pastor) in Québec City, Québec.

Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral, Montréal

Holy Trinity Anglican Cathedral, site of Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church, Québec City

From 1961, Father Alexander suffered an increase in illness due to heart disease. Unable to carry on in pastoral responsibility, he was given a medical leave of absence.

Repose, 1964

On Monday, 29 June, 1964, Archpriest Alexander Miroshnichenko fell asleep in the Lord in Montréal, Québec.

Very early in the morning of 29 June, his condition had deteriorated sharply. It became urgently necessary to transfer the patient to the hospital. At Father Alexander’s urgent request, Father Kirill Fotiev was called to the hospital. He administered the Holy Mysteries to Father Alexander. Despite all the efforts of the doctors, it was not possible to save Father Alexander. At 10 o’clock in the morning, he reposed in Christ. Father Kirill was with the dying man, and he read the “Canon for the Departure of the Soul”.

On Tuesday, 20 June, 1964, Father Kirill vested the newly-departed Archpriest Alexander in full vestments, and he performed the rite of “placing in the coffin”.

On Wednesday, 21 June, 1964, the coffin with the body of Father Alexander was brought to Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral in Montréal. In the evening, a Panikhida (Memorial Service) was served for the newly-departed Archpriest Alexander. Many of the spiritual children and admirers of the late priest gathered for this.

On Thursday, 2 July, 1964, the Memorial Divine Liturgy was served at Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral. Afterwards, the Funeral Service for the Burial of Presbyter was served for the newly-departed Archpriest Alexander Miroshnichenko.

As before, m any of the spiritual children and admirers of the late priest gathered for these service, including representatives from the community in Québec City, which Father Alexander had served until his health forced him to retire. During the funeral service, Father Alexander’s coffin was covered with a tricolor (Russian) flag. Despite the fact that it was a weekday, a full choir gathered for the funeral service. It was led by the regent (director) A A Kaminsky.

In his homily, Father Kirill Fotiev said that during the first half of his life, the deceased served his earthly fatherland with the rank of officer. Then, in emigration, the Lord led him to serve the heavenly fatherland. He said also that not only with his words, but with his whole life, Father Alexander had led his spiritual children towards this heavenly, ageless fatherland, in which the Lord had now prepared for him a crown of glory.

After the end of the funeral service, while the choir was singing the irmos “Helper and Protector”, the coffin was carried out of the Saint Peter and Paul Cathedral.

After the conclusion of the funeral obsequies, the coffin with the body of Archpriest Alexander Miroshnichenko was taken to Mont-Royal Cemetery in Montréal, where a Funeral Litiya was performed over the grave where his body was interred.

Reflections

Archpriest Alexander Miroshnichenko served the Lord faithfully throughout his life in every capacity. His personal attitude was such that he was an attentive and loving pastor. People responded to his love with love.

Later, the parish newsletter’s published obituary concluded with the following :

 Expressing our heartfelt sympathy to the matushka, sons, and relatives of the 
 late Father Alexander, let us pray to the Lord that He may give rest to His 
 faithful servant in the abode of the righteous.

Award

Cross of Saint Vladimir with Swords