Lloydminster AB All Saints Ukrainian Orthodox Church 1960

Lloydminster, Alberta, All Saints Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 1960

Prehistory

Lloydminster, Alberta, Canada, is a city which is situated on Highway #16 (Yellowhead). The city of Lloydminster is in the unusual situation of having been constructed on both sides of the Alberta-Saskatchewan provincial border. The reason for this is principally that the settlement of the region occurred before the establishment of the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan, at a time when the whole region was part of the North-West Territories (1870-1905).

The city was founded in 1903 by the “Barr Colonists”, British farmers brought there by the Anglican cleric Isaac Barr. It was named for another Anglican cleric, George Exton Lloyd. “Lloydminster” is an English word which means approximately “Lloyd’s church”.

After the early years of its existence, Lloydminster and the surrounding district began to attract a significant number of people of Ukrainian origin. A good portion of these were believers of the Orthodox Christian Faith. Many of them were members of the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church.

However, the Orthodox Christians who lived in and near Lloydminster had no Temple in the town in which to worship, and their numbers and resources were too limited. Therefore, for many years, they travelled to other towns or places in either Alberta or Saskatchewan in which there was a Temple.

Founding the parish, 1960

In January of 1960, a small group of these faithful followers decided to arrange for regular church services in their community. In February of that year, the first Ukrainian Divine Liturgy was held in the basement of the Lloydminster Masonic Lodge, officiated by the Father M Kryschuk, a priest from Myrnam, Alberta.

It was not until April of the same year that the next service was held, and that was followed by an organisational meeting at which an executive council was elected. The first president was Mr. Ben Gulak.

The All Saints Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Lloydminster was incorporated with the Alberta Registrar of Companies on 8 February, 1962, and it was on this date that property for the construction of a church building was purchased on 47th Street and 56A Avenue.

All Saints Church site blessing, 1963

Constructing the Temple, 1963-1964

With a congregation of approximately 20 members, construction began in the autumn of 1963. The first Divine Liturgy was served on 28 September, 1964.

Six years later, the costs of church construction and land-purchase were finally paid off.

On 21 June, 1970, the official sanctification services were led by Archbishop Andrew (Metiuk) of Edmonton, Alberta.

All Saints Church 1964

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.

Parish life

The 20 to 30 families in this parish are served by a priest from the Vegreville parish as part of the Vegreville District Council with an average of 14 services per year. Much of the Divine Liturgy came to be conducted in the English language, as compared with the 1960s, when it was served only in the Ukrainian language.

There are many responsibilities associated with maintaining a Temple and its lower hall, and as with many other things, lack of funds is always a concern. Fundraising has become a primary activity for the parishioners. Food sales have proved to be one of the most productive methods in this community. To facilitate the preparation and sale of food properly, as well as an excellent opportunity to increase the parish's visibility in the community, the parish recently purchased its own booth at the Lloydminster Exhibition Grounds.

The parish also established its own web-site in order to broaden its exposure to the surrounding community, and the presentations on the web-site produced favourable responses. The web-site included a parish history page where there are posted pictures from years gone by as well as more recent content. There was a link to "Ancient Faith Radio" where people could listen to music or the many podcasts of the Ancient Faith Ministries. There were other exciting new ideas which were being proposed for the site. However, although this web-site functioned usefully for some time, circumstances changed, and the parish expressed itself only on its "Facebook" page.

This parish has grown over the years, and it has become very active. The years have not been without their challenges and obstacles, but like the Orthodox Faith, they have persevered and they look forward to the future.

Interior of the Temple

Bishop Ilarion (Rudnyk) with clergy and Altar-servers

50 years, 2014

On 28 September, 2014, the congregation was blessed to be visited by Bishop Ilarion (Rudnyk) of Edmonton, Bishop of the Western Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada (UOCC), in order to mark the 50th anniversary of the celebration of the first Divine Liturgy. He led the congregation in the Hierarchal Divine Liturgy, and he was assisted by the Archpriest Taras Udod from North Battleford, Saskatchewan, by Deacon Roman Shiyan, and by Subdeacon Petro Kushnir. Following the service, there was a brief programme. It included a generous donation from the All Saints Sunday School class to Bishop Ilarion for an orphanage in Ukraine. A brief history presentation was given. The anniversary dinner was followed by the ceremonial cutting of the anniversary cakes.

Bishop Ilarion (Rudnyk) blessing at the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy

Bishop Ilarion (Rudnyk) with parishioners

Anniversary cakes

This day also marked the departure of Father Michael Maranchuk from the Vegreville Parochial District to serve a parish in Regina, Saskatchewan. An emotional farewell speech was given by Father Michael at the end of his 9 years of service and pastoral care in this community.

All Saints interior at Pascha

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.

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.

Particular parish information

This parish is a part of the Western Eparchy, Vegreville District, 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 All Saints of Ukraine, the second Sunday after the Feast of Pentecost.

In 2024, the pastor of the parish is the Archpriest Slawomir Lomaszkiewicz.

Address :

All Saints Ukrainian Orthodox Church

4605-56A Avenue

Lloydminster, Alberta

T9V 0Z9

Telephone : 780-875-7071 (leave message)

Facebook

Directions :

Lloydminster is located about 250 km (155 mi) east of Edmonton, following Highway #16 (Yellowhead) east. It is about 275 km (170 mi) northwest of Saskatoon, following Highway #16 (Yellowhead) west.

From Highway #16, or 44 Street in Lloydminster, turn north onto 56 Avenue (there will be a Wendy's and a Subway on either side). Drive 3 blocks north to 47 Street. Turn left (west), and drive for 1 block. The Temple is on the left : 4605-56 A Avenue (corner of 56A Avenue and 47 Street).

Mailing address :

All Saints Ukrainian Orthodox Church

c/o Amanda Kuziak

RR #4

Lloydminster, Alberta

T9V 2Z9

Telephone : 780-875-8732

Archpriest Slawomir Lomaszkiewicz

Telephone : (780) 632-2078

E-mail : fr.slawomir@yahoo.com

Reflections

Father Slawomir Lomaszkiewicz serves the Lloydminster parish from Vegreville, Alberta.

Father Slawomir and his wife Irena moved to Vegreville in October of 2014 from Regina, Saskatchewan. They have a son and a daughter that live on their own. Father Slawomir says "I really like Vegreville. The people are very nice and polite. They cooperate well with their priest and are good workers".

Father Slawomir was born in Poland and he came to Canada more than 25 years ago. He spent time in various parts of Saskatchewan and Ontario. "I found Canada has a different economy and culture than Poland because I grew up when Poland and Ukraine were under the communist ruling and we were quite poor. I grew up in a village that was burned down during World War 2. The first time I saw a banana and an orange was when I was 11 years old and I only experienced electricity when I was in grade seven. We had a poor selection of food, meat, potatoes, and bread - no fruit or any fancy foods. But I had my family around and that is all that mattered. Then every evening our neighbors visited us and they sang, did embroidery, and we all believed in God, so that kept us content. When I compare my lifestyle then to how we live in Canada, it was quite poor".

"I grew up to be religious. However my father wasn't religious but my mother and grandmother were very religious. I first experienced the calling to be a priest after I finished high school and I was in Mary Magdalene's Cathedral. I heard some beautiful singing and felt that something was lifting me and I wasn't on this earth and I was in heaven. So I went out of the Church and a priest came up to me and asked me what happened. I told him I didn't know but I suddenly wanted to be a priest".

"I studied to be a priest for four years in Poland and two years in a higher Theology School in Volyn in Ukraine. I have been a priest for almost 30 years. In 1985, I was 23 years old and given my first posting in Poland. This was a very nice experience because I got to meet a lot of new people and my children were born around this time, so I carry around a lot of fond memories. Four-and-a-half years later I was invited to come to Canada. It isn't an easy life to be a priest. You get transferred from parish to parish. If the Bishop sends you, you have to go. This could mean not having a house, because you might have to live in the church's house and sometimes you have to live with your parents or brothers and be far away from your children. You have to reject many nice things in your life. Then you have to be an example for other people to follow and know that what you are saying is right and won't be used against you. All the time you have to follow the rules of the Church".

"My children sometimes found it hard to be a priest's kids because they have to live in a different way, have perfect behaviour, and be an example. But yes, it's fulfilling to be a priest because God found me and I get to serve Him for the rest of my life. This makes me feel very content. I get to help people every day when I visit the hospital, go to the supported living facilities and care centers, or talk to citizens about their concerns and problems they have with their children or marriage. There was one couple who thought about getting a divorce and I talked to them about 15 times and they got back together and are still married", said Father Slawomir with a warm expression on his face and a gleam in his eyes. "When I was living in Regina, I helped the girls on the streets to turn their lives around and even if I managed to change one life, I felt I did something good for others".

"The personal traits people need to be a Ukrainian Orthodox priest is you have to find the truth and it will liberate you. If you study the history of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, they are the only one who held on to all their original doctrines and canons of the Church from the beginning until today. This Church has proclaimed the same teachings of Apostle Peter and the other Apostles. To be a priest a person has to be able to accept all people because we believe that every man and woman was created in the likeness and image of God. We pray for all people and try to be an example for others. Yes, I would recommend for anyone who has these traits that they should become a priest. Come, welcome home. The Ukrainian Orthodox is a beautiful religion".

References

A Brief History of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada

“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).

Martynowych, Orest T, “Ukrainians in Canada : The Formative Period, 1891-1924” (Edmonton : Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies, University of Alberta, 1991. ISBN 10 : 0920862764. ISBN 13 : 978-0920862766.

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.

Additional information :

Palmer, Howard and Tamara, eds., “Peoples of Alberta : Portraits of Cultural Diversity” (Saskatoon : Western Producer Prairie Books, 1985).

Yereniuk, Prof. Roman, “A Short Historical Outline of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada (UOCC)”

Parish Facebook

Ukrainian Orthodox Church of All Saints, Lloydminster, Alberta, parish listing

Orthodox World 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

Western Eparchy web-site

Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople web-site

Wikipedia article about the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople