Arran SK Holy Ascension Ukrainian Orthodox Church and Cemetery 1933-2015

Arran, Saskatchewan, Holy Ascension Ukrainian Orthodox Church and Cemetery, 1936-2015

also known as

Arran-Kobzar Church

or

Arran, Saskatchewan, “Kobzar” Holy Ascension Ukrainian Orthodox Church and Cemetery

General information

The parish of Holy Ascension at Arran, Saskatchewan, Canada, is also known as “Arran-Kobzar”. This suggests that, as is common amongst rural Temples, the Temple has the nickname “Kobzar”.

Usually, this nickname refers to the name of the family that donated the portion of land for the Temple. However, in this case, “Kobzar” is also a term which means “minstrel”, “bard”, and it is said to refer to a book of poetry by Taras Shevchenko. There may be another sort of reference in the nickname. One likely possibility is that the name was associated with the school "Kobzar" which was established thereabouts in 1915. There is also a "Kobzar" district.

It was the custom for new-comers from Eastern Europe and the Balkans to establish a rhythm of family and communal worship and a place in which to gather. Often they began in a house. Then they organised a more appropriate space, although it usually was the case that they tried to construct a Temple as soon as possible. It was also the case in the process of settlement, that a Temple would be constructed in the village, and at least one other Temple in the midst of the homesteads round about in the country-side.

According to "Wikipedia", the region round about Arran was part of the "North Reserve", also known as "Thunder Hill Reserve", one of the block settlement areas allocated for the Doukhobor immigrants who arrived in 1899 from Russia's Trans-Caucasus provinces. The Doukhobor newcomers were numerous, they lived in "communes" instead of owning land privately, and their main language was Russian.

The Doukhobor settlement of "Vosnesinia" (Ascension), on the Swan River northeast of Arran, in the early 1900s.

Removal of the Dukhobors

In 1907, a law was enacted requiring Doukhobor settlers to take oaths that would lead to citizenship and private land ownership, which most of them declined to do. Their lands were ruthlessly confiscated and offered for public sale. Demise of the communes resulted, and mass exodus began to the Kootenays in British Columbia. It was followed by an unprecedented land rush for the vacated farms that were repossessed and released again as homesteads.

Furthermore, after the departure of the Dukhobors to British Columbia, there were left at least 2 cemeteries : "Bogomdannoe" ("Given by God"), and "Khlebodarnoe" (Giver of Bread). In both cases, the cemeteries were obliterated. One was overgrown (markers removed), and another was farmed over (markers removed). The same was the case with "Blagosklonnoe" (Favourable) near Good Spirit Lake and Buchanan, Saskatchewan.

Arran was incorporated as a village on 21 September, 1916.

Surveyor map of Arran, Saskatchewan

Other Temples were established in the region, such as the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Holy Ghost, built in Whitebeech (12.9 km./ 8 mi) north of Arran) in 1933. There, there is also an abandoned Dukhobor cemetery.

Construction of the Temple, 1936

In 1936 (some say 1933), a new Temple was constructed near Arran. The community had been established in 1933. The Temple was located 9.6 km (6 mi) south of Arran on 2 acres (.8 hectare) of homestead land donated by Vasyl and Euphemia Fedchun. It was at that time served by Priest L Diachina, and it was built by local architect Wasyl Huziak and volunteers in 1936.

Because the design of both Temples is almost identical, it is reasonable to consider that this Temple, and Holy Trinity Temple in Arran were constructed by the same architect at about the same time.

It is highly likely that this parish began its life within the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada.

Rural depopulation

As became the case everywhere on the Canadian prairies, during the 1930s, there began a steady reduction in the population. The Great Drought of that decade was a major factor. However, the availability of machines reduced the physical labour required for farming. As a consequence, the process of consolidating and merging of farms began. Subsistence family farming began to fade away.

This process continued steadily after World War II with the development of commercial farming and the establishing of farms as businesses as they became larger and larger units.

Change of status of the UGOCC, 1990

Change of name, 1990

In 1990, the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada was officially renamed “The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada” (UOCC) by an Act of the Parliament of Canada.

Acceptance by the Patriarchate of Constantinople, 1990

In 1990, the 18th Sobor of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada in Winnipeg, Manitoba, decided to enter into Eucharistic Union with the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople (Istanbul). This decision also changed the relationship with the other Orthodox dioceses and parishes in Canada in a positive way.

Provincial cultural site, 1997

In 1997, the Temple of the Holy Ascension at Arran was designated to be a Saskatchewan Cultural Site.

Holy Ascension Temple ; the interior ; the parish hall

Centennial of the UOCC, 2018

In 2018, the 100th anniversary of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada and also of Holy Trinity Cathedral were marked at an extraordinary sobor (assembly) at the cathedral in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

The purpose of the sobor was to celebrate 100 years of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada. The celebrations were attended by Ukrainian Orthodox faithful from across Canada and beyond.

The Sobor began on Thursday, 9 August, 2018, with a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy in the Chapel of Saint Petro Mohyla Institute, presided by Bishop Andriy (Peshko) of the Eastern Eparchy, with the responses sung by the Clergy led by Father Michael Lomaszkiewicz. This was followed by an All-Canada Clergy Conference.

Centennial Clergy Conference

All gathered for Vespers at the Mohyla Institute Chapel and this was followed by a wine and cheese reception as the delegates and guests registered for the Extraordinary National Council.

The celebrations continued for a year.

2020-2021 Coronavirus-19 virus restrictions on parishes

In early 2020, the Covid-19 virus made its appearance in Canada, and it quickly became a world-wide pandemic. Because of the rules governing gatherings that were laid down by the provincial and city governments, the parish stopped any further services after 8 March, 2020. Including the rules regarding social distancing, the decreasing numbers permitted for any gathering, and the considerations regarding the health of all concerned, this and other parishes were required to close for a time.

As elsewhere, there was some controversy about the legal requirements.

Official closure, 2015

In 2015, after recognition that there were no longer sufficient people to serve, a representative cleric of the UOCC made an official "De-consecration" of the Temple itself.

Regardless, on special occasions, services are offered on the property, and the cemetery receives additional interments as required.

Election of Metropolitan Ilarion (Rudnyk), 2022

Election of a nominee by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada

On 15-19 June, 2022, the 24th Sobor of the Ukrainian Orthodox of Canada was convened "on-line". This conference-meeting was convened thus instead of convening physically (as customarily) in Winnipeg, Manitoba. There were 6 cathedrals in Canada where this meeting took place simultaneously through a computer-network : in Winnipeg, Manitoba (Holy Trinity Metropolitan Cathedral) ; Vancouver, British Columbia (Holy Trinity Cathedral) ; in Edmonton, Alberta (Saint John's Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral) ; in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (Holy Trinity Cathedral) ; in Toronto, Ontario (Saints Vladimir and Olga Cathedral) ; in Montréal, Québec (Saint Sophie Cathedral).

There was a total of 205 delegates, which was near the average attendance for such sobors.

In the course of the work of the Sobor, there was the necessary election in order to nominate to the Holy Synod of the Church of Constantinople a candidate for election as Archbishop of Winnipeg and Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, who would succeed the Retired Metropolitan Yurij (Kalistchuk).

There were 3 candidates who were considered : Archbishop Job (Getcha), Bishop Ilarion (Rudnyk), and Bishop Andriy (Peshko). The final choice of the members of the sobor was Archbishop Job (Getcha). He had received more than the minimum required 51% of the votes, and there was no subsequent voting required.

The election by the Sobor (Assembly) of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada then had to be confirmed by the Holy Synod of Bishops of Constantinople (as is described in the Consistory By-laws).

Upon having received the nomination (with accompanying documents) from the Sobor of the UOCC, the Holy Synod of the Church of Constantinople elected Vladyka Ilarion (Rudnyk) to become Archbishop of Winnipeg and Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Canada.

The Holy Synod of the Church of Constantinople elected Archbishop Job (Getcha) to become Metropolitan of Pisidia, in west-central Türkiye (Turkey), north of Lycia, and east of Ephesus.

Confirmation of election in Constantinople/Istanbul, 2022

On 29 August, 2022, Vladyka Ilarion (Rudnyk) was at the Phanar in Constantinople for the purpose of the first confirmation of the election in June, 2022. He co-served the Divine Liturgy with Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis) in the Cathedral of Saint George at the Phanar.

Enthronement as Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, 2022

On Saturday, 19 November, 2022, at 9:30 a.m., in Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the Enthronement Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was served. Metropolitan Ilarion (Rudnyk) presided at the Divine Liturgy. He was assisted by Bishop Andriy (Peshko), many priests, several deacons, subdeacons and Altar-servers. Present also were Metropolitan Archbishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas), Exarch of Canada for the Patriarchate of Constantinople, and Retired Metropolitan Yurij (Kalistchuk), Former Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada.

Metropolitan Ilarion (Rudnyk) at the Phanar, Istanbul, 2023

On Sunday, 2 July, 2023, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis) was present and praying during the Divine Liturgy at Saint George's Cathedral in the Patriarchate compound. He gave the blessing that Metropolitan Ilarion (Rudnyk) preside ("horostasia") over the Divine Liturgy. Metropolitan Job (Getcha) of Pisidia, Bishop Athenagoras (Ziliaskopoulos) of Nazianzos, and the Honourable Roman Nedilskyi, General Consul of Ukraine in Constantinople were also present and praying with the congregation of the Faithful.

Change of calendar for the UOCC, 2023

On 1 December, 2023, in accordance with the resolutions of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, Metropolitan Ilarion II (Rudnyk) announced that, effective that day, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada moved to use the New (Revised Julian) Calendar. He allowed that for a brief period of time, a parish might remain on the Old (Julian) Calendar.

It seems that subsequently, John's Cathedral in Edmonton, Alberta, was the first to adopt the New (Revised Julian) Calendar.

However, a previously-existing group of persons began to encourage resistance to the immediacy of this change. It was their understanding that the process would be determined ultimately and finally at the next general sobor of the UOCC. Therefore, on 16 December, 2023, Metropolitan Ilarion issued a formal letter concerning the situation, together with a letter of support sent to him by his predecessor (Retired Metropolitan Yurij (Kalistchuk)). He called the resisters to repentance.

Holy Ascension “Vosneseniye” Ukrainian Orthodox Cemetery

In the Holy Ascension cemetery, which has no available address, it seems that there are only 2 memorials (of a couple who were born in 1850, but whose dates of repose are not indicated), and there is no indication about any other interments (although there probably are some). The 2 who are listed are Alexei and Anastasia Negraeff, who are both indicated to have been born in 1850. The spelling of the surname is quite similar to the manner used by the Russian Doukhobors. It may be presumed that their reposes took place before 1950.

The cemetery is sometimes listed as “Vosneseniye” Ukrainian Orthodox Cemetery. “Vosneseniye” is a Slavonic word that means "Ascension".

In 2024, there are 2 known interments in the cemetery.

Holy Ascension Ukrainian Orthodox Cemetery

RM Saint Philips No. 301, Saskatchewan

S0A 0B0

Priests who have served in this parish include :

 Priest L Diachina		1936-1940
 Priest Michael Bodnarchuk	1940-1942
 Priest William Oponiuk		1943-1945
 Priest John Mayba		1945-1949
 Priest Kost Zaleskewich	1950-1952
 Priest Fred Leheniuk		1952-1956
 Priest Harry Krystanowich	1957
 Priest Peter Zubryski		1958-1959
 Priest Steve Hredil		1960-1965
 Priest Jaroslaw Puk		1966-1968
 Priest Ambrosi Chrustawka	1969-1974
 Priest Paul Shadursky		1975-1977
 Priest Peter Krywych		1978-1979
 Priest Eugene Stefaniuk	1980-1988
 Priest M Sidorski		1988
 Priest Victor Lemoskewich	1988-1993
 Priest Michael Kopchuk		1994-1996
 Priest Victor Stajkowski	1996-1997
 Priest John Petruchuk		1995-____

Particular parish information

This parish is part of the Canora-Kamsack-Swan River Region of the Central Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada. The bishop is Metropolitan Ilarion II (Rudnyk).

This parish follows the Old (Julian) Calendar.

The Altar Feast-day of the parish is the Feast of the Holy Ascension.

For information regarding this parish, contact Archpriest Michael Faryna : fr.mfaryna@icloud.com

Holy Ascension Ukrainian Orthodox Church

RM Saint Philips No. 301, Saskatchewan

(Arran, Saskatchewan)

S0A 0B0

Archpriest Michael Farina

Telephone : (306) 563-5153, (306) 601-9043

Telephone : (306) 563-5603

E-mail : fr.mfaryna@icloud.com

References

Archdiocese of Canada — Orthodox Church in America, “The Orthodox Church in Canada : A Chronology” (Ottawa : Archdiocese of Canada, 1988).

Martynowych, Orest T, “Ukrainians in Canada : The Formative Years, 1891-1924” (Edmonton : Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies Press, University of Alberta, 1991).

“The Russian Mission in North America”

Additional information :

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.

Holy Ascension Ukrainian Orthodox parish listing

Orthodox World listing

Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada

Holy Ascension Ukrainian Orthodox Church : Canada’s Historic Places

Wikipedia article about the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada

Arran, the Settlement on the Plains

Central Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada

Church of Constantinople web-site