Foam Lake SK Saint Onuphrius the Great Russo Orthodox Church and Cemetery 1910

Foam Lake, Saskatchewan, Church and Cemetery in the Name of Saint Onuphrius the Great, 1910

Bukovina may be spelt Bucovina.

Onuphrius may be spelt Onouphry, Onufry, Onufriy.

Prehistory

The Town of Foam Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada, is situated between Yorkton and Saskatoon, at the junction of Highway #16 and Highway #310, in East-Central Saskatchewan. It is about 805 km (500 mi) southeast of Edmonton, Alberta, and about 545 km (340 mi) northwest of Winnipeg, Manitoba.

The name "Foam Lake" was chosen in 1882 by Joshua Milligan (an English fur-trader), the first settler in the area. He had noticed the foam which formed along the shores of a shallow body of water northwest of the town’s present site. After the Milligans came a group of Icelanders who settled in the area in 1892. The Ukrainians from Bukovina were next to arrive between 1900 and 1910. They were in search of freedom, and of land for their own possession. (In 1872, Parliament passed a Dominion Lands Act, granting each immigrant a quarter section of land for 10 dollars.) This new land required considerable labour. It is helpful to keep in mind that the Bukovina region (in Romanian, Bucovina) was at that time a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, in which Orthodox Christians often suffered oppression in various ways.

The first settlement of this area by the people of Bukovina began in 1905. Work progressed as the people began to establish themselves. Nevertheless, they did not ever forget the priority of their spiritual life as they did so. In Bukovina, as in other Orthodox lands, their lives had been focussed on the regular cycles of prayer and worship in their local Temples. Every aspect of their lives was involved in awareness of the presence of the Lord and the importance of living within His blessing.

As they were establishing themselves on the land, the Orthodox Christians maintained their rhythm of prayer and worship (both in their own homes, and whenever possible together in groups). Occasionally, a missionary priest would pass by. Then they began to organise themselves into a community of Orthodox Faithful.

Construction of the first Temple, 1910

The first tiny wooden Temple of the Russian Orthodox Faith was constructed 24 km (15 mi) north-west of Foam Lake in 1910. It was named in honour of Saint Onuphrius the Great. For more than 14 years, this little Temple provided for the spiritual needs of the Orthodox Christians of the area.

First Temple

Construction of the second Temple, 1924

In the spring of 1924, construction of a new Temple began. The work was completed late in 1925. The founding parishioners include :

 Mike Bonar ; John Fushtey ; Sandek Hancheruk ; Wasyl Hapey ; Eli Holowaty ; Wasyl Holowaty ; Wasyl Homeniuk ; 
 Todor Hunchuk ; Wasyl Hunchuk ; Kost Kolybaba ; George Koteck ; Eli Kozub ; Dmitro Kucherawy ; 
 Andrew Kucheraway ; George Kucherawy ; Kost Mazimiuk ; Goga Maximuk ; Wasyl Malishchuk ; Metro Polonich ; 
 Peter Stacharuk ; Dmitro Zalizney ; Wasyl Zalizney ; Theodore Zalizney.

On 17 November, 1925, there was a special meeting of the parish for the purpose of adopting by-laws. The following was the result :

 1.  We, the parishioners of the above-mentioned Church and namely those who laid the foundation and built this 
 Church, decided unanimously that this Church from this day on, is contracted or enters into contract with land 
 property (graveyard) (churchyard) where said church is built as one undivided part of each other and is 
 contracted as a Russian Orthodox Mission or under the Russian Orthodox Mission in Canada.
 2.  In case of division of parishioners in said Church, no one of the parishioners has any right to ask for 
 return of money which anyone gave (donated) for the building of said Church and everyone who wants to remain 
 in this Church must obey orders from the Russian Orthodox Mission in Canada.  
 3.  All dissensions and disturbances, etc., are rigidly forbidden around this Church one half mile distance, 
 and any person who disobeys this decision will be penalised $25.00 as first offence and second time, $50.00.
 4.  In case one or more of the Committee men of this Church would work against this Church or our Mission, 
 namely the Russian Orthodox mission in Canada, he or they will be considered as not legal Committee men of 
 this Church.
 Signed by : Dymitry Holowaty (president) ; Andriy Kucherawy (secretary) ; 
 Committee : Michael Banar ; Elias Holowaty ; Wasyl Holowaty ; 
 Stefan Hrenchuk ; Kost Kolybaba ; Ivan Lazecki ; Gora Maksymiuk ; 
 Kost Maksymiuk ; Wasil Malichuk.

These by-laws reflect not only the fidelity of the parish and the Church ; but also they give clues about the ecclesiastical confusion and dissension that had arisen throughout Canada after World War I and the Bolshevik Revolution. This disturbance continued throughout very many decades thereafter.

The decisions of this meeting reflect the inter-church turmoil in Canada at that time (one of the consequences of the Bolshevik Revolution), the parishioners of the above-mentioned Temple decided to attempt to protect the parish through by-laws. It was particularly those who had laid the foundation and built this Temple who led this action.

The Russian Orthodox Mission in Canada was from the beginning (1898) a missionary territory and then a diocese, part of the Russian Orthodox Mission in North America (also known as the Diocese of the Aleutians and Alaska). This soon became the “Metropolia of All America and Canada”.

As an example of the movements of people during this time, in 1929, Victor and Vaska (born Nychyporuk) Lapsyuk emigrated to Canada from Volyn in Ukraine, and they settled near Foam Lake. They became active participants in the Saint Onuphrius parish. Then, in 1939, the family moved to Minitonas, Manitoba, where they became active participants in the parish of Saint Lavrentius.

Saint Onuphrius Temple and Bell-house

Move to the Moscow Patriarchate Exarchate, 1950s

This parish, as did some others related to Archbishop Adam (Philipovsky) (Filipowsky), transferred to the jurisdiction of the Exarchate of the Moscow Patriarchate in the 1950s.

Interior of the Temple

Although the parish is small and the Temple is located in a rural area, the parishioners do everything possible to maintain the order and beauty of the Temple. About 4 services are celebrated during the year, thus continuing the church-going traditions of the founders of the parish.

100 years, 2010

On 27 June, 2010, the parish marked the centennial anniversary of its life and witness in Foam Lake.

The Hierachical Divine Liturgy and festive moleben were conducted by Bishop Job (Smakouz) of Kashira, Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada. He was assisted by the Archpriest Igor Kisil and the Priest George Sergeyev (rector of the Orthodox V Parishes). The singing was led by Zenovia Duch.

Greeting of Bishop Job (Smakouz)

After the veneration of the Cross and anointing with holy oil, a moleben was served outdoors, followed by the Lesser Blessing of Water. This was done at the place where the first Temple originally stood. Then followed a festal procession around the Temple and the blessing of the exterior walls (and the interior afterwards). Afterwards, a memorial prayer (Litia/Trisagion) was served for the departed founders and parishioners of the Parish of Saint Onuphrius.

Following this, a festive anniversary banquet and anniversary programme were offered at the Sunset Hall in Foam Lake. Steven Holowaty served as the master of ceremonies. Bishop Job presented a patriarchal gramota (certificate of gratitude and blessing) to the parish council and the parishioners of the parish on the occasion of the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of their parish, and in recognition of their hard work and zealous efforts towards the consolidation of the Holy Orthodox Faith in Canada. Then Steven Holowaty presented a brief history of the parish. Then followed various other congratulatory messages and reminiscences.

Afterwards, a festive concert consisting of several old Ukrainian songs was performed by the church choir under the direction of Mrs. Duch.

Considering that the parish is almost 800 km (500 mi) from Edmonton, and considering that there are relatively few parishioners, on this day there were gathered more than 110 believers from the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan, who took part in the festal celebrations of the parish.

May the merciful Lord bless, protect and strengthen the parishioners of the Church of Saint Onuphrius the Great at Foam Lake, Saskatchewan, now, and for all the years to come.

Centennial photo of parishioners

Russo Greek Orthodox Cemetery of Saint Onuphrius, 1910

The cemetery in the name of Saint Onuphrius was established at the same time as was the parish. It is near the Temple, on the same property.

Land description site Sec.33-28-11-W2

Foam Lake Municipality, Saskatchewan

S0A 1A0

The priests who have served in this parish include :

 Archpriest Alexy Shovheniuk ; Priest (unknown) Perov ; Priest (unknown) Kuchirowsky ; 
 Archpriest Teodosij Taschuk ; Priest (unknown) Gachena ; Priest Ivan Kusey ; Archpriest Thaddeus Ewachniuk ; 
 Archpriest Peter Tokaruk ;  Archpriest Dimitry Sagan ; D Tovstiuk ; Archpriest Boris Grigory ; 
 Archpriest John Borcha ; Priest-monk Pallady/Peter (Kostiuk) ; Mitred Archpriest Peter Vlodek ; 
 Archpriest Michael Kit ; Archpriest Igor Kisil.

Particular parish information

This parish is served by the clergy of the Parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in Canada. The bishop is Bishop Job (Smakouz).

This parish follows the Old (Julian) Calendar.

The Altar Feast-day of this parish is the Feast of Saint Onuphrius the Great, 25/12 June.

In 2022, the pastor of the parish is the Archpriest Evgeniy Protsenko.

Address :

Saint Onuphrius the Great Russo Greek Orthodox Church

Land description site Sec.33-28-11-W2

Foam Lake Municipality, Saskatchewan

S0A 1A0

Directions :

Foam Lake is 544 km (340 mi) northwest of Winnipeg, and the driving time is about 5 hours and 45 minutes. It is about 238 km (148 mi) southeast of Saskatoon, and the driving time is about 2 hours and 26 minutes.

From Saskatoon, drive east on Highway #16 to Foam Lake. From Yorkton, drive west on Highway #16 to Foam Lake.

From Foam Lake, drive 16 km (10 mi) south on Road #310. Turn left and drive 3.2 km (2 mi) east. Turn right and drive 3.2 km (2 mi) south. Then turn right, and drive 1 km (0.5 mi) west. The Temple is on the right.

Local contacts :

President : Mike Holowaty

Telephone : (306) 272-4226

Secretary-Treasurer : Doug Bonar

Telephone : (306) 272-4267

Archpriest Evgeniy Protsenko, Pastor of the parish

10812-108 Street

Edmonton, Alberta

T5H 3A6

Telephone : (780) 426-5163

Mobile : (780) 818-7343

E-mail : pokrova70@gmail.com

References

“Patriarchal Parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in Canada, 100 Years of Orthodoxy in Canada 1897-1997 : Pictorial Memories” (Edmonton : Patriarchal Parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in Canada, 1997).

Russian Orthodox Church History Book Committee, “Patriarchal Parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in Canada, Millennium of the Baptism of Rus’” (Edmonton : Russian Orthodox Church History Book Committee, 1988). ISBN: 0-88925-830-9.

“The Russian Mission in North America”

Additional information :

Anderson, Alan, “Ethnic Block Settlements in Saskatchewan”

Moscow Patriarchate Parishes in Canada web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada

Moscow Patriarchate listing

Patriarch Saint Tikhon (Belavin)

Archbishop (Saint) Arseny (Chahovtsov)

Metropolitan Platon (Rozhdestvensky)

Metropolitan Theophilus (Pashkovsky)

Metropolitan Leonty (Turkevich)

Metropolitan Ireney (Bekish)