Glaslyn SK Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church and Cemetery 1912

Glaslyn, Saskatchewan, Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church and Cemetery, 1912

Prehistory and background

Glaslyn is now a village in the Rural Municipality of Parkdale No. 498, in west-central Saskatchewan, Canada. The village is located 67 km north of the city of North Battleford, and 91 km south of Meadow Lake at the intersection of Highway #4 and Highway #3, and 463 km (288) mi) northwest of Regina.

The Village of Glaslyn was incorporated in 1929, and it celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2004.

Like many such small communities north of the prairies, Glaslyn and its surrounding region were being promoted as being a new frontier full of promise.

Settlement of this region by immigrants began after the beginning of the 1900s. Farming, trapping and forestry were the main occupations of those who came. Many of these immigrants came from Western Ukraine, from the areas of Bukovyna and Galicia (Halychyna).

By about 1911, the region to the southwest of the settlement of Glaslyn was sufficiently populated that people began to organise 2 necessary elements of their community life. The first was preparing to build a Temple, and the second was preparing to build a school.

Because of the time when this community was forming, it would usually have developed under the auspices of the Canadian Deanery of the former "Russian Orthodox Mission" in North America, by then the Diocese of New York and the Aleutians. This was the missionary continuation of the work initiated before 1900 in Canada by Bishop Nicholas (Ziorov) and Bishop Tikhon (Belavin) (the future patriarch, martyr, and saint). At that time, Archbishop Platon (Rozhdestvensky) was the head of the North American diocese, and it was his responsibility to assign the priests who served in Canada. Nevertheless, various circumstances (including the remoteness of the settlement at that time) inhibited the development of this community in that context.

Founding the parish and cemetery, 1912

In the spring of 1912, there was a meeting in the home of Anton Kulchiski to discuss the situation. It was agreed that Anton Kulchiski would donate 5 acres of land on the southeast corner of the Southeast Quarter of Township 22, Section 50, Range 17, West of the 3rd Meridian. This land would serve as a place for a cemetery, and for the construction of a Temple. However, because of circumstances, it was some time before more than the cemetery could be established.

In 1913, the Wolia ("freedom") School was constructed on the southeast corner of the Southwest Quarter of Section 28, Township 50, Range 17, West of the 3rd Meridian, and from that time, many community activities were focussed there. As a result, the Wolia District came into being. The place-name is likely related to the Wola Village near Warsaw, Poland, or the Wola region in Galicia.

World War I, 1914

From 1914-1918, World War I diverted the attention and resources of many people in this region (as throughout the country) in various other directions.

Ukrainian Self-reliance League, 1916 ; Bolshevik Revolution, 1917

In 1916, the Petro Mohyla Institute was established in Saskatoon, and it became the nucleus of the Ukrainian Self-reliance League. This was a contributor to the establishment of the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada in 1918. Meanwhile, in Europe, the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 overthrew the Russian Empire, and this was followed by a declaration of independence by Ukraine from both the by then Soviet Union and Poland. This environment produced a second large influx of immigrants to Canada from that time and throughout the 1920s.

Formal establishment of the parish, 1925

In the winter of 1925, Nick Korpach convened an organisational meeting in order to establish the parish formally. This meeting took place in the home of Steven Hawryliw. The Priest Kyrstuik blessed the proceedings. A parish committee was organised, and it was agreed that the Temple would be named for the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul. This was followed by a discussion about whether to build a Temple or a hall first. It was decided to build a hall first, since it was considered important to have a place for the community to socialise, in order to maintain itself. The facility would be temporarily used also for worship until a separate Temple could be erected.

Walter Chernesky agreed to donate 2 acres of his land for this purpose, and this land would be directly across the road from the school.

In 1926, the railway came through to Glaslyn. As usual, this stimulated the regional economy.

During 1928 and 1929, the Taras Shevchenko Hall was constructed with the support of the Ukrainian Self-reliance League on the northeast corner of the Northwest Quarter of Section 21, Township 50, Range 17, West of the 3rd Meridian.

Constructing the Temple, 1931-1932

By 1931, the parish committee was ready to undertake the work of constructing the Temple. After considerable discussion, it was decided to place the Temple next to the Wolia Hall, in the centre of the Wolia District. In that same year, the best available fir lumber was ordered from British Columbia. In the autumn, the preliminary work was done to prepare the site, and to establish the footings for the construction. The lumber arrived by rail in early 1932, and construction was initiated in April, 1932. At that time, Steve Kuziw was the parish president, and Nick Korpach was the head carpenter. At this same time, the Olha Basarab Women’s Association was established.

In the spring of 1932, the Priest Petro Melnychuk arrived to inspect the progress of the construction. Then, on 12 July, 1932, he led the first service in the new Temple.

In 1933, the Olha Basarab Women’s Association joined the Ukrainian Women’s Association of Canada.

In 1934, Nick Korpach began the woodwork and the framing of the iconostas. Meanwhile, Mr. Bryk spent most of a year painting the icons that were to be used in the iconostas and on the walls. Only a few icons are not his work. Nevertheless, the iconostas was not entirely completed until 1942, when Mike S Hawryliw constructed the Royal Doors.

It was during this decade (1930s) also, that when the land dried up in the south of Saskatchewan, many homesteaders moved north, to this region, in order to make a living for their families, whether they were coming to break land for farming, to set up trap lines, or to log the plentiful forests.

Later, in 1963, when Archbishop Boris (Yakovkevych) made an archpastoral visit to the Temple, he commented that the iconostas in this Temple was one of the very finest that he had seen.

Changes loom

By this time, rural depopulation and the effects of yet another world war (World War II) had changed the local environment noticeably. As in other regions, community life and services began to be concentrated in larger centres, and in this case, Glaslyn. When people from the Wolia District retired, they moved into this village. The numbers became significant, so that the parish leadership began to consider how best to address the situation. This serious discussion began in 1956, under the leadership of Walter Cherneski (president), Bill Pawlyshyn (treasurer), and Harry Dmytryshyn. It seemed evident that the best solution could be to move the Temple into the village of Glaslyn. At about the same time, the Department of Indian Affairs made it known that it was searching for a building which would be suitable for conversion into a school in a nearby region. Having determined that the Wolia Hall was their preference, and after negotiating, this hall was sold for that purpose in 1958. All this precipitated the beginning of fundraising to enable the move. Nick Korpach donated a lot in Glaslyn to receive the Temple. It was then that the main challenge began.

Moving the Temple to Glaslyn, 1958

In August, the mover transferred the Temple from its foundation to a trailer for transport. It was at this same time that the rains began, and continued on most days until the end of September. Nevertheless, on 20 August, work on the foundation for the Temple in Glaslyn was begun, and this work was completed in the third week of September. This foundation provided basement social space for the community.

It was also learnt during this time that Saskatchewan Power refused to interrupt power transmission to Meadow Lake in order to allow the Temple building to pass under its right-of-way. Regardless, there was no other possible route than under that power-line. Undaunted, the parish leaders found a place just to the west of Glaslyn where the project of the move could be accomplished. It required some earth-work (in order to get the building under the wires), but it also required major adjustments to the building itself. Michael Hawryliw, Steven Matweow, and Nick Lewchuk volunteered to climb the dome. First, Michael removed the Cross from the top. Then the remainder of the dome was cut off the roof and lowered onto an awaiting wagon. It was only after 8 weeks of waiting on a wagon that the Temple was finally moved. The Temple very narrowly passed under the power transmission lines near Glaslyn, and it finally came to the prepared lot where it would be established. After all this work, it required another week of waiting because of the rain and snow.

It required 2 days of careful work to move the Temple from the wagon onto the foundation. After this, the dome had to be re-attached to the building, and the Cross re-installed atop the dome. In the last week of October, the Priest P Blaziuk offered the first services in the Temple at its new location in Glaslyn.

The children of the parishioners were active participants in the SYMK (youth association) throughout the years until 1975, at which time it closed. The remaining money in the group’s account was used to purchase vestments for 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.

Centennial of the founding of the parish, 80th anniversary of the construction, 2012

On 14-15 July, 2012, a wonderful reunion-celebration of the centennial anniversary of the beginning of the parish was held by and for the parishioners of the parish of Saints Peter and Paul. Many former members and family members returned to celebrate with the current members.

Their major anniversary event was their "Khram" (Temple name-day) and it was huge. According to Eva and Nick Dmytryshyn, a large number of people came all the way from Saskatoon. People whose families had been parishioners of this church long age were also in attendance. The celebration included a catered meal at the community hall and a performance by the Lastiwka Choir from Saskatoon. The membership of this parish has been declining as people continued to move away. Currently, the membership is only 17. At the anniversary Khram, however, there were about 200 people in attendance.

Despite the fact that the numbers of parishioners have dwindled over the recent years, those who remain present are prepared with faith, hope and dedication to continue to worship in their Temple in Glaslyn for as long as possible to the Glory of God.

Glory to God ! Slava Bohu !

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.

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.

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.

Bereavement

On 25 October, 2023, the parish was bereaved in the repose in Christ of Gerald Terry Metrunec, one of its former presidents.

In 1969, he and his wife Anne (born Markowski) had moved with their daughters to Glaslyn from Alberta to farm. He also served as a school-teacher. Moreover, he served on the parish council, and he was a parish president. He had served as SYMK Alberta Provincial President ; and locally, was involved in various service groups, and he served on the administration of the Mohyla Institute in Saskatoon.

On Wednesday, 1 November, 2023, at 6:00 p.m., a Panikhida (Memorial Service) was offered at the Saints Peter and Paul Church in Glaslyn.

On Thursday, 2 November, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., the Funeral Service for a Lay-person was offered at the Saints Peter and Paul Church in Glaslyn.

Following the funeral obsequies, The body of Gerald Metrunec was taken for interment to the Junor Cemetery (near the family farm, north of Glaslyn}, in the North Battleford region of Saskatchewan, .

Gerald Terry Metrunec

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.

Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Cemetery, 1912

Land site description : SE 22-50-17 W3

GPS : 53.322013 deg. North 108.394776 deg. West

The cemetery is located at the Junction of Highway #4 and Glaslyn Rural Road in the Rural Municipality of Parkdale No. 498.

In 2022, there are at least 140 known interments. The first listed interments were in 1918.

Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery

Priests who have served in this parish include :

 Priest M Podolsky			Priest P Blaziuk
 Priest P Melnychuk			Priest _ Stolarchuk
 Priest _ Ulyan				Priest O Krawchenko
 Priest S Hrebeniuk			Priest C Zuzak
 Priest J Mayba			Priest H Udod
 Priest W Aponiuk			Priest S Lomaszkevicz
 Priest M Tarnovetsky		Priest T Udod
 Priest O Chomiak			Priest B Domczuk

Cantors who have served in this parish include :

 John Kozakewich			Nick Harasymiv
 Andrew Didura			Nick Sawchyn
 John Voroh				Nick Booy
 Dmetro Woytiuk			Jim Shevchuk

Presidents who have served in this parish include :

 Nick Korpach			Walter Chernesky
 Mike Kulchiski			John Danyliw
 Steve Kuziw				Gerald Metrunec

Caretakers who have served in this parish include :

 Bill Hawryliw				Nick Dmytryshyn
 Karl Lewchuk				Gloria and Terry Dmytryshyn
 Bill Boyko				Elizabeth and Mark Metrunec
 Harry Dmytryshyn

Saints Peter and Paul Church, Glaslyn

Particular parish information

This parish is part of the North Battleford Region of the Central Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada. The bishop pf 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 Apostles Peter and Paul, 29 June/12 July.

In 2026, there was no assigned pastor. The community was cared for by the regional clergy.

Address :

Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church

322, 2nd Street West

Glaslyn, Saskatchewan

S0M 0Y0

Directions :

From Saskatoon, Saskatchewan : Glaslyn is about 205 km (127 mi) northwest of Saskatoon, and the travel time is about 2 hours and 10 minutes.

From the city, drive northwards on Idylwyld Drive North (SK #11/12) towards 25 Street (SK #4). Veer to the left onto Highway #16 and follow the signs for the Trans-Canada Highway and "The Battlefords" via the Yellowhead Highway. Continue on westwards on Highway #16 until "The Battlefords", and continue straight onto Highway #16B/40. Turn right onto Territorial Drive, and then turn right onto Highway #4 North until Glaslyn (on the left).

From Edmonton, Alberta :

Glaslyn, Saskatchewan, is about 384 km (239 mi) to the east, and the travel time is about 4 hours. From the city, follow the Yellowhead Highway/Highway #16 East eastwards towards Vegreville, Vermilion and Lloydminster. Drive through Lloydminster on Highway #16 East. After passing Lloydminster, in Wilton No. 72, turn left and follow Highway #303 East. At the junction with Highway #21 North/#303 East, turn left (north) on Highway #21 (signs for Turtleford). Continue northwards until Highway #303 turns to the right (east), towards Turtleford. Pass through Turtleford, continue following Highway #303 until the junction with Highway #4 South. Turn right and drive until Glaslyn (on the right).

Mailing Address :

Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church

c/o Gloria Dmytryshyn

Box 297

Glaslyn, Saskatchewan

S0M 0Y0

Telephone : 306-342-4200

References

Personal handwritten memory by Gerald Metrunec.

“Russian Mission in North America”

Additional information :

Goa, David, ed. “The Ukrainian Religious Experience” (Edmonton : Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies, University of Alberta, 1989). ISBN : 0-920862-63-2 (9780920862636).

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.

Orthodoxwiki article about Orthodox parishes in Saskatchewan

Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan article about Ukrainian settlements

Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada web-site

Central Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada

Orthodoxwiki article about the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada

Orthodox World listing

UOCC parish listing

Wikipedia article about the Church of Constantinople

Orthodoxwiki article about the Church of Constantinople

Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis)

Metropolitan John (Theodorovych)

Metropolitan Ilarion I (Ohienko)