Shishkovtsy-Shandro AB Dormition of the Theotokos Russo Orthodox Church and Cemetery 1903

Shishkovtsy/Shandro, Alberta, Church in the Name of the Dormition of the Theotokos, 1903, 1963

Shiskovtsy may spelt Shishkovchi, Shiskovchi, Shishkovtsi, Shishkovtzi, Shishkovtzy.

Prehistory

In about 1898, people arrived in Canada from the village of Shishkovtsy, Bukovina, which at that time was a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. This village is and was in the county that surrounds Chernivtsy, which constitutes the northern part of the former Romanian Bukovina, and which has a majority of Ukrainian-speakers.

Those who emigrated from Bukovina to Canada settled in the region of Shishkovtsy, which they named after their village of origin. This region is in what is now Lamont County, Alberta, which is about 10 km (6 mi) south of Chipman, Alberta.

Forming the parish, 1903

Because the Orthodox Christian Faith was so central to their lives, the newcomers began quite soon to organise themselves into a parish community. To begin with, the Divine Liturgy was served by visiting priests of the Russian Mission in the homes of Mr. John Huley and Mr. Andrew Tanasichuk. When more families arrived and settled in this area, the need for a properly organised parish family increased.

On 20 May, 1903, the founders of the parish of the Dormition of the Mother of God obtained 40 acres of land from the government, for the purpose of constructing a Temple and establishing a cemetery. The land description site was on SE 34-53-18-4.

The founders of this parish include :

 George and Maria Hrehirchuk ; Nicolas and Domna Hrynyk ; John and Magdalena Huley ; 
 Damian and Ann Panchuk ; Michael and Anna Sorochak ; Metro and Eva Tanasichuk ; 
 Andrew and Maria Tanasichuk ; Petro and Kalena Tarentiuk ; Onufrey and Pearl Tkachuk.

The parish acquired the nickname "Hrehircheks" (or "Hrehirchuks") because of the central role of this family.

Constructing the Temple, 1904

Afterwards, in 1904, came the arduous task of cutting, hauling, trimming, and hewing the logs. This process was done by hand-labour, and horses did the hauling.

As did other parishes, when the parish was incorporated, it followed the formula initiated by the then Bishop Tikhon (Belavin) of the "Russian Mission" in North America. The official name is "St. Mary's Russo-Greek Orthodox Catholic Church of Shishkovtzy".

Construction of the Temple began in 1905. Even though blueprints were not made for the actual construction, the Temple was built in the traditional "Byzantine" style. The building was constructed mainly by the parish members, except for the dome which required the special knowledge and experience of John Sharun and Fred Sawchuk. Many ecclesiastical items were made by hand. Some of the items to be utilised for liturgical purposes had been brought from the native homeland, whereas others have been donated and some purchased more locally. Shingles for the roof were purchased from the Gordon & Gordon’s store in Chipman, Alberta, and were paid for with eggs.

The interior of the Temple consists of 3 divisions : the Altar (behind the iconostas), the central nave, and the vestibule-entry. Over the nave is a large central dome. There was no seating except benches along the sides. The construction was mostly done by parishioners, but the specialised assistance of John Sharun and Fred Sawchuk was required for completing the dome. The parishioners most active in the organisation and construction were :

 John Huley ; Andrew Tanasichuk ; Nicholas Hrynyk ; George Hrehirchuk ; Henry Hrehirchuk ; 
 Onufry Tkachuk.

There were many others also, but their names do not appear in writing. Nevertheless, the Lord knows who they are, and how they, in their love for Him, built a Temple in which they all could worship.

The first Temple

Constructing the second Temple, 1953

A time came when the original Temple structure required extensive renovations. It was then that the parish members decided to construct a new Temple. The site for the new Temple was nearer to the cemetery and the roadway than was the original Temple.

Everyone worked diligently on this project. This large undertaking commenced in 1953. The many substantial donations encouraged everyone to work hard towards the accomplishment of this project. The Church Ladies' Organisation was central both to the fundraising and in work in the construction.

Second Temple

As customary, a carpenter was hired to oversee and guide the construction. Parish members hauled stones, sand, gravel, dirt, and many other necessary materials. Most of the building materials were purchased from the Hilliard Hardware and Lumber Company. The iconostas is particularly notable for its beauty. The chandelier uses candles only, and it was the one retained from the original Temple. The chalice, the tomb of the Mother of God, the Cross on the Holy Table, and other items had been brought from the original village of Shishkovtzi. The 3 bells were donated by the Terentiuk family for the original Temple, and they continued to serve the parish after the new construction. Very many other items were also donated by parishioners.

Second Temple, with bells

Sanctification of the Second Temple, 1963

In 1963, the construction of the new Temple was completed. The official sanctification of the Temple took place on 23 September, 1963, by Archbishop Panteleimon (Rudyk), assisted by the parish pastor, the Priest Eugene Barchewsky.

Donation of the original Temple to the Pioneer Museum at Shandro, 1965

In 1965, the original Temple was donated to the Shandro Museum at Shandro.

The first Temple at the museum

Renovations and repairs at the original site, 1980

Beginning with the summer of 1980 and including the present time, the Temple, the church grounds, and the cemetery received considerable renovation and improvements.

A beautiful white Cross marks the cemetery where many former parish members are buried.

100 years : 2004

On 29 August, 2004, the Shishkovtsy parish celebrated its 100th anniversary. Archbishop Mark (Petrovtsiy), Archbishop of Kashira and Bishop of the Canadian Parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate led the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy. He was assisted by the Archpriest John Shandra, the rector, and by Deacon Joseph Winnick. After the Divine Liturgy, water was blessed, and with the Holy Water, the new central Cross and a monument were blessed in the cemetery.

Aerial view from west

Aerial view from east

As was written on a commemorative plaque, since 2004, the membership has maintained and made improvements to the church and cemetery. The iconostas is a beautiful piece of artwork, built by Mr. Andrew Firchuk.

Because the membership has dwindled, the maintenance of the church has fallen on the shoulders of those who have remained. The parish commends the family of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Hrerichuk for their unstinting efforts in the maintenance of the church, which gives everyone reason to believe Saint Mary’s Church will continue for many years.

Saint Mary's Holy Dormition Russo-Greek Orthodox Catholic Church of Shishkovitzi Cemetery, 1903

The cemetery is located near the present Temple, at the land description site SE 34-53-18-4.

Cemetery

Cemetery aerial view

The following clergy are amongst those who have served this parish :

 Vdovichenko ; John Wasyl ; John Kowalchuk ; Wasily Hochachka ; Archbishop Panteleimon (Rudyk) ; 
 John Karateev ; J Denisiuk ; John Margitich ; Igumen Germogen (Cherkashin) ; Eugene Bartchewsky ; 
 Igumen Dimitry (Shchur) ; Boris Grigori ; Victor Petluchenko ; Zaiets ; Anthony Chilkowich ; Vlas Vitenko ; 
 Nikanor Shymko ; Stephen Abramchuk ; John Voronko ; Michael Fourik ; John Shandra ; Alexey Surayev.

Commemorative cairn

Historical plaques

Particular parish information

This parish is part of the Moscow Patriarchate Parishes 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 Dormition of the Theotokos, 15/28 August.

In 2023, the pastor of the parish is the Priest Alexey Surayev.

Address :

Dormition of the Theotokos Russo-Greek Orthodox Catholic Church of Shishkovtzy

Land Description site SE 34-53-18 W4

Chipman Township

Lamont County, Alberta

Entrance

Directions :

Shishkovtsy is situated approximately 77 km (48 mi) from Edmonton (about 1 hour and 25 minutes by car).

From Chipman :

From Chipman, drive eastwards on Highway #15 for about 8 km (5 mi) to Range Road #182. Turn right. Drive south 5.6 km (3.5 mi). After Township Road #540, the Temple is on the west side of the road.

From Edmonton or Vegreville :

On Highway #16, drive eastwards from Edmonton, or westwards from Vegreville, until Range Road #182. Turn northwards, and drive to the north on Range Road #182. After Township Road #534, the Temple is on the west side of the road.

The mailing address of this parish is the address of the priest.

Priest Alexey Surayev, Pastor of the parish

5003-46 Street, PO Box 483

Lamont, Alberta

T0B 2R0

Telephone : (780) 895-2149

Mobile : (780) 991-4981

E-mail : aleksurus@gmail.comv

Bishop Matthew (Andreev) of Sourozh,

Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada

Addresses :

10812-108 Street

Edmonton, Alberta

Canada

Telephone : (780) 420-9945

OR :

67, Ennismore Gardens

London, SW7 1NH

United Kingdom

Telephone : 011-44-207-584-0096

E-mail : sourozhdiocese@me.com

The Temple from the east

References

Archdiocese of Canada — Orthodox Church in America, “The Orthodox Church in Canada : A Chronology” (Ottawa : Archdiocese of Canada, 1988).

"Celebrating One Hundred Years of Faith of Our Founding Pioneers" (Chipman Township : Dormition Parish, 2004).

A Chronological History of the Archdiocese of Canada, Part I

"Patriarchal Parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in Canada, 100 Years of Orthodoxy in Canada 1897-1997 : Pictorial Memories" (Edmonton : Patriarchal Parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in Canada, 1997).

“The Russian Mission in North America”

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.

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

Additional information :

MP listing

Moscow Patriarchate Parishes web-site

Wikipedia article about the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada

Orthodoxwiki article about the Russian Orthodox Church in Canada

Archdiocese of Canada web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about the Archdiocese of Canada

Orthodox Church in America web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about The Orthodox Church of America

Saint Tikhon (Belavin)

Archbishop (Saint) Arseny (Chahovtsov)