Regina SK Holy Apostles Peter and Paul Russian Orthodox Church 1911 ; 2008

Regina, Saskatchewan, Russian Orthodox Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, 1911, 2008

Prehistory

The preparatory history for the formation of the Russian Orthodox Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada,has 2 distinct parts.

Part 1 : Insinger

The first part concerns the parish "Saints Apostles Peter and Paul Russo Orthodox Church" which, from 1911, had previously existed north of the village of Insinger, Saskatchewan. This community was to the northwest of Yorkton. Because of rural depopulation, by 2000, there remained very few parishioners in the Insinger region. When it became possible to establish a new urban community in Regina, the capital city of Saskatchewan, it was decided to close this Temple (without neglecting the cemetery), and to transfer the name to the new congregation there.

Part 2 : Regina

The second part is the consequence of more recent immigration from Russian-speaking countries in Eastern Europe, which resulted in the moved and revived community "Russian Orthodox Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul" in Regina. Russian-speaking newcomers to Regina began to participate in worship services in either the Ukrainian or the Serbian Orthodox parish in Regina.

In time, it was understood that there were enough Russian-speakers in the city to try to form their own congregation and to ask for a priest.

Establishment of the new community, 2008

The new parish is made up of immigrants from various Commonwealth of Independent States countries, united by a common spiritual tradition.

In about 2008, a community began to organise itself as its members distinguished themselves from the congregations of the Serbian and Ukrainian Orthodox parishes of the city of Regina.

Then the community was formally established under the spiritual authority of the administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada, Bishop Job (Smakouz) of Kashira, with the help of the Archpriest Radovan Marić of the Serbian Orthodox Holy Trinity Church.

Purchase of a building, 2012

In early October, 2012, a former Apostolic Church building was purchased by the newly-established parish. It was quickly renovated.

Sanctification of the Temple, 2012

Then, on 24-25 November, 2012, the solemn sanctification of the new Temple of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul was accomplished. The Rite of the Great Sanctification of the Temple and of the Holy Table in the Altar was led by the Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada, Bishop Job (Smakouz) of Kashira.

Anointing the Holy Table with Holy Chrism

After this, Vladyka Job was assisted by a priest and a deacon, as he served the very first Hierarchical Divine Liturgy in the new Temple.

Hierarchical Divine Liturgy

Bishop Job addressed the assembled congregation as is customary.

 In his homily, Bishop Job expressed his spiritual joy that another icon-lamp of the Orthodox Faith — a Temple 
 of God — has appeared on the prairies of Canada.  He pointed out that the house of God consists not only of 
 stones and wood, but, first and foremost, of the ‘living stones’ — which is all Christians.  Therefore, now, 
 upon the appearance of the external Temple, it will become easier for the parishioners to continue working on 
 the creation of the internal Temple of God in their own hearts.  He further noted that ‘[...] when we build a 
 Temple, the Temple also builds us in return : it  makes us true Christians ; it transforms us and makes us 
 become closer to each other, creating thus from us, one strong spiritual family — the real Body of Christ’. 
 Vladyka Job exhorted the new parishioners to dedicate every Sunday to God and diligently attend, if possible, 
 all Church Services.

After the service, Vladyka Job addressed the parishioners and guests with an episcopal pastoral comment and congratulations. He thanked all the active parishioners, who supported through donations and enthusiastic work the purchase of the new building and its restoration.

Blessing the founding starosta

The Dean of the Serbian Church of the Holy Trinity in Regina, the Protopresbyter Stavrofor Radovan Marić, also took part in the celebration. It had been upon his advice that the Russian parishioners of his parish had gotten together and asked for the blessing from Bishop Job to become an independent parish and to buy a new building for themselves.

Iconostas

Many guests came to Regina to celebrate the sanctification. Amongst them were Deacon Victor Kramаrenko from the Nickolayev Diocese in Southern Ukraine ; the president of the parish committee of the Cathedral Church of Saint Barbara in Edmonton, Roman Lopushinsky with his wife Deanna, and many other guests. Parishioners of the Serbian Church of the Holy Trinity also shared with their Russian brothers and sisters the joy and exultation of this special historical moment.

After the service, a dinner was served by the sisterhood of the parish of Saints Peter and Paul. After the meal there were many speeches, with repeated comments that directly referred to the help of Divine Providence, and to the signs and miracles that influenced the decision, made on 13 September, 2012, to start the process of buying and restoring a new building in Regina for the old Russian patriarchal parish in Insinger, Saskatchewan. One example of this extraordinary divine assistance is the fact that the new, large iconostas in the Temple was set up and ready in an amazingly short period of time.

The parish committee, benefactors and active parishioners were recognised and blessed through an episcopal "gramota" (a certificate of blessing from the bishop) with a special silver sign — the image of a Temple. Due to the great efforts of the parishioners, it had become possible for the old building of the former Apostolic Church and Salvation Army Temple on Montreal Street to be converted into an Orthodox Christian Temple. Father Radovan Marić, on behalf of the Serbian parish, presented to the new Russian Church the gift of a liturgy service book in the Slavonic, Serbian, English and French languages, which had been published by the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Canada. Matushka Zweta, the wife of the previous Serbian Dean of Holy Trinity Church, presented to the newly sanctified Orthodox Temple a set of beautiful Eucharistic vessels. The secretary of the patriarchal parishes in Canada, Mr. Roman Lopushinsky, presented to the new Temple the gift of an icon of the Theotokos of Kazan, and also a set of liturgical service books, published by the parishes of the Patriarchate in Canada.

By the Grace of God, from that time the parish has continued to arrange its spiritual life as a Christian community. Further renovations have been undertaken and completed in the Temple building. A Sunday school for children has been established. An evening school for adults has been initiated.

Parishioners, 2012

Development of the parish

At first, following the establishment of the parish, and the sanctification of the Temple, Bishop Job (Smakouz) served as the pastor of the parish for an extended period of time. On a regular basis, he would travel from Edmonton to Regina in order to serve the Divine Liturgy and to provide any other spiritual needs for the Faithful.

During the course of the following several years, and with the energetic and loving assistance of the nearby Serbian Orthodox parish, priest and parishioners, the parishioners of Saints Peter and Paul parish worked hard to renovate the building which they had purchased. In fact, this building had many structural weaknesses (which is one reason it had been affordable), and they had to be repaired. The parishioners faithfully and seriously undertook this work, and they were able with God's help to bring the building into good condition.

Renovation excavation

Archpriest Evgeniy Protsenko, 2014

By 2014, Archpriest Evgeniy Protsenko (a cleric of the Odessa Diocese in Ukraine) had been assigned to serve as the parish pastor.

Archpriest Evgeniy Protsenko

Father Evgeniy wrote and published an essay about the whole difficult process of the renovation and restoration of the building.

Rebuilding the entrance

By late 2014, a Church school had been established in the parish. By the following year, there were classes available on a weekday evening for the instruction of adults in the Orthodox Christian Faith.

Pascha, 2015

On the night of 11-12 April, 2015, in the Temple of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul Church, the Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada, Bishop Job (Smakouz) of Kashira (also temporarily the rector of the parish) celebrated the festive services of Great and Holy Pascha. These included the Midnight Office ; the Procession ; Paschal Matins, and the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom. Archpriest Evgeniy Protsenko, and Deacon Andrey Boldireff of Edmonton assisted the bishop in the service. The parish choir sang prayerfully under the direction of Mother Regent Olga Vladimirovna Mizinina.

Further work in 2016

On 9 March, 2016, a new stage arrived in the renovation of the building of the Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul. The successful completion of work on the installation of new water and sewer pipes, as well as the completion of work to strengthen the walls of the temple with iron structures and the installation of stairs, made it possible to move on to work on levelling the floor in the basement of the building. The old and uneven floor (in some places the difference in levels reached more than 15 centimetres) was filled with a special levelling cement mortar.

In this regard, the parish council and parishioners were grateful to God for the unexpected and very timely help that arrived through the humble workers Krzysztof Bolesta and Oleg Gritco. In a very short time, these servants of God carried out a huge job of reconstructing the Temple. They laid floors in the porch and building, did framing in the basement, and they prepared it, in fact, for the last stage of restoration. These kind men themselves volunteered to help the parishioners, and they did everything for the glory of God.

Further repair and renovation

Visit of the Holy Kursk-Root Icon

On 28 July, 2016, the parish was blessed by the visit of the Kursk-Root Icon of the All-holy Theotokos of "The Sign". This visit had been arranged by Bishop Job (Smakouz) of Kashira (with the blessing of the hierarchy of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia), and with the diligence of Father Andrei Meyer, rector of the Saint Vladimir Church in Saskatoon. On this occasion, Father Evgeniy led the parishioners in singing the Akathist to the Mother of God. Meanwhile, many people came to venerate the Holy Icon. At the same time, they brought icons from their home prayer-corners to be blessed by touching them to this Wonder-working Holy Icon.

At the visit of the Holy Kursk-Root Icon

Archpastoral visitation of Bishop Job, 2016

On 24-25 November, 2016, Bishop Job (Smakouz) made an archpastoral visitation to the parish. On 21 November, on the day of the Synaxis of the Archangel Michael, on the eve of Sunday, Bishop Job (Smakouz) baptised the child of a parishioner. Then, he celebrated the evening service (Vespers), co-served by the rector of the Saints Peter and Paul Church, Archpriest Evgeniy Protsenko.

On 22 November, 2016, Bishop Job (Smakouz), Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada, served a festive Hierarchical Divine Liturgy. The rector of the Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, Archpriest Evgeniy Protsenko, co-served with him, along with Priest Andrei Meyer, rector of the Saint Vladimir Church in Saskatoon (the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia). Also present were many worshippers, parishioners and guests from Regina, and from other cities in Saskatchewan.

All this was done on the eve of the archpastoral visit and greatly embellished it, since people were able to gather in the basement for the first time after the service. Thus, they were able to arrange a festive feast there. Now, it was possible to transfer art classes and Sunday school classes to the vestibule. Also, the porch and basement became even safer and more reliable.

Lenten archpastoral visit, 2017

On 2 April, 2017, Bishop Job (Smakouz) of Kashira, Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada, arrived from Edmonton on an archpastoral visit to the parish of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul in Regina. He was accompanied by Deacon Andrey Boldireff of Saint Barbara's Cathedral in Edmonton.

After arriving at the Temple, Bishop Job examined the Cross recently made for the Temple, and he inspected the state of the repair and restoration work in the building (the porch, the basement, the Sunday school).

It had become a good custom that Vladyka Job celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Unction in the fifth week of Great Lent. More than 30 people took part in the Unction, and some of them (as whole families) came especially for this from cities quite remote from Regina, such as Yorkton and Estevan.

After the service, Vladyka Job heard the confessions of the parishioners. As well, he held spiritual conversations with them and answered questions.

On 3 April, Vladyka Job presided at the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy of the Fifth Week of Great Lent, in commemoration also of Saint Mary of Egypt. Vladyka was assisted by the rector, Archpriest Evgeniy Protsenko, and Deacon Andrey Boldireff. Many received the Holy Mysteries of Christ, some of them receiving Holy Communion for the first time. It was remarked on how well Deacon Andrey harmonised with the singing of the choir, led by the newly-acquired choir director Elena Nolte.

In his homily, Vladyka Job focussed on the Saviour's exhortation that we imitate Him in a life of Christian service, and that we recall his words : "Whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many" (Mark 10:43-45). He also reminded us to seek the intercessions of Saint Mary of Egypt in order to overcome passions.

At the end of the service, those who served God and their neighbours in the parish were presented with "gramotas" (certificates of appreciation and blessing) from the bishops. Especially mentioned were the efforts of those who hosted the festivities on the Feast of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, and the labours of those who worked hard in the repairing and strengthening of the physical structure of the Temple. On behalf of all the parishioners, the rector, Archpriest Evgeniy Protsenko, thanked Vladyka Job and Deacon Andrey for having visited and supported the parish.

After the festive lenten dinner which followed, Vladyka Job blessed the beginning of and took part in the annual Parish Meeting. As usual, during the meeting, the president of the parish, Dr. Maxim Kondrashov, the treasurer of the parish, Elena Vorotyagina, the rector, and other parishioners made reports. Some practical decisions were made regarding the main areas of work and upcoming events in the coming year.

Interior of the renovated Temple

Archpastoral visit, 2018

On 12-13 May, 2018, Bishop Job (Smakouz) of Kashira made an archpastoral visit to Regina. This particular visit was significant in retrospect (it would be his last visit).

On the way to Regina, Vladyka visited Saskatoon, where he served on the feast day of Saint Amphilochiy of Pochaev in the Temple of Saint Vladimir, of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR). Father Andrei Meyer co-served with him.

On the evening of Saturday, 12 May, Vladyka Job arrived in Regina, and he led the evening service at the Temple of Saints Peter and Paul. During the service, he provided some pastoral care for the parishioners by offering the opportunity for the Sacrament of Penance (hearing confessions).

On Sunday, 13 May (of the 6th Week after Pascha), Bishop Job of Kashira led the serving of the Divine Liturgy, co-served by the rector, Father Evgeniy Protsenko and Archpriest Radovan Marić (a priest of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Regina, one of the founders of the Peter and Paul Church.

At the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, 2018

The service was celebrated in the presence of many worshippers, parishioners of this parish from Regina and from other cities of southern Saskatchewan, who arrived this Sunday for the Paschal celebration and archpastoral visit.

At the end of the service, Vladyka addressed his flock with a homily as usual, and he congratulated everyone on the Bright Feast of Pascha, as well as with the pending Feast of the Ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ. Vladyka explained the meaning of the Ascension event itself, which is that “Christ does not simply ascend Himself, but by His Divinity raises up our human body, the Body transfigured, sanctified, deified, the Body perfect, with traces of suffering for the sake of saving the whole world” ; and he also explained the Gospel readings of these days.

Also, Vladyka presented to the parish of Saints Peter and Paul a carved Icon of Holy Prince Vladimir, the patron of the children's Sunday school in this parish. The rector, Father Evgeniy Protsenko spoke in response, and on behalf of the whole parish, he presented to Vladyka Job a memorial gift, a holy Icon of Saint Job of Pochaev.

Vladyka congratulated the parish of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul on the fifth anniversary of its sanctification. In this context, he presented the parish community with a decree, according to which the Temple was awarded the right to celebrate the Divine Liturgy with the royal doors open until the exclamation “Holy Things for the Holy”.

At the end of the service, all those present gathered at the ambo before the Royal Doors before the iconostas for a group photo, and a festive meal was held in the basement of the temple.

Parishioners with Vladyka Job, 2018

Change of bishops, 2018

In July, 2018, the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Church of Russia decided to recall Bishop Job (Smakouz) for an assignment in Ukraine.

At the same time, the Holy Synod of Bishops decided to assign Bishop Matthew (Andreev) of Sourozh to take up the responsibility of Temporary Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada. Bishop Matthew, however, was to fulfil this responsibility from his principal office and home in London, England. Vladyka Matthew had been given a similar administrative responsibility for the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA.

Transfer of Archpriest Evgeniy Protsenko, 2018

After Bishop Matthew (Andreev) had taken up his responsibilities, there were other adjustments which were required in the organisation of the Canadian parishes. These changes required the transfer of the rector of the parish.

On 10 September, 2018, by the Decree (Ukaz) of Bishop Matthew (Andreev) of Sourozh, Temporary Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada, Archpriest Evgeniy Protsenko, was released from his duties as the rector of Saints Peter and Paul Russian Orthodox Church in Regina, and he was assigned to serve as the pastor of the "Orthodox IX Parishes" in Central Alberta. The parish of Saints Peter and Paul in Regina was indirectly included in this group of parishes, because the Saints Peter and Paul Parish in Insinger, Saskatchewan, is a part of this group.

Archpastoral visitation, 2019

On Saturday, 18 May, 2019, Bishop Matthew (Andreev) of Sourozh, Temporary Administrator of Patriarchal parishes in the USA and in Canada, made an archpastoral visitation to the parish of Saints Peter and Paul in Regina. He was in the course of making his first pastoral visits to the parishes in Canada now under his omophor (spiritual responsibility).

This day was the Feast-day of the Holy Martyr Irine of Thessalonika. Bishop Matthew (Andreev) celebrated the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy in the Temple along with Archpriest Evgeniy Protsenko ; by Archpriest Radovan Marić (Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church Parish) ; by Priest Andrei Meyer, Rector of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God parish in Saskatoon (ROCOR) ; and by Deacon Andrey Boldireff of Edmonton.

At the end of the service, in consideration of hard work to the glory of the Church of Christ, Vladyka Matthew bestowed Patriarchal awards : the medal “In Memory of the 100th Anniversary of the Restoration of the Patriarchate in the Russian Orthodox Church”, to Father Evgeniy Protsenko, to Deacon Andrei Boldireff ; to Audrey Sheppard, President of the Church of the Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God in the town of MacNutt, and to Douglas Bonar, President of the Church of the Venerable Onuphrius the Great near the Town of Foam Lake. He also addressed the congregation with words of spiritual edification.

In response, Father Evgeniy, the other serving clergy and the parishioners warmly congratulated Bishop Matthew on the occasion of his birthday (celebrated on that very day). They thanked him for his visit, and for the opportunity to share the joy of communication with their bishop.

At the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, first part

At the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, the bishop blesses

Parishioners, 2019

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.

Archpastoral visitation, 2021

In December, 2021, Bishop Matthew (Andreev) of Sourozh, Temporary Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA and in Canada, arrived in Canada in order to make an archpastoral visitation. First, he completed the mandatory quarantine required by the Government of Canada as part of measures to combat coronavirus infection.

Then, on 12 December, 2021, Bishop Matthew (Andreev) arrived in Regina, Saskatchewan. He was accompanied by his personal secretary N V Trubnikov.

The archpastoral visit to the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada began with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy in the Temple of the Holy Chief Apostles Peter and Paul. The Right Reverend Vladyka was assisted by the Rector of the church, Archpriest Radovan Marić, and the Rector of the “Orthodox IX” parish district, Archpriest Evgeniy Protsenko.

At the end of the Liturgy, Vladyka Matthew addressed the clergy and parishioners with the words of a homily and of spiritual edification.

He expanded on the Gospel reading lesson by applying it to the relevant situation with the epidemics ; and expressed his joy that despite the restrictions God granted the opportunity that he and the parishioners finally meet and serve together. Vladyka recalled the interpretation of the Gospel by Saint John of Kronstadt, and his appeal to walk upright spiritually, through raising our eyes to Heaven, especially during the fasting period.

For the parishioners’ hard work for the glory of the Holy Orthodox Church, especially hardworking parishioners and benefactors of the church were presented with Bishops’ distinction letters.

Bishop Matthew presented archpastoral gramotas (certificates of gratitude and blessing) to the parishioners of the church Alexandr Nikonchuk, Oleg Slinko, Eduard Etingen, Elena Vorotyagina, Maxim Fedin, the choir director Olga Mizinina (Marić), and a special Certificate to Anatoly Davidian (for his assistance in applying the new, beautiful and durable metal roofing).

Vladyka remarked on the many improvements and renovations in the church building, and he welcomed the parishioners’ and Father Radovan’s plans for the fulfilment of improvement of the structure.

Archpriest Radovan Marić, and the president of the parish council, Dr. Maxim Kondrashov, addressed the archpastor with a welcoming speech. The parish president and Father Radovan on behalf of the parish council and all the parishioners invited Vladyka Matthew to lead the celebration (if possible) of the 10th anniversary of the great sanctification of the Temple in 2022.

After the service, everyone was invited to the beautiful and spacious parish hall in the basement of the Temple.

Greeting the bishop at the narthex

Parishioners approach to receive the Holy Mysteries

Serving at the Holy Table in the Holy Altar

Presentation of gramotas

Entrance to the Temple through the narthex, 2021

Church school room, 2021

Side view of the Temple from the street, 2021

Particular parish information

This parish is a part of the Parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in Canada. The bishop is Bishop Matthew (Andreev).

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 2023, the rector of the parish is the Archpriest Evgeniy Protsenko. The parish is also served by other clergy assigned by Bishop Matthew (Andreev).

Address :

Russian Orthodox Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul

1772, Montreal Street

Regina, Saskatchewan

S4P 1K9

Parish web-site : (Russian) | (English)

Telephone : (306) 580-7343 (Church)

Telephone : (306) 541-4646 (President Dr. Maksim Kondrashov)

Directions :

Regina is located 259 km (161 mi) southeast of Saskatoon, 76 km (47 mi) east of Moose Jaw, and 187 km (116 mi) southwest of Yorkton.

In Regina, the Temple is south of the Canadian Pacific Railway yard.

By car :

Winnipeg Avenue is the approach from the north. The Temple is situated on the west side of Montreal Street, north of 11th Avenue, and about 5 blocks west of the Serbian Orthodox Holy Trinity Church.

It may be approached from the south from Victoria Avenue.

It may be approached from the east by driving northwest on Arcola Avenue to 11th Avenue. Turn left and drive to Montreal Street. Turn right. The Temple is on the left.

By bus :

Consult the Regina Transit "Ride guide" for routes.

Regina is accessible by road, chiefly by Highway #1 (east and west), Highway #6 from the south and north, and by Highway #11 from the north.

It is accessible by various airlines through the Regina International Aeroport.

It is accessible by interuban bus companies (such as Rider Express, CheckMyBus, Rome2rio, and others).

Priest-in-charge : Evgeniy Protsenko

Telephone : 1 (780) 426-5163

Mobile : 1 (780) 818-7343

E-mail : pokrova70@gmail.com

References

Russian Orthodox Church History Book Committee, “Patriarchal Parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in Canada, Millennium of the Baptism of Rus’” (Edmonton : Russian Orthodox Church History Book Committee, 1988). ISBN: 0-88925-830-9.

Russian Mission

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.

Original article (in English)

Original article (in Russian)

Additional information :

Parish web-site (in Russian) ; (in English)

Moscow Patriarchate Parishes web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about the Russia Orthodox Church in Canada

Wikipedia article about the Patriarchate Parishes in Canada

Russian Orthodox Church web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about the Russian Orthodox Church

Patriarch Kirill (Gundyaev)

Bishop Job (Smakouz)

Bishop Matthew (Andreev)