Manning AB Descent of the Holy Ghost Romanian Orthodox Church 1953
Manning, Alberta, Descent of the Holy Ghost Romanian Orthodox Church, 1953
See also Boian AB Romanian Orthodox Church and Cemetery of Saint Mary 1901.
Prehistory
After World War II, about 20 families immigrated to Canada from Ceahor (Chahor), in the county of Adâncata, in the province of Cernăuți (Chernivtsi). This province is the northern portion of what had been a larger province, Bucovina in Romania, before the war.
These particular newcomers to Canada had emigrated from their homeland not only because of the political-economic situation at the time, but also because they were Orthodox Christians who wished to be able to practice their Orthodox Christian Faith freely. In the area from which they came, there was (under more than one political environment) strong pressure on Orthodox Christians to become Roman Catholics (either Latin rite, or Ukrainian Catholic rite)
Their home province was the one which had been divided, and the northern part taken into the Soviet Union (USSR) through the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact and the wishes of Mr J Stalin.
These families settled near Manning, Alberta, in the Peace River region.
Establishing the parish ; building the Temple, 1953
By 1953, these families were ready to purchase land and to build an Orthodox Temple to the Lord near their homes. Vasile Hudima and his family were amongst them. Construction began in May, and it was completed in time for the Feast of Pentecost.
The parishioners acquired icons from Mount Athos for $1,200.00. The construction of the Temple cost $15,000.00.
Particular parish information
This parish belongs to the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada, of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of the Americas, of the Romanian Orthodox Church. The bishop is Bishop Ioan-Casian (Tunaru).
The parish follows the New (Revised Julian) Calendar.
The Altar Feast-day of this parish is the Feast of Pentecost (Descent of the Holy Spirit, the Most Holy Trinity).
In 2022, the parish is served by the Archpriest (Protopop) Mircea Panciuk.
Directions :
The Temple is located about 6.5 km (4 mi) in the countryside outside Manning.
Manning is 585 km (364 mi) northwest of Edmonton, and 256 km (160 mi) northeast of Grande Prairie in Alberta.
Contact the priest for specific information.
11024-165 Avenue NW
Edmonton, Alberta
T5X 1X9
Telephone : 780-456-7737
E-mail : mpanciuk@yahoo.com
References
Bugea, Eleanor, “Romanians in Canada” (Michigan : Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America, 2009). ISBN : 978-1-929200-14-6.
Additional information :
Battle River Historical Society, “Saga of Battle River : We Came, We Stayed : A History of Deadwood, North Star, Manning, Notikewin, Hotchkiss and Hawk Hills Districts” (1986).
Pacurariu, Mircea, ‘Romanian Christianity’ in “The Blackwell Companion to Eastern Christianity” (Oxford : John Wiley & Sons, 2007). ISBN 10 : 0631234233 ; ISBN 13 : 9780631234234.
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 the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese in America and Canada
Wikipedia article about the Romanian Metropolis of the Americas
Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada web-site
Orthodox Church of Romania web-site
Orthodoxwiki article about the Church of Romania
Metropolitan Bartolomeu (Anania)
Metropolitan Nicolae (Condrea)
Establishing of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada (4 July, 2016)
Enthronement of the Romanian Orthodox Bishop of Canada (11 May, 2017)
Pastoral Letter of Bishop Ioan Casian at the Feast of the Lord’s Resurrection (28 April, 2019)
Canadian Encyclopaedia article about Romanian Canadians