Rawdon QC Russian Orthodox Cemetery (of Saint Seraphim) 1962

Rawdon, Québec, Russian Orthodox Cemetery (of Saint Seraphim), 1962

Prehistory

The development of the Town of Rawdon, Québec, Canada, and the development of the Russian-speaking community therein may be found summarised in the Prehistory of the Parish of Saint Seraphim of Sarov in Rawdon.

Another important preceding event was the establishment of the Domestic Chapel of the Boldireff family in 1954.

The establishment of the Chapel of Saint Seraphim beside the home of Archpriest Oleg and Matushka Natalia Boldireff was part of the phenomenon of an increasingly resident Russian-speaking population in the town.

Establishment of the Russian Orthodox Cemetery 1962

Before 1962, there were some conversations between Archpriest Oleg Boldireff with the parish council of Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral of Montréal, Québec, about the potential establishment of a cemetery in Rawdon.

In 1962, the Albert Lawes (or Lowes) family (members of the cathedral parish from 1926) made a donation for the acquisition of a tract of land in Rawdon for this purpose. This property included the territory surrounded by 15th Avenue, Woodland Street, and Petrograd Avenue (which circles around the north-eastern edge).

The completion of the process included successful approaches made by Father Oleg to the Roman Catholic Church of the municipality. At that time, such an approach was not only polite, but necessary also.

Entrance gate of the cemetery

Sanctification of the cemetery, 1962

The opening and sanctification (blessing) of this landmark site was conducted by Bishop Anatoly (Apostolov), who was the Bishop of Canada at that time. There are particular prayers (in the Book of Needs) for blessing the establishment of a cemetery, which Vladyka Anatoly used. This included blessing the grounds with Holy Water and incense. This usually involves also the erection of a large Cross on the grounds.

Each year thereafter, on the anniversary of the martyrdom of Tsar Nicholas II and his family, a memorial service was held in front of the monument dedicated to Russian White Army fighters buried in the Russian Orthodox Saint Seraphim Cemetery in Rawdon, and elsewhere also.

From this time, the property of the cemetery and everything on it has remained that of Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral in Montréal (as well as several other properties nearby). Although it was the case that certain residents were given the responsibility of maintaining the cemetery and its records, the cathedral administration remained in charge of everything.

Entrance to the cemetery

The actual main and marked entrance gate to the Russian Orthodox Cemetery is at 4005, Woodland Street, in Rawdon.

Establishment of the Saint Seraphim Temple on the cemetery territory 1966

After the departure of Father Oleg Boldireff from Montréal to Vancouver, British Columbia, Bishop Sylvester (Haruns), the newly-arrived successor to Bishop Anatoly (Apostolov), built a larger chapel next to the cemetery in 1966, and he dedicated it to Saint Seraphim of Sarov. Situated on 15th Avenue, on the grounds of the Orthodox cemetery, some elements of Father Oleg Boldireff’'s chapel, notably the dome, windows, and the royal doors of the iconostas, were incorporated into the new structure.

Saint Seraphim Church, viewed from the cemetery

When the Saint Seraphim Temple was constructed on the cemetery property, its address became 3494-15th Avenue. This address was associated with a secondary entrance to the cemetery, but it did not change the fact that the main entrance-gate remained at 4005, Woodland Street.

Establishment of a hermitage on the cemetery property, 1978

In 1977-1978, with the blessing of Archbishop Sylvester (Haruns), Hieromonk Gregory (Papazian) (of Armenian origin from Egypt), built a skete (or hermitage), with a small adjacent chapel, dedicated to the Transfiguration of Christ. It was situated on the cemetery grounds, a very short distance from the Saint Seraphim of Sarov Church. The skete chapel began to be used all year round for the celebration of daily offices, and in winter for the celebration of the Divine Liturgy (the larger but uninsulated Church of Saint Seraphim of Sarov is not used in winter).

After the departure of Father Gregory and his disciple to greater solitude in the Eastern Townships, Mother Nila (Maikapar) lived in the skete for 10 years.

From that time, the building was known as Saint Seraphim Skete. There, Mother Nila carried out the administration of the cemetery on behalf of the cathedral’s parish council. This was the case similarly with other monastics who followed her there.

It was during the time of Mother Nila that many of the cemetery grave-marking Crosses began to be changed from wood to metal, since the wood was deteriorating quickly.

Skete of Saint Seraphim

Sanctification of the Memorial Cross from Russia : Rawdon and Montréal church services, 2015

On 17-18 October, 2015, the new Memorial Cross imported from Russia was sanctified by Archbishop Irénée (Rochon) in Rawdon, Québec. It was established on the cemetery grounds between the Saint Seraphim Temple and the Saint Seraphim Skete.

Front and back views of the Memorial Cross (between the Temple and the Skete

Aerial view of the Saint Seraphim Cemetery (with Saint Seraphim's Church, and Saint Seraphim’s Skete), and the Dacha across the road

Centennial panikhida at the Cemetery Cross

Photos from the cemetery

Monument to fallen Russian soldiers

1962 monument of the gift of the cemetery by Mr. A Lawes

Grave of Archbishop Sylvester (Haruns)

Grave-marker of Mitred Archpriest Oleg Boldireff

Cemetery particular information

The Russian Orthodox Cemetery of Saint Seraphim of Sarov is part of the Cathedral Parish of Saints Peter and Paul in Montréal, Québec. It is within the Québec Deanery of the Archdiocese of Canada, of The Orthodox Church in America. The dean is Mitred Archpriest Anatoliy Melnyk. The bishop is Archbishop Irénée (Rochon). The Priest-in-charge of the cemetery is Mitred Archpriest Anatoliy Melnyk.

The name-day of the Russian Orthodox Cemetery is that of Saint Seraphim of Sarov, 19 July/1 August.

Address :

Russian Orthodox Cemetery of Saint Seraphim of Sarov

4005, Woodland Street

Rawdon, Québec

J0K 1S0

Mailing address :

Russian Orthodox Cemetery of Saint Seraphim of Sarov

3495-15e Avenue

Rawdon, Québec

J0K 1S0

Administrator of the cemetery :

Matushka Irina Melnyk

1175, rue de Champlain

Montréal, Québec

H2L 2R7

Telephone : 514-522-2801

Directions :

By bus :

Travel to Rawdon by Autobus "Gaudreault Inc." from Station de Metro Radisson in Montréal (7155 and 7250, Sherbrooke Street East, Montréal, Québec, H1N 1E3).

By car :

From downtown Montréal, drive westwards on Autoroute Ville Marie (Route #136). Follow the signs leading to Highway #15 North (Décarie Expressway). After passing Rue Jean-Talon Ouest, keep right and follow the signs to Autoroute #40 Est and Autoroute #15 Nord. Very soon, follow the signs for the exit for Autoroute #15 Nord. Follow Autoroute #15 Nord. After passing Boulevard Saint-Martin Ouest (in Laval), keep to the right, and take the exit for Autoroute #440. This becomes Autoroute #25 Nord. Continue on Autoroute #25 Nord. At Saint-Esprit, follow the signs for Route #125 Nord. This is a left turn. Follow Route #125 Nord as far as Rawdon. Take the exit to the right for 6e Avenue. Drive on 6e Avenue until the intersection with Rue Queen. Turn left onto Rue Queen, and drive until 15e Avenue. Turn right on 15th Avenue, and pass through the intersection with Rue Woodland. The cemetery is on the right. The entrance gate to the cemetery is in the middle of the block, on the left side.

Alternatively, continue until Rue Ashland. The Temple of Saint Seraphim is on the right, and there is an entrance gate to the cemetery behind the Temple.

Mitred Archpriest Anatoliy Melnyk

Parish sign

References

Orthodox Pages of the Transfiguration : The Orthodox communities of Abitibi and Rawdon (Québec

Religious Heritage Buildings of Québec : Church of Saint Seraphim of Sarov, Rawdon, Québec (Translation of : RÉCIT DE LIEU L'église Saint-Séraphim-de-Sarov)

Additional information :

RÉCIT DE LIEU L'église Saint-Séraphim-de-Sarov (see translation above in References)

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.

Archdiocese of Canada listing for the Parish and Cemetery of Saint Seraphim

Archdiocese of Canada web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about the Archdiocese of Canada

Orthodox Church in America (OCA) listing

Orthodox Church in America web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about The Orthodox Church in America

Article about Saints Peter and Paul Russian Orthodox Sobor, Montréal, Québec

Metropolitan Leonty (Turkevich)

Metropolitan Ireney (Bekish)

Metropolitan Theodosius (Lazor)

Metropolitan Herman (Swaiko)

Metropolitan Jonah (Pauffhausen)