Edmonton AB Saint Olga of Alaska Orthodox Church 2024

Edmonton, Alberta, Saint Olga of Alaska Orthodox Church, 2024

Prehistory

The Mission of Saint Olga of Alaska in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, came into being over many years of prayerful consideration by the leadership of its Mother Parish, the Sobor of Saint Herman of Alaska in the same city. These 2 Orthodox Christian parish communities are part of the Archdiocese of Canada, of The Orthodox Church in America. They were both preceded by the Holy Trinity Parish in Edmonton (1955), also a part of the same diocese. This parish itself had initiated the Parish of All Saints in Edmonton (1963), from which sprang that of Saint Herman of Alaska (1977). The ultimate source of all these communities was the Cathedral of Saint Barbara in Edmonton (1900), which had produced Holy Trinity Church in 1955. The historical connexions stretch to the beginning of the Orthodox Christian presence in Edmonton in 1898.

The very firm foundation of this missionary inheritance was that of the “Russian Mission” which had established the first missionary activities in 1793-1794 in “Russian America”, now called Alaska.

From Saint Herman’s Sobor, there were many missionary activities while this family itself was growing. On the one hand, there were many cases in which rural and ageing parishes outside Edmonton were helped and supported ; and through this support, they were enabled to regroup and persevere.

On the other hand, missionary activities were supported and nurtured in Calgary, Red Deer, and Grande Prairie. Not all attempts took root, such as in Fort McMurray. Some attempts did flourish for a time, such as in Grande Prairie and Sherwood Park (Saint Athanasius Church, 2003-2013). However, even though these attempts could not last (for a variety of reasons), their presence left lasting effects. Some plant, others water, others reap. Sometimes the seed rests dormant until the right conditions arrive.

So is the case with the Mission of Saint Olga of Alaska. There had been hopes and prayers for many years amongst the parishioners at Saint Herman’s Sobor that there could develop yet another beacon of the Orthodox Christian Faith in Edmonton, since so many people are in need of the Living Water in Christ. The parish has long had connexions with the Church in Alaska beyond simply being named for the first person glorified as a Saint in The Orthodox Church in America (Saint Herman of Alaska).

The proposed methodical preparation for developing this newest missionary effort received blessing after blessing, including that of Archbishop Irenee (Rochon). This included arriving at the required number of volunteers to support this new venture.

Suddenly, and unexpectedly, doors and windows of opportunity opened, and the expected time required was reduced drastically. The needed number of founding families coalesced quickly. The Lord knows the right time, and He provides all that is needed. In this case, not only were the necessary resources available for the initiation of the missionary venture, but also the actual site became available, at which they could gather initially.

About Saint Olga of Alaska

The life of Matushka Olga Michael was aptly summarised in the 2017 article, “Matushka Olga, faithful in all things”, by Archpriest Gregory Scratch.

In 2023, the Holy Synod of Bishops of The Orthodox Church in America, having completed their study of her life, declared their intention to glorify Matushka Olga Michael formally as a saint of the Church.

Holy Matushka Olga of Kwethluk, Alaska

Establishing the mission

The Mission of Saint Olga of Alaska was established visibly and officially on the weekend of Saturday-Sunday, 3-4 February, 2024.

 On Saturday 3 February, Saint Olga of Alaska Mission began its existence  with the inaugural service of 
 Great Vespers.  Saint Olga’s Mission was born out of the desire of Saint
 Herman of Alaska parish in Edmonton to spread the Gospel and Orthodox 
 Christianity in the south of Edmonton.  The vision was to ‘build out, not up’ ;
 and so, under the leadership of Father Ryan T Bishop, 50 intrepid members 
 from Saint Herman’s set out to accomplish this massive undertaking.  On the 
 following Sunday, the ﬁrst liturgy was attended by over 80 people, comprised 
 of Saint Olga’s members, and those from Saint Herman’s parish who came to 
 send them off and wish them well in the bonds of brotherly love.  With this 
 great beginning, may God move mightily in the hearts of Saint Olga’s children, 
 and in the community beyond !

First Place of Worship

The place found for establishing the mission is an auxiliary building of Saint Augustine of Canterbury’s Anglican church in the Fulton Place neighbourhood of southeast Edmonton (6110, Fulton Road NW, Edmonton, Alberta, T6A 3T3). The site was near the Wayne Gretzky Drive (which connects with the north side of the North Saskatchewan River), and also near the Capilano Shopping Centre. Although it had been hoped to begin rather farther to the south, this site was accepted from the Lord with gratitude.

Last service with Saint Herman’s parish

On Sunday, 28 January, 2024, the founding members gathered at the end of the Divine Liturgy at Saint Herman of Alaska’s Sobor. Prayers were offered for them, and they were blessed with Holy Water as they set out to undertake this work of, for, and with the Lord.

First services at the new site

The first services were on 3-4 February, 2024. These were Great Vespers on Saturday evening, and the Divine Liturgy on Sunday morning.

Saint Augustine parish and hall

Thereafter, the parish community continued to develop quickly. With new arrivals, new catechumens, and newly-baptised or newly-received persons, the number increased to nearly double.

Group of parishioners

Under these circumstances, it was necessary to set up and dismantle the liturgical space each weekend. Although this is a frequent experience for mission communities, it is never convenient. However, it is generally a formative factor in the development of the parish family.

Father Ryan preaching

Soon, the community felt the need to seek another site for worship.

Parishioners in early 2024

Second Place of Worship

The second place of worship was secured in October, 2024, on the premises of Redeemer Lutheran Church (9654-74 Ave NW, Edmonton, Alberta, T6E 1E6).

The first service of the mission parish, the Divine Liturgy, was offered at the new site on Sunday, 10 November, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. By this time, the size of the mission community had increased substantially, thanks to the Lord.

All along, the mission community was being aided and supported by the "mother" community, Saint Herman of Alaska's Sobor.

Saint Olga Church at Redeemer Lutheran

Holy Redeemer Lutheran Church

Particular parish information

This parish is part of the Alberta & Northwest Territories Deanery of the Archdiocese of Canada, The Orthodox Church in America. The dean of the deanery is Archpriest Vincent B Lehr. The bishop is Archbishop Irénée (Rochon).

This parish follows the New (Revised Julian) Calendar.

The Altar Feast-day of the parish is the Feast of Saint Olga of Alaska, 10 November.

In 2025, the pastor of the missionary parish is Priest Ryan Tikhon Bishop.

The Deacon of the Parish is Protodeacon Jesse Isaac.

Address of place of worship :

Saint Olga of Alaska Orthodox Church

(Redeemer Lutheran Church)

9654-74 Ave NW

Edmonton, Alberta

T6E 1E6

Web-site : www.stolgas.ca

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/st.olgas.edmonton/

Mailing address :

Saint Olga of Alaska Orthodox Church

c/o 9930 - 167 Street

Edmonton, Albereta

T5P 4W7

Directions :

By bus :

Consult the Edmonton Transit System (ETS) web-site. There is bus service along 96 Street and 99 Street.

By car :

From the old and central part of the south side of Edmonton, drive to 82 (Whyte) Avenue, and then drive to 99 Street. Drive south on 99 Street until 74 Avenue. Turn east at 74 Avenue, and drive until 97 Street. The Meeting Place is on the northeast corner of 74 Avenue and 97 Street.

From the central part of the north side of Edmonton, find the Low Level Bridge, and drive south across the North Saskatchewan River. Keep right onto Scona Hill, and at the top of the hill, drive south on 99 Street. Then follow the previous directions.

From other parts of Edmonton, follow the Whitemud Freeway until the exit for either 104 Street (Gateway Boulevard) or 99 Street. Use the service road to find 99 Street. Drive north on 99 Street, and follow the first set of directions.

Priest Ryan Tikhon Bishop

fr.ryan.bishop@gmail.com