Sherbrooke QC Holy Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos Orthodox Mission 2007, 2015

Sherbrooke, Québec, Holy Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos Orthodox Mission, 2007, 2015

Early history, 2007

The Eastern Townships

This mission station of the Dormition of the Theotokos is situated in 2 places : Waterloo, Québec, Canada, which is 69 km (42 mi) west of Sherbrooke, Québec, in the Eastern Townships, and it is in Sherbrooke itself.

In the beginning, this particular mission station was focussed on an historical Anglican church building (constructed in 1837) near Frost Village, Québec. Nearby is an historical Anglican cemetery.

Before 1861, Waterloo was called "Frost Village".

Waterloo, Frost Village, QC, Holy Dormition Temple

Vladyka Irénée, Archpriest Anatoliy Melnyk, and early participants

The mission station began as a summer-chapel served from the parish of Saint-Benoît de Nursie in Montréal, Québec. The potential to use this building at Waterloo was presented to Igumen Irénée (Rochon) (at that time, the rector of the Saint-Benoît de Nursie parish), which was meeting in the basement of Saint John the Evangelist Anglican Church in Montréal. A prominent member of that community had long historical family connections with the building at Waterloo, which had been constructed in 1852. He wished to keep the disused building in Christian functioning, so he presented the possibility to Igumen Irénée that it could be used for Orthodox worship. Igumen Irénée received the blessing to proceed, and the early seeds of a missionary development were sown.

Igumen Irénée organised groups of people to clean up the property, and the interior of the building, and (both as igumen and later as bishop) he organised some occasions in the summer time when the Divine Liturgy could be served there.

The mission station was originally established because Igumen Irénée (Rochon) understood that there were Orthodox Christians living in this region (of the Eastern Townships), and because Orthodox Christians living in Montréal had summer homes in this region.

During the following years, the missionary seeds began to sprout, and the community began to be served by the clergy of the Deanery of Québec of the Archdiocese of Canada.

After many years had passed, it became possible for Archbishop Irénée (Rochon), now the diocesan bishop, to assign a priest to care for the developing community.

The Temple in winter

Active mission foundation, 2015

In 2015, a site was found for the of the Theotokos Mission in the city of Sherbrooke, in a basement chapel of the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Roman Catholic Church, at 280, rue du Conseil, Sherbrooke, Québec.

In this new situation, the many Orthodox Christians of various national backgrounds who lived in this city could assemble for worship and the practice of their Orthodox Christian Faith without having to travel long distances. The sprouted seeds continued to grow.

Rear view of Saint-Jean-Baptiste church

Divine Liturgy

Vladyka Irénée (Rochon) and parishioners

Meanwhile, the inherited old Temple of the Dormition in Frost Village continued to be used occasionally during the warm weather (since it is not winterised).

Feast of the Holy Dormition, Frost Village, 15 August, 2015

Particular mission information

This mission station is part of the deanery of Québec of the Archdiocese of Canada, of The Orthodox Church of America. The dean is the Mitred Archpriest Anatoliy Melnyk. The bishop is Archbishop Irénée (Rochon).

This mission station follows the New (Revised Julian) Calendar.

The Altar Feast-day of this mission is the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos, 15 August.

In 2023, the mission station is served by the Archpriest Octavian Blaga.

Place of worship address :

Orthodox Mission Station of the Holy Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos

Fabrique Saint-Jean-Baptiste

280, rue du Conseil (rear entrance, near the parking lot)

Sherbrooke, Québec

J1G 1J4

Telephone : (819) 828-2130

Mailing address :

Orthodox Mission Station of the Holy Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos

c/o 1241, Route 249

Saint-Georges-de-Windsor, Québec

J0A 1J0

Directions for Sherbrooke :

Sherbrooke is situated in the Eastern Townships, southeast of Montréal, Québec, on Highway/Autoroute #10. It is about 157 km (97.5 mi) from Montréal, and the driving time is approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.

From Montréal, drive across the Champlain Bridge (Pont Samuel de Champlain), and continue along Highway #10 East. Drive on this highway until Sherbrooke.

At Junction 3, take the exit on the right for Highway #610 (Autoroute Louis Bilodeaux). Drive on the autoroute, pass over la rivière Saint-François, and take the exit for Rue Saint-François N towards Rue St-François / Sherbrooke (Centre-Ville). Then, turn left onto Rue Saint-François N towards Sherbrooke. After 5.1 kilometres, the road name changes to Rue Saint-François S. Then bear left onto Rue du Conseil. Turn right onto Rue Murray. Arrive at Rue Murray on the right. (The last junction before your destination is Rue du Conseil. If you reach Rue Chalifoux, you have gone too far.) There are alternate routes through the city.

Directions for Waterloo :

The original Temple of the mission is situated in Shefford County, near Waterloo, in la Haute-Yamaska Regional County Municipality of the Eastern Townships of Québec.

Waterloo is 96 km (60 mi) southeast of Montréal, and 60 km (37 mi) west of Sherbrooke.

From Montréal, drive across the Champlain Bridge (Pont Samuel de Champlain) and continue along Highway #10 East. Take exit #90 for Route #243 towards Lac-Brome/rue Foster/Valcourt. Turn left onto Route #243/Chemin Foster. At the T-junction, turn right on Highway #112 towards Frost Village, or left on Highway #112 towards Waterloo.

Please contact the priest or the Archdiocesan Office for specific directions.

Archpriest Octavian Blaga, Priest-in-charge

1241, Route 249

Saint-George de Windsor, Québec

J0A 1J0

Telephone : 819-828-2130

E-mail : blaga_octavian@yahoo.com