Gibsons BC Hermitage of Saint Nicholas of Myra 2009

Gibson's Landing (Gibsons), British Columbia, Hermitage of Saint Nicholas of Myra, 2009

Prehistory

While the future Orthodox Christian Nun Anna (Barkham) was yet working as a midwife in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia, Canada, she also began to embrace the monastic life in a serious manner. She participated for a long time in the Orthodox Christian parish of Saint Herman of Alaska in Langley, British Columbia, and also for some time in the parish of the Holy Nativity Antiochian Orthodox Church in Langley.

After some time of having been supervised, she was tonsured to be a female monk (popularly called "nun" in western culture), and she became a member of the Monastic Community of Saint Silouan the Athonite. This was an Orthodox Christian monastic community in Ontario, which had been organised in order to provide a spiritual home to the many monks and nuns within the Archdiocese of Canada of The Orthodox Church in America who were living in solitude in various places in Canada.

In about 1999, she met Igumen Gregory (Papazian) when he moved to British Columbia from Québec. He and the Monk Samuel (Panchuk) had settled on property at Gibsons on the Sechelt Peninsula. There, they re-founded the Hermitage of the Holy Transfiguration. Father Gregory, already an experienced hermit from before 1980, and his disciple, Father Samuel, had lived in solitude near the top of a mountain near Fitch Bay, in Québec. Because Father Gregory's health now required a milder climate, this occasioned their arrival at Gibsons. After she had had conversations with the monks for some time, she found that she could purchase a small property not far away from the monastery.

Later, while she was still working, she was able to establish a small domicile on this property, and to establish a small oratory (prayer chapel) in it. When she was able, she would withdraw for some days at a time to this refuge, and she would attend some of the services being offered by the monks.

As her retirement approached, she worked part-time as a midwife in the Gibsons area.

Foundation of the hermitage, 2009

On 1 August, 2009, when Mother Anna was freer to spend more time at this refuge, Archbishop Seraphim (Storheim) gave the blessing that this refuge now serve as the Hermitage of Saint Nicholas of Myra.

Once she had completely retired in 2013, Mother Anna was able to move fully into this refuge in January, 2014.

From that time, the Nun Anna (Barkham) has lived a solitary monastic life in this hermitage (the residence of a hermit). While the Holy Transfiguration Brotherhood remained nearby, she attended the Divine Liturgy on Sundays and on Feast-days. On all days, she has offered to the Lord the usual monastic cycle of services of the Orthodox Christian Church in the oratory.

Mother Anna had received visitors only on a pre-arranged basis.

Mother Anna

Additional responsibility, 2015

In 2015, for reasons beyond their control, the Brotherhood of the Transfiguration had to find a new site on which to continue their monastic life. Thus, they moved to Lone Butte, in the interior of British Columbia.

After their departure, there remained a group of Orthodox Christians who (as Mother Anna) had been attending services in the Holy Transfiguration Hermitage. Because they still wanted to gather to worship in whatever manner this could be done, they asked for help from Mitred Archpriest Michael Fourik, the Dean of the British Columbia & Yukon Deanery, of the Archdiocese of Canada. With the blessing of Archbishop Irénée (Rochon) of the Archdiocese of Canada, it was agreed that the oratory in the Hermitage of Saint Nicholas would become the focus of such gatherings on those Sundays and Feast-days when a priest was unavailable.

Then this small community of Orthodox Christians (whose constituency worshipped formerly at the Holy Transfiguration Monastery in Gibsons) was then officially named Holy Theophany Mission. Its Altar Feast-day is the Feast of the Theophany of Christ. When a priest would be available, then the services were to be held in the rented quarters of the Chaster House on the southwestern side of Gibsons.

However, in 2020, a better and more appropriate meeting-place became available, and the services moved to the Bethlehem Chapel of Saint Bartholomew's Anglican Church on North Road, Gibsons.

Because of the particular circumstances of the nascent mission, the priest who is assigned to serve the mission also cared for this hermitage. However, as the mission has developed, the first assigned priest, Archpriest Kaleeg Hainsworth, was assigned to serve the mission itself.

The Hermitage of Saint Nicholas of Myra continues to be the shelter for monastic living as it was founded to be. The hermitage is closed to visitors, but correspondence is accepted by regular mail or by e-mail at <annebarkham@hotmail.com>.

2020 pandemic closures

In 2020, as the year progressed, the activity of the Covid-19 Virus in Canadian society produced restrictions on the number of persons who could at any time gather. This fact caused a reduction in the frequency of meeting for the Holy Theophany Mission in Gibsons. Moreover, the situation was exacerbated when Saint Bartholomew's Church was closed by the Anglican diocesan authorities for the duration.

As was the case in all parishes throughout the country, this was a very difficult period of time for all concerned, including Mother Anna. A further challenge arose when the personal and other activities of Archpriest Kaleeg J Hainsworth left him no time to continue in his pastoral responsibilities in Gibsons.

Another long-term site for the mission

Later in 2020, it became possible for the mission to gather at the Frank West Fire Hall at 1224, Chaster Road in Gibsons. Since that time, this place remained a convenient place for the services.

Priest Peter Choi, 2022

On 24 March, 2022, Archbishop Irénée (Rochon) ordained Deacon Peter Choi to the Holy Priesthood. Deacon Peter had been attached to the parish of Saint John of Shanghai in Vancouver. Priest Peter Choi was given the pastoral responsibility of the Holy Theophany Mission in Gibsons. In addition, he continued helping in both Holy Resurrection Sobor, and in the Saint John of Shanghai parish when he is needed.

Those who wish to join the mailing list of the mission may request enrolment at annebarkham@hotmail.com.

Former hermitage guardian

Particular hermitage information

The Hermitage of Saint Nicholas of Myra is part of the British Columbia & Yukon Deanery of the Archdiocese of Canada, of The Orthodox Church in America. The dean is the Mitred Archpriest Michael Fourik. The bishop is Archbishop Irénée (Rochon).

The hermitage follows the New (Revised Julian) Calendar.

The Altar Feast-day of the hermitage is the Feast of Saint Nicholas of Myra, 6 December.

In 2026, the hermit is the Nun Anna (Barkham).

The priest who cares for the hermitage and who is assigned to serve the Holy Theophany Mission (which meets at the Frank West Fire Hall on Chaster Road) is the Priest Peter T Choi.

Address :

Saint Nicholas of Myra Hermitage

116, Williamsons Landing Road

Gibsons, British Columbia

V0N 1V6

Directions :

Gibson's is approachable mainly by BC Ferries from Horseshoe Bay, British Columbia, north of Vancouver, British Columbia.

At the Langdale Terminal (near Gibsons), drive off the ferry, keep to the right, and watch the road-signs carefully. At the junction of Marine Drive, the Sunshine Coast Highway, and the Port Mellon Highway, follow the signs for the Port Mellon Highway. Drive on the Port Mellon Highway for about 3 km. At the leftward bend in the highway, follow the exit on the right, driving straight onto Twin Creeks Road. At Williamsons Landing Road, turn right. Drive on Williamsons Landing Road for about 900 metres. The Hermitage is on the left.

Priest Peter Choi

Telephone : 604-218-8145

E-mail : fr.peter.t.choi@gmail.com

References

Archdiocese of Canada listing for the Saint Nicholas of Myra Hermitage, Gibsons, British Columbia

Additional information :

Hopko, Thomas, ‘Monasticism’ in “The Orthodox Faith”, vol. 2.

Prokurat, Michael ; Golitzin, Alexander & Petersen, Michael, eds., 'Monasteries' in “The A to Z of the Orthodox Church” (Lanham, MD : Scarecrow Press, 2010), pp. 223-224. ISBN : 978-0-8108-7602-6.

...... 'Monasticism' in “The A to Z of the Orthodox Church” (Lanham, MD : Scarecrow Press, 2010), pp. 225-227. ISBN : 978-0-8108-7602-6.

Archdiocese of Canada (OCA) listing for the Hermitage of Saint Nicholas of Myra, Gibsons, British Columbia

Archdiocese of Canada web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about the Archdiocese of Canada

Orthodox Church in America web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about The Orthodox Church in America

Metropolitan Herman (Swaiko)

Metropolitan Jonah (Paffhausen)

Metropolitan Tikhon Mollard

Archbishop Irénée (Rochon)

Igumen Gregory (Papazian)

Mitred Archpriest Michael Fourik