View source for Lethbridge AB Holy Dormition (Assumption) Orthodox Church 1954



[[File:Holy Assumption-Dormition Temple, Lethbridge, AB 2.png]]

'''Lethbridge, Alberta, Holy Dormition (Assumption) Orthodox Church, 1954 '''



==Prehistory==

It is not clear when Orthodox Christians began to settle in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lethbridge Lethbridge], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberta Alberta], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada Canada].  It is likely that there were [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serbia Serbian] people in Lethbridge from time to time after 1900, since there were many newcomers to Canada who were working in [https://history.alberta.ca/energyheritage/coal/the-early-development-of-the-coal-industry-1874-1914/coal-town-formation/albertas-first-coal-mining-community.aspx coal mines] and on the [https://albertarailwaymuseum.com/brief-history-alberta-railway/ railways].  However, their connexion with the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Introduction_to_Orthodox_Christianity Orthodox Church] was only in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calgary Calgary], Alberta.  

It is known that [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukrainian_Canadians Ukrainians] began to arrive in the region in the earliest part of the 20th century, although many were migrant workers, much as were the Serbs.  Orthodox Ukrainians sometimes travelled south from the main [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edna-Star_colony Ukrainian Bloc Settlement] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Alberta Central Alberta] in order to find work in mines or with the railways.  

The first visible presence in Lethbridge came in 1920 with the establishment of [https://sspeterandpaullethbridge.weebly.com/our-parish.html Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church].  It was a frequent occurrence that in the early days of Ukrainian settlement in Canada, the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukrainian_Greek_Catholic_Church Ukrainian Catholic Church] appeared first.  This was largely because of the historical situation in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukraine Ukrainian homeland].


Then, in 1942, during [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II World War II], the [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Lethbridge_AB_Holy_Trinity_Ukrainian_Orthodox_Church_1942 Holy Trinity Parish of the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada] was established in Lethbridge.  However, since this community was not in communion with the canonical Orthodox Churches, there were many who travelled elsewhere for sacramental needs, usually to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calgary Calgary], Alberta.  

Then, in 1942, during [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II World War II], the [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Lethbridge_AB_Holy_Trinity_Ukrainian_Orthodox_Church_1942 Holy Trinity Parish of the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada] was established in Lethbridge.  

However, since this community was not in communion with the canonical Orthodox Churches, there were many who travelled elsewhere for sacramental needs, usually to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calgary Calgary], Alberta, and to [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Calgary_AB_All_Saints_Russian_Orthodox_Church_1930 All Saints Russian Orthodox Church].  

==Establishment of the parish==

Following the end of World War II, and an increase in immigration which affected Lethbridge, people began to gather together informally, and they organised and registered the Parish of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Dormition Assumption (Dormition) of the Holy Virgin].  Then they petitioned [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Vitaly_(Ustinov) Metropolitan Vitaly (Ustinov)] for a pastor to establish a parish in Lethbridge.  

==Establishment of the Temple=

In 1954, when [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Archimandrite Archimandrite] [https://www-litres-ru.translate.goog/book/vladimir-kuznecov-10/russkoe-pravoslavnoe-zarubezhnoe-monashestvo-v-xx-vek-22084486/chitat-onlayn/?_x_tr_sl=ru&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc&_x_tr_hist=true Aggay (Mazur-Shymko)] (1885-1970) was transferred from the parish of All Saints in Calgary to establish a parish there, he brought with him the idea of having an actual Temple to the Lord in which  to worship.  However, during the years of their formation and development, the congregants of Assumption of the Holy Virgin met in the tiny, rented back room of the Top Pizza restaurant.  

In 1965, the parishioners canvassed and raised enough money to purchase a Baptist Church, and to convert it into the Orthodox Church.  It is that building which would be used well into the 21st century. 


[[File:Assumption Lethridge from south 2.jpg]]  '''Holy Dormition Temple'''


[[File:17-lethbridge-greek-orthodox-wedding Interior 2.jpg]]  '''Temple interior'''


'''About Archimandrite Aggay (Haggai) (Mazur-Shymko)'''

Archimandrite Aggay (Mazur-Shymko) was a significant personality himself.  In 1928, he had arrived from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Yugoslavia Yugoslavia] to Canada.  He arrived after Bishop Arseny (Chahovtsov) who had arrived from there 2 years earlier, and he then went to live and serve at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sifton,_Manitoba Sifton], [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/manitoba Manitoba], at the monastery which Vladyka Arseny had established there : [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Sifton_MB_Monastery_of_the_Holy_Ascension_1910-1970 Holy Ascension Monastery].  As a hieromonk, Father Aggay (Aggei, Haggai) served in this monastery until 1940, when he was sent to [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/vancouver Vancouver], [https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/british-columbia British Columbia].  

There, he served [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Vancouver_BC_Holy_Resurrection_Russian_Orthodox_Sobor_1924 Holy Resurrection Russian Orthodox Church] until after the 1946 division between the "[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Orthodox_Church_in_America Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church of North America]" (ROGCCNA) and the "[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Russian_Orthodox_Church_Outside_Russia Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia]" (ROCOR).  

In 1948, he moved into the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia, and he became the rector of All Saints' parish in Calgary, Alberta, in 1950.  

In about 1954, Archimandrite Aggay was assigned to be the rector of the [https://assumptionoftheholyvirgin.ca/ Holy Dormition parish] in [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/lethbridge Lethbridge], Alberta.  

Since that time, there were many renovations, and changes.  The community’s population waxed and waned during the following years, as people came and went.  

In March, 2025, the parishioners welcomed Father John Rosner as Parish Priest. 

==60th anniversary==

In 2025, besides welcoming a new priest, the parish marked the 60th anniversary of worshipping the Lord in the current Temple.

By this time, the language of worship, and general parish communication had become the English language.

As the parish information indicates, the Assumption of the Holy Virgin Orthodox Church (now Dormition of the Holy Theotokos)  is a small, quaint, and cozy church. 


[[File:Collage of photos 2.jpg]]  '''Collage of historical photos'''

==Particular parish information ==

This parish is part of the [https://mcdiocese.com/en/ Diocese of Montreal and Canada] of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Russian_Orthodox_Church_Outside_Russia Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia] (ROCOR).  The bishop is [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Gabriel_(Chemodakov) Archbishop Gabriel (Chemodakov)].

This parish follows the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Julian_Calendar Julian (Old) Calendar].

The Altar Feast-day of this parish is the Feast of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Dormition Dormition of the Theotokos], 15/28 August.  

In 2025, the parish pastor is [https://orthodox-world.org/en/cl/11023/pr-john-rosner Priest John Rosner].  


Address :

[https://dormitionlethbridge.ca/ Holy Dormition (Assumption) English Orthodox Church]

907 - 9 Avenue North

Lethbridge, Alberta 

T1H 1E9

Web-site : https://dormitionlethbridge.ca/ 

E-mail: dormitionoftheholytheotokos@gmail.com

[https://www.facebook.com/ROCORLethbridge/ Facebook] 


Directions : 

From [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberta_Highway_2 Highway #2], turn east on [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberta_Highway_3 Highway #3], near Fort McLeod, and drive on Highway #3 until Lethbridge.  Upon approaching Lethbridge, follow the exit for 5th Avenue North to the left (east).  Drive on 5th Avenue until Stafford Drive North.  Turn left (north) onto Stafford Drive North.  At 9th Avenue North, turn left (west) onto 9th Avenue North.  The Temple is immediately on the right.  

The Temple sits quietly nestled in-between 2 houses in a residential area of the city.  



Priest John Rosner 

E-mail : fr.john.rosner@gmail.com 

Telephone : 1(403)634-0919  


==References==

Tarasar, Constance J, ed., “[https://archive.org/details/orthodoxamerica10000unse/page/n3/mode/2up 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.  
[https://dormitionlethbridge.ca/ Original article] 

[https://orthodox-world.org/en/i/24538/canada/alberta/lethbridge/church/dormition-of-the-holy-theotokos Orthodox World reference] 


'''Additional information :'''

[https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/ukrainian-canadians/ Canadian Encyclopaedia article about Ukrainian Canadians]  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukrainian_diaspora Wikipedia article about the Ukrainian diaspora]

[http://wayback.archive-it.org/2217/20101208162026/http://www.edukits.ca/multiculturalism/student/immigration_ukrainian_e.html Ukrainian Immigration to Canada]

[https://www.provincialarchives.alberta.ca/sites/default/files/2018-08/UkrainianGuide-English.pdf "Historical Overview" about immigration of Ukrainians to Alberta]

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lethbridge Wikipedia article about Lethbridge, Alberta] 

[https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/Lethbridge Canadian Encyclopaedia article about Lethbridge, Alberta] 

[https://www.poidata.io/report/russian-orthodox-church/Canada Russian Orthodox Churches in Canada, 2025] 

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Church_of_Russia Orthodoxwiki article about the Church of Russia]  

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Russian_Orthodox_Church_Outside_Russia Orthodoxwiki article about the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR)] 

[https://mcdiocese.com/en/ Russian Orthodox Diocese of Montral and Canada web-site] 

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Canadians Wikipedia article about Russian Canadians] 

[https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/russian-canadians Canadian Encyclopaedia article about Russian Canadians] 

[https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/timeline/russian-canadians Canadian Encyclopaedia timeline article about Russian Canadian history and settlement] 

[https://www.canada.ca/en/library-archives/collection/research-help/genealogy-family-history/immigration/immigrants-russian-empire.html Canadian Government article about immigration from the Russian Empire] 

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Vitaly_(Ustinov) Metropolitan Vitaly (Ustinov)] 

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Anastasy_(Gribanovsky) Metropolitan Anastasy (Gribanovsky)] 

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Philaret_(Voznesensky) Metropolitan Philaret (Voznesensky)] 

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Laurus_(Skurla) Metropolitan Laurus (Škurla)] 

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Hilarion_(Kapral) Metropolitan Hilarion (Kapral)] 

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Nicholas_(Olhovsky) Metropolitan Nicholas (Olhovsky)] 

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Gabriel_(Chemodakov) Archbishop Gabriel (Chemodakov)] 

[https://www-litres-ru.translate.goog/book/vladimir-kuznecov-10/russkoe-pravoslavnoe-zarubezhnoe-monashestvo-v-xx-vek-22084486/chitat-onlayn/?_x_tr_sl=ru&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc&_x_tr_hist=true Archimandrite Aggay (Mazur-Shymko)] 

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/List_of_parishes_in_Alberta_(Canada) Orthodoxwiki list of Orthodox parishes in Alberta]   


[[Category:Parish Communities]]  [[Category:Alberta]]  [[Category:ROCOR]]  [[RODMC]]  [[Category:MP]]