Red Deer AB Saint Nicholas Ukrainian Orthodox Church 1999

Red Deer, Alberta, Saint Nicholas Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 1999/2016

Prehistory

There are several elements to the prehistory of the community of Saint Nicholas in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada.

The city of Red Deer is approximately equidistant from the cities of Edmonton and Calgary (however, in fact, slightly nearer to Calgary). This city experienced the arrival of some Orthodox Christians ([Greeks], Romanians, Serbs, Ukrainians, converts, and others) from towards the end of the 20th century. Primarily, they arrived from other places because of transfers in their work, or because of work-opportunities. The city provided more and more work opportunities beyond agricultural supply : oil-related companies, sand and gravel companies, various large industrial operations, chemical plants, pipeline supplies, refineries, and others. Red Deer has been a growing city for many years, and in 2022, the population was more than 105,000.

Romanian services from Calgary, 1988

To begin with, the Priest Michael Lupu from Calgary offered some services to the believers in Red Deer from 1988-1990.

Temporary services from Edmonton, 1993

Then the Hieromonk Raphael (Vereshak) with some Faithful from Saint Herman's Sobor in Edmonton served Vespers and the Divine Liturgy bi-weekly between 1993 and 1995. These efforts were supported by Lynn Stegman, her sons Joshua and Jonathan, and several local Greek Orthodox families. In about 1995, Father Raphael discontinued his visits because of a transfer. There followed sporadic services by clergy from Saint Herman's Sobor in Edmonton, but there was no-one available who could provide regular services during many of the following years.

Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Mission, 1999

The Ukrainian Orthodox Christian community in Red Deer was first established as a mission of the Western Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada in 1999, in order to try to meet the spiritual needs of this small and growing community, and it was dedicated to the Most Holy Trinity.

At first, liturgical services were provided by clergy from either Edmonton or Calgary on a regular basis.

Historical comment

A historical comment about the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Canada and its relationship with other Orthodox Churches in Canada is in order, in view of events which followed the establishment of the mission. The comment is merely for the sake of context.

From 1918 until 1990, the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church (as it had been known at that time) had existed outside canonical communion with the Orthodox patriarchs around the world. There had been initial concerns about the canonicity of the first bishops of this Church. However, in 1990, the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada made 2 significant adjustments which resolved most of those difficulties.

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.

Also 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.

Saint Nektarios Mission, 2003-2008

Then, in 2003, the Priest Michael Schaplowsky began a missionary venture in the English language in Red Deer. A few parishioners of Saint Herman’s Sobor in Edmonton now lived in Red Deer, and they hoped to be able to develop a stable community. Thus, the mission in the name of Saint Nektarios of Aegina was initiated. Services were held at the Parkland Funeral Chapel at 6287-67A Street.

This venture lasted until 2008, by which time circumstances had changed. Father Michael Schaplowsky departed from the region for a time for study. It was understood that the already-existing mission of the Ukrainian Orthodox diocese in Red Deer would be able to care for everyone, and the Saint Nektarios Mission was closed.

Development of the Holy Trinity Mission, 1999

During the 15 years from 1999, Holy Trinity Mission functioned in various funeral homes, community halls, and other rentable spaces. Services have been offered in the Ukrainian and English languages. Visitors have always been welcome.

Divine Liturgies were offered on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month, at 10 a.m., eventually at Clearview Hall (93, Cornett Drive, Red Deer, Alberta). Vespers was served on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the same address.

Building the Temple, 2014

It was because of the dedication and persistence of the people in the parish, as well as some very generous donations from Calgary and Edmonton, that the mission community was able to begin building their own Temple in 2014.

Planting the Cross

The Temple under construction

Temporary meeting place

The mission parishioners were particularly grateful to in Calgary Saint Vladimir’s Ukrainian Orthodox Congregation in Calgary for their founding of the Southern Alberta Mission Project. In the context of its missionary purpose, it allowed this mission to receive the pastoral care and guidance of their founding priest, Father Timothy Chrapko. He travelled from Calgary to Red Deer in order to provide religious services, generally 2 times monthly.

Sanctification of the Temple ; change of parish name, 2016

On 31 July, 2016, the Temple was sanctified by Bishop Ilarion (Rudnyk), the Bishop of Edmonton and the Western Eparchy, along with many clergy. At this time, the dedication of the parish was changed from “Holy Trinity” to “Saint Nicholas”.

The service of sanctification began at 9:00 a.m. and the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy began at 10:00 a.m. This was followed by a banquet at the Black Knight Inn (2929-50 Avenue, Red Deer).

The parishioners expressed particular gratitude to Saint Vladimir's Ukrainian Orthodox Congregation in Calgary for their founding of the Southern Alberta Mission Project.

Until September, 2019, their support enabled Father Timothy Chrapko to travel from Calgary to serve the community.

After that, Father Timothy Chrapko continued to serve the parish (along with other clergy) from Saint Anthony of Kyiv Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Edmonton, to which he had been transferred. He served the Saint Nicholas parish on the first Saturday of every month. Archpriest Stephen Keaschuk (retired and attached to Saint Anthony's parish in Edmonton), served additionally on the third Sunday of every month.

The parish was served also by other priests of the Western Eparchy of the UOCC when they were available.

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. In addition to 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.

Break-in at the Temple, 2021

On a Saturday in June, 2021, a break-in occurred at Saint Nicholas Temple. In what was later determined not to be a hate-attack, some persons broke a portion of the exterior fence, damaged some doors, almost emptied the fridge, took 2 fire-extinguishers, took 2 marriage-crowns, and took a hand-Cross. Later, the fire-extinguishers were recovered, as was one crown and the hand-Cross.

This destructive act occurred at a time when the parish was about to re-open for the first time following the Covid-19 Pandemic closures of 2020-2021.

Investigation after the break-in

Archpastoral visitation, 2021

On 11 July, 2021, Bishop Ilarion (Rudnyk) of Edmonton made an archpastoral visitation to the mission. This visitation was part of his response to the vandalisation which had occurred.

In addition to celebrating the Divine Liturgy with the flock, Bishop Ilarion brought with him some financial assistance ($3000.00 from the Western Eparchy of the UOCC). This assistance was to help the parish to increase the security of the temple, as well as to assist with their overall financial situation.

Vladyka Ilarion and parishioners

Throughout the course of the pandemic, with the restrictions in place, it was not often feasible for the parish to gather for divine services, since the square footage is rather small, and the number of people able to attend was extremely limited. The parish community was still struggling to meet its obligations (including the mortgage) in that time of uncertainty. The Western Eparchy has a special fund for the support of missions and for relief in necessity.

Iconostas and chandelier of Saint Nicholas' Temple

At that time, the parish was served from Edmonton by Archpriest Timothy Chrapko, on the first Saturday of every month, and by Archpriest Stephen Keaschuk (retired and attached to Saint Anthony of Kyiv's Church in Edmonton), on the third Sunday of every month.

The parish was and is also served by other priests of the Western Eparchy as they are available.

2022

Following the time of re-opening the parish, the number of services per month increased. Father Timothy Chrapko continued to serve one Saturday per month, and Father Stephen Keaschuk began to serve on 2 Sundays per month.

Pascha, 2022

In December, 2022, Archpriest Stephen Keaschuk informed the parishioners that he would be unable to continue serving in Red Deer. This came about because of the length of the drive in the context of certain health concerns.

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.

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.

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 Calgary District of the Western Eparchy 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 is the Feast of Saint Nicholas of Myra, 6/19 December.

In 2024, the priest-in-charge of the parish is Priest Timothy Chrapko.

Address :

Saint Nicholas Ukrainian Orthodox Church

107, Vermont Avenue

Red Deer, Alberta

T4R 0S4

Web-site : https://www.stnicholasreddeer.ca/

Facebook

Directions :

Red Deer is located in Central Alberta, 154 km (100 mi) south of Edmonton, and 143 km (89 mi) north of Calgary.

By car :

When driving south from Edmonton or north from Calgary, drive on the Queen Elizabeth II Highway #2. In Red Deer, exit on 32 Street to the east. Drive to 30 Avenue and turn right (south). Turn left on Vanier Drive. Turn right on Viscount Drive. Turn right on Vernon Avenue. The Temple is on the left.

By bus : Consult Red Deer Transit for appropriate bus service.

By interurban bus : Consult Red Arrow Bus for service from Edmonton or Calgary.

Priest Timothy Chrapko

Telephone : (780) 818-4175

Mobile : (403) 700-9947

E-mail : chrapkot@hotmail.com

Parish sign

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).

Shevchenko Scientific Society of Canada : Collected Papers on Ukrainian Life in Western Canada, vol. 4, ed. Slavutych, Ia (2000) “Zakhidnokanads’kyi zbirnyk 4”

Additional information :

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.

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

Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Saint Nicholas, Red Deer, Alberta parish listing

Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada (including the Central Eparchy) web-site

UOCC parishes in Alberta

Western Eparchy of the 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

Church of Constantinople web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about the Church of Constantinople

Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis)