Edmonton AB Saints Constantine and Helen Romanian Orthodox Church 1952

Edmonton, Alberta, Saints Constantine and Helen Romanian Orthodox Church, 1952

Helen may be spelt Elena, Eleana, Ileana.

Ioan-Casian may be spelt John-Cassian.

Prehistory

The history of this community in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, is preceded by the history of Saint Mary’s Romanian Orthodox Church in Boian, Alberta.

After the establishment of that first community and the passage of time, some descendants of the pioneers began to move into Edmonton. Although they were able for some time to attend other Orthodox parishes, they felt the need to form a specifically Romanian parish. One of the reasons for this would have been the fact that Romanians had been long accustomed both in Romania and in Boian, Alberta, to being able to understand the language of the services (unlike many other Orthodox). Both in Romania and in Canada, the services were in the Romanian language which they could understand. Thus, Saint Mary’s in Boian is considered to be the “mother parish” of the now larger community in Edmonton (as it is similarly the “mother” of many other communities).

In May, 1948, a few “Edmonton Romanians” gathered together to celebrate Preoteasa Elena Feica’s name-day, the Feast-day of Saints Constantine and Helen. An idea was put forth to persuade Stefan Feica (†1996) to become a priest to serve in Edmonton. Thus, he would be following in the footsteps of his father, the Priest Dumitru Feica (†1949). It was also Stefan’s mother’s fervent wish that he become a priest. He acquiesced. Immediately, the group chose the name “Saints Constantine and Helen”.

A collection was made, and $20.00 was immediately raised towards his studies and trip to Saint Vladimir's Seminary in the USA.

Formation of the parish, 1952

Founding members include :

 Bill and Katie Axani ; Steve and Doreen Axani ; George and Olga Bezovie ; John and Mary Budnitsky ; 
 Mike and Sanda Chibree ; Dorothy Cochrane ; Gheorghe and Pearl Demciuk ; Mike and Sandra Dubitz ; 
 Steve and Elena Feica ; Alex and Mary Hantiuk ; Alex and Velma Hauca ; Nick and Dora Hauca ; 
 Steve and Dorothy Hauca ; Nettie Hutseal ; Nick Hutseal ; Jenny Hutzcal ; Mike and Rose Hutzcal ; 
 Steven Hutzcal ; Nick and Sadie Johnson ; Nick and Emilia Kachuk ; Nick Marion ; Mary G M Mihalcean ; 
 Lena Ostapiuk ; Mike and Freda Powell ; Nick and Mary Romanko ; Mary N Romanko (the author) ; 
 John and Victoria Sarafincean ; Steve and Mary Seminiuk ; Mike and Katie Serbu ; Dan and Katherine Suprovich ; 
 Nick and Nadia Suprovich ; Harry and Helen Svekla ; Metron and Mary Svekla ; Con Tkachuk ; 
 Bill and Katie Toma.

The first parish council (board) was elected, and it included :

 President : Bill J Toma
 Vice President : Nick Hutskal
 Secretary : Stefan Feica
 Treasurer : Nick Romanko
 Directors : Nick Johnson ;  Nick Marian ; Dan Suprovich ; Nick Suprovich
 Social Committee : Elena Feica ; Nettie Hutscal ; Katherine ; Nadia Suprovich
 Social Convenor and Fundraiser, Mary N Romanko

Ordination of Priest Stefan Feica, 1952

Under the guidance of the Priest John Margitich, his spiritual father (and priest at Saint Barbara’s Russian Orthodox Church), Stefan was eventually ordained to the Holy Priesthood in Detroit, Michigan, by Archbishop Adam (Philipovsky). This occurred on 10 April, 1952. Priest Stefan Feica began to serve at Mary's Church in Boian, and Saint Mary's Church in Hairy Hill. After this, he served in Akron, Ohio, and in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He reposed in Christ in Edmonton, Alberta, on 10 April, 1996.

First services in various places

Services were held at various places (people’s homes, the Jubilee Auditorium, even at Park Memorial Funeral Chapel), where people were kind enough to loan out their premises ; and then at the Anglican Church in the Riverdale neighbourhood.

Father Stefan Feica served the parish in Edmonton, and the “Mother Church” of Saint Mary’s at Boian until he was transferred to Akron, Ohio in 1956. He remained in the USA until his retirement in 1978, when he returned to Edmonton.

Priest Eugen Banciu

During these years, the Priest Eugen Banciu (†1963) also served in Edmonton and the region. Eugen Banciu had emigrated from Romania in 1952, and he settled in Windsor, Ontario. Bishop Andrey (Moldovan) ordained him to the Holy Priesthood on 18 October, 1954, after which he served in the Edmonton area briefly. In 1955, he entered the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR) under Metropolitan Anastasiy (Gribanovsky). In 1956, he emigrated to the USA, where he was accepted by Bishop Valerian (Trifa) into the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America (ROEA). He then served in Saint Elias the Prophet Church, Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, Holy Cross Church, Miami, Florida, until his repose in 1963.

Search for a permanent site

From 1948 until 1972, the community assembled for the Divine Liturgy in private homes, in chapels at funeral homes, and later on in the main hall of what is now part of the Romanian Centre. The reason why it took so long even to establish the parish hall, the Romanian Centre (1965), is that the parishioners were neither oil tycoons, nor rich landowners, but modest workers who made great financial sacrifices in order to lay a solid foundation for the parish, the Temple, and the community centre.

Following 1956, this parish and the rural communities were served by a visiting priest, the Priest Dorimedont Tovstiuk, who served in both Edmonton and Boian for a few years. His first service in the Romanian Centre Hall was in 1969.

In 1961, the Men’s Board was also elected. These included :

 President, Con Tkachuk ; Vice President, Steve Axani ; Secretary, Mike Toma ; Treasurer, Bill Axani.

They worked with the Ladies’ Auxiliary at the home of Mike Dubitz, until the next election in 1964.

The new 1964 executive included :

 President, Steve Axani ; Vice President, Alex Hantiuk ; Secretary, Mike Toma ; Treasurer, Bill Axani ; 
 Building Committee : Dan Bozocea ; Mike Dubitz ; Sandy Hawka ; Nick Romanko.

In 1996, a new Ladies’ Auxiliary was formed, and an executive was elected, consisting of :

 President, Mary N Romanko ; Vice President, Doreen Axani ; Ani Toma ; Secretary-treasurer, Emilia Kakhuk.
 Other officers included : Olga Bizovie ; Pearl Demchiuk ; Mary Hantiuk ; Velma Hawka ; Lena Ostapiuk (Cazacu) ; 
 Nadia Suprovich.

There were 30 women who enrolled.

Land purchase ; constructing the Romanian Centre

It took some time in the late 1950s to find the land. It took several trips to City Hall to confer with Mr. Armstrong of the Land Department for a suitable site, then on to Mr. Rogers in Town Planning to re-zone the site for a church. The plan was then taken to the Parish Board for approval. It was approved, and the agreement was made. Arranging the mortgage was the next step, at Edmonton Savings Credit Union.

Many fundraising functions were held, such as bazaars, teas and socials, and to these catering was added. The Ladies’ Auxiliary began rolling and continues to roll cabbage rolls, and making their well-known cheese dumplings.

In 1958, bingos began at the Trocadero Ballroom (“Troc 59”), and then they moved into the Romanian Cultural Centre in 1965. Bingos and lotteries were the prime source of income, besides private donations. Mary Romanko ran the bingos in both places for 20 years and lotteries for 15½ years. Nettie Hutseal was a great help. The hall managers were Nick and Mary Romanko from 1965-1968 ; Ed Ostapiuk 1968-1969 ; Alex Russ 1969-1970, and many more since.

Romanian Centre, 1965

Phase I was the construction of the Romanian Centre (hall), which provided revenue. The parishioners owned the property at 9005-132 Avenue in Edmonton. The building contract was awarded to the Romanian contractor, Nick Kachuk.

On 4 May, 1965, the first parish social gathering was held in the newly-completed Romanian Centre, although they had to dance at first on a cement floor. The first wedding was on 14 August, 1965 ; the first baptism was on 14 April, 1967. The first bingo was held at the centre on 4 October, 1965.

The parish community hosted the Romanian Ballet on tours in 1966 and in 1968, and the dancers performed at the Jubilee Auditorium. It was said that nowhere in Canada were they as warmly welcomed as in Edmonton.

In 1968, the mortgage was paid in full.

Father Mircea Panciuk, 1969 ; construction of the Temple

In 1969, the Priest Father Mircea Panciuk arrived in Edmonton, and he quickly began to help the parishioners in all their endeavours to build a Temple. By this time, considerable funds had been raised. A small group of people with limited financial possibilities but great faith and a clear vision for the future, under the spiritual guidance of their young parish priest became founders of the Temple.

Therefore, in 1970, they began to plan concretely for the construction.

A building committee was formed and it consisted of :

 Father Mircea Panciuk ; Steve Axani ; Nick Daniel ; Nick Huteal ; Mike Perozni ; Nick Romanko.

On 14 March, 1971, an enthusiastic “turning of the sod” took place on what was a cool, misty day, and construction began.

Sanctification of the Temple, 1972

On 21-22 May, 1972, the newly-completed Temple was sanctified by Bishop Victorin (Ursache). Thus, they enriched the landscape of the city of Edmonton with one more Orthodox Temple. This was a joyful and significant event for the men and women, young and old, who demonstrated that the Orthodox Christian Faith was burning in their hearts and souls just as much as it did in the hearts and souls of their ancestors. Their great financial sacrifices and countless hours of volunteer work had materialised in this beautiful Temple, where they and generations upon generations after them could come to participate in the sacramental life of the Church. There, they could live out their vocation as liturgical beings, since human beings were created for the worship of God.

The Temple before renovations

Bishop Throne and Cantors' stand

Father Panciuk continued to serve the parish until 1998 (19 years).

During these years, an addition was built, which constituted the stage for the main hall, with the office area above it, and the spacious entrance to the Temple (the foyer), which is guarded by the bell-house.

Archpriest Gheorghe Bâzgan, 1989

In about 1989, the Archpriest Gheorghe Bâzgan arrived from Los Angeles, California, in order to begin to serve the parish. After the retirement of the Archpriest Mircea Panciuk, he became the rector of the parish. He had the ability to teach the parish choir new pieces, and he also initiated the men’s choir. From the beginning, he was perceived by the parishioners to be a good pastor for their community.

30 years, 2002 : blessing of mural iconography

In 2001, Florin Vlad, an iconographer and church artist from Romania (newly established in Edmonton) was awarded the contract to paint the entire ceiling of the Temple in the Byzantine style, using the acrylic technique.

On 19 May, 2002, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the parish, Metropolitan Joseph (Pop) of Paris, France, Locum Tenens of the archdiocese (at that time), blessed the newly-painted ceiling of the Temple in an atmosphere of joy and jubilation. The Byzantine painting adds not only artistic value to the Temple, but it also and more importantly links the visible and the invisible worlds together in this cosmic offering of praise and adoration to our loving God who is the creator of the whole universe.

Dome and ceiling iconography

Ceiling iconography

"Platytera" icon

In 2003, the entire Altar was also painted by the same iconographer. This beautiful and delicate Byzantine “tapestry” transcends time and space and provides comfort to the minds and souls of those who cross the threshold of the Temple. This effect is greatest for those with the sincere desire to renew or strengthen their communion with God and pre-taste, here and now, of His Heavenly and eternal Kingdom. Those who have found in their hearts the goodness and the spirit of sacrifice to contribute with the fruit of their labour towards this beautiful project have become co-founders of this Temple.

Altar High-Place iconography

In 2004, the Temple received a much-needed transformation through the creation of the 3 archways between the vestibule and the Temple. This reveals the beauty of the hand-carved iconostas and the Byzantine painting as soon as one opens the door. This area was also adorned with the beautiful Byzantine painting in 2005.

On 15 June, 2011, the parish erected on the property of the Temple a commemorative bust of the famous Romanian poet Mihai Eminescu.

Parish group photo, 2009

Parish group photo, 2012

Parish group photo, 2014

The Sunday School

The Sunday School programme has a long history (about 40 years) in the parish. It began with the enthusiasm and dedication of Darlene Romanko, Darline Shelemey, and others, who volunteered their knowledge and effort for the religious education of the young members of the parish. The beginning was a difficult one, due to the shortage of teaching materials, lack of proper space, and such. In 2008, the parish welcomed 2 young women with credentials in the field of religious education : teachers Veronica Ciocan and Ileana Gavris, both with a degree in Theology, who received the torch from the previous dedicated volunteers. Under the guidance of Father George Bâzgan, the 2 teachers established a curriculum in accordance with the religious education programme of the Romanian Orthodox Church, and adjusted to the local situation. They provided the books and the teaching materials, many of them brought from Romania. In 2010, with the assistance of the Education Commission of the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese in the Americas, led by Father Daniel Ene, the school adopted the "Guidelines for the Organisation of the Sunday Schools", and the generalised curriculum for the entire archdiocese.

The general objective of the Sunday School programme is to give the students the opportunity to learn about the Orthodox Christian Faith ; to begin implementing Orthodox values in their own lives, and to become familiar with the spiritual and cultural values of the Romanian and Canadian peoples.

 The specific objectives include :
 1. Imparting knowledge and the love of God as the fundamental principle of Man’s salvation.
 2. Imparting the knowledge and the adequate use of the language of the religious values.
 3. Imparting knowledge about Holy Tradition, Romanian Orthodox customs and Church history.
 4. Implementing Christian values and the consolidation of a religious and moral/ethical lifestyle.
 5. Teaching how to accept, tolerate and respect other creeds and practices.

The educational activities of the Sunday School programme consist in lessons about religious themes according to the archdiocesan curriculum. There is an annual contest, “The Religious Olympiad”, regarding knowledge about the Faith. There are public presentations on various Feast-days (Nativity of Christ, Pascha), and at community events (such as the parish anniversary).

The Sunday school programme is available to all Orthodox Christian children whose parents/legal guardians are members of the parish. The students are divided according to age : Group A : 4-7 years ; Group B : 8-12 years ; Group C : 13-18 years. Every Sunday, after the children receive Holy Communion (about 11:30 a.m.), the teaching takes place in the Sunday school room next to the parish office.

Sunday School (2003) (left) ; Sunday School (2016) (right)

Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada, 2016

Through a decision of the Archdiocesan Congress of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada, which was held in Hamilton, Ontario, on 1-3 July, 2016, the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada was established. This decision was then approved and blessed by the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church at its session of 28-29 October, 2016.

In October, 2016, the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese of the Americas was elevated by the Holy Synod of Bishops in Romania to the status of a Metropolis.

On 30 April, 2017, Archbishop Nicolae (Condrea) was formally enthroned, and he was elevated to the dignity of metropolitan. At the same time, the Canadian deaneries were blessed by the Holy Synod of Bishops in Romania to become a diocese. Therefore, all the parishes in Canada became parishes under the omophor of Bishop Ioan-Casian (Tunaru), and a part of the new Canadian diocese.

Parishioner group, 2016

On 7 May, 2017, Bishop Ioan-Casian (Tunaru) was enthroned as the ruling Bishop of Canada of the new Romanian Diocese of Canada. The Enthronement Divine Liturgy was served at the Church of Saint George in Saint-Hubert, Montréal, Québec. This Temple became the cathedral of the new diocese.

45th Anniversary : 2017

On 21 May, 2017, the parish celebrated the 45th anniversary of the Temple since its consecration, and 68 years since the foundation of the parish. Bishop Ioan-Casian (Tunaru) served the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy in the Temple as he led the celebrations. After the Divine Liturgy, a memorial service was offered for the founders. This was soon followed by a festal anniversary banquet.

At the visit of Bishop Ioan-Casian

The parishioners report that they have continued to be active in providing both religious and cultural activities such as Romanian folk dance groups, including the “Fluturasi Dancers”, “Miorita” and “Balada”. They offered Sunday school during the year ; and in summer, they provided church camps for children. The parish choir was nurtured, and the choristers circulated after the Feast of the Nativity as they sang carols in various homes and sites. The parish also made available a tent at the Heritage Festival, and it sponsored the youth group and the dance group through their Bingo funds.

The parishioners further note that they are proud of their accomplishments. A recording of traditional Romanian songs and ballads, and a film, “And So They Stayed”, were produced. They also organised a Christmas concert at the Killarney School in Edmonton, and at the Willingdon School. There, they performed “‘Caluti’ The Horse Dance”, and the play “Irod” about “King Irod and the Christ Child”. In 1977, for a film about “Memories of Our Culture”, they participated in a television programme, “The Village Square”. They performed again in 1979 and 1980 on CFRN-TV : the choir sang ; the dancers performed ; they had a fashion show, and they displayed Romanian artifacts. They also participated in radio programmes, and they made some tape-recordings. Musicologist Valeriu Apan helped them with many of these productions.

The following 2 prayers are central to the hearts of the parishioners : “O Lord, sanctify those who love the beauty of Thy House” (from the Divine Liturgy), and “May the Lord God remember the founders of this holy church in His Kingdom. Amen”.

Episcopal visitation ; elevation to the status of “cathedral”, 2019

On 25-26 May, 2019, the official anniversary of the parish was celebrated. On this occasion, not only was the Canadian diocesan hierarch Bishop Ioan-Casian (Tunaru) present, but also Metropolitan Nicolae (Condrea) of Chicago and the Romanian Orthodox Metropolia of the Americas.

Just previously, interior renovations to the Temple had been completed, including the installation of the stained-glass windows, executed in Iași, Romania.

On Saturday, 25 May, 2019, a symposium was offered in 3 parts.

At 9:00 a.m., in the presence of Bishop Ioan-Casian, Father George Bâzgan opened the Symposium “Servants and defenders of the Faith and spiritual values of the Romanian people”. After a short introduction, Father George invited Archpriest Mircea Panciuk to the podium to present his conference : “Patriarch Justin (Moisescu)”. Showing the academic activity of the fourth patriarch of the Orthodox Church of Romania, as well as his hierarchical ascendency, the speaker emphasised the work of restoring monasteries and building new Temples accomplished during the time of the Communist regime.

The second conference, titled “The Orthodox Church – the soul of the Romanian village”, was presented by Father George Bâzgan. Starting with the origins of the first village, established by God in Paradise, the speaker reminded the audience of God’s first visit to the village established by man, at the Oak of Mamre, where Abraham was the host of the 3 angels. Speaking of the era of Grace, the presenter mentioned the many visits made by our Lord Jesus Christ to the villages throughout the land of Israel. Then, Father George spoke about the indispensable role of the Romanian Orthodox Church, throughout the millennia, in the life of the Romanian village as a “true light house, offering light, hope, guidance, peace and joy, forgiveness and sanctification, comforting and healing”.

Following the lunch break, the conference titled “The Christian Family in the context of the contemporary progressive society” was presented by Mrs. Veronica Ciocan. With great competence, the speaker made a short history of the Christian family. She explained the moral and spiritual principles that assured its viability and stability through the millennia. Then, she spoke of the challenges the Christian family has to contend with in our modern time.

Saturday ended with the serving of Great Vespers in the presence of the 2 hierarchs. At the end, Bishop Ioan-Casian spoke of the joy we still share during this Pascal season and our vocation to proclaim the reality of Christ’s Resurrection : “Every time we come to Church, we are like the Myrrh-bearing Women and the Apostles who found the empty tomb, and who received the mandate of spreading the miracle of Resurrection to all”.

On Sunday, 26 May, the 2 hierarchs were welcomed by 3 young people, dressed in traditional Romanian attire, and they presented the traditional welcoming bread and salt to them. As the bell was tolling and the assembled Faithful were singing the hierarchical hymn, the hierarchs were vested and, together with the serving priests and deacon, proceeded to the blessing of the icons in the stained-glass windows.

After this, Ciprian Roman, a theologian from Calgary, was tonsured to be a reader/chanter, and then ordained to be a subdeacon. Later in the Divine Liturgy, he was ordained to the Holy Diaconate.

After the Divine Liturgy, a Memorial Service (Trisagion) was offered for the Church founders. Then, Metropolitan Nicolae preached about the Woman of Samaria. He explained how important it is to come as often as possible to Church to receive “the living water”. He also spoke about the life Saint Constantine the Great, who legalised Christianity in the Roman Empire through the Edict of Milan in 313 AD.

Following this, Bishop Ioan-Casian distributed diplomas to the students who had participated in the Religion Olympics. Then he spoke about the important role of the Romanian Orthodox Christians of Alberta in preserving the True Faith, and the traditions and spiritual values brought here by the worthy Romanian Pioneers from the Bucovinian Boian, more than 120 years ago : “It is on the basis of this important contribution that we decided to elevate this Church to the rank of Cathedral”. Then, Bishop Ioan-Casian read the Diocesan "Gramata" (certificate), which specified the accomplishments of this parish and, at the same time, recalled the responsibilities that come with this high distinction. The term "cathedral" usually refers to the actual authoritative chair of the bishop of the territory. In this case, the term indicates the significant contribution of this parish to diocesan life, and also to the possibility of a future diocesan centre. In the meantime, it serves as a sort of auxiliary centre to the main Saint George Cathedral in Saint-Hubert, Québec.

Afterwards. Bishop Ioan-Casian offered Father George Bâzgan an icon of Saints Constantine and Elena, and Metropolitan Nicolae awarded him with the American Metropolitan Cross. Father George duly expressed gratitude to the 2 hierarchs on behalf of the parish.

Afterwards, other gifts and certificates were distributed.

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.

Archpastoral visit, 2022

On 14-23 May, 2022, Bishop Ioan-Casian (Tunaru) made an archpastoral visitation to some communities in Alberta. This visit included the historic parishes of the Edmonton area, and the newly-established Calgary Parish. He visited the parishes of Saint Mary, Boian ; Saints Constantine and Helen, Edmonton ; Holy Ghost, Hamlin ; Exaltation of the Holy Cross, Shepenitz (Malin) ; Saint Mary, Hairy Hill ; Saint Andrew, Calgary ; Holy Trinity, Calgary.

On Tuesday, 17 May, Bishop Ioan-Casian, together with Father George Bâzgan (diocesan-vicar) and Father Mircea Panciuk (archpriest for Canada-West) went to the area of Boian village where the first Romanians who came at the end of 19th and early 20th century settled.

Lunch provided at the Boian hall

The first church visited was the one in Shepenitz-Mălin, which is dedicated to the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. The parish celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2014. It is a church that is in good condition. Father Mircea Panciuk regularly served there twice a year, in addition to other occasional services. The church has a well-maintained cemetery that testifies to the antiquity of the Romanian presence there.

Interior of Holy Cross Temple, Shepenitz

The Canadian hierarch and his 2 priests were greeted by a group of local believers. Memories were unravelled, the history of the parish was talked about and the troparion of the Resurrection was sung.

The second church visited was the one in Hairy Hill, which was dedicated to the Nativity of the Mother of God in the very vicinity of the historic village of Boian. The church in Hairy Hill was built since for a longer period the parish of Boian had passed into Russian jurisdiction and the Romanians had to build a new one. The church in Boian returned to the Romanian Patriarchate, thanks to the influence of Archbishop Victorin (Ursache). The church is over 100 years old and has a small cemetery. Due to the time and the fact that the Romanian believers went to the bigger cities, it has not been used for a long time and the church building is structurally affected. To preserve the main pieces of furniture - the iconostas, the historical religious flags, the pews, the processional crosses, etc. - in good condition and with a good exposure in order to know the history of Romanians in the area, a 10-year loan agreement was signed the same evening between the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada and the Canadian Romanians Society of Alberta. The company already maintains a historical museum in Boian with various exhibitions - a memorial house, a historic hut, various pieces of folk art (folk costumes, rugs, kitchen utensils, weaving wares, etc.) as well as agricultural machinery and circulation epoch machines. Exhibitions from Hairy Hill Church will be on display in this museum together in a special area dedicated to the church. During the month of July, a Romanian festival is held for several days in Boian, in which Romanians from all over Canada and even from the USA participate every year.

After a brief visit to the parish of the Dormition of the Mother of God and Saint Dumitru in Boian and lunch prepared by some of its members in the social hall, the hierarch and the 2 clergy headed on to another historic church in Golden Creek/Hamelin dedicated to the Descent of the Holy Spirit. The Temple is in a small meadow. Sadly, due to a similar situation to Hairy Hill building, the Temple here is structurally affected just as much. Like the other historic churches, it has a small cemetery next to it. The hierarch and the 2 priests returned to Edmonton in the afternoon.

Thursday, 19 May, Bishop Ioan-Casian together with the 2 clergy went south to the city of Calgary for a pastoral visit to the 2 Romanian parishes there with the patron saints : Saint Andrew (Father Vasile Ioan Moisi) and the Holy Trinity (Father Ovidiu Moldovan).

The 3 clerics were greeted at Saint Andrew's Parish by Father Vasile Ioan Moisi with a group of parishioners. The troparia specific to the period were sung after which the community offered the lunch. The parish had recently managed to purchase a building to be converted into a church. The complex with many auxiliary spaces was visited and the plan of the church arrangement was presented (iconostas, Altar Table, Proscomedia table and part of the subsequent interior architectural arrangement).

Afterwards, a visit was paid to Father Ovidiu Moldovan. The situation of the parish (which does not yet have its own place of worship) was discussed. At the end of the day, Bishop Ioan-Casian and the two priests headed to Edmonton for the next day's programme.

In Edmonton, there was a meeting with Bishop Ilarion (Rudnyk), Bishop of Edmonton and the Western Eparchy (Ukrainian Metropolia/Ecumenical Patriarchate) and Metropolitan Locum-tenens of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada. The situation of the Ukrainian parishes and community in Canada, the situation in Ukraine and other issues of theological interest were discussed. The meeting was also attended by Father Timothy Chrapko, the pastor of Saint Anthony's Parish, a theology professor, and counsellor. Father Timothy introduced the visitors to the parish where he serves. As a child, he was the spiritual son of Boian, and he grew up close to Father Mircea Panciuk as an assistant at the Altar for worship services for a long time.

Bishop Ilarion (Rudnyk) and Bishop Ioan-Casian (Tunaru) at Saint Anthony UOC

50 years, 2022

On 21-22 May, 2022, the first 50 years (1972-2022) from the sanctification of the Cathedral of Saints Constantine and Helen in Edmonton were marked and celebrated in Edmonton, Alberta.

On this occasion, many of the parishioners put on festive clothes (that is, traditional national attire) as they welcomed their archpastor Bishop Ioan-Casian (Tunaru) into their midst.

Bishop Ioan-Casian arrived on Friday, 20 May. In the evening of that day, surrounded by Priests George Bâzgan, Mircea Panciuk, and Călin Dorin Mărincaș (of Saskatoon), performed the Sacrament of Holy Anointing amidst the Faithful. This was followed by the serving of Vespers for the Feast-day of Saints Constantine and Elena (the Altar Feast-day/Name-day of the parish).

On Saturday morning, 21 May, the aforementioned serving priests received Bishop Ioan-Casian (Tunaru) (the ruling bishop of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada) at the entrance to the Temple. They led the singing of the bishop's hymn and the vesting of the bishop. Then Bishop Ioan-Casian and the priests served the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy of the feast-day. After its conclusion, the clergy led a Memorial Service ("parastas") for the founders of the parish, and for others who had fallen asleep in the Lord during the past decades. After the conclusion, Bishop Ioan-Casian gave a homily.

At the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy

After the lunch, a conference was held by Father George Bâzgan, who spoke to those present about Saint Simeon the New Theologian (1,000 years after his repose in Christ). After having presented Saint Simeon's teaching about prayer, the conference concluded with the reading of some prayers and hymns of this great hesychast.

On Sunday morning, 22 May, 2022, at the ringing of the bell, Bishop Ioan-Casian was greeted with bread and salt at the entrance to the Temple. After the official greetings and the vesting, the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy began. Bishop Ioan-Cassian was assisted by the Priests George Bâzgan (vicar-administrative), Mircea Panciuk, Vasile Moisi (from Calgary), and Dorin Mărincaș (from Saskatoon). Besides the parishioners, there were many other Orthodox Christian guests from the region in general. At the homily, Bishop Ioan-Cassian spoke about the Saviour's conversation with the Samaritan Woman, and he encouraged the Faithful to persevere in their steadfast service of the Lord.

In speaking about the 50th anniversary of the parish, he said :

 Here we are, after 50 years, and we can worship in the Temple of God.  Those who followed the generation 
 of the '70s continued in the same tradition to endow this beautiful Temple so that we, today, can partake 
 of the Body and Blood of Christ.  It behoves us, therefore, to be grateful to the founders of the parish,
 to remember them, and to pray for them.

At the festal dinner which followed, gratitude was expressed to God and to His hard-working servants who have laboured to provide beautiful places of worship for Romanian Orthodox Christians, and various gifts were exchanged.

At the official table, against the background of a collage of photos from the history of the cathedral, Father George Bâzgan thanked the participating priests, the Parish Council, the ladies who prepared the anniversary menu and all the members and supporters of the parish in Edmonton. Archpriest Mircea Panciuk (under whose pastorate the Temple had been built and sanctified) made a short historical presentation about the parish's earlier history.

Particular parish information

This parish is a part of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada, of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of the Americas of the Romanian Orthodox Church.

This parish follows the New (Revised Julian) Calendar.

The Altar Feast-day of this parish is the Feast of Saints Constantine and Helen, 21 May.

In 2023, the pastor of the parish is the Archpriest George Bâzgan.

Address :

Saints Constantine and Helen Romanian Orthodox Church

9005-132 Avenue NW

Edmonton, Alberta

T5E 0Y1

Web-site : http://www.bisericaedmonton.org/en/

E-mail : info@bisericaedmonton.org

Directions :

The Temple is situated north of Highway #16, the Yellowhead Highway/Trail. It is on the south side of 137 Avenue, at 90 Street, midway between the 2 main north-south routes, 97 Street and 82 Street, in the Balwin neighbourhood.

From the city centre, drive to 97 Street, and then north until 132 Avenue. Turn right. The Temple is on the right at the corner of 90 Street.

By bus :

Consult the Edmonton Transit System. There is bus service on 137 Avenue, as well as on 82 and 97 Streets. Route #162 passes along 97 Street from the city centre.

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.

Priest : Archpriest George Bâzgan

12903-90 Street NW

Edmonton, Alberta

T5E 3L7

Telephone : 780-473-0029

E-mail : geobazgan@gmail.com

References

Bugariu, Protopop Vicar Ioan, “1929-1979 Episcopia (Arhiepiscopia) Misionară Ortodoxă Română din America şi Canada la Aniversarea de 50 de ani în Calendarul Credinţa” (Editat de Arhiepiscopia Misionară Ortodoxă Română în America şi Canada, 1979).

Bugea, Eleanor, “Romanians in Canada” (Michigan : Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America, 2009). ISBN : 978-1-929200-14-6.

Pacurariu, Mircea, ‘Romanian Christianity’ in “The Blackwell Companion to Eastern Christianity” (Oxford : John Wiley & Sons, 2007). ISBN 10 : 0631234233 ; ISBN 13 : 9780631234234.

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

Parish history

Additional information :

Parish web-site

Diocesan listing

PDF history of the 45th anniversary of the Temple, and 68th anniversary of the foundation

Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of the Americas web-site

Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada web-site

Romanian Canadian Diocese listing

Patriarch Justin (Moisescu)

Patriarch Teoctist (Arăpașu)

Patriarch Daniel (Ciobotea)

Archbishop Victorin (Ursache)