Edwand AB Saint Pokrova Ukrainian Orthodox Church 1903
Edwand, Alberta, Saint Pokrova Orthodox Church, 1903
The title “Saint Pokrova” is a combined-language title (English and Ukrainian), which is more clearly understood to be “Holy Protection”. This title refers to the Protecting Veil of the Mother of God.
There is another parish known as Pokrova Greek Orthodox Church of Borovich (Borowich, Boriwtzi), near Willingdon, Alberta, Canada.
It seems that many of the earliest parishioners of each community came from the same village in Bukovyna.
Although it is not germane to the 2 communities, it may be of interest that there is a Borova region of the Kharkiv Governorate in Ukraine, and also a village called Borovtsi in northwest Bulgaria.
Prehistory
In 1900, the settlement and farming of the area around Edwand, Alberta, Canada, had begun. It is in the Smoky Lake County, east of the Town of Smoky Lake, and about 104 km (65 mi) northeast of Edmonton, Alberta. The name "Edwand" is that of an early post-office, named for an early post-master.
The settlers who established this parish were families whose origin was for the most part in Romanian- and Ukrainian-speaking villages in the northern Bukovina (also spelt Bukovyna, Bucovina) region of Romania around Chernivtsi. At that time, it was a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. This particular region later was taken by J Stalin and the USSR with a World War II treaty.
Establishment of the community, 1903
A Russian Orthodox mission, with a small chapel, was initially established on land immediately south of the present-day Edwand Church around 1903, a few years after the Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox parish was started in Smoky Lake. This was at about the same time as another mission was being established south of the North Saskatchewan River, a mission which had the same Name-day (dedication, Altar Feast-day).
Congregational life was initiated in 1903, in association with the death of a local homesteader. This sudden death made a cemetery an urgent necessity. This acquisition provided a concrete place and focus for the neighbouring people to pray.
A site for the graveyard was chosen uphill from the first mission (which enjoyed a commanding view of the White Earth Valley). Designated trustees were then dispatched to the Pine Creek Land Titles office (Waskatenau) to file a claim for a forty-acre subdivision of a quarter section, paid for with donations collected from area settlers.
Construction of the Temple, 1906
Construction of a log church began the following year, when stones for a foundation, logs and other materials were assembled on the property by local supporters of the parish. Then, volunteers worked slowly to erect a log structure. They were under the direction of a head carpenter, Todor Billey (Billy) – a native of Borivtsi, Bukovyna, who had homesteaded originally in the Pakan district, but moved subsequently to the vicinity of Edwand.
In 1906, a circuit Hieromonk is said to have held a service in the partially completed sanctuary.
Sanctification of the Temple, 1907
The formal sanctification of the Temple took place on 14 October 1907, the Feast-day of Saint Mary the Protectress (usually called "Protection of the Theotokos").
During the early years, priests from the "Russian Orthodox Mission" (and its successor, the Diocese of New York and the Aleutians) provided pastoral care to the Bukovynian and other settlers of the district.
Continuing parish life
During the 1920s and 1930s, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated 2 or 3 times a month. The services drew a large number of worshippers to Edwand. They arrived on foot over rough trails, or they braved the elements and roads in wagons and buggies. Regrettably, the records of these formative years of Saint Mary’s congregation were lost in the 1928 fire that destroyed Holy Trinity Russo-Orthodox Church in Smoky Lake.
Years of service by the Diocese of Canada, and sometimes by the UGOC
It seems that between 1936 and 1943, Father Hryhori Wasyliw of the UGOC served periodically at Edwand during the years of his pastorate in Smoky Lake. It is possible that he was called upon occasionally when a priest of the Diocese of Canada in the "Metropolia" was unavailable ; or at the request of local sympathisers of the UGOC.
In 1958, work began on a parish hall. It was erected in part with donated material and volunteer labour.
Move to the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada
However, following the repose in Christ of the serving priest in the area at the age of 42, the Edwand Faithful were left without regular spiritual care. Increasingly, the parishioners began to invite priests of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church to take care of their religious needs. This arrangement seems to have prevailed for many years, until the parishioners decided to join the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada (largely because of the efforts of Father Peter Satsevich).
On 11 December, 1960, the decision was taken at an annual general parish meeting. Although the UGOC Consistory naturally welcomed this decision, and was willing quickly to issue Father Satsevich a document of acceptance, it was suggested that he wait awhile to ensure that the move was not actively opposed by anyone still loyal to the "Metropolia".
In fact, the decision to become part of the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church had not been a unanimous one.
The Pokrova Parish of Edwand had 35 members when it resolved to enter the jurisdiction of the Ukrainian Orthodox Consistory in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The number increased to 52 during the following year (probably thanks to an influx of UGOC supporters from neighbouring communities). However, by 1965, the congregation reported having just 15 members, according to correspondence relating to its budgetary assessment.
Eventually, members who wanted to remain with the "Metropolia" joined the congregation of Saints Peter and Paul at Dickie Bush, south of Bellis, Alberta.
Structural details
There is distinctive bell-house with a square ground floor and octagonal second storey (the transition being achieved through the use of 4 tetrahedrons called "sails") immediately west of the Temple. Topped by a conical roof, the structure was originally graced by sets of porthole-like openings on each of its sides. However, these were replaced in 2005 by louvred openings that can be lowered to permit the sound of the bells to be heard more easily.
A parish hall is also located between the Temple and the cemetery.
Parish cemetery, 1903
The cemetery is adjacent to the church, having been established in 1903 upon the death of a 22-year-old settler, Wasyl Maskalyk.
The builder of the church, Todor Billey (1870-1960), who emigrated to Canada with his wife and two children in 1899, is buried in the cemetery, which is thought to contain close to 700 graves. Unfortunately, some of the burials were never marked, and the wooden crosses on many other early graves have been lost due to fires. The church property and cemetery were enclosed with a fence in 2005.
Organisation, 1903
In 1902, a special Dominion land grant (No. 1179) was issued to the Russo-Greek Catholic Orthodox parish of Shandro, for the purpose of establishing a Temple and cemetery to serve the Borowich district. A Russo-Orthodox congregation had been organised at Shandro in 1900, and it was then in the process of constructing its own place of worship : Saint Mary's Church.
In 1903, 35 local settlers met in the home of Hryhory Kowalchuk to discuss building a Temple on the 20 acres of land that had recently been acquired, as well as electing an executive and trustees to initiate this undertaking.
Because no large trees were available nearby, the parishioners had to obtain them from woods that were 20 miles away, north of the Andrew townsite. During the winter of 1903-1904, suitable trees were harvested from this timber stand (northeast of the Kysylew Russo Orthodox Church), after which the logs were hauled by sleigh to the old townsite of Andrew for squaring at the Oliver sawmill.
In 1903, the sudden death of Wasyl Maskalyk at the age of 22 made it urgent that the Orthodox believers of this region locate and agree on a location for a cemetery and for a Temple. In the same year, 2 children of the Bozniak family were interred in the cemetery. This was quickly done, and the land chosen was at SW26-59-16-W4.
Construction of the Temple, 1904
Construction began in the summer of 1904, with Oleksa Morris hired to supervise the project and Dionysy Lastiwka serving as his assistant. The 26’ x 44’ log structure rose slowly on a stone foundation, the work proceeding whenever parishioners had some free time to help the builders.
Many of the pioneers contributed money, and they volunteered their time towards the construction. The following are known contributors :
Gawrelo Billey, George Bozniak, Simeon Bozniak, Wasyl Chipiniuk, Steve Danyliuk, Dmetro Elaschuk, Nick Fedorak, Wasyl Franchuk, Mike Graganiuk, Metro Grekul, Petro Halisky, Teodor Harasem, Philip Hryhirchuk, Andrew Hryhyk, Tom Hunchiak, Ivan Kokotilo, Tom Kokotilo, Nykolay Kostiuk, George Krawchuk, Azenty Makowichuk, Wasyl Maskalyk, Mike Melnyk, George Melnyk, Onufry Mykytiuk, John Mykytiuk, Mike Odenak, Jacob Ottawa, Demnian Penchuk, Wasyl Prokopchuk, Alex Ratsoy, Metro Rechalsky, George Rechlo, Semion Rogoza, Nykolay Rosychuk, Wasyl Semiuk, John Senetza, Wasyl Shupenia, Alex Skoreyko, Kurylo Skoreyko, Metro Skoreyko, George Skoreyko, Peter Skoreyko, Steve Skoreyko, Teodore Skoreyko, Jakob Slemko, Roman Slemko, Semion Slemko, George Smetaniuk, Nykolay Sokolotosky, Zxenty Wattamaniuk, Tanasko Witwisky, George Wolansky, Teodor Zetariuk.
Logs were cut, peeled and hauled to the construction site by horse and wagon. Teodor (Todor) Billey of Wostok was hired to be the head carpenter. Mr. Billey laid out the plans for the Temple and the bell-house. Volunteers brought stone for the foundation, as well as logs and some timber for the construction. The rest of the timber was bought, and a craftsman was hired to make glass for the building.
The structure can be characterised as Bukovinian in style, with its steeply-sloped tripped roof, its small domes and its tripartite plan.
In 1906, Michael Zukiwski put on siding to seal the exterior walls ; and that winter, he worked with Peter Gudsovaty and other members to finish the interior and build the Altar.
In the meantime, Priest Antony Pechinsky, assisted by Priests Kryskha, Gregory Soroka, and Alexander Peza of the "Russian Orthodox Mission" blessed the Temple at a service held on 14 October, 1906, the Feast-day of Saint Mary the Protectress. The Mother of God was adopted as the patron of the sanctuary.
Subsequently, a series of Russian Orthodox priests provided pastoral care for the congregation in the decade that followed.
The first trustees of the parish were :
Wasyl Chipiniuk, Nykolay Rosychuk and George Wolansky.
They rode by horse-and-wagon to Edmonton in order to purchase a registration for the Temple and cemetery. The cost was $10.00.
Billey family
The Billey family serve as an example of committed Orthodox Christian living. Alexander Billey and his brothers were amongst those who constructed the Temple. The whole life of the wife of Alexander, Sanda Billey, was focussed on caring for this Temple, and worshipping in it. She cleaned the Temple regularly, and she polished everything. She embroidered towels and other coverings for the Temple. Alexander was a builder of coffins and he made cement Crosses for the cemetery. Other families were not different in their love for the Lord and for His Church and in their devotion to the care of the Lord's Temple.
Sanctification of the Temple, 1906
On 14 October, 1906, the Temple was sanctified by a priestmonk who belonged to the "Russian Mission" in North America, and who travelled amongst the various communities he served in the region. This day is the Feast of the Protection of the Mother of God.
Bells were donated, and the Shroud of Christ was bought through donations of parishioners.
Life in 1920s-1930s
In the early 1920s and 1930s, services were offered every second or third Sunday, depending on how many services the priest had in other parishes. The people in the Edwand community tended to be present in the Temple very often at that time, as compared with the 21st century. Sometimes they would visit a neighbouring parish. They most frequently travelled near and far by horse, wagon, or buggy. Almost no-one had an automobile, and the roads were not very accommodating to them. It was usual at a Sunday or festal service to see very few cars, but many wagons, democrats and buggies.
New bells, and other improvements, 1950s
In 1952-1953, 2 new bells were installed in the bell-house to replace the original ones which had become cracked. The new bells were noticeably smaller than the original ones.
In 1954, it was decided that a new oak floor be installed in the Temple, mainly because the original floor was suffering from mould. George Masikewich (Moskowich) was instrumental in this project, which was supervised by John Meronek.
Move to the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada, 1956
In 1956, the congregation voted to change the name from the Russo-Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Pokrova to the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Pokrova.
This occurred when the serving priest in the area, Father Cependa, reposed in the Lord at the age of 42.
At that time, it seemed that the only way for the parish to maintain services was to make this change. At that time, the Archdiocese of Canada of the Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church of North America (usually called simply the "Metropolia") was suffering from a severe shortage of clergy.
Moreover, in those days, the Russian Exarchate of North America's Diocese of Edmonton and Canada (a possible alternative that was employed by some congregations) was not considered by this congregation to be acceptable because of the connexion of that diocese (under Archbishop Panteleimon (Rudyk) of Edmonton) with the Moscow Patriarchate.
Funeral customs
By 1958, the use of these home-made coffins ceased, and only the commercially available ones came to be used. Until this time, the body of a reposed person was washed by the family and dressed and prepared for the funeral. The body remained in the coffin in the family home until it was time for the funeral.
A candle (beeswax) was prepared which was the same length as the height of the departed person. This candle was the thickness of a pencil and made into a coil. It was placed in a plate of water, lit, and placed on top of the coffin. Every hour, someone would uncoil more candle, until the candle burned to the point where there was no candle left to uncoil. It was then that the body was buried. Afterwards, the usual memorial dinner was prepared in the family home.
This custom reflects what happened when there was no priest available.
More modernisation of the Temple
In 1958, after the donation of some gravel, lumber and labour, and with the purchase of some other materials, the parish hall began to be constructed. The work was completed by 1961.
In 1966, a parishioner donated the installation of electricity.
In 1969, the antique chandelier had wiring installed, and candles were no longer needed.
In 1972, a construction firm in Edmonton donated labour and materials to replace the windows which were rotting.
In 1976, natural gas was installed in the parish hall.
In 1977, an English gentleman attended the blessing of the graves (“provody”). The following Sunday, he donated his time and machinery to install the natural gas service in the Temple.
Re-naming of the UGOCC, 1990
In 1990, the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada was officially renamed “The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada” (UOCC) by an Act of the Parliament of Canada.
The UOCC entered into Eucharistic union with the Patriarchate of Constantinople, 1990
In 1990, the 18th Sobor of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada in Winnipeg, Manitoba, 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.
Further repairs and improvements
In 1993, when grants became available, a grant was procured which allowed for the installation of a new foundation under the Temple.
In 1994, the Temple was repainted.
In 1995, new fencing was erected around the parish property.
From 1996, the parish executive made an extension to the hall, and enabled the construction of a new kitchen and the installation of indoor lavatories.
Renaming of the parish, 2003
In August, 2003, the Temple was officially renamed as Saint Pokrova Orthodox Church of Edwand, Alberta.
In 2005, a chain-link fence was constructed around the cemetery. New outdoor toilets were also added to the hall.
The Temple as it had been originally constructed continued to be used for more than a century after its founding, with a few additions.
Interior layout
An interesting feature of the interior is the wall between sanctuary and nave that serves as the iconostas ; in most churches, the iconostas is a partition instead of a full wall. This duplicates construction techniques used in Ukraine, wherein the parts of a tripartite structure were built side by side, joined together, and then had holes cut in the walls to allow movement between them. The walls of Saint Pokrova’s, including the iconostas, are adorned with icons hung upon them.
Except for the placing of a commemorative plaque on the north interior elevation, the physical structure of the Temple has not been altered.
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.
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.
Saint Pokrova Cemetery, 1903
The Edwand Saint Pokrova Cemetery is adjacent to the Temple, having been established in 1903 upon the death of a 22-year-old settler, Wasyl Maskalyk. The builder of the Temple, Todor Billey (1870-1960), who emigrated to Canada with his wife and 2 children in 1899, is buried in the cemetery, which is thought to contain close to 700 graves. However, some of the burials were never marked, and the wooden Crosses on many other early graves were lost due to fires.
The cemetery is located at site description SW 26, 59, 16, W4.
This portion of land was used also for the Temple which was constructed nearby.
In 2016, the cemetery numbered more than 600 burials on its territory. By 2024, the number had risen to 736.
Many of these burials are of the original pioneers in the area. There are burials also of members of the Royal Canadian Army, and of the Royal Canadian Air Force who have been interred there after their repose.
As is customary, there is an annual memorial service and blessing of graves (“provody”) in the Paschal season.
Parish and cemetery sign
Cemetery
Cemetery
Cemetery
The priests who served in this parish included the Priest M N Cependa, who served until 1960. Priest John Rybalka served afterwards. Then, Igumen Loren (Kubin) served until 1987.
Particular parish details
The Saint Pokrova Parish is a parish of the Western Eparchy 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 Protection of the Theotokos, 1/14 October.
In 2024, the pastor of this parish is the Priest Benny Ambrosie.
Address :
SW26-59-16-W4
Smoky Lake County, Alberta
T0A 0J0
Telephone : 780-656-3608
Directions :
From Edmonton, drive on Highway #15 North to Highway #37 W in Sturgeon County. Then follow Highway #825 North and Range Road #224 to Highway #28 East. Turn right onto Highway #28 east, and continue until Range Road 161. Turn left onto Range Road 161. The journey takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Drive on Highway #28 to Range Road #161 (18.5 km (11.5 mi) east of Smoky Lake). Turn north on Range Road #161. Drive 4.3 km (2.7 mi) north.
Mailing address :
Saint Pokrova Orthodox Church of Edwand, Alberta
Box 516
Smoky Lake, Alberta
T0A 3C0
Telephone : 780-476-7014
Fax : 780-476-3666
Mobile : 780-719-9619
E-mail : bambrosie@shaw.ca
References
“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).
“The Russian Mission in North America”
Saint Pokrova Orthodox Church, “100th Anniversary : 1906-2006 St. Pokrova Ukrainian Orthodox Church Edwand, Alberta” (Edwand : Saint Pokrova Orthodox Church of Edwand, Alberta, 2006).
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
A Chronological History of the Archdiocese of Canada, Part I
The “Russian Mission” in North America
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.
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.
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Saint Pokrova, Edwand, Alberta parish listing
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada web-site
Orthodoxwiki article about the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada
Wikipedia article about the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada
Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople web-site
Orthodoxwiki article about the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople
Orthodoxwiki article about The Orthodox Church in America
Patriarch Saint Tikhon (Belavin)
Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis)
Archbishop (Saint) Arseny (Chahovtsov)
Metropolitan Platon (Rozhdestvensky)
Metropolitan Theophilus (Pashkovsky)
Metropolitan Leonty (Turkevich)
Archbishop Alexander (Nemolovsky)
Archbishop Benjamin (Basalyga)
Archbishop Joasaph (Skorodumov)
Archbishop Kiprian (Borisevich)
Metropolitan Yurij (Kalistchuk)
Encyclopaedia of Ukraine History of Ukrainians in Alberta
St Pokrova Orthodox Church, Edwand Cemetery names (prairiesouls.com)
St Pokrova Orthodox Church, Edwand Cemetery information (prairiesouls.com)
Findagrave reference to the Saint Pokrova Cemetery
University of Alberta list of families at Pokrova Parish
Alternative Findagrave reference for Borowich Ukrainian Orthodox Cemetery
Encyclopaedia of Ukraine article about the UOCC
Canadian Encyclopaedia article about Ukrainian Canadians
Wikipedia article about Ukrainian Canadians
Wikipedia article about the Ukrainian diaspora
Ukrainian Immigration to Canada
Library and Archives of Canada article about the Ukrainians in Alberta
"Historical Overview" about immigration of Ukrainians to Alberta
Wikipedia article about Edwand, Alberta
Pioneer Churches on the Prairies : Saint Pokrova Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Edwand (Photos)
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)