View source for Igumen Vladimir (Tobin)



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'''Igumen Vladimir (Tobin) (1942-2025)'''



==Early life of Vincent McBain Tobin==

On 22 May, 1942, Vincent McBain Tobin was born in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halifax,_Nova_Scotia Halifax], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nova_Scotia Nova Scotia], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada Canada], to Michael John Tobin and Lena McBain Tobin (née Mosher).  
He was raised as a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christians Christian] by his [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Roman_Catholic_Church Roman Catholic] father, and his mother of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jews Jewish heritage].  

He passed through the usual years of primary and secondary education in Halifax.

Early in his life, Vincent demonstrated exceptional talent in learning [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Language-learning_aptitude languages] and playing [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piano piano], and he received numerous [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scholarship scholarships] and awards.

==Higher education==

In the course of his further studies, Vincent earned a BA ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bachelor_of_Arts Bachelor of Arts]) in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classics Classics], and  an MA ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Master_of_Arts Master of Arts]) in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patristics Patristics] from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalhousie_University Dalhousie University] ; an MDiv ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Master_of_Divinity Master of Divinity]) from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_School_of_Theology Atlantic School of Theology] in Halifax ; a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctorate doctorate] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Testament Old Testament] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egyptology Egyptological studies] from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hebrew_University_of_Jerusalem Hebrew University] of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerusalem Jerusalem], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel Israel]. 

Dr. Vincent Tobin served as a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professor professor] in the Department of [https://www.smu.ca/lc/index.html Modern Languages] and [https://smu-ca-public.courseleaf.com/undergraduate/programs/ancientstudies/ Classics] at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Mary%27s_University_(Halifax) Saint Mary's University] from 1965 to 2005. 

He introduced the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egyptology Egyptology] programme to Saint Mary's University in Halifax, and he was described as “one of the last great Egyptologists”.   
His book “[https://books.google.ca/books/about/Theological_Principles_of_Egyptian_Relig.html?id=FRcRAQAAIAAJ&redir_esc=y Theological Principles of Egyptian Religion] (1989)” is still taught at major universities worldwide. 

He was widely travelled, having lived and studied in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russia Russia], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greece Greece], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/France France], and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel Israel].

During these years, after his receiving the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Master_of_Divinity Master of Divinity degree] (MDiv), he was ordained as a [https://www.anglican.ca/call-to-ministry/ deacon] and then as a [https://www.anglican.ca/wp-content/uploads/Competencies_web.pdf priest] of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglican_Church_of_Canada Anglican Church of Canada] in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diocese_of_Nova_Scotia_and_Prince_Edward_Island  Anglican Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island].  

During this time, he came to know [https://www.ancestry.ca/genealogy/records/rev-ronald-parsons-24-hgw9kh Father Ronald Parsons] who, as he, eventually entered the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Introduction_to_Orthodox_Christianity Orthodox Christian Church] through the [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Halifax_NS_Saint_Antonios_Antiochian_Orthodox_Christian_Church_1980  parish of Saint Antonios] in Halifax, a parish of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Antiochian_Orthodox_Christian_Archdiocese_of_North_America Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America].

==Ordinations==

Vincent Tobin was ordained to the Holy [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Deacon Diaconate], and then to the Holy [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Presbyter  Priesthood] by [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Bishop_Antoun_(Khouri) Bishop Antoun (Khouri)] of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Antiochian_Orthodox_Christian_Archdiocese_of_North_America Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America].

Priest Vincent Tobin was attached to Saint Antonios Antiochian Orthocox Church in Halifax, along with [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/210373732/ronald-john-parsons Priest Ronald Francis John Parsons], under the rectorship of [https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/saint-antonios-antiochian-orthodox-church-to-open-in-2015-1.2872897 Priest Maximos Saikaly].  

'''1996, 1999 :  English mission development, Halifax'''

From 1996 onwards, Saint Vladimir’s Mission met at first in the Liturgical Centre of Saint Mary’s University. 

Father Vincent had inherited the home of his parents, in which he lived for very many years.  In this home, he continued to nurture the small and developing [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_language English]-speaking [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Introduction_to_Orthodox_Christianity Orthodox Christian] community, and he fostered the development of a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Monasticism monastic community] as well. 

At this time, the mission and its priest were part of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Antiochian_Orthodox_Christian_Archdiocese_of_North_America Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of North America], and the [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Halifax_NS_Saint_Antonios_Antiochian_Orthodox_Christian_Church_1980 parish of Saint Antonios] in Halifax, whose pastor was [https://saintantonios.ca/our-parish/ Priest Maximos Saikali].

In 1999, the community dissolved itself as an [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Church_of_Antioch Antiochian] entity.

In the context of the steady development of the local community in Halifax (after the dissolution as an Antiochian entity, and a later petition to the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Archdiocese_of_Canada  Archdiocese of Canada] ([https://orthodoxwiki.org/Orthodox_Church_in_America Orthodox Church in America] (OCA)), and after the necessary foundational steps of organisation had been fulfilled), it became possible that this local community be recognised formally.

==Formal beginning of the Saint Vladimir Prince of Kyiv Mission, 1999==

In the context of the steady development of the local community in Halifax (and after the necessary foundational steps of organisation had been fulfilled), it became possible that this local community be recognised formally.  Therefore, in August, 1999, [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Seraphim_(Storheim) Bishop Seraphim (Storheim)] of the Archdiocese of Canada gave the blessing that the community be known as the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Vladimir_of_Kiev Saint Vladimir Prince of Kyiv] Mission in Halifax, Nova Scotia within the Archdiocese of Canada (OCA). 

Then, in late August, 1999, Priest Vincent Vladimir Tobin was canonically received from the Antiochian Archdiocese into the Archdiocese of Canada. Then he was assigned to be the [https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/pastor pastor] of the Saint Vladimir Mission.

Nearby, a small [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Monasticism monastic community] developed from the parish.  

In 2000, [https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/bonnel-schema-monk-luc-igumen-roman Monk Roman (Bonnel)] purchased a house next to the local house-church of the Saint Vladimir Prince of Kyiv Mission in Halifax, where the germinal monastic community established itself in a visible place. The monastic [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Chapel chapel], which was also established there, was included within the limited space available at the time, and it was named for [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Sergius_of_Radonezh Saint Sergius of Radonezh].  Although the community was established and blessed as a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_monasticism monastic community] in 1999, it remained a part of the [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Rawdon_QC_Saint_Seraphim_Skete_1978 in Rawdon, Québec. http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Rawdon_QC_Saint_Seraphim_Skete_1978 monastic community] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rawdon,_Quebec Rawdon], [https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/Quebec Québec].

Later, the community moved to the chapel of the Monastic Community of [https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2011/09/25/102725-repose-of-venerable-sergius-the-wonderworker-abbot-of-radonezh Saint Sergius of Radonezh] in its house in Halifax.   
Then the monastic community relocated to a rural setting near [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridgewater,_Nova_Scotia Bridgewater], and it became officially known as the [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Watford_NS_Hermitage_of_the_Annunciation_1999 Hermitage of the Holy Annunciation], formally blessed in 2003.  This property is situated abut 5 km (3 mi) from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Germany,_Nova_Scotia New Germany], located in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunenburg_County,_Nova_Scotia Lunenburg County], near Bridgewater.   There, the existing house and barn were supplemented by the construction of the Chapel of Saint Sergius nearby, but detached.  The monastery became known officially as the [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Watford_NS_Hermitage_of_the_Annunciation_1999 Hermitage of the Holy Annunciation].  

'''Services in the parish hall of Saint George's Anglican Church in central Halifax '''

Meanwhile, the growing community moved to 5429, Cornwallis Street, into a ground-level portion of the church hall of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._George%27s_(Round)_Church_(Halifax,_Nova_Scotia) Saint George’s Anglican “Round Church”]. This [https://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=3403 historical building] was constructed in 1812.  The nearby parish hall is almost as old. 

In 2004, the mission was blessed by the bishop to be a parish church, with the name "[https://www.archdiocese.ca/community/st-vladimir-prince-kiev-church-halifax-ns Church of Saint Vladimir, Prince of Kyiv]". 

During these years of steady development, Father Vincent also made pastoral visits to Newfoundland (where many relatives reside), and he gathered Orthodox Christians from time to time for worship services.  An eventual consequence was the development of the [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Saint_John’s_NL_Our_Lady_of_Vladimir_Orthodox_Mission_2003 Our Lady of Vladimir Mission] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._John%27s,_Newfoundland_and_Labrador Saint John’s], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newfoundland_and_Labrador Newfoundland].  
However, after 8 years, on [https://www.walkscore.com/score/cornwallis-st-halifax-ns-canada Cornwallis Street], the landlords (Saint George's parish) asked the parish to vacate the hall, because extensive building renovations were about to begin on the very old and historical structure. 

There followed a search for new accommodations.

==Monastic tonsure==

In about 2008, at the request of the Bishop of Ottawa and Canada, Priest Vincent-Vladimir Tobin was [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Tonsure#Monasticism tonsured] to be a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Monastic_Ranks#Stavrophore stavrophore monk] by Archimandrite Zacchaeus (Wood) at [https://orthodoxwiki.org/St._Catherine_the_Great_Martyr_Church_(Moscow)  Saint Catherine in the Fields Orthodox Church] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moscow Moscow], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russia Russia].   At that time, he was given the monastic name Vladimir.  Later, he was elevated to the dignity of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Igumen igumen].

==The Temple on Purcell's Cove Road, 2013==

After a short time, there appeared a blessed opportunity to move into a former Anglican church, [https://digitalcollections.halifaxpubliclibraries.ca/handle/10960/185  Saint Philip’s] stone church on [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purcell's_Cove Purcell’s Cove] Road. This move presented many challenges.  Once very extended conversations had been completed, it became possible to begin the necessary renovations, and worship began. 

The first [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Divine_Liturgy Divine Liturgy] was served in the renovated building on 17 February, 2013.  Since then, the congregation continued to grow and develop.

On 17 January, 2016, [ https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Ir%C3%A9n%C3%A9e_(Rochon) Archbishop Irénée (Rochon)] made an [https://www.archdiocese.ca/articles/recent-ordinations-nova-scotia archpastoral visitation to the parish].  During this visit, on the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Theophany Feast of Theophany] (OS), 19 January, he ordained Pavlo Slavinskyi to be a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Subdeacon Subdeacon] ; and Deacon [https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/treiger-priest-alexander Alexander Treiger] to the Holy [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Presbyter Priesthood]. 

In May, 2016, Saint Vladimir's parish received an [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Iconostasis iconostas] from the old [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Halifax_NS_Saint_Antonios_Antiochian_Orthodox_Christian_Church_1980 Saint Antonios Antiochian Orthodox Temple] in Halifax, along with many other liturgical implements and pieces of liturgical furniture. These were quickly installed at the Temple of Saint Vladimir, and they add greatly to the appearance and the functionality of the interior of the building.  (Later, they were removed and replaced.)

Father Vladimir was assisted in his service to the parish by Father Alexander Treiger.  Following his ordination to the Holy Priesthood in 2016, in addition to his professorial work, he served the parish faithfully, including its missionary ventures.  His assistance is greatly appreciated by all. 

In January, 2017, [https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/jordan-archpriest-kurt-edward Deacon Dr. Kurt E Jordan] was transferred to [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Cranbrook_BC_Saint_Aidan_of_Lindisfarne_Orthodox_Church_2006 Saint Aidan's Orthodox Church] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cranbrook,_British_Columbia  Cranbrook], [https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/british-columbia British Columbia]. He had been attached at Saint Vladimir's Church for several years while he was completing his medical studies in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moncton  Moncton], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Brunswick New Brunswick].  In January, he joined a medical practice in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creston,_British_Columbia Creston], British Columbia.


[[File:IgumenVladimirPreaching 2.png]]  [[File:IgumenVladimirTHomily 2.png]]  

'''Father Vladimir preaching'''

==Retirement of Igumen Vladimir (Tobin)==

In 2019, Igumen Vladimir (Tobin), the founding priest of the parish came to the time of his retirement.  For some time, he had already found it difficult (because of his declining health, and a surgery) to manage the long drive from his home in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Germany,_Nova_Scotia  New Germany] to Halifax.  Furthermore, it had become very difficult to find enough reliable transportation for him to be driven to and from Halifax on a regular and predictable basis.  

On 25 August, 2019, some of the parishioners who were able (this was summer-time) gathered to fete him after the Sunday Divine Liturgy.  After this, Father Vladimir settled into his retirement at his home at New Germany, and he was able to serve in the domestic chapel which he had established in his home there.   


[[File:Parishioners 2019-08-25 16 14 1.png]]  

'''Some parishioners at the 2019 retirement of Father Vladimir'''


[[File:Tobin-1-681x908-927102659 2.jpg]]  

'''Father Vladimir by the door to his domestic chapel'''


[[File:IgumenVladimirT 2.png]] 

'''Father Vladimir in his domestic chapel'''

==Repose==

On Tuesday, 22 April, 2025, [https://www.dignitymemorial.com/en-ca/obituaries/halifax-ns/vincent-tobin-12351159 Igumen Vladimir (Tobin)] fell asleep in the Lord in the [https://www.nshealth.ca/locations-and-facilities/south-shore-regional-hospital South Shore Hospital] at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridgewater,_Nova_Scotia Bridgewater], Nova Scotia. 

On Tuesday, 29 April, 2025, at 5:00 p.m., at [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Halifax_NS_Saint_George_Greek_Orthodox_Church_1932  Saint George's Greek Orthodox Church], 38 Purcell’s Road, Halifax, the [https://archbishop-of-ottawa.org/content/burial-services-over-presbyter-or-over-bishop Funeral Service for the Burial of a Priest] was offered by clergy of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Orthodox_Church_in_America the Orthodox Church in America], and the [https://goarchdiocese.ca/ Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada].  A reception followed. 

On Wednesday, 30 April, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., at Saint George's Greek Orthodox Church, the Memorial Divine Liturgy was offered by the clergy of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Orthodox_Church_in_America The Orthodox Church in America] and of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Archdiocese_of_Canada_(Greek) Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada]. 

Following the completion of the funeral obsequies, the body of Igumen Vladimir (Tobin) was transported to the [https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2382351/pinehurst-community Pinehurst Cemetery], 3448 Highway #10, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Germany,_Nova_Scotia New Germany] (near his residence in retirement) where it was interred at 2:30 p.m.

==References==

[https://www.oca.org/in-memoriam/igumen-vladimir-tobin OCA In Memoriam]

[https://www.dignitymemorial.com/en-ca/obituaries/halifax-ns/vincent-tobin-12351159 Obituary] 

'''Additional information :'''

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hebrew_University_of_Jerusalem Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel]

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_School_of_Theology Atlantic School of Theology]

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalhousie_University Dalhousie University]

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Mary%27s_University_(Halifax) Saint Mary’s University]

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglican_Church_of_Canada Wikipedia article about the Anglican Church of Canada] 

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_England Wikipedia article about the Church of England]  

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Antiochian_Orthodox_Christian_Archdiocese_of_North_America Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America] 

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Orthodox_Church_in_America The Orthodox Church in America]

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Archdiocese_of_Canada Archdiocese of Canada] 

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Halifax_NS_Saint_Vladimir_Prince_of_Kyiv_Orthodox_Church_1999 Saint Vladimir Prince of Kyiv Orthodox Church] 

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Philip_(Saliba) Metropolitan Philip (Saliba)]

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Bishop_Antoun_(Khouri) Bishop Antoun (Khouri)] 

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Theodosius_(Lazor) Metropolitan Theodosius (Lazor)]

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Herman_(Swaiko) Metropolitan Herman (Swaiko)]

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Jonah_(Paffhausen) Metropolitan Jonah (Paffhausen)]

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Tikhon_(Mollard) Metropolitan Tikhon (Mollard)]

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egyptology Wikipedia article about Egyptology] 

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Halifax_NS_Saint_Vladimir_Prince_of_Kyiv_Orthodox_Church_1999  Saint Vladimir, Prince of Kyiv, Orthodox Church]  

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Halifax_NS_Saint_Antonios_Antiochian_Orthodox_Christian_Church_1980 Saint Antonios Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church] 

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Saint_John’s_NL_Our_Lady_of_Vladimir_Orthodox_Mission_2003 Our Lady of Vladimir Orthodox  Church] 

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Watford_NS_Hermitage_of_the_Annunciation_1999 Hermitage of the Annunciation] 

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/St._Catherine_the_Great_Martyr_Church_(Moscow) Saint Catherine the Great Martyr Church, Moscow] 

Youtube Video : [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5Xw8N8unRA Homily, 25 November, 2018]

Youtube Video : [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWu0ApzwDBA Homily, 7 April, 2019] 

Youtube Video : [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgiwDKIYs8g Homily, 27 October, 2019] 




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