Yorkton SK Saint Mark the Evangelist Orthodox Church 1987

Yorkton, Saskatchewan, Orthodox Church of Saint Mark the Evangelist, 1987

General prehistory

Originally, this region in East-Central Saskatchewan, Canada, had been inhabited only by the indigenous Plains Cree and Saulteax peoples. With settlement, it became known as the District of Assiniboia, North-West Territories. In 1905, the whole region became part of the new Province of Saskatchewan.

The present City of Yorkton, Saskatchewan, came into being over the course of some years. In 1882, 4 representatives of the York Farmers Colonisation Company in Toronto, Ontario, undertook a visit to the District of Assiniboia of the North-West Territories in order to view some crown land available near the Manitoba border. Afterwards, the company purchased portions of 6 townships near the Little Whitesand River (now Yorkton Creek) for the purpose of enabling settlement, and of establishing a centre for trade. This centre would become known as “York Colony”, or “York City”.

In 1884, the Canada Post Department named this business centre of the settlement “Yorkton”, so as to avoid confusion with York, Ontario.

The company founded the settlers' colony on the banks of the Little Whitesand River where lots were given freely to settlers who purchased land from them. The colony remained at its site until 1889. At that time, the Canadian Pacific Railway line was extended north to the York Colony area, after which time the colony townsite relocated a few kilometres to the south (for convenience) alongside the new railway line. In 1890, the Manitoba and Northwestern Railway line was extended westwards, and gave yet greater access to the region.

Soon, following the original settlers (mostly Western Europeans and British from Eastern Canada), there began to arrive immigrants from Poland, Ukraine (the largest number), Russia, Germany, Hungary, and Sweden. These newcomers settled in the more distant parts of the “colony” lands, and Yorkton became even more the centre of supply for and the sale of products from the homesteads and farms. Cattle ranching became a prominent element amongst the farmers. Yorkton continued to grow steadily, and it had a stable economy.

Ecclesial prehistory

From the early 1900s, many Orthodox Christian communities had been organised in the farming communities around Yorkton, Saskatchewan, in the regions of eastern Saskatchewan and western Manitoba. These communities and Temples were established by the many people (primarily of Romanian and Ukrainian origin) who had recently immigrated to Canada. At that time, these communities were developed under the responsibility of the bishop of what was then called the "Russian Mission". In those days, the whole Orthodox Church in North America was called the Diocese of San Francisco and the Aleutians. After 1905, after the move of the main offices of the Church to New York, it was called the Diocese of the Aleutians and North America. After World War I, it was renamed as the "Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church of North America".

After World War II in particular, there were many changes in rural life, which included a steady reduction in population as farms were consolidated and as people moved to urban places. The large majority of the people who moved into the city were such persons. By the 1980s, many of the younger people no longer spoke fluent Ukrainian, Romanian, or Greek.

Foundation of the community, 1987 ; Priest Dennis Pihach

In 1987, a mission was organised in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, with the intention of meeting the spiritual needs of Orthodox people living in the area who wanted to have worship in the English language, and to use the New (Revised Julian) Calendar. It was hoped that an active English-speaking community could develop which would be able to provide more opportunities for Orthodox worship, witness, and social engagement in the city. This community was organised under the initiative of Nicholas and Evelyn Kozmeniuk, and with the support of the Priest Dennis Pihach, who at that time lived in Saskatoon. Very soon, the result of this initiative was the establishment of the mission, and then the Parish of Saint Mark the Evangelist. The Priest Dennis Pihach moved to Yorkton. There, he began to work for the Government of Saskatchewan for some years while the community grew.

The founders of the parish were :

 John, Stephanie Bodnaryk ; Robert Rohr ; Elsie Galatiuk ; Wlliam and Barbara Holovatch ; 
 Pauline Holovach ; Ken, Carol Kolisnek ; Nicholas, Evelyn Kozmeniuk ; Kay Medwid ; James, Anne Philipchuk ; 
 Margaret Purich ; Theodore, Verlie Ungarain.

1988 Hierarchical Divine Liturgy in the museum location

Saint Mark's Sunday School, early days

Place of worship ; special agreement, 1990

By 1990, the Holy Anargyri (Unmcercenaries) Greek Orthodox Community had acquired a church building that had to be converted structurally for Orthodox Christian worship. In co-operation with the Greek Orthodox Mission in Yorkton (and with the blessing of both the Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Toronto and the OCA Archbishop of Ottawa), the parish community of Saint Mark the Evangelist entered into a unique rental agreement with the Greek Community for the mutual use of this structure. The agreement allowed for the provision of Orthodox Christian services every Sunday, and on week-day Feast-days. The OCA priest cares for the day-to-day needs of everyone, and the special needs of the Greek-speaking community are provided by the Greek Orthodox priest in Regina.

The Greek Community of Yorkton has had services for many years, once a month (on a weekday), as a part of their regular spiritual life, and in order to supplement their spiritual needs, and the priest in Regina continues to travel to Yorkton for this purpose. Thus, the combined community of Saint Mark the Evangelist (OCA) and Saints Anargyroi (Unmercenary Saints) (Greek Orthodox Church) function co-operatively in daily life, yet under 2 dioceses administratively.

In February, 1999, the Archpriest Dennis Pihach (later to be known as Archimandrite Alexander (Pihach), who was by that time also the chancellor of the Archdiocese of Canada, was transferred. He was assigned to be the rector of the Sobor of Saint Herman of Alaska in Edmonton, Alberta.

Priest Rodion Luciuk, 1999

In 1999, the Priest Rodion Luciuk was transferred to become the rector of the Orthodox Church of Saint Mark the Evangelist. He was moved from Holy Trinity Church in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, where he had been attached. Until this time, he had served there and in other communities such as Swift Current, where he lived and worked in secular employment, and Maple Creek, Saskatchewan (where there had once been a parish of the diocese). He was able at that time also to find work in the Yorkton area.

From that time, Father Rodion has continued to care for the Church of Saint Mark the Evangelist, and to see to the pastoral care for the parishes in the region. He also maintains the long-time co-operative and harmonious relationship with the local Unmercenary Saints Greek Orthodox Church and community, and with its "parent" community in Regina, Saint Paul's Greek Orthodox Church. He has served as the dean of the Manitoba-Saskatchewan and Nunavut Deanery more than once, and he has served on the archdiocesan council of the Archdiocese of Canada.

In 2017, Father Rodion retired from his civil employment, and he was able then to devote even more attention to the parish.

25th anniversary, 2012

Archpastoral visits 2012, 2013

On 15-16 September, 2012, Bishop Irénée (Rochon) visited Saint Mark's Church in Yorkton, Saskatchewan for the celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the parish. On Saturday evening, Great Vespers was served in the Temple. This was followed by a banquet, which included speeches about the history of the parish. Entertainment was also provided by the parishioners, in the form of Ukrainian dance and musical performances.

On Sunday, 16 September, 2012, Bishop Irénée served the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, in which he and the Archpriest Rodion Luciuk (the rector of the parish), were joined by other local and visiting clergy, including Archimandrite Alexander (Pihach).

On 20 May, 2013, Saint Mark the Evangelist Orthodox Church was delighted to host the visit of Bishop Irénée (Rochon), who attended Vespers followed by a light meal of coffee and dainties afterwards. There was also a question and answer session with many interesting questions from the children ranging from “How many books have you read ?” to “What is your favourite book in the Bible ?” The adults very much appreciated having the visit of Vladyka Irénée and questioned him about saints, the Holy Fire, and how to witness as Orthodox Christians to the world around us.

On 21 May, 2013, Bishop Irénée concelebrated the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy along with the Parish Rector, Archpriest Rodion Luciuk and Protodeacon Nazari Polataiko, Archdiocesan Secretary. Later that day, Vladyka Irénée presided over a meeting of the Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Nunavut Deanery, which was attended by clergy of the deanery and representatives of the parishes.

Bishop Irénée, Archpriest Rodion Luciuk, Hieromonk Vladimir (Lysak), Protodeacon Nazari Polataiko

Sunday of Orthodoxy, 2016

On 20 March, 2016, the parish of Saint Mark the Evangelist and its sister parish Saint Anargyroi (Holy Unmercenaries) were honoured and blessed to host the pan-Orthodox service for Sunday of Orthodoxy. Annually, the Sunday of Orthodoxy service gathers people together from many parishes in southern Saskatchewan. There were 120 guests, who came from as far as Moose Jaw, Regina, Canora, and from other nearer locations in Saskatchewan ; there were also guests from Swan River, Manitoba. There were 8 clergy from the various jurisdictions, who served together. These jurisdictions included The Orthodox Church of America (Archdiocese of Canada), the Greek Orthodox Church of Canada, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, the Romanian Episcopate of The Orthodox Church of America. Serving were the Priests Cosmin Vint, Lucian Constantin, Michael Faryna, Vladimir (Lysak), Rodion Luciuk, Spiridon Vandoros, Christian, and John Bingham. A beautiful service of Vespers was served, and Father Christian gave an inspiring homily. Afterwards, those who attended gathered together in fellowship in the lower hall, and they enjoyed a beautiful lenten feast afterwards.

Sunday of Orthodoxy, 2016

Bereavement, 2016

On 8 October, 2016, early in the morning, Archimandrite Alexander (Pihach) suddenly and unexpectedly fell asleep in the Lord in Toronto, Ontario. He was visiting there during one of his breaks from his responsibilities in Moscow as the representative of the OCA to the Moscow Patriarchate. His funeral services were offered both in Toronto and in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, where he was interred on 18 October, 2016. After the funeral services, his body was interred in the Woodlawn Cemetery in Saskatoon. Archimandrite Alexander (Pihach) had, 29 years earlier, founded this parish community as a mission, and he had diligently nurtured it throughout his pastorate.

Likewise, he had renewed a sense of hope and of some mutual co-operation amongst the various nearby rural communities. After he had been transferred, he continued to maintain a loving and paternal interest in this parish and in its parishioners.

30 years, 2017

In 2017, the parish marked its first 30 years of service in Yorkton since Archimandrite Alexander (Pihach) celebrated the first Divine Liturgy in the community of Saint Mark the Evangelist Orthodox Church. Archbishop Irénée (Rochon) joined the rector, the Archpriest Rodion Luciuk, Priest Cosmin Vint of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate, Protodeacon Jesse Issac, and Deacon Ken Gaber of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate, and the people of this parish in celebrating an anniversary Divine Liturgy on Sunday, 20 August. Afterwards, there was a festal family-style celebration at the home of John and Stephanie Bodnaryk on their farm.

Parish group photo 30 years

Greeting the archbishop (Subdeacon Theodore and Verlie Ungarain)

At the antiphons

Archbishop Irénée and serving clergy

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.

Archpastoral visitation, 2022

After arriving in Yorkton, Archbishop Irénée (Rochon) made an archpastoral visit to the parish of Saint Mark. He was accompanied by Deacon Denis Letunovsky. On the eve of the Feast of the Ascension of Christ on 1 June, 2022, Great Vespers was served. On 2 June, the Feast of the Holy Ascension, Vladyka Irénée served the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy together with the rector, Archpriest Rodion Luciuk, Igumen Vladimir (Lysak), Archpriest Gregory Scratch (Dean of Manitoba and Saskatchewan), and Deacon Denis Letunovsky.

This visit was the beginning of a circuit-visit of 3 communities. In the afternoon of the same day, Vladyka Irénée, Father Rodion, Father Gregory and Deacon Denis travelled north to Canora, to the Parish of Saint Andrew the First-Called. There, Archpriest Andrew Piasta with Archbishop Vladyka Irénée and the others greeted Archbishop Nathaniel (Popp) and Bishop Andrei (Hoarste) of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America, who had arrived in order to bless the iconostas, and the renovated Temple of Saint Andrew the Apostle. After the blessing, there were prayers offered in the cemetery near the Temple.

After this, the next stop was the Temple of the Holy Prophet Elias at Lennard, Manitoba (111 km/69 mi southeast of Yorkton). There, all 3 bishops served the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy with Archbishop Nathaniel presiding and the clergy assisting. Father Andrew Piasta gives pastoral care to the communities in both Canora and Lennard.

In Lennard, the cemetery was blessed, and prayers were offered also in the original Temple which stands near the newer and larger Temple.

Holy Ascension Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, 3 June, 2022

New Ceiling Icons installed, 2022

On 2 December, 2022, a group of holy icons was installed on the central ceiling of the Temple of the Holy Unmercenary Physicians and the Holy Apostle Mark. The installation had been intended to occur long before, but the iconographer, Igumen Vladimir (Lysak), had been delayed by his having sustained a serious concussion from a fall on ice.

The group of icons are focussed on the large icon (diametre of 223.5 centimetres/7.3 feet/88 inches) of Jesus Christ the Pantokrator (Almighty Ruler). This, and the other icons are prepared on canvas, using gold and acrylic colours. The main icon is surrounded by icons of 2 Archangels, the Theotokos, the Forerunner, and 4 Apostles/Evangelists. Each of them has a diametre of 91.4 centimetres (3 feet/36 inches).

Such a grouping of holy icons would usually be located within a central dome. However, this building does not have a dome ; and, as is done in other places, this arrangement provides their presence regardless.

New icons

Igumen Vladimir serving, beneath the icons

Theophany Lake Blessing at St Mark's, Yorkton, 2025

On 12 January, 2025, in the afternoon, 6 hardy and bundled-up members of Saint Mark headed off to Good Spirit Lake, to sanctify God's creation with a lake blessing. They gathered together at a parishoner's cabin. Together, they braved the cold weather, and they headed off to the lake. The temperature was a pleasant -23C ; but with the strong wind that day, the wind chill made it feel like -34C.

The lake was blessed by Archpriest Rodion Luciuk, and the faithful gathered afterwards for snacks and hot beverages and a cabin blessing.

Glory be to God for his mercies.

Blessing the water

Particular parish information

This parish is a part of the Deanery of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Nunavut of the Archdiocese of Canada, of the Orthodox Church in America. The dean is the Archpriest Gregory Scratch. The bishop is Archbishop Irénée (Rochon).

This parish follows the New (Revised Julian) Calendar.

The Altar Feast-day of this parish is the Feast of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark, 25 April.

In 2025, the pastor of the parish is the Archpriest Rodion Luciuk.

Address :

Saint Mark the Evangelist Orthodox Church

160, Betts Avenue

Yorkton, Saskatchewan

S3N 1M5

Telephone : 306-782-2482

Web-site : http://stmarkyorkton.ca

Facebook

Youtube

Directions :

From Regina, and points south-west :

Yorkton is located 188 km (117 mi) northeast of Regina, Saskatchewan, and the journey takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes by car. Drive east of Regina on Highway #1 (the Trans-Canada) until Balgonie. Follow the exit for Highway #10 towards Yorkton. Drive on Highway #10 to Yorkton. Turn right (east) at Broadway Street (Highway #52) and drive until Betts Avenue (after the railway crossing). Turn left (north), and drive 6 blocks north to Darlington Street.

From Saskatoon, and points west :

Yorkton is 330 km (205 mi) east of Saskatoon, and the journey takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes by car. Drive on Highway #16 (Yellowhead) eastwards Yorkton. In Yorkton, on Smith Street, continue straight on until 1st Avenue. Turn right (south) on 1st Avenue North and drive to Darlington Street West. Turn right, and drive 1 block west.

Via Highway #5 :

From Highway #5, turn west at either Broadway Street or York Road East. Drive to Betts Avenue. From Broadway Street, turn right at Betts Avenue and drive north 6 blocks.

The Temple is located in the city centre, at the corner of Betts Avenue and Darlington Street, 1 block from the Court House.

It is 6 blocks north from Broadway Street, at the corner of Betts Avenue and Darlington Street West.

It is 7 blocks south from Highway #16 (York Road East). Turn south on 1st Avenue North and drive to Darlington Street West. Turn right, and drive 1 block west.

There is parking on the streets nearby.

Archpriest Rodion Luciuk

310, Circlebrooke Drive

Yorkton, Saskatchewan

S3N 2T1

Telephone : 306-782-2482

E-mail : fatherrod@sasktel.net

Further details

The parish of Saint Mark the Evangelist is a community of Orthodox Christian believers, numbering about 65 households. Some of the parishioners are from the traditional Orthodox backgrounds (Ukrainian, Romanian, Greek), and some are converts to Orthodoxy. The desire of the believers is to experience, grow and share God’s love and the Orthodox Christian Faith with those nearby. As a multi-ethnic group, all worship together as one community, and all the services are in English.

Presently attached to the Church of Saint Mark the Evangelist in Yorkton are 14 rural chapels and cemeteries.

 Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called Orthodox Church, Canora   
 Verbitsky Orthodox Cemetery, Canora  
 Holy Ascension Church and Cemetery, Hubbard 
 Saint John the Baptist Church and Cemetery, Endeavour  
 Saint Basil the Great Church and Cemetery, Gorlitz 
 Holy Trinity Cemetery, Greenleaf-Sturgis  
 Holy Trinity Chapel and Cemetery, Hampton 
 Saint Demetrius Orthodox Church and Cemetery, Lady Lake 
 Saint Michael Orthodox Church and Cemetery, Montmartre 
 Holy Ascension Orthodox Chapel and Cemetery, Rhein 
 Holy Assumption Church and Cemetery, Rhein 
 Saint Elias Orthodox Church and Cemetery, Rhein 
 Holy Assumption Church and Cemetery, Stenen 
 Saint Michael Orthodox Church, Veregin