Winnipeg MB All Saints Ukrainian Orthodox Church 1924

Winnipeg, Manitoba, All Saints Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 1924

Prehistory

By the early 1920s, many Ukrainian-speakers, mostly recent arrivals to Canada, had begun to settle in the Transcona district of Winnipeg, Manitoba, on the east side of the Red River. There, work was available in the CNR railway repair shops. There were soon enough Orthodox Christians in the region that they desired to try to organise themselves in such a way that they could sometimes have services more locally. Other Orthodox Christian parishes were on the west side of the Red River.

Organising the parish, 1954

Once the desire for such a parish was strong enough, the primary initiators arranged for a more formal organisation. At first, the Divine Liturgy was served about once per month in the Ukrainian National Home in Transcona.

The Ukrainian Orthodox people of Transcona, Manitoba, began organising a parish in 1954.

First Divine Liturgy, First Temple

On 7 November, 1954, the first Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Archpriest H D Hryeyna at the Taras Shevchenko Ukrainian National Home on Regent Avenue.

Ukrainian National Home

Immediately following the Divine Liturgy, a meeting was called to elect a temporary parish executive. The membership was as follows :

 President : Mykola Stefaniuk ; Secretary : Harry Maslanko ; 
 Treasurer : Michael Haletsky ; Church Elder : Adam Kasianchuk ; 
 Church Sisters : A Kralka ; A Uhryniuk

Eventually, in 1957, the community purchased this building for $2,000.00. It served them for a time.

Building the Second Temple, 1964

After some years, the Faithful of the parish were ready and willing to build their own Temple in eastern Winnipeg.

In 1963, under the chairmanship of Mr. William Perrick, they galvanised their resources, and the parishioners purchased property for the site of a new Temple, which is now 1500, Day Street.

In the afternoon of 5 April, 1964, Metropolitan Ilarion (Ohienko), assisted by Bishop Boris (Yakovkevych) and local clergy sanctified the land on which the new church building was to be built.

Sanctification of the land

During the same month, construction of the new Temple had begun. Because the parishioners did not have abundant available resources, they used easily available industrial plans. However, they modified the plans so that the exterior face shows a glue-laminated arch over a door which is decorated on either side, and which has an onion-dome pattern above. This exteriorly-visible laminated arch is the main support of the walls and roofs, and it is repeated visibly throughout the interior.

On 5 October, 1964, construction was completed.

Winnipeg parishes altogether in the 1960s

By the 1960s, there were 2 other parishes of the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada in Winnipeg. There was also Saint Andrew’s College at the University of Manitoba. In addition, there were 2 parishes of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of America : Saint Michael’s Ukrainian (Bukovynian) Orthodox Church and Saint John Suchavsky’s Sobor.

All these communities were worshipping either using the Ukrainian or the Church Slavonic language. It was during this decade that another Orthodox Christian parish was developing and becoming established nearby in Transcona, the Romanian Orthodox Parish of Saint George. By this time, there were some people who felt the need to use the English language.

All Saints Church

Priest Michael, Dobrodiyka Stephania Yurkiwsky, 1968

In 1968, the Priest Michael Yurkiwsky arrived in Winnipeg from Edmonton, Alberta, where he had been the pastor of Saint Andrew’s Sobor. He had registered at Saint Andrew’s College at the University of Manitoba in order to further his theological/pastoral education. In the following decade, Father Michael served as the Principal of Saint Andrew's College.

Upon his arrival, Father Michael began to lead the community towards a greater use of the English language in the services and in the day-to-day functioning of the parish. This direction was acceptable to the people, and from that time, the community has been known for this characteristic.

Father Michael’s wife, Dobrodiyka Stephania (†2011), worked in the provincial Department of Education. She was very much involved in developing the English and Ukrainian bilingual programme. Together, they promoted the use of the English language in worship in the parish for as long as they were assigned there.

Nowadays, the members of the parish are from many ethnic backgrounds, and people from any ethnic background are welcomed to “come and see”, and to join. The Church is, after all, based on the great commission of Christ to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). The Orthodox Christian Faith which eventually spread through Constantinople to Rus-Ukraine has now been brought to North America ; and, in the words of our Saviour, this Gospel should be preached in all places “to every creature” (Mark 16:15).

After Sunday Church services the parishioners meet at the fellowship hall for coffee, lunch, or just for fellowship. Having a meal in fellowship on Sundays after the Divine Liturgy follows an ancient Christian tradition in fellowship as a sign of love (Agape) in Christ. This fellowship meal celebrates the Resurrection of Christ and His triumph over death and Hadēs. His Resurrection gives access to His Kingdom for all who hear His call to “come to Me” (Matthew 11:28-30). The future is bright for this parish and for its members, as they look always towards the light of Christ.

Congregation photo

Re-naming of the UGOCC, 1990

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.

The UOCC entered into Eucharistic union with the Patriarchate of Constantinople, 1990

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.

Domes on the Temple, 2000

As a "Millennium 2" project (in the context of marking the 2,000 years since the Nativity of Christ), a Church Domes Committee was established and co-chaired by Ben Shuvera and Lawrence Chubey.

Plans were prepared, and an appeal for donations was undertaken.

The Millennium Domes were constructed and installed in time to be blessed on 1 October, 2000. Two hundred parishioners and guests gathered for an archpastoral visitation and Hierarchical Divine Liturgy in the Temple.

The morning ended with Metropolitan Wasyly (Fedak) blessing the 3 new domes, assisted by attending clergy.

Sanctification of domes

A short programme followed the celebratory dinner that was enjoyed in the auditorium.

Centennial of the UOCC, 2018

In 2018, the 100th anniversary of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada was marked at an extraordinary sobor (assembly) at Holy Trinity 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. Including 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.

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.

Confirmation of election in Constantinople/Istanbul, 2022

On 29 August, 2022, Vladyka Ilarion (Rudnyk) was at the Phanar in Constantinople for the purpose of the first confirmation of the election in June, 2022. He co-served the Divine Liturgy with Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis) in the Cathedral of Saint George at the Phanar.

Enthronement as Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, 2022

On Saturday, 19 November, 2022, at 9:30 a.m., in Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the Enthronement Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was served. Metropolitan Ilarion (Rudnyk) presided at the Divine Liturgy. He was assisted by Bishop Andriy (Peshko), many priests, several deacons, subdeacons and Altar-servers. Present also were Metropolitan Archbishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas), Exarch of Canada for the Patriarchate of Constantinople, and Retired Metropolitan Yurij (Kalistchuk), Former Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada.

Metropolitan Ilarion (Rudnyk) at the Phanar, Istanbul, 2023

On Sunday, 2 July, 2023, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis) was present and praying during the Divine Liturgy at Saint George's Cathedral in the Patriarchate compound. He gave the blessing that Metropolitan Ilarion (Rudnyk) preside ("horostasia") over the Divine Liturgy. Metropolitan Job (Getcha) of Pisidia, Bishop Athenagoras (Ziliaskopoulos) of Nazianzos, and the Honourable Roman Nedilskyi, General Consul of Ukraine in Constantinople were also present and praying with the congregation of the Faithful.

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.

It seems that subsequently, John's Cathedral in Edmonton, Alberta, was the first to adopt the New (Revised 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.

Parish organisations

Church school :

Sunday school is offered at 10:00 a.m. on Sundays.

Church school and youth

Zavirukha Ukrainian Dance School :

The Zavirukha Ukrainian Dance School, founded in 1980, meets in the parish hall between September and May.

All Saints Parish Choir

Particular parish information

The regular Sunday Divine Liturgy alternates between one Sunday completely in the English language, and one Sunday that is bilingually Ukrainian and English.

At traditional times, especially the Feast of Pascha (Easter), the Ukrainian language is also used, in order to demonstrate the universality of the Resurrection of Christ.

This parish is a part of the Winnipeg District of the Central Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada. The bishop is Metropolitan Ilarion II (Rudnyk).

This parish follows the Old (Julian) Calendar.

The Altar Feast-day of this parish is the Feast of All Saints, the first Sunday after the Feast of Pentecost.

In 2024, the pastor of the parish is the Protopresbyter Nicholas Orest Rauliuk.

Protopresbyter Wasyl (William) Wasyliw is attached.

The deacon is Deacon Thomas Chaput (a teacher in a Winnipeg school).

The Temple by night

Address :

All Saints Ukrainian Orthodox Church

1500, Day Street

Winnipeg, Manitoba

R2C 1E4

Telephone : (204) 222-1392

Web-site

Facebook

Directions :

The Temple is located on Day Street, between McMeans Avenue East and Edward Avenue East (nearer to Edward Avenue). It is in the northern part of Transcona, in the Kildare-Redonda neighbourhood.

By car :

From the Perimeter Highway #101 North, turn west on Gunn Road. Drive to Day Avenue, and turn left (south). The Temple is on the left.

From northwestern Winnipeg, drive to the Chief Peguis Bridge at Main Street, and turn eastwards. Cross the Red River, and continue on the Chief Peguis Trail as far as Lagimodière Boulevard (Highway #59). Turn right (south), and drive to Grassie Boulevard. Drive on Grassie Boulevard to Plessis Road. Keep to the right on Plessis Road and drive to Gunn Road. Turn left on Gunn Road and drive to Day Street. Turn right on Day Street, and drive south until the Temple, which is on the left.

From southwestern Winnipeg, Saint Boniface and Saint Vital, follow one of the convenient main roads such as Marion Street or Nairn Avenue, which will intersect with Lagimodière Boulevard. At Nairn Avenue, turn to the east (or continue straight on Nairn Avenue) and continue eastwards. The name changes to Regent Avenue West. At Day Street, turn left (north), and drive to the Temple, which is on the right.

By bus : Consult Winnipeg Transit. There is bus service (#48) on McMean Avenue from downtown Winnipeg. There are stops near Day Street.

There is parking beside the parish hall, and on the streets nearby.

Protopresbyter Nicholas Orest Rauliuk

Telephone : 204-691-5689

Mobile : 431-734-1794

Protopresbyter William Wasyliw

Telephone : 204-261-0361

Mobile : (204) 771-1192

E-mail : wwasyliw@mts.net

Deacon Thomas Chaput

References

A Brief History of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada

All Saints Ukrainian Orthodox Parish web-site information

Klysh, Mirone, “Orthodox Christians in Manitoba”

Rotoff, Basil ; Yereniuk, Roman ; Hryniuk, Stella ; “Monuments to Faith : Ukrainian Churches in Manitoba” (The University of Manitoba Press : Winnipeg, 1990) © Manitoba Heritage, Culture and Recreation, 1990. ISBN : 0-88755-621-3.

“Ukrainian Churches of Manitoba : a building Inventory” (Winnipeg : Manitoba Culture, Heritage and Recreation, Historic Resources, 1987).

Additional information :

“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).

Martynowych, Orest T. “Ukrainians in Canada : The Formative Period, 1891-1924” (Edmonton : Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies, University of Alberta, 1991. ISBN10 : 0920862764. ISBN13 : 978-0920862766.

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.

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.

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

Ukrainian Orthodox Church of All Saints, Winnipeg, parish listing

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

Central Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada web-site

Wikipedia article about the Central Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada

Church of Constantinople web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about the Church of Constantinople

Patriarch Athenagoras (Spyrou)

Patriarch Demetrios I (Papadopoulos)

Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis)