View source for Hamlin AB Holy Ghost Romanian Orthodox Church 1915


[[File:Hamlin SK Descent of the Holy Spirit 2.png]]

'''Hamlin, AB, Holy Ghost Romanian Orthodox Church, 1915'''


See also [[Boian AB Romanian Orthodox Church and Cemetery of Saint Mary 1901]].

Dependency of Saint Mary’s Church in Boian. 

Ioan-Casian may be spelt John-Cassian.  


==Prehistory==

On the north side of the swiftly flowing [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Saskatchewan_River North Saskatchewan River], in central [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/alberta/ Alberta], [https://www.britannica.com/place/Canada Canada], north of the former [https://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC3MZHZ_desjarlais-ferry-crossing-north?guid=0db3b82b-c0a0-48e9-a5af-a45be383811b Desjarlais ferry] site, there existed a school district known as [http://travelingluck.com/North+America/Canada/Alberta/_5962571_Gold+Creek.html Gold Creek].  The land is sandy, hilly, with many ravines through which in the rainy season and in spring, bubbling brooks flow southwards to the river.  Here, too, as early as 1912, several families who had immigrated to Canada from [https://www.britannica.com/place/Romania Romania] began settling on [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/homesteading homesteads].  Amongst these was a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hieromonk hieromonk], Teodosie (Nica) (see [https://books.google.ca/books?id=x8NWAgAAQBAJ&pg=PR1&lpg=PR1&dq=ISBN+978-1-929200-14-6&source=bl&ots=lNhumD0_m4&sig=ACfU3U0OOsaninwfPi_LmF1tY3nTU3GnRg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi75r7srL36AhVNFmIAHcx3DY0Q6AF6BAgeEAM#v=onepage&q=ISBN%20978-1-929200-14-6&f=false Bugea, Romanians in Canada], p.74). In 1912, the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hieromonk Priest-monk] Teodosie Nica built a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Log_cabin log cabin] with a second storey, in which he conducted religious services.  It was used as a chapel for services until 1916.  

This Temple was situated near the settlement of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamlin,_Alberta Hamlin, Alberta], 156 km (97 mi) northeast of [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/edmonton/ Edmonton], in what is now the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smoky_Lake_County Smoky Lake County].   

West and south of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamlin,_Alberta Hamlin store], there is a winding sandy road lined with towering poplars, and a little Temple is nestled on a hilltop bordered by aspens.  That Temple is the [http://boianalbertamuseum.com/historical-background/churches/the-holy-ghost-romanian-orthodox-church-of-hamlin/ Holy Ghost Romanian Orthodox Church of Hamlin].  The steep hill to the Temple has challenged many car drivers, especially in inclement weather, so many a church-goer trudged up the steep incline, with the vehicles remaining at the bottom of the hill, near the cemetery. 

From 1908, there developed a sharp controversy in [[Boian AB Romanian Orthodox Church and Cemetery of Saint Mary 1901 |Saint Mary's Church in Boian]] about the use of the language in worship.  This controversy only increased in intensity during the next several years.  This concern first arose because of a great lack of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romanian_language Romanian-speaking] priests in the area, and the fact that the priests who were available to serve and to help in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boian,_Alberta Boian] spoke mostly [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_language Russian] or some form of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukrainian_language Ukrainian], and they tended to serve in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_Slavonic_language Church Slavonic].  In addition, in contrast with their [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slavs Slav] neighbours, Romanians were and are accustomed to being able to understand the language of worship.  This situation resulted in the appearance of several small Temples (or chapels) near [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boian,_Alberta Boian], in which the Faithful could use the [https://www.britannica.com/topic/Romanian-language Romanian language].  Even without a priest, they could gather and pray and worship together in the Temple which was nearby their farms, and use the format of a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Typika reader’s service].  

It may be useful to keep in mind that until after the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Revolution Russian Revolution of 1917], almost all [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Introduction_to_Orthodox_Christianity Orthodox Christian] communities in [https://www.britannica.com/place/North-America North America] were canonically a part of the [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/The_%E2%80%9CRussian_Mission%E2%80%9D_in_North_America “Russian Mission” in North America], which was a part of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Church_of_Russia Russian Orthodox Church] in the [https://www.britannica.com/place/Russian-Empire/The-reign-of-Peter-the-Great Russian Empire].  Even amongst the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slavs Slavs], there were not enough priests to care properly for the multitude of wide-spread newcomers to Canada.  Further, the political situation during this particular period of time made it difficult to find and to provide for the linguistic/cultural needs of all the Orthodox Christians who now lived in Canada.

==Founding the parish, 1915==

A photograph of a bearded priest in vestments is found on the inside cover of a register which bears the inscription : 
  ‘To Whom it May Concern’, by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notary_public Notary Public] Peter Svarich, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vegreville Vegreville], Alberta.  On the 15th Day of December 
  1913, [https://books.google.ca/books?id=x8NWAgAAQBAJ&pg=PR1&lpg=PR1&dq=ISBN+978-1-929200-14-6&source=bl&ots=lNhumD0_m4&sig=ACfU3U0OOsaninwfPi_LmF1tY3nTU3GnRg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi75r7srL36AhVNFmIAHcx3DY0Q6AF6BAgeEAM#v=onepage&q=ISBN%20978-1-929200-14-6&f=false the bearer, Teodosie Nica], appeared before me.  His picture appears above and the signature below it 
  verifies to me the identification of this name, character and profession.  He is a duly ordained [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Monk monk] of 
  [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaslui Vaslui], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romania Romania].  He came to Alberta in January, 1912, and settled on homestead NE22-54-14-W4, where he built 
  a church for the use of the Romanian Orthodox people.  His intention was to build a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monastery#Eastern_Orthodox monastery] therein and for 
  this cause solicited funds from the church members and the general public.

On 22 January, 1915, the first general meeting was held in order to prepare to build the “Biserica Altoficiate Romana Ortodocsa cu hramul Pogoriria Duhului Sfant” (“Romanian Orthodox Church dedicated to the Descent of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Holy_Spirit Holy Spirit]”), as it was officially named.

The following names are the members who took part in this historical meeting.  Those who were elected to the first parish council are indicated by their responsibility :
  Hieromonk Teodosie (Nica)
  Vasile Basaraba, the first president
  Dmitri Onciul, vice-president
  Vasile Pitruniak, secretary
  George Mihalcian, 1st comptroller
  Nicolae Toma, 2nd comptroller
  Andrei Lutic, 3rd comptroller
  Members : Ilie Aldea ; Ilie Basaraba ; Ion Blesniuk ; John Cojocari ; Mihai Cuciurean ; 
  Tanasi David ; Petrachi Esak ; Andrii Euciuk ; John Harasium ; Elie Kiper ; Nicolae Malin ; 
  Georghe Mohan ; Nicolae Sarbue

Since these persons are the representatives of the other parishioners, the size of the parish council indicates that the general membership of the parish was rather large at that time.

An interesting footnote to the first meeting minutes is that : 
  [...] and the church should remain under the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_of_Canada Government of Canada] - but the priests who will serve are requested 
  to be [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_of_Canada Romanian Greek Orthodox] and to serve in the language spoken from the beginning by the Romanian people.   
Even in 1915, the Romanians wanted their parishes to be served by Romanian priests.  

'''Construction of the Temple, 1916'''

In 1916, the “main Temple” for the intended monastery was constructed.  The 10 acres on which the Temple was built, and on which the cemetery was located, was  originally given by the [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/dominion Dominion Government].  The land reference is : SE22-57-14-W4.  This new Temple was 10 m (36 ft) long by 6 m (20 ft) wide and 3.7 m (12 ft) high.  The interior of the building resembled those in [https://www.britannica.com/place/Romania Romania] or in Canada decades ago, in that there were no chairs or benches. 

Father Teodosie (Nica) served the parish for 2 years.  After this, he was transferred to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regina,_Saskatchewan Regina], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saskatchewan Saskatchewan].  

Father Teodosie was followed by the Priest [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/152930190/eli-aldie Elie Alda] (or Aldie), a local pioneer farmer, who had been ordained to the Holy [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Presbyter Priesthood].  He served the parish for a time.  Father Elie Alda fell asleep in the Lord in 1922, and he was interred in the [https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2591528/gold-creek-cemetery Gold Creek Cemetery].  After that, the parish was served intermittently by the priest from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boian,_Alberta Boian].  Boian is 24 km (15 mi) south of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamlin,_Alberta Hamlin], and across the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Saskatchewan_River North Saskatchewan River].  At that time, there were no bridges in the area, and a ferry was required in the warmer months.  In the winter, the frozen river could be crossed with minimum risk.  

On 3 February, 1924, the parish received the following books (in the Romanian language) : "[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Gospel_Book The Holy Gospel]" ; "[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Octoechos The Octoechos]" ; "[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bible The Holy Scriptures]" (Bible) ; "[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Apostolos The Apostle]" (Epistle-book) ;  "[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Homily The Book of Homilies]" ; "[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Pentecostarion The Pentecostarion]".

By 25 June, 1924, the exterior of the Temple was completed. 

'''Some priests who served at Hamlin were : ''' 

Hieromonk Teodosie (Nika) (see [https://books.google.ca/books?id=x8NWAgAAQBAJ&pg=PR1&lpg=PR1&dq=ISBN+978-1-929200-14-6&source=bl&ots=lNhumD0_m4&sig=ACfU3U0OOsaninwfPi_LmF1tY3nTU3GnRg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi75r7srL36AhVNFmIAHcx3DY0Q6AF6BAgeEAM#v=onepage&q=ISBN%20978-1-929200-14-6&f=false Bugea, "Romanians in Canada"], p. 74)

[http://boianalbertamuseum.com/cohan-vasile-and-elizaveta/ Father Vasile Cohan] (see [https://books.google.ca/books?id=x8NWAgAAQBAJ&pg=PR1&lpg=PR1&dq=ISBN+978-1-929200-14-6&source=bl&ots=lNhumD0_m4&sig=ACfU3U0OOsaninwfPi_LmF1tY3nTU3GnRg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi75r7srL36AhVNFmIAHcx3DY0Q6AF6BAgeEAM#v=onepage&q=ISBN%20978-1-929200-14-6&f=false Bugea, "Romanians in Canada"], p. 52)


[[File:Parintele-Vasile-Cohan 1.png]]  '''Priest Vaslie Cohan and his wife'''


Father Dumitru Diaconescu  (see [https://books.google.ca/books?id=x8NWAgAAQBAJ&pg=PR1&lpg=PR1&dq=ISBN+978-1-929200-14-6&source=bl&ots=lNhumD0_m4&sig=ACfU3U0OOsaninwfPi_LmF1tY3nTU3GnRg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi75r7srL36AhVNFmIAHcx3DY0Q6AF6BAgeEAM#v=onepage&q=ISBN%20978-1-929200-14-6&f=false Bugea, "Romanians in Canada"], p. 55)


[[File:Father Dimitru Diaconescu 1.png]]  '''Father Dimitru Diaconescu''' 


Father Teodosie Fiika (Boian) (see [https://books.google.ca/books?id=x8NWAgAAQBAJ&pg=PR1&lpg=PR1&dq=ISBN+978-1-929200-14-6&source=bl&ots=lNhumD0_m4&sig=ACfU3U0OOsaninwfPi_LmF1tY3nTU3GnRg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi75r7srL36AhVNFmIAHcx3DY0Q6AF6BAgeEAM#v=onepage&q=ISBN%20978-1-929200-14-6&f=false Bugea, "Romanians in Canada"], p. 57)

Father Horbay  

Father Oleniak 

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archpriest_Mircea_and_Preoteasa_Ileana_Panciuk Father Mircea Panciuk] (see [https://books.google.ca/books?id=x8NWAgAAQBAJ&pg=PR1&lpg=PR1&dq=ISBN+978-1-929200-14-6&source=bl&ots=lNhumD0_m4&sig=ACfU3U0OOsaninwfPi_LmF1tY3nTU3GnRg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi75r7srL36AhVNFmIAHcx3DY0Q6AF6BAgeEAM#v=onepage&q=ISBN%20978-1-929200-14-6&f=false Bugea, "Romanians in Canada"], p. 75)


[[File:Father Mircea Panciuk 1.png]]  '''Priest Mircea Panciuk'''


Father Teodosie Scaletschi  (see [https://books.google.ca/books?id=x8NWAgAAQBAJ&pg=PR1&lpg=PR1&dq=ISBN+978-1-929200-14-6&source=bl&ots=lNhumD0_m4&sig=ACfU3U0OOsaninwfPi_LmF1tY3nTU3GnRg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi75r7srL36AhVNFmIAHcx3DY0Q6AF6BAgeEAM#v=onepage&q=ISBN%20978-1-929200-14-6&f=false Bugea, "Romanians in Canada"], p. 82) 

Father Vasile Toma  (see [https://books.google.ca/books?id=x8NWAgAAQBAJ&pg=PR1&lpg=PR1&dq=ISBN+978-1-929200-14-6&source=bl&ots=lNhumD0_m4&sig=ACfU3U0OOsaninwfPi_LmF1tY3nTU3GnRg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi75r7srL36AhVNFmIAHcx3DY0Q6AF6BAgeEAM#v=onepage&q=ISBN%20978-1-929200-14-6&f=false Bugea, "Romanians in Canada]", p. 86) 


[[File:FatherVasile Toma 2.png]]  '''Priest Vasile Toma'''  


[[File:Hamlin Descent of the Holy Ghost Church.jpg]]  '''Holy Ghost Temple'''

==Archpastoral visitation of Bishop Victorin (Ursache), 1972==

On 22 May, 1972, the church was visited for the first time by [[Archbishop Victorin (Ursache) |Bishop Victorin (Ursache)]], together with [https://www-marturisitorii-ro.translate.goog/2016/01/26/parintele-felix-dubneac-pictorul-arhimandrit-un-martir-plecat-sa-sarbatoreasca-nasterea-domnului-la-ceruri/?_x_tr_sl=ro&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc&_x_tr_sch=http Archimandrite Felix (Dubneac)], [https://oca.org/in-memoriam/archimandrite-jerome-newville Archimandrite Jerome (Newville)], and [[Archpriest Mircea and Preoteasa Ileana Panciuk |Father Mircea Panciuk]].  They offered a prayer-service for the reposed parishioners who are buried in the cemetery. 

'''Depopulation after 1930'''

As is the case with many other rural Temples, the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rural_flight depopulation] of the countryside that accompanied the newer and more mechanised methods of farming deprived this parish of people available to attend services and to contribute to the economy of the parish.  Regardless, more rapid transportation and better roads made access to other Temples with more frequent services (including [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Boian_AB_Romanian_Orthodox_Church_and_Cemetery_of_Saint_Mary_1901 )  Boian]) much easier.

When there is a priest available to serve in the Temple, graveside services also are held in memory of the deceased.  

The remaining few parishioners resisted the efforts by some to transport the Temple to the [http://www.boianalbertamuseum.com Romanian Pioneer Museum] at Boian.  The Temple still stands as it did in 1916, and it is a living monument to those early hearty pioneers who were of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Church_of_Romania Romanian Orthodox] Faith, and who came to [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/alberta Alberta] and helped to develop Canada’s greatest frontier more than a century ago.

The following is a list of parish presidents from 1915 :
  1.  	Vasile Basaraba
  2.  	Gheorghe Mihalcian
  3.  	Elie Aldea
  4.  	1920-1924  Andrii Lutik
  5.  	1927-1935  Elie Basaraba
  6.  	1936-1937  Mike Gigiluk
  7.  	1938-1952  George Bobocel
  8.  	1953-1958  Elie Basaraba
  9.  	1959-1974  Roman Bobocel
  10.	1975-1989  William Basaraba

==Archpastoral visitation, 2022==

On 14-23 May, 2022, Bishop Ioan-Casian (Tunaru) made an [https://www.episcopia.ca/index.php/en/1309-two-day-visit-to-historic-parishes-and-the-newest-in-the-province-of-alberta archpastoral visitation] to some communities in Alberta.  This visit included the historic parishes of the Edmonton area, and the newly-established Calgary Parish.  He visited the parishes of [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Boian_AB_Romanian_Orthodox_Church_and_Cemetery_of_Saint_Mary_1901 Saint Mary, Boian] ; [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Edmonton_AB_Saints_Constantine_and_Helen_Romanian_Orthodox_Church_1952 Saints Constantine and Helen, Edmonton] ; [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Hamlin_AB_Holy_Ghost_Romanian_Orthodox_Church_1915 Holy Ghost, Hamlin] ; [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Shepenitz-Malin_(Ispas)_AB_Exaltation_of_the_Holy_Cross_Romanian_Greek_Orthodox_Church_and_Cemetery_1912 Exaltation of the Holy Cross, Shepenitz (Malin)] ; [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Hairy_Hill_AB_%E2%80%A0Saint_Mary_Romanian_Orthodox_Church_and_Cemetery_1911 Saint Mary, Hairy Hill] ; [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Calgary_AB_Saint_Andrew_Romanian_Orthodox_Church_2002 Saint Andrew, Calgary] ; [https://www.episcopia.ca/index.php/en/261-the-establishment-of-the-holy-trinity-romanian-orthodox-parish-in-calgary-alberta Holy Trinity, Calgary].

On Tuesday, 17 May, the hierarch together with [https://www.episcopia.ca/index.php/en/structure/archdiocesan-center Father George Bâzgan], diocesan-vicar and [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archpriest_Mircea_and_Preoteasa_Ileana_Panciuk Father Mircea Panciuk], archpriest for Canada-West, went to the area of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boian,_Alberta Boian village] where the first Romanians who came at the end of 19th and early 20th century settled.

The first church visited was the one in [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Shepenitz-Malin_(Ispas)_AB_Exaltation_of_the_Holy_Cross_Romanian_Greek_Orthodox_Church_and_Cemetery_1912 Mălin] dedicated to the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Elevation_of_the_Holy_Cross Exaltation of the Holy Cross].  The parish celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2014.  

Following this visit, the bishop and his entourage travelled on to their next stop.  This was to the parish of the [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Boian_AB_Romanian_Orthodox_Church_and_Cemetery_of_Saint_Mary_1901 Dormition of the Mother of God and Saint Dumitru] at Boian.  After prayers in the Temple, a lunch prepared by some of its members was served in the social hall.  The good condition of the buildings was obvious, and it was clear that this community is still clearly understood to be the "mother" of all the other parishes in the region, including the one in Edmonton.  After a visit to the Boian Romanian Museum, Bishop Ioan-Casian and the clergy continued on to visit the Temple and [https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2591528/gold-creek-cemetery Cemetery of the Descent of the Holy Spirit at Golden Creek/Hamlin]. Sadly, due to a situation similar to the Hairy Hill building, the Temple in Hamlin was seen to be likewise affected structurally.   


[[File:Bishiop Ioan-Casian at Hairy Hill 2022 2.png]]  '''Bishop Ioan-Casian and parishioners'''


Then Bishop Ioan-Casian and the clergy returned to Edmonton, and to prepare for the visits of the following day.

==Gold Creek Cemetery of Hamlin, 1916==

The cemetery of the Holy Ghost Temple is called "[https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2591528/gold-creek-cemetery Gold Creek Cemetery]".  It is located at land-description site NE22-57-14-W4, at Township Road #580 and Range Road #142.

It is near [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamlin,_Alberta Hamlin] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vilna,_Alberta Vilna], Alberta, in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smoky_Lake_County Smoky Lake County]. 

When there is a priest available to serve in the Temple, graveside services also are held in memory of the deceased.  

Since the first interment, on 28 January, 1916, there have been 35 burials in the cemetery.  One of the most recent burials was that of [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/152930196/nicholas-aldie Nicolae Aldie] on 12 November, 1986.



[[File:Cemetery Sign S.jpg]] '''Cemetery entrance sign'''


[[File:Cemetery View 3 S.jpg]]  '''Some graves'''


[[File:Cemetery View 2 S.jpg]]  '''More graves'''

==Particular parish information==

This parish is part of the [https://www.episcopia.ca/index.php/en/ Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada], of the [https://www.mitropolia.us/index.php/en/ Romanian Orthodox Metropolia of the Americas].  The bishop is [[Bishop Ioan-Casian (Tunaru)]].

This parish follows the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revised_Julian_calendar New (Revised Julian) Calendar].

The Altar Feast-day of this parish is the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Pentecost#After_Pentecost Day of the Holy Spirit], which is the day after the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Pentecost Feast of Pentecost].  

Customarily, a grave-blessing service is offered annually, usually in June, in association with the custom of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Radonitsa blessing graves] after [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Pascha Pascha].  The priest for this community is the one who serves at the Boian parish.   

In 2023, more than a century after the arrival of Father Teodosie (Nica), church services are held once a year on the Monday following the Sunday of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Pentecost Descent of the Holy Spirit], on the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Pentecost#After_Pentecost Day of the Holy Trinity].  The Temple is still extant on a very picturesque site, as it continues to guard the well-kept cemetery.  There are very few members remaining. 



Address :

Descent of the Holy Ghost Romanian Orthodox Church

Land site description : NE10-56-13-W4 

Hamlin, Smoky Lake County, Alberta


Directions :

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamlin,_Alberta Hamlin] is located 156 km (97 mi) northeast of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmonton Edmonton] ; 16 km (10 mi) north of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boian,_Alberta Boian] ; 6.4 km (4 mi) north of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hairy_Hill Hairy Hill] ; 21 km (13 mi) east of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew,_Alberta Andrew] ; 6.4 km (4 mi) east of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willingdon,_Alberta Willingdon].  

From Edmonton, drive east on [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberta_Highway_16 Highway #16] to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mundare Mundare].  Turn left (north) on [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberta_Highway_855 Highway #855] and drive north towards [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew,_Alberta Andrew].  Turn right (east) on [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberta_Highway_45 Highway #45].  Drive to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Alberta_provincial_highways#857 Highway #857].  Turn left (north), and drive to Range Road #652E.  Turn right, and drive to Hamlin.

Alternatively, from Edmonton, drive northeast on [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberta_Highway_15 Highway #15N] to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberta_Highway_37 Highway #37W] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sturgeon_County Sturgeon County].  Then follow [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Alberta_provincial_highways#825  Highway #825N] and Range Road #224 to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberta_Highway_28 Highway #28E].  Turn right onto Highway #28E, and drive towards [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vilna,_Alberta Vilna].  Pass the village and turn south on Township Road #859.

Hamlin is situated south of the village of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vilna,_Alberta Vilna], at the junction of Range Road #652 and Township Road #859 in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smoky_Lake_County Smoky Lake County].

==References==

[https://books.google.ca/books?id=x8NWAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA104&lpg=PA104&dq=Fr+Gratian+Radu+Dysart+SK&source=bl&ots=lNbxqGX_l4&sig=ACfU3U2pCnQx64voYfbphUCdrEyLtTuYoQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiqptLB5s7tAhXmguAKHZgQDrcQ6AEwAnoECAcQAg#v=onepage&q=Fr%20Gratian%20Radu%20Dysart%20SK&f=false Bugea, Eleanor, “Romanians in Canada” (Michigan : Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America, 2009)]. ISBN : 978-1-929200-14-6.

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.

Toma, Michael G, “[http://www.c21etv.com/albertaweekly/never_far_from_eagle_tail_hill.pdf Never far from Eagle Tail Hill]” (Edmonton, Alberta : Michael G Toma, 1985).   

[http://www.boianchurch.mareleboian.com/boian_church_hamlin.html Parish history]


'''Additional information :'''

Lutic, Les, Wichert, Gail, ed., “[http://boianalbertamuseum.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Les-Lutic-PRAIRIE-PIONEERS-%E2%80%94-THE-ROMANIANS-PART1-4.pdf Prairie Pioneers – The Romanians – Parts 1-4]” (Boian, Alberta).

[http://www.prairiesouls.com/Boian,%20AB%20-%20Malin%20Cemetery/Mycemetery-0.htm Malin Cemetery names] 

[http://www.prairiesouls.com/Vilna,%20AB%20-%20Gold%20Creek%20Cemetery/Mycemetery-.htm Gold Creek Cemetery names] 

[https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2591528/gold-creek-cemetery Findagrave reference to Gold Creek Cemetery]   

[http://boianalbertamuseum.com/historical-background/churches/the-holy-ghost-romanian-orthodox-church-of-hamlin/ Romanian Pioneer Museum of Boian]   

[https://canadianromaniansocietyofalberta.org/ The Canadian Romanian Society of Alberta]    

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamlin,_Alberta Wikipedia about Hamlin]

[https://roadsidethoughts.com/ab/hamlin-profile.htm Roadside Thoughts about Hamlin]

[https://www.mitropolia.us/index.php/en/ Romanian Orthodox Metropolia of the Americas web-site]

[https://www.episcopia.ca/index.php/en/ Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada web-site]   

[https://www.episcopia.ca/index.php/en/structure/parish-directory/55-sts-constantine-and-helen-romanian-orthodox-church-edmonton Romanian Canadian Diocese contact parish listing]

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Romanian_Orthodox_Archdiocese_in_America_and_Canada Orthodoxwiki article about the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese in America and Canada]   

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romanian_Orthodox_Metropolis_of_the_Americas Wikipedia article about the Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of the Americas]    

[https://patriarhia.ro/ Orthodox Church of Romania web-site]   

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Church_of_Romania Orthodoxwiki article about the Church of Romania]   

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romanian_Orthodox_Church Wikipedia article about the Romanian Orthodox Church]  

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conon_Ar%C4%83mescu-Donici Metropolitan-Primate Conon (Arămescu-Donici)]  

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Patriarch_Miron_(Cristea) Patriarch Miron (Cristea)]  

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Patriarch_Nicodim_(Munteanu) Patriarch Nicodim (Munteanu)]  

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Patriarch_Justin_(Moisescu) Patriarch Justin (Moisescu)]    

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Patriarch_Teoctist_(Ar%C4%83pa%C8%99u) Patriarch Teoctist (Arăpașu)]  

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Patriarch_Daniel_(Ciobotea) Patriarch Daniel (Ciobotea)]  

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Victorin_(Ursache) Archbishop Victorin (Ursache)]   

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Bartolomeu_(Anania) Metropolitan Bartolomeu (Anania)]     

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Nicolae_(Condrea) Metropolitan Nicolae (Condrea)]   

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Bishop_Polycarp_(Moru%C5%9Fca) Bishop Polycarp (Morusca)]  

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Bishop_Andrei_(Moldovan) Bishop Andrei Moldovan]   

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Bishop_Ioan-Casian_(Tunaru) Bishop Ioan-Casian (Tunaru)]   

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archpriest_Mircea_and_Preoteasa_Ileana_Panciuk Archpriest Mircea Panciuk]    

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9o7bDL6g32I Video : Holy Ghost Romanian Orthodox Church and Cemetery in Hamlin]

[http://www.crestinortodox.ro/parinti/parintele-felix-dubneac-69713.html Archimandrite Felix (Dubneac)] (Biography in Romanian)

[http://www.fericiticeiprigoniti.net/felix-dubneac Archimandrite Felix (Dubneac)] (other information in Romanian) 

[https://www-marturisitorii-ro.translate.goog/2016/01/26/parintele-felix-dubneac-pictorul-arhimandrit-un-martir-plecat-sa-sarbatoreasca-nasterea-domnului-la-ceruri/?_x_tr_sl=ro&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc&_x_tr_sch=http Archimandrite Felix (Dubneac), Fresco painter and Confessor]   

[http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/romanians/ Canadian Encyclopaedia article about Romanian Canadians]

[http://www.thefullwiki.org/Canadians_of_Romanian_descent General information about Romanians in Canada] 

[https://albertashistoricplaces.com/2016/01/13/romanian-settlement-in-alberta/ Romanian Settlement in Alberta]   

[https://www.episcopia.ca/index.php/en/1309-two-day-visit-to-historic-parishes-and-the-newest-in-the-province-of-alberta Two-day visit of Bishop Ioan-Casian (Tunaru) to historic parishes and the newest in the province of Alberta] (24 May, 2022)  

[https://www.episcopia.ca/index.php/en/1577-a-new-page-in-the-history-of-boian Diocesan article about the Retirement of Archpriest Mircea Panciuk] (21 March, 2023)   

[https://www.episcopia.ca/index.php/en/1589-ioan-casian-pastoral-letter-at-the-feast-of-the-lord-s-resurrection-2023 Pastoral Letter of Bishop Ioan-Casian (Tunaru) for the Feast of Pasch] (12 April, 2023) 

[https://www.episcopia.ca/index.php/en/1599-six-year-anniversary-of-the-romanian-orthodox-diocese-of-canada Sixth Anniversary of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada] (2 May, 2023) 






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[[Category:Parish Communities]]  [[Category:Alberta]]  [[Category:ROAA]]  [[Category:RODC]]