Canora SK Apostle Andrew the First-Called Orthodox Church 2004

Canora, SK, Church of the Apostle Andrew, the First-Called, 2004, 2009

Founding the community, 2004/2009

Saint Andrew’s Church in Canora, Saskatchewan, Canada, was established as a mission in June, 2009. It grew out of the previously-established Mission Station of All Saints of North America (established in 2004), of the Archdiocese of Canada of The Orthodox Church in America. It had been served by both the Archpriest Rodion Luciuk, and the Archpriest Andrew Piasta from Saint Mark’s Orthodox Church in Yorkton (about 50 km (30 mi) south of Canora).

First rented site

Initially, the mission met in the local Anglican church, which was dedicated to Saint George (which was part of the Anglican Diocese of Qu'Appelle). Then, following a major change in the service schedules of the Anglican community, the mission community had to search for another place of worship.

Second rented site

Faced with losing their place of worship because of changed circumstances, the mission received blessing from Archbishop Nathaniel (Popp) to make its home in the Temple of Saints Peter and Paul, a rural parish of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America just on the outskirts of Canora.

Then, with the blessing of Archbishop Nathaniel (Popp), the mission community then undertook making extensive renovations to the Temple and the adjacent hall. This Temple had been sanctified in 1935 by Bishop Polycarp (Moruşca) of Detroit (Michigan).

In the autumn of 2013, Father Andrew Piasta retired, and this ended a chapter in this mission's life. However, it also began a new one. Having trusted in the Lord from the beginning, and being blessed with a loving pastor in Father Andrew, a building, and resources to renovate it, this community now trusts that the Lord will provide for them as they continue to live out the "Great Commission" (see Saint Matthew 18:16-20) in eastern Saskatchewan.

The Dean of Manitoba-Saskatchewan of the Archdiocese of Canada, Priest Gregory Scratch, made a decanal pastoral visit to the parish in 2013 for the Feast-day of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-called.

He reported about the retirement of the Archpriest Andrew Piasta, and how this retirement ended a major chapter in the life of the mission. He also noted that the parishioners had, from the beginning, trusted in the Lord, and how having been blessed with the loving pastor care of Father Andrew, they received a building, and the resources to renovate it. Now, he said, the mission had to trust that the Lord will provide for them under the guidance of Igumen Vladimir (Lysak), who was helping to serve the community. He was also writing iconography for the iconostas.

Archpriest Andrew Piasta

After this retirement, the community was placed directly under the guidance of the Archpriest Rodion Luciuk of Saint Mark's Church in Yorkton. In 2016, the membership of the parish consisted of more than 30 households. The liturgical language was English.

In 2016, the mission parish was elevated to the status of a church/parish.

The community's parishioners proceeded with further improvements to the structure of the Temple at a steady rate during several years.

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.

By this time, the health of Archpriest Andrew Piasta had improved, and he was given the blessint to return to serving the Parish of Saint Andrew.

Archpastoral visitation, 2022

On 2 June, 2022, the Feast of the Ascension of Christ, in the afternoon, Archbishop Irénée (Rochon) made an archpastoral visitation to the parish of Saint Andrew. He was accompanied by Archpriest Rodion Luciuk, Archpriest Gregory Scratch, Archpriest Andrew Piasta, and Deacon Dmitrij Goncharov. On this occasion, they met and prayed together with Archbishop Nathaniel (Popp) and Bishop Andrei (Hoarste) of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America of The Orthodox Church in America.

In the report about this visit, it was stated that

 This community is unique in that this church was built by Romanian settlers in 1903 and consecrated
 by Archbishop Polycarp (Moruşca), yet shares the building with the mission of Saint Andrew the 
 First Called (since 2004).  A Moleben of Thanksgiving was served, and their new iconostas and icons 
 were blessed by His Eminence Archbishop Nathaniel of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America, 
 with the Archpriest Andrew Piasta.  Following the service a Trisagion for the departed founders was 
 served and their graves were blessed.  His Grace Bishop Andrei of Cleveland led the singing for 
 this service.

A memorial service, led by Archbishop Nathaniel, was also offered at the cemetery near the Temple.

Archpriest Andrew Piasta, censing

Archbishop Nathaniel, blessing

Archbishop Nathaniel, Archbishop Irénée, Bishop Andrei, Archpriest Gregory, Archpriest Rodion, Archpriest Andrew, and others, after the service of blessing and thanksgiving

The bishops at the cemetery

Particular parish information

The intention of this community is, first, to proclaim the Gospel and to give witness to the Orthodox Christian Faith through the Christian life of the members. In doing so, it is hoped that this community will be able to reach out and to try to bring back the many Orthodox Christians in the area who have fallen away from the Church. In addition, this community tries to share the Orthodox Faith with those outside the Church who are seeking the true life in Christ.

This parish is a part of the Deanery of Saskatchewan-Manitoba-Nunavut, of the Archdiocese of Canada, of The Orthodox Church in America. The dean is the Archpriest Gregory Scratch. The bishop is Archbishop Irénée (Rochon).

This parish follows the New (Revised Julian) Calendar.

The Altar Feast-day of this parish is the Feast of the Apostle Andrew, 30 November.

The Altar Feast-day of this Temple is the Feast of the Apostles Peter and Paul, 29 June.

In 2025 the parish is served primarily by Archpriest Andrew Piasta with supplement by Archpriest Rodion Luciuk of Yorkton.

Address/Directions :

The Town of Canora is situated north of the junction of Highways #5 and #9, 50 km (30 mi) north of Yorkton, Saskatchewan.

The Orthodox Temple of Saint Andrew the First-Called is situated on the southern edge of Canora, on Highway #5, Canora ½ km (.3 mi) east of the junctions of Highways #5 and #9 ("Saskota Route").

From the south (Yorkton) :

Drive on Highway #9 north to Canora. Before entering Canora, turn right (east) at the intersection of Highways #9 and #5. Drive approximately ½ km. The Temple is on the south side of Highway #5. The drive takes approximately 35 minutes.

From the east (Kamsack) :

Drive on Highway #5 west to Canora. After about 63.5 km (39 mi), the Temple is found on the south side of Highway #5, just before entering Canora. The drive takes approximately 25 minutes.

The mailing address of the parish is that of the priest.

Archpriest Rodion Luciuk

10, Circlebrooke Drive

Yorkton, Saskatchewan

S3N 2T1

Telephone : 306-782-2482

E-mail : fatherrod@sasktel.net

Archpriest Andrew Piasta

72 Newfield Place

Yorkton, Saskatchewan

S3N 2M9

Telephhone : 306-782-0113