Edmonton AB Saint Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Orthodox Church 1959
Edmonton, AB, Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Saint Michael the Archangel, 1959
Prehistory
Saint Michael the Archangel Church is the fourth Ukrainian Orthodox parish established in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
In the early 1950s, many Ukrainian families had settled in the Calder area of northern Edmonton. Many people had by this time moved to the city from rural areas, and others had moved to the Calder district from other places.
Formation of the parish, 1959
Since there was no Ukrainian Orthodox Temple in the vicinity, 7 families met in the home of Hryhorij and Mary Sorochan on 19 April, 1959, in order to discuss the possibility of organising a parish in the area.
Wasyl Bereska, Steve Chornlesky, William Ketskalo, Dmytro Mycak, Steve Sokol, Harry Sorochan and Walter Tacey attended this meeting.
A new parish was formed, which took the name, “Saint Michael the Archangel”. The name was chosen in honour of the name-day of first pastor, the Archpriest Michael Fyk. This was the fourth parish to be established in Edmonton, and the third in 3 years.
The first Divine Liturgy was celebrated by the Archpriest Michael Fyk on 29 May, 1959, in the Calder School. That evening, 11 families gathered to elect an executive for the newly-formed Saint Michael the Archangel parish, as follows :
President, Hryhorij Sorochan ; secretary, Dmytro Mycak ; treasurer, Wolodymyr Tacey. The founding members at the meeting were : Wasyl and Zenovia Bereska ; Stephan and Mary Chornolesky ; John and Mary Guglich ; Wasyl and Ann Ketskalo ; Dmytro and Pauline Mycak ; Oleksander and Anna Olhousky ; Peter and Mary Popowich ; Victor and Mary Popowich ; Stephan Sokol ; Hryhorij and Mary Sorochan ; Wolodymyr and Stella Tacey.
Shortly afterwards, more people joined the new parish :
Joe Anhel, Michael Chizen, Paul Hrach, John Jacun, Steve Kostenko, Fred Krikun, Myron Panchyshyn, George Pawliuk, Mike Pichotta, Victor Popowich, John Zacherniuk.
For the first 4 months, the parish continued to be served at the Calder School by a priest assigned by Saint John’s Cathedral to serve the Divine Liturgy.
First Temple, 1961
At an annual meeting held on 15 January, 1961, a resolution was made to purchase an old United Church building in the area, which was vacant and for sale. However, money was scarce, so donations were solicited. Then, 10 people co-signed for a bank-loan.
On 15 April, 1961, Saint Michael’s parish purchased the United Church building. The official blessing and opening of this Temple took place on 26 November, 1961. John Belsek was the architect, and he managed the project of renovation.
Divine Services were held in this building for 6 years.
Saint Michael’s Ukrainian Women’s Association of Canada, the "Kniahynia Olha" Branch, was organised in March, 1961. It began with 10 members, and the membership continued to grow. The women worked to support the parish through catering, fundraising and nurturing the youth.
"CYMK" youth organisation formed, 1964
The Saint Michael’s CYMK (Canadian Ukrainian Youth Association) was organised in December, 1964, with 22 members. The branch was active until 1995. The branch participated in the Dominion Queen contest, drama contest and CYMK Choir. At the branch level they did their own fundraising ; writing "pysanky" (decorated eggs), making "kolachi" (memorial breads), "babky" (festal breads), "pasky" (Paschal breads) and doing Ukrainian embroidery.
Formation of a choir, 1965
In 1965, Harry Pilowar organised a choir, and a group of 20-30 singers regularly sang during the Sunday services. There were several other choir directors, Boris Melnyk, Dobrodijka Hnatiw, Joanne Chizen and Mykhaylo Pozdyk.
Also, during these years of development, boys had begun to serve in the Altar to help the priests as they celebrated various services, and in particular at the Divine Liturgy. One in particular of the youth who thus served and continued to serve for many decades was James Kapustinsky, who eventually was ordained to be a subdeacon. He continued to serve in this parish (and in many other places besides) at the request of the bishops.
Second Temple, 1965
The number of parishioners continued to grow, and it became necessary to construct a new Temple. In 1965, there were 3 meetings to decide whether to renovate the existing building or to construct a new Temple. It was decided that constructing a completely new and larger Temple was preferable. Once again, co-signers were required in order to secure the necessary funds, and 5 persons did so. In 1967, the old Temple was demolished.
The new Temple was then constructed, and in November, 1967, the Temple was blessed by Archbishop Andrew (Metiuk).
The "Saint Michael’s Men’s Society" was organised in 1968. Its main function was and is to raise funds in order to support the parish.
The white oak iconostas was installed in 1976. Professor Sviatoslaw (George) Hordynsky of New York completed painting the 26 icons for the iconostas in March, 1977. On 31 March, 1977, Bishop Boris (Yakovkevych) blessed the icons and the iconostas on 31 March, 1977.
Iconostas, and "tetrapod"
Purchase of a house for the pastor
In 1977, there was a directive from the Consistory of the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church in Winnipeg, Manitoba, that all parishes provide suitable housing for their clergy. Therefore, a house was constructed for a rectory (parsonage, manse) on 121 Street, north from the Temple. Later, the parish traded the house for a larger house with an office, which was built in 1989. This second house was sold in May, 2004.
Also in 1979, bells (chimes) were purchased for the Temple after Mrs. Anna Zworzdesky led a successful campaign to raise funds for them.
In 1982, a committee was formed towards purchasing suitable chandeliers for the new Temple. In 1984, 5 chandeliers were imported from Athens, Greece, and they were then installed. They were blessed by Bishop Boris (Yakovkevych) on 25 November, 1984.
Millennium of the Baptism of Rus', 1988
In 1988, in commemoration of the Millennium of the Baptism of Rus' in Kyiv, the artist Ivan Ostafiychuk was commissioned to paint 2 large icons to be mounted on either side of the iconostas. One icon depicts the celebration of the coming of Christianity to Ukraine. The other icon portrays Saint Michael the Archangel surrounded by the Kievo-Pecherska Lavra Monastery, the Pochaiv Dormition Monastery and Saint Michael’s Church. Archpriest Dr. Ivan Stus blessed the icons.
The basement of the Temple was used for smaller social functions within the parish, and for smaller fundraisers. For larger functions, the parish rented the Calder Community Hall. As a result, it was decided that it would be necessary to build their own parish hall, dedicated to parish use. A committee was appointed and a plan was formulated. Land was purchased next to the Temple, and the existing buildings were demolished. The land was blessed by Archbishop John (Stinka) on 20 November, 1990, and construction began. The construction, which abuts the north wall of the Temple, was completed less than a year later. Archbishop John blessed the building at its official opening on 28 September, 1991.
Re-naming of the UGOCC ; entry to Eucharistic Communion with the Patriarchate of Constantinople, 1990
In 1990, the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada was officially renamed “(UOCC) The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada” (UOCC) by an Act of the Parliament of Canada.
In 1990, the 18th Sobor of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada in Winnipeg 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.
40 years : 1999
A wheel-chair lift (elevator) was installed to make the Temple wheel-chair accessible. Then, in 1999, the year of the 40th anniversary, an addition was added on the west side of the hall, which expanded the work area for the kitchen and created a comfortable recreation room.
In 2005, a white metal Cross was donated by Saint Stephen’s Cemetery and it was attached on the west outside wall of the Temple.
50 years : 2009
On 21 November, 2009, the 50th anniversary of the parish was celebrated. Metropolitan John (Stinka) and Bishop Ilarion (Rudnyk) both participated, and the day consisted of a dinner and programme, which included honouring 2 founding members and a slide show of the parish history.
On the 50th anniversary of the parish, a special collection was taken in order to purchase a new 7-branched candle-holder for the Altar.
There were special events throughout the year, including a spiritual seminar and a food fair.
Parishioners
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.
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.
Father Victor preaching
Archpastoral visit, 2021
On Sunday, 21 November, 2021, Bishop Ilarion (Rudnyk), Bishop of Edmonton and the Western Eparchy, Locum Tenens of the Metropolitan Cathedral, celebrated The Divine Liturgy on the Temple Feast Day of Archangel Michael and all the Bodiless Hosts at the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Saint Michael, Edmonton, Alberta.
Bishop Ilarion was assisted by Protopresbyter Victor Lakusta, Protodeacon Anton Lakusta, and Deacon Wasyl Maskal.
During the Divine Liturgy (left) ; During the reception (right)
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.
The priests who have served in this parish are : Archpriest Michael Fyk 1959-1963 Archpriest Oleksander Chomiak 1959-1963 Archpriest Hryhory Wasyliw 1963-1972 Archpriest Dr. Ivan Stus 1972-1977, 1983-1989 Archpriest Stephan Semotiuk 1977-1983 Hieromonk Illya (Furgal) 1989-1990 Priest Myroslav Parfeniuk 1990-1993 Archpriest Peter Hnatiw 1993-1995 Priest Volodymyr Kouchnir 1995-1999 Hieromonk Ioann (Konstant) 1999-2000 Mitred Archpriest Mykola Sawchenko 2000-2009 Mitred Archpriest Nicholas Orest Rauliuk 2009-____ Archpriest Victor Lakusta
The presidents of the parish administration have been : Hryhorij Sorochan 1959-1960 Stephan Chornolesky 1960-1962 Wasyl Bereska 1962-1966 Wolodymyr Tacey 1966-1969, 1970-1973 Myhailo Dmyterji 1969-1970 Metro Sawchuk 1973-1984, 1988-1991, 1995-1996 Michael Chizen 1985-1987 John Klimchuk 1992-1994 Mack Skoreyko 1997-1998 Myron Wozimirsky 2001 Ron Ewanchuk 2008 Andy Feniuk 1999-2000, 2002-2007, 2009-____
Particular parish information
This parish is a part of the Western Eparchy, in the Edmonton City District, of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada. The bishop of the eparchy is Metropolitan Ilarion II (Rudnyk).
This parish follows the Old (Julian) Calendar.
The Altar Feast-day of this parish is the Feast of the Holy Archangel Michael, 8/21 November.
In 2024, the pastor of the parish is Archpriest Victor Lakusta.
Address :
Saint Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Orthodox Church
12104-129 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta
T5L 3J1
Telephone : (780) 454-8385
Fax : (780) 447-4768
E-Mail : stmichaeluoc@shaw.ca
Web-site : http://www.uocc-stmichael.ca
Directions :
Saint Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Orthodox Church is situated in Northwest Edmonton, in the Kensington neighbourhood.
By car :
Use the Yellowhead Trail Corridor east or west, and exit at 97 Street. Turn north onto 97 Street, and drive to 127 Avenue. Turn left (west) onto 127 Avenue, and drive to 121 Street. Turn right (north), and drive to 129 Avenue. Turn left (west), and the Temple is on the right.
From central Edmonton, drive north on 97 Street to 127 Avenue. Turn left (west) onto 127 Avenue, and drive to 121 Street. Turn right (north), and drive to 129 Avenue. Turn left (west), and the Temple is on the right.
From far north-central Edmonton, drive south on 97 Street to 127 Avenue. Turn right (west) onto 127 Avenue, and drive to 121 Street. Turn right (north), and drive to 129 Avenue. Turn left (west), and the Temple is on the right.
From other parts of Edmonton, drive on one of the expressways which connect with the Yellowhead Trail Corridor. Then drive east or west, and exit at 97 Street. Turn north onto 97 Street, and drive to 127 Avenue. Turn left (west) onto 127 Avenue, and drive to 121 Street. Turn right (north), and drive to 129 Avenue. Turn left (west), and the Temple is on the right.
There is a parking-lot beside the Temple, and parking on the streets.
By bus :
The Edmonton Transit System provides bus service to the area. Use the Bus-finder site to determine the needed routes.
Edmonton is accessible by road, chiefly by Highway #16 and Highway #2.
It is accessible by bus through various interurban companies (Red Arrow, Rider Express, Poparide, The Canada Bus, Ebus, and others). There is service from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
It is accessible by various airline companies through the Edmonton International Aeroport (near Nisku).
It is accessible by railway through VIARail.
Telephones : (204) 219-8495 ; (204) 586-3093 ext. 227 ; (204) 997-9093 ; (204) 582-5241
E-mail : vlakusta@telus.net
References
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St. Michael the Archangel, “40th Anniversary Celebration 1959-1999" (Edmonton : Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St. Michael the Archangel, 1999).
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St. Michael the Archangel, “1959-2009 50th Anniversary St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Orthodox Parish" (Edmonton : Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St. Michael the Archangel, 1999).
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.
Yereniuk, Prof. Roman, “A Short Historical Outline of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada (UOCC)”.
Additional information :
A Brief History of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada
“Collection of Material Relating to the 50th Anniversary of the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada, 1918-1968” (Winnipeg : Consistory of the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada, 1968).
Sametz, William, “My father the priest : the life and times of the Very Reverend Dr. Peter Sametz : founding missionary priest of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada” (Toronto : Hypertex Plus, 2008). ISBN : 9780969670056.
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Saint Michael, Edmonton, Consistory listing
Ukrainian Orthodox Western Eparchy web-site
Wikipedia article about the Western Eparchy of the UOCC
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada web-site
Orthodoxwiki article about the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada
Wikipedia article about the Ukrainian Orthodox of Canada
Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople web-site
Orthodoxwiki article about the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople
Wikipedia article about the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople
Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis)
Archbishop Boris (Yakovkevych)
Metropolitan Yurij (Kalistchuk)
Metropolitan II Ilarion (Rudnyk)
Encyclopaedia of Ukraine article about UOCC history
Encyclopaedia of Ukraine History of Ukrainians in Alberta
Orthodoxwiki article about parishes in Alberta
Canadian Encyclopaedia article about Ukrainian Canadians
Wikipedia article about Ukrainian Canadians
Wikipedia article about the Ukrainian diaspora
Ukrainian Immigration to Canada
Early History of Ukrainians in Alberta
Ukrainians in Canada : from the first Wave of Immigration to now
Bishop Ilarion (Rudnyk) celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Saint Michael, Edmonton (21 November, 2021)
Enthronement of Bishop Ilarion (Rudnyk) as Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada (19 November, 2022)
Metropolitan Ilarion (Rudnyk) announces Change of Calendar (1 December, 2023)