Spirit River (Devale) AB Holy Trinity Russo Orthodox Church and Cemetery 1929

Spirit River (Devale), Alberta, Church and Cemetery in the Name of the Holy Trinity, 1929

Prehistory

It seems that the first Orthodox Christian settlers in the Peace River region of northwestern Alberta and northeastern British Columbia in Canada were actually Old Believers, who settled at Hines Creek, Alberta, in the 1920s. They arrived after the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917.

Later, between the late 1920s and the 1940s, other Orthodox settlers arrived. They were generally from Western Ukraine.

In the late 1920s, pioneer homesteaders began settling on virgin land north and west of the town of Spirit River, which was then the frontier and the end of the line of the Northern Alberta Railway. Devale is the name of this area. This region is over 70 km (44 mi) south-west of Hines Creek (which is straight north of Rycroft). This virgin land which they acquired was heavily forested, and it took considerable work to clear for farming. However, the trees which they cut served well for constructing homes, barns, and other structures. In due time, the very fertile land became an extremely productive grain-producing region.

Establishing the parish ; building the Temple, 1929

The first activities in order to organise an Orthodox parish began in 1929, when Fred Nasedkin travelled with a team of horses throughout the Devale and Spirit River area, as he canvassed for donations for building the Temple. When they began to build, Alex Karol donated 2 acres of land which is now the present site of the Holy Trinity Temple and Cemetery, located 6 km (4 mi) west of Spirit River and 20 km (12 mi) north across the Rat and Ksituan Creeks. The Temple was sanctified in 1930 by Bishop Joasaph (Skorodumov).

The logs were cut by the pioneer members on George Badiuk’s farm who donated the timber for the church. That building served the parish from 1930 to 1956, when the construction of the present Temple building was begun.

Another name used for this Temple is the "Volin Russian Orthodox Holy Trinity Church". The word "Volin" suggests that the parish is locally associated with immigrants who came from the region of Volyn (or Volhynia) in northwestern Ukraine.

First Temple, now at Spirit River museum

Until his repose, it was the Archpriest Evtimi Pashchenko (†1944) who served this parish, together with the village of Rycroft. He would also travel to Holy Trinity Church in Woking and Saints Peter and Paul Church in North Star-Manning.

 The first starosta (president) was Metrow Bilawchuk. 
 The first vice-president was Nick Kushniruk.
 The first secretary was Sam Werboweski.
 The first trustees were : Stefan Dolhan ; Theodore Hawrylenko ; Fred Krishka ; 
 Nick Philipchuk ; George Zyha.

The founding parishioners included :

 George Badiuk ; John Bilawchuk ; Metro Bilawchuk ; Stephan and Mary Dolhan ; Arthur Dombrowski ; 
 Aleks and Helen Karol ; Fred and Mary Krishka ; Nick and Dora Kushniruk ; Onuphry and Pearl Lekhun ; 
 Philip Matiaszow ; Bill and Sophie Melnychuk ; Fred Nasedkin ; Bick Philipchuk ; Alex Shippit ; 
 Alex Waknuk ; Sam Werboweski ; Emil and Sophie Wlad ; Sam and Sophie Wlad ; George Zyha.

Soon after, these founders were joined by :

 Mr. and Mrs. Steve Badiuk ; Steve and Eva Bondar ; Carl and Catherine Didyk ; Charles and Anita Dolhan ; 
 Alexa and Rose Kapral ; Andrew and Eva Konashuk ; John and Elizabeth Osepiuk ; Peter and Dora Wawreniuk ; 
 Walter Zolmer.

The precentors (cantors) who have served in this parish include :

 John Bilawchuk ; Nick Philipchuk ; Peter Wawreniuk.

Second Temple, 1956-1961

In 1956, it was decided to replace the original Temple. A concrete foundation was poured, and the rest of the work was undertaken over several years.

Second Temple

In springtime

Identification plaque on the Temple

During this time, although the parish was served by various available clergy, the parish passed from the "Metropolia" to the Russian Exarchate.

When the construction of the replacement Temple was complete, it was sanctified by Archbishop Panteleimon (Rudyk) on 28 May, 1961. Since that time, there have been regular services of the Divine Liturgy (and other services) offered in the Temple.

On 21 June, 1972, the first active sisterhood was organised in the parish. The original leadership included :

 Lucy Bilawchuk ; Kay Osepiuk ; Barbara Konashuk ; Helen Konashuk ; Helen Sandul.

Iconostas

50 years

On Sunday, 22 June, 1980, the parish marked the anniversary of 50 years of service in this community. Bishop Ireney (Seredniy) of Serpukhov led the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy. He was assisted by the Mitred Archpriest Peter Vlodek and the Archpriest Nikanor Shimko. It was on this same day that the Province of Alberta celebrated its 75th anniversary as a province. The service was followed by a dinner provided by the sisterhood, and a programme of speeches and reminiscences led by Victor Lopushinsky of Edmonton.

One of the priests who served this parish for many years (after Father Peter Vlodek) was the Archpriest Michael Fourik, who lived in Lamont, Alberta.

Metropolitan Hilarion (Kapral), 1948-2022

A well-known and beloved scion of this parish was Metropolitan Hilarion (Kapral) of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR).

The youngest child of Alexei and Evphrosynia Kapral, Igor Alexeievich Kapral was born in Spirit River, Alberta in 1948. Later in life, he expressed deep gratitude for his spiritual and other formation in Holy Trinity parish and in Spirit River. When he travelled south to further his education, he encountered various parishes and 2 bishops in the Edmonton area. These encounters furthered his formation, and then he travelled to the east and to Holy Trinity Seminary and Monastery in Jordanville, New York. After some time, he was tonsured to be a monk with the name "Hilarion". After ordination to the Holy Diaconate and to the Holy Priesthood, he was ordained to the Holy Episcopate. In this capacity, he served both in the USA and in Australia until he was elevated to become Metropolitan of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia. He served faithfully until his repose on Monday, 16 May, 2022, in New York City.

Metropolitan Hilarion (Kapral)

Holy Trinity Russo Greek Orthodox Cemetery, 1930

The Holy Trinity Cemetery was established next to the Temple, on the same property, at the time of the foundation of the parish. The first known interment was in 1931. In 2023, there were 189 interments.

The GPS co-ordinates are : 55.86810, -118.94078.

Cemetery Cross

View of the cemetery

Rycroft Volin Cemetery, 1931

Near Rycroft, Alberta (to the east of Spirit River), one may find the Volin Russian Orthodox Cemetery. This cemetery is specifically identified as being "Russian Orthodox", as distinguished from another cemetery in the region which is known simply as "Volin Cemetery" (and likely connected to the Ukrainian Orthodox Parish of Saint Elias). They were establisshed at similar times. This cemetery is mentioned here, since it is likely connected somehow with the Holy Trinity Parish.

In 2023, there were 115 interments in this cemetery. The first known interment was in 1930.

Volin Russian Orthodox Cemetery, Rycroft

Priests who served in this parish

The priests who have served this parish include :

 Archpriest Evtimi Pashchenko 		1930-1944
 Archpriest Evgenii Olendy 		1944-1945
 Archpriest John Karateev		1949-1951
 Priest Wasily Hochachka		1951-1956
 Priest George Marinetz			1952-1957, 1960
 Priest-monk Mefody Osadchuk		1955
 Priest Emilian Kuzmich			1960-1962
 Priest Kyrill Stakhowsky		1962-1967
 Archimandrite Alexei Sokolowsky	1967-1970
 Protopresbyter Victor Petluchenko	1970-1975
 Priest Vladimir Zayets			1975-1977
 Archpriest Vitaly Politylo		1976
 Priest Anatoliy Harkusha		1977-1979
 Archpriest Nikanor Shimko		1979-1987
 Archpriest Michael Fourik		1988-1999
 Archpriest John Shandra 		1999-2008	
 Priest Alexey Surayev		2008-____
 Archbishop Panteleimon (Rudyk) served the parish from time to time between 1958 
 and 1968.  Other priests who served from time to time include : 
 Archimandrite Dimitri (Schur) ; Archpriest Dimitry Sagan ; Archpriest Boris Grigory ; 
 Archpriest John Borcha ; Archpriest Andrew Kokolsky ; Archpriest Feodor Kobyliatski.

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 Pentecost (Descent of the Holy Spirit, the Most Holy Trinity).

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

Address/directions :

Holy Trinity Russo Orthodox Church is situated about 20 mi nortwest of Spirit River in an area that is now known as "Ksituan" (formerly Devale).

Grande Prairie is located 458 km (285 mi) northwest of Edmonton.

Spirit River is situated more than 80 km (50 mi) to the north from Grande Prairie.

From Grande Prairie, drive north to Rycroft on Highway #2. At Highway #49, turn left (west) and drive 16 km (10 mi) (pass through Spirit River). At the intersection of Highway #49 and Secondary Highway #727, turn right (north) and drive 14 km (9 mi) (this road passes 2 creeks) to Secondary Highway #794. Turn right (east). Drive east 2 km (1.25 mi). The Temple is on the right.

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

References

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

A Chronological History of the Archdiocese of Canada, Part 1

"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).

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.

Additional information :

Archdiocese of Canada web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about the Archdiocese of Canada

Orthodox Church in America web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about The Orthodox Church in America

MP parishes listing

Moscow Patriarchate Parishes web-site

Wikipedia article about the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada

Orthodoxwiki article about the Russian Orthodox Church in Canada

Archbishop Adam Philipovsky

Archbishop Evdokim (Meschersky)

Metropolitan Platon (Rozhdestvensky)