Dickie Bush AB †Hermitage of Prophet Elias 1955-2022

Dickie Bush, Alberta, †Hermitage of Prophet Elias (1955, 2010-2022)'

Pochaev may be spelt Pochaiv.

Foundation of the community

The original monks, under the leadership of the first abbot, Archimandrite Germogen (Cherkashin) (1891-1985), were derived originally from the Saint Job of Pochaev brotherhood (known as the Holy Dormition Pochaev Lavra in Ukraine), by way of the Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, New York.

In about 1955, Bishop Vitaly (Ustinov) of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR) arrived in Alberta, Canada, with the monks of the Saint Job of Pochaev Brotherhood. The Skete of the Holy Dormition was established at Grenada, near Wildwood (west of Edmonton), and the Skete of the Prophet Elias was established northeast of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, (near Dickie Bush/Smoky Lake).

In 1957, Bishop Vitaly was unexpectedly transferred to Montréal, Québec, in order to become the Archbishop of all Canada in the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR). His brotherhood likewise moved away with him.

They left behind Father Seraphim (Filimonoff) in Grenada, Alberta, at the Holy Dormition Skete, and Father Germogen (Cherkasin) at the Saint Elias Skete.

The original monastery of Saint Elias was ultimately abandoned with the moving away of Archimandrite Germogen (Cherkashin) in the early 1960s. The last of the original monks to live at the old site, Archimandrite Germogen (Cherkashin), reposed in Christ in Edmonton, Alberta, some years later. He is buried, along with some of the other monks, at the Cemetery of the Patriarchal Russian Parish of the Nativity of the Theotokos near Nisku, Alberta, near the Edmonton International Airport.

The original site of the monastery/hermitage was near the hamlet of Bellis, about 20 minutes’ drive from the hermitage’s later site at Smoky Lake.

Grave-marker of Archimandrite Germogen

Revival of the previous community, 2011

The title of Igumen of Saint Elias Hermitage was revived under the Archdiocese of Canada (OCA) with the tonsure and elevation of the then Igumen Alexander (Pihach), who was the second to hold the office and title of abbot. Igumen Gerasim (Power) was tonsured to be a rasophor monk of the Saint Elias Hermitage (under Abbot Alexander) by Metropolitan Jonah (Paffhausen), on 14 December, 2011, at Holy Trinity Russo-Greek (OCA) Orthodox Church in Smoky Lake, Alberta.

Igumen Alexander (Pihach) was elevated to the dignity of archimandrite in June of 2012 in Winnipeg, Manitoba by Bishop Irénée (Rochon), the Administrator of the Archdiocese of Canada at that time.

Tonsure of Stavrophor Priest-monk Gerasim (Power), 2012

On 21 September, 2012, with the blessing of Bishop Irénée, Rasophor Gerasim (Power) (formerly Bruce John Power) was tonsured into the Lesser Schema by Archimandrite Alexander (Pihach) at Saint Herman’s Sobor in Edmonton, Alberta.

Archimandrite Alexander and Igumen Gerasim

Following the appointment of Archimandrite Alexander to be the Dean of Saint Catherine’s OCA Representation Church in Moscow, Igumen Gerasim was subsequently assigned by Bishop Irénée (Rochon) to be the abbot of Saint Elias' Hermitage. He was the third to hold that responsibility.

Igumen Gerasim (Power), 2014

In February of 2014, Stavrophor Monk Tikhon (Green), formerly of Saint Silouan’s Monastery near Johnstown, Ontario, with the blessing of Bishop Irénée, was transferred and attached to the Hermitage of Saint Elias.

The Hermitage of the Holy Prophet Elias was a monastic community of the Archdiocese of Canada, of The Orthodox Church in America. It began in 2010 as a revival of the monastic community which had been established earlier in 1950. At its revival, it consisted of Archimandrite Alexander (Pihach), Dean of the Representation Church in Moscow ; Stavrophor Monk Tikhon (Green), (who resides in Edmonton, Alberta) ; and Igumen Gerasim (Power).

Archimandrite Gerasim (Power)

Igumen Gerasim (Power) was later elevated to the dignity of archimandrite. Archimandrite Gerasim was the last ruling abbot, who maintained his residence at Smoky Lake, Alberta.

Repose of Archimandrite Alexander (Pihach), 2016

The monastic brotherhood was reduced in size on 7 October, 2016, when Archimandrite Alexander (Pihach) suddenly and unexpectedly in Toronto fell asleep in the Lord in Toronto, Ontario. This unexpected repose meant that the leadership had to be transferred to Archimandrite Gerasim (Power).

Archimandrite Alexander in Moscow

Although the Hermitage of the Prophet Elias consisted of a small group, who, due to the necessities of work were not living under the same roof, they nevertheless maintained a good fraternal spirit. They were in constant contact with each other by means of travel, phone, Skype, and the like. Archimandrite Gerasim supported himself personally, and he supported and maintained his residence (on a farm acreage 9 km/6 mi north of Smoky Lake) by being a missionary priest and the rector of 8 rural parishes and 10 cemeteries in this vast area of the Canadian "heartland" of Orthodoxy.

About the settlement of the region

This region was settled mostly by Bukovinian and Western Ukrainian settlers more than a century ago. Thus, the revived Saint Elias Monastery has made a significant impact on the spiritual life of this historical region. This historical region has in the past been blessed by the service of such Christ-loving servants as Saint Tikhon (Belavin), the Priestmartyr Jacob Korchinsky, Archbishop Arseny (Chahovtsov), Archimandrite Germogen (Cherkasin), of blessed memory, and numerous others, both monastic and married. Like Saint Herman, the Elder and Wonder-worker of Alaska, and his companions, they carried and continue to carry the light of Orthodoxy to the Faithful, and through them to the world.

About the life of the hermitage

The mode of life at the Hermitage of Saint Elias was quite distinct from a seemingly more coenobitical or anchoritical model (such as is found at places like the Holy Mountain of Athos). Nevertheless, it had the same spiritual goals of true union with God, of being an example (as frail as it may be) of striving to live the angelic life (as the monastic way is called) of the Heavenly Kingdom. It strove also to be a “voice which cries in the wilderness” calling all to follow the Holy Orthodox Way.

The aim of the life of monks is, with God's help, to live a life of repentance (see p. 193 of "The Bishop in the Church"). This repentance should be so authentic and true that their love for the Lord and their loving obedience to Him imitate that of the angels in Heaven so that others may see it and do the same.

Closure, 2022

In 2022, Archimandrite Gerasim (Power) was transferred away, and he was assigend to serve as rector of Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.

In effect, this transfer closed the Hermitage of the Prophet Saint Elias. Moreover, the land on which the remains of the original community were located was sold to a local farmer. Although the pious farmer intended to respect the site and its history, there was no longer a possibility for establishing a monastic community living at the site.

Particular monastery information

This monastic community was part of the Alberta & Northwest Territories Deanery of the Archdiocese of Canada, of The Orthodox Church in America. The dean was Archimandrite Gerasim (Power). The bishop was Archbishop Irénée (Rochon).

This community followed the Old (Julian) Calendar.

The Altar Feast-day of this hermitage was the Feast of the Holy Prophet Elias, 20 July/2 August.

In 2022, the hermitage was closed with the transfer away of its last superior, Archimandrite Gerasim (Power).

Address :

Hermitage of the Holy Prophet Elias

60308, Highway #855

Smoky Lake County, Alberta

T0A 3C0

References

Original article about the Hermitage of Prophet Elias

Additional information :

Hopko, Thomas, ‘Monasticism’ in “The Orthodox Faith”, vol. 2.

Prokurat, Michael ; Golitzin, Alexander & Petersen, Michael, eds., 'Monasteries' in “The A to Z of the Orthodox Church” (Lanham, MD : Scarecrow Press, 2010), pp. 223-224. ISBN : 978-0-8108-7602-6.

...... 'Monasticism' in “The A to Z of the Orthodox Church” (Lanham, MD : Scarecrow Press, 2010), pp. 225-227. ISBN : 978-0-8108-7602-6.

Sanidopoulos, John, "Greek Folk Traditions and the Prophet Elias"

Archdiocese listing for the Hermitage of the Holy Prophet Elias, Smoky Lake County, Alberta

Archdiocese of Canada web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about the Archdiocese of Canada

OCA listing of the Hermitage of the Prophet Elias

Orthodoxwiki article about The Orthodox Church in America

Orthodox World listing

Metropolitan Vitaly (Ustinov)

Archbishop Gabriel (Chemodakov)

Archbishop Sylvester (Haruns)

Metropolitan Theodosius (Lazor)