View source for Edmonton AB Saint Barbara Russo Orthodox Cathedral Church 1900


[[File:St Barbara Cathedral 3.png]]

'''Edmonton, Alberta, Cathedral Church in the Name of Saint Barbara, 1900'''



==Prehistory==

During the 1890s, there began to arrive in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmonton Edmonton], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberta Alberta], [https://www.britannica.com/place/Canada Canada] (at that time, the [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/north-west-territories-1870-1905 North-West Territories]), emigrants from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Europe Eastern Europe].  These were people of several nationalities who were searching for a better life in Canada.  They included people from [https://www.britannica.com/place/Greece Greece] and [https://www.britannica.com/place/Serbia Serbia], and some from areas of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Empire Russian Empire] ; but the majority were arriving from the areas of [https://www.britannica.com/place/Galicia-historical-region-Eastern-Europe Galicia] (Halychyna) and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bukovina Bukovina] in what was then the [https://www.britannica.com/place/Austria-Hungary Austro-Hungarian Empire].  

For many of them, life had been very difficult in their homelands because the lands were highly populated ; employment was difficult to find ; many lived as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenant_farmer tenant-farmers] ; some still lived a life not very different from the [https://www.britannica.com/topic/serfdom serfdom] which had been recently abolished ; many lived in regions in which the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Introduction_to_Orthodox_Christianity Orthodox Christian Faith] was oppressed. 

After their arrival in Canada, many were working for the railways, coal mines and lumbering, but the majority were preparing to settle on the land as farmers.  Edmonton was the major stopping-place for people as they arrived by various means from the east, and some of them did remain in the city itself.  

==The founding, 1900==

Following the initial missionary visit by Father Dmitri Kamnev in 1898, on 1 September, 1900, [[Saint Tikhon (Belavin) |Bishop Tikhon (Belavin)]] granted the request for the transfer of [[Archpriest Iakov and Matushka Barbara Korchinsky |Father Iakov and Matushka Barbara Korchinsky]] to Canada.  They were assigned to serve in and around Edmonton, in what is now known as Alberta.  He was the first resident priest in Canada.  During his short time there, he was the founding priest of [[Stary Wostok AB Holy Trinity Russo Orthodox Church and Cemetery 1897 |Holy Trinity Church]] in Stary Wostok, where he began his assignment, and then of Saint Barbara’s Church in Edmonton, of [[Boian AB Romanian Orthodox Church and Cemetery of Saint Mary 1901 |Saint Mary’s Romanian Church]] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boian,_Alberta Boian], and of others as well, including the [[Nisku AB Holy Ascension Russo-Greek Orthodox Church and Cemetery 1898-1910 |Ascension Church]] near Rabbit Hill-[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nisku Nisku] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calmar,_Alberta Calmar].  


[[File:Priest Dmitry Kamnev 1902.png]]  '''Priest Dmitri Kamnev'''


Associated with the beginning of Saint Barbara’s Church in Edmonton was the establishment of a chapel upstairs in a building on [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jasper_Avenue Jasper Avenue] and 97th Street.  That building would be replaced by the building which would become known as W W Sales Hardware (later [http://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/edmonton_archives/ww-arcade-sign.aspx W W Arcade Hardware]).  Services were advertised at this first chapel for the convenience of those (especially girls) who had been sent to Edmonton from the rural places either for schooling or for work.  

==First house, first Temple, focus of pastoral care for the whole region, 1901==

After his arrival, by 1901, Father Korchinsky found and purchased a half-block of land at the southwest corner of 96th Street 100th Avenue, about a block to the east of the chapel.  This purchase from the nearby [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North-West_Mounted_Police Northwest Mounted Police], on the property where the current cathedral stands today, included a frame house (on 96th Street, south of Jasper Avenue) and several other lots surrounding the house.  Under Father Korchinsky's leadership, the parish had come to own a substantial piece of property, which proved to be useful in the future.  Were not several lots lost over the years, the current property would have been even larger.  The name of the parish was certainly determined with respect for Matushka Barbara, and in sincere honour of the [http://full-of-grace-and-truth.blogspot.ca/2011/12/st-barbara-great-martyr-of-heliopolis.html Great Virgin Martyr Barbara] ; and indeed, the Korchinskys lived in this same residence.  Even though her health may have been fragile, she may be said to have done her best.  Truly, an active and productive missionary priest is hardly likely to be able to be so unless his wife is a stable co-worker, and strongly supportive.


<div align="center">[[File:Saint Barbara House-church 1904 2.png]]<br>

'''Saint Barbara's House-Church'''</div>

==Bishop Tikhon (Belavin) visits : 1901, 1904==

During these early years, [[Saint Tikhon (Belavin) |Bishop Tikhon (Belavin)]] visited twice (in 1901, and again in 1904).  After the first visit, Vladyka (Saint) Tikhon ordered [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Iconography icons], [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Relics relics] and other necessities for several Temples across the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Prairies prairies], and one of these relics was of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Barbara Great Virgin Martyr Barbara].  

It was during 1902 and 1903 that Saint Tikhon strove to find a way to incorporate the bishop as a means to provide corporate status for the many Temples and communities being developed in Canada under the “[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/The_%E2%80%9CRussian_Mission%E2%80%9D_in_North_America Russian Mission]”, which would soon become the Russian Orthodox Diocese of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City New York] and the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleutian_Islands Aleutians] (and, much later, “[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Orthodox_Church_in_America The Orthodox Church in America]”).  Father Iakov was very much involved in this process.  The only possible way to bring about the incorporation was in the then [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/northwest-territories/ Northwest Territories] (in the present provinces of Alberta and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saskatchewan Saskatchewan]).  The corporate status was also crucial in the struggle to retain the [[Star AB Holy Transfiguration Russo Orthodox Church and Cemetery 1893 |Church of the Transfiguration]] in Star, as Bishop Tikhon was advised by the legal firm "Short and Cross".  The legal dispute about the ownership of that particular Temple between the Orthodox Church and the [https://www.britannica.com/topic/Eastern-rite-church Uniats] of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Church Roman Catholic Church] was very prolonged.  

This particular dispute was resolved in Bishop Tikhon's favour only when the matter was taken to the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Privy_Council_of_the_United_Kingdom Privy Council] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London London].  It was because of Vladyka Tikhon's success in at least the more local form of incorporation that there was an adequate foundation available for the corporate existence of the Orthodox Bishop of Canada and the parishes that he would bless into existence. 

Yet more work was done in these very early years which would enable the very important service of this parish community both to the city itself, and to the surrounding rural settlements.  This work and service would continue far into the future.  The nature of this work demonstrates the typical [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Orthodox_Church Orthodox Christian] dedication of the new-arrivals as they very quickly established a Temple in which to worship [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Jesus_Christ the Lord].  It also demonstrates that the missionary societies of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Empire Russian Empire] (many were the work of [[Saint Innocent (Veniaminov) |Saint Innocent of Moscow]]) were ready to support this blessed work.  For instance, after the initial purchase of the [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/north-west-mounted-police/ Northwest Mounted Police] (NWMP) house, resources were soon gathered in order to build a proper Temple for the worship of the Lord on this property.  

As is typical of other communities in the region, the planning and construction were undertaken by the ingenious parishioners themselves.  In 1908, the Temple was designed and constructed by them with very little extra help, and this structure would serve the parishioners as their spiritual home for the next half century (until 1956).  Soon after this, a similar project was undertaken.  The makeshift provisions for students and workers on Jasper avenue were also replaced by a brick multi-purpose building which the parishioners erected near the Temple.  It was called "Block Saint Barbara" (where the current apartment block now stands).  This building served as a very important gathering place.  It provided living quarters for many of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Revolution post-revolutionary] Russian citizens who had fled to Canada.  It was the site of many of the religious, diocesan, and cultural conferences in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Canada Western Canada] in the twenties and thirties.  It served as a student residence for children of farmers who were completing their education in Edmonton, and who wished to be nearby the Temple.

The establishment of the Temple of Saint Barbara is considered by the [https://greekorthodoxedmonton.ca/community/community-history/ Greek Orthodox of Edmonton] ([[Edmonton AB Saint George Greek Orthodox Church 1945 |Saint George’s Church]]) as being the beginning of their community as well, since [https://www.britannica.com/place/Greece Greek-speakers] at first attended this house-church at the beginning of their immigration to Edmonton.  

In 1900, [https://orthodoxhistory.org/2010/01/06/fr-jacob-korchinsky-missionary-and-martyr/ Father Jakob (Iakov) Korchinsky] visited the [[Shandro AB Holy Assumption (Dormition) Russo Orthodox Church and Cemetery 1899 |Dormition of the Theotokos Church]] in [http://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/shandro/ Shandro], Alberta, where he baptised 33 children in a single day.  Such an event was certainly not unusual for him.  It was certainly commonplace for the other clergy who worked in this region after him.  In 1901, Father Jakob was again recognised for building a Temple whilst doing missionary work in Canada.  Because of the frail health of Matushka Barbara, Father Jakob requested to be returned to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europe Europe].  The blessing for this return came in 1902. 


<div align="center">[[File:Saint Barbara's Cathedral Edmonton House.jpg]]<br>

'''Saint Barbara's House-Church with Faithful'''</div>

==Second Temple, 1907==

In the autumn of 1907, a small group of the faithful parishioners met and agreed to build a Temple on the site that had been chosen by Father Korchinsky.  [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/182963385/conrad-sheremeta Mr. Conrad Sheremeta] was the head carpenter and supervisor of the construction.  The building was a wooden frame structure of the traditional cruciform shape, and it had a high, central [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cupola cupola] topped with a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Orthodox_cross three-bar Cross].  


<div align="center">[[File:Saint Barbara second Temple Edmonton 1908 2.png]]<br>

'''The Second Temple under construction, 1908'''</div>

==Archimandrite Arseny ; care for the flock, 1908==

In 1908, [[Saint Arseny (Chahovtsov)  |Igumen Arseny (Chahovtsov)]] (founding [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Abbot abbot] of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/St._Tikhon%27s_Orthodox_Monastery_(South_Canaan,_Pennsylvania) Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk Monastery] in [https://www.britannica.com/place/Pennsylvania-state Pennsylvania], [https://www.britannica.com/place/United-States USA]) was elevated to the dignity of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Archimandrite archimandrite], and he was appointed by [[Metropolitan Platon (Rozhdestvensky) |Archbishop Platon (Rozhdestvensky)]] to the position of Dean and Administrator of the Canadian parishes.  He fulfilled this responsibility from the centres of Edmonton and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winnipeg Winnipeg], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manitoba Manitoba].  While he was in Edmonton, in the late autumn of 1908, he blessed the newly-completed Temple, and he helped to establish an acculturation class which resulted in a newspaper article :
  'Aristocratic Russians Attend Night School to Learn Ways of the West'
  
  At the instructor’s invitation, 'The Herald' representative visited the church one evening recently, and 
  having entered the portals at once plunged into an atmosphere redolent of the old cosmopolitan Russia [...].
  
  The basement of the church makes no pretense to present an atmosphere in keeping with the exiles’ former mode 
  of life.  It is furnished with bare tables and benches [...] on one wall wreathed with paper flowers, hung a picture 
  of the [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/72304.Nicholas_and_Alexandra Tsar and Tsarina], flanked by another of [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/king-george-v King George]. [...] Dressed in a manner which separates them not at 
  all from the average westerner, save for the foreign cut of the furred overcoat, a casual glance revealed that 
  here were members of the intelligentsia.  This was shortly emphasized by Mr. Hawreliak, who named each student 
  for the writer, giving a brief outline of his or her history.  Clad in a black shirt of the familiar Russian 
  type [...] was His Excellency, Commandant General Gladeshiff, who during the Great War headed the armies of the 
  Tsar at the many battles of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Przemy%C5%9Bl Przemyśl]. [...]  Sitting next to him was a fragile little woman.  She is the wife of 
  Alexander Nezoff, famous singer at the Moscow Opera [...].  In addition to the military element many other 
  professions are represented in the Greek Orthodox church night school : officials of the Russian customs, 
  professor of languages, stenographers and teachers ; all in deadly earnest to acquire the English language to 
  fit them to earn a living in Alberta. [...] They are being taught in a remarkably easy and commonsense manner by 
  Mr. Hawreliak and are instructed by the use of phrases and requirements in everyday life.

With Father Arseny's knowledge of many Russian and Ukrainian dialects, and his ability to preach and teach in them, the Canadian faithful (who had immigrated mostly, but not only, from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Ukraine Western Ukraine]) almost immediately loved him.  He certainly loved the people in the flock entrusted to him, and he mentioned many times in his writings how much he appreciated the parishioners at Saint Barbara’s.  With his rare missionary talents, he had the great blessing to receive back many [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Catholic_Churches Uniats] into the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Introduction_to_Orthodox_Christianity Orthodox Christian Faith].  As well, he welcomed the many [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galicia_%28Eastern_Europe%29 Galicians] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bukovina Bukovinians] who were arriving in large numbers to Canada.  Indeed, his lifelong work was to include helping people from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Ukraine Western Ukraine] return to Orthodoxy from the Unia.  He was constantly speaking and writing plainly and honestly about proper canonical order in Orthodox Christian living.  He worked hard to nurture the faithful parishioners in their desire to live as exemplary Orthodox Christians in this new land.  One of the fruits of this labour was the return to the Orthodox Christian Faith in 1910 of [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Nisku_AB_Nativity_of_the_Theotokos_Russo_Orthodox_Church_and_Cemetery_1898 Saint Mary's parish] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nisku Nisku], Alberta, its merger with the Holy Ascension parish, and the formation of the united community of the [[Nisku AB Nativity of the Theotokos Russo Orthodox Church and Cemetery 1898 |Nativity of the Theotokos]] parish there.  


<div align="center">[[File:Saint Barbara 1916, Bishop Alexander (Nemolovsky) s.jpg]]<br>

'''Visit of Bishop Alexander (Nemolovsky, 1916)'''</div> 


<div align="center">[[File:Saint Barbara's Church Edmonton, 2nd Temple 1.jpg]]<br>

'''The Second Temple (second structure) of the Temple of Saint Barbara'''</div>

==Consequences of war, revolution, refugees, after 1917==

From 1917, and through several following decades, first as archimandrite and then as bishop, the presence of [[Archbishop Adam (Philipovsky)]] from time to time at Saint Barbara’s and other nearby parishes made lasting impressions (he was a good preacher and pastor), and had lasting effects.  When Archbishop Adam later went into schism for some time, some communities went with him, and others were affected by the split.  [[Saint Arseny (Chahovtsov) |Bishop Arseny (Chahovtsov)]] (ruling bishop of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Archdiocese_of_Canada  Diocese of Canada] from 1926 to 1936) would later have heated written (published) exchanges with him as he attempted to persuade him to return to communion with the Church.  Indeed, he made some attempts, but it was not until 1944 that Archbishop Adam was reconciled with the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriarch_of_Moscow_and_all_Rus' Moscow Patriarchate].  

After 1917, there arose yet other influences which would affect the life and stability of the parish during the following decades.  These events included the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/October_Revolution Bolshevik Revolution of 1917], which overthrew the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Empire Russian Empire].  That revolution would send many tens of thousands of persons into exile as refugees, and it would bring about the extermination of numberless others who remained in their homeland.  It also cut off supportive funds from the Russian missionary societies for the many communities in North America which were yet in their initial stages of development.  This arrival of refugees in Canada over many years influenced local church life.  [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WWI World War I] was another strong influence.  Many Canadians died who had served in the armed forces.  After the war, there were yet more refugees arriving in Canada, and with them came various political and ecclesiastical opinions.  

In 1918, the new [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukrainian_Orthodox_Church_of_Canada Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada] organised itself in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saskatoon Saskatoon, Saskatchewan].  

==20 years==

During the 1920s, the [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archpriest_Alexander_Kiziun Priest Alexander Kiziun] served at Saint Barbara's and in other Alberta and Saskatchewan parishes until 1931, when he was transferred and assigned to serve at [[Vancouver BC Holy Resurrection Russian Orthodox Sobor 1924 |Holy Resurrection Church]] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vancouver Vancouver], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Columbia British Columbia].

==1927==

In the autumn of 1927, [[Bishop Anthony (Tereshchenko) |Archimandrite Anthony (Tereschenko)]] was transferred and assigned to serve in Saint Barbara's Church in [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/edmonton Edmonton], [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/alberta Alberta].  He served in this parish (and the surrounding parishes) until September, 1935, when he was transferred to [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/winnipeg Winnipeg], [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/manitoba Manitoba].  During those years, he served as an active missionary pastor, and he contributed greatly towards the stability of the regional parishes in general, and to the refinement of the singing and serving in this Temple in particular.  

It was during the 1920s and the 1930s in particular that Church life in North America was disturbed greatly by many events and movements.  This parish was not spared the turmoil.  The following words are those of Bishop Arseny (Chahovtsov) about these days :
  My God ! How many feelings and different trepidations, from great joy to sad tears in connected with this 
  place ! Yet in the dawn of my physical and spiritual strength twenty years ago, I laboured here as the rector 
  of Saint Barbara’s Church, strengthening in the Orthodox Faith our brother Galicians who had departed from the 
  Uniate way, having returned to the bosom of the Mother Church.  From Edmonton the rays of Orthodoxy shone to 
  all the surrounds, illuminating the path to salvation.  That is how the glory of Orthodoxy began at Rabbit 
  Hill, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chipman,_Alberta Chipman], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mundare Mundare] and surrounds.  The Bukovinians were a good help, being Orthodox for many generations. 
  Zealous for Orthodoxy among the Galicians were Gerbut, Fuyarchik, [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Theodore_and_Anna_Fuhr Fuhr] and others, whose sincerity 
  strengthened me.  We lived quietly.  Peace and love reigned, and no one dared to speak of other national 
  things in our midst.  We were brothers and lived in the hope of thus remaining.  
  
  Many years moved forward toward eternity [...] much changed.  I came to Edmonton again three years ago.  Among the 
  flock have come wolves bent on separatism and nationalism.  They fell upon me with bared teeth and wanted to 
  tear me apart.
  
  'Why did you come to torment us ?' 'We can get on without you'. 'We have our own nationality.  You are a 
  [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyrgyz_people Kirghis] !'  And so they brought me before the judge, beginning the whole judicial process. 'The previous 
  Edmonton is gone,' I thought.  'There are no more that are zealous for Orthodoxy !'  But the Lord showed me 
  otherwise. [...]
  
  25 March, the day of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Annunciation   Annunciation of the Holy Theotokos] on the day of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Sunday_of_the_Holy_Cross Exaltation of the Holy Cross], I 
  saw Edmonton in the glory of Orthodoxy and understood the words, 'Your thoughts are not my thoughts, your ways 
  are not my ways'. (Isaiah 55:8) How many mad wolves tried to tear apart the Orthodox flock, but [[Bishop Anthony (Tereshchenko) |Father Antonii]] 
  protected them. [...] The church was full of prayerful people.  The beautiful artistic strains of the choir rose 
  under the direction of Nizov, who had finished the conservatory.
  
  It is hard to believe that this is Canada, this is faraway Edmonton.  The readings from the two holidays — the 
  Annunciation and the Elevation of the Cross give a rich and beautiful theme for preaching.  In the centre of 
  the church in the icon of the Annunciation where Archangel Gabriel cries : 'Rejoice, Full of Grace, the Lord is 
  with you' and beside it, the Cross, with the Mother of God weeping, 'The Child of my womb, my beloved !' Simeon 
  said in prophecy, 'Your heart will be pierced through [...]'.  These words show us the way of Christianity.  After 
  Vespers the congregation goes into the hall — to the school filled with pictures of Biblical scenes.  These 
  pictures also confirm the words about our relating to the Lord, and looking upon them can move our hearts.  It 
  is also a sermon, an experience of the Gospel to look upon them.  At 11 at night we finish our celebration of 
  Orthodoxy, in soul’s joyfulness I go on my way in western Canada to other brothers in the faith. 
  (1945 Commemorative Book) pp. 78-79.

The controversy to which Vladyka Arseny referred in his comments had to do in part with Ukrainian nationalism in particular, and the appearance of the new [http://uocc.ca/en-ca/about/history/ Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada].

==30 years==

In 1935, [[Archbishop Joasaph (Skorodumov) | Bishop Ioasaph (Skorodumov)]] arrived in Edmonton from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montreal Montréal], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec Québec], where he had been serving for several years.  He suffered from great poverty (as did other bishops and clergy of that period), but his labours in Christ bore fruit.  In about 1935, he established the [http://directory.stinnocentpress.com/viewparish.cgi?Uid=190&lang=en Skete of the Holy Protection], a monastic community of men (which in 1949 became a women’s community).

In 1937, Priest John Wasil was assigned to serve as rector of the parish.  During the time of his pastoral service, he developed the singing in the parish, and he worked hard at writing out by hand the parts for each voice in the choir for many items of the repertoire that continued to be used for many decades afterwards.  He also paid attention to the youth of the parish.

==40 years, war, consequences, refugees==

His hard work (in the context of very few resources) saw further development, along with further immigration, and 20 more parishes were eventually added to his responsibility. However, such long-term poverty, sparse living-conditions and hard work often produce illness, and it did so with Vladyka Ioasaph.  In 1945, he was elevated to the dignity of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Bishop#Archbishops_and_Metropolitans archbishop].  

However, in 1946, there was a division between the “[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthodox_Church_in_America Metropolia]” and the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Orthodox_Church_Outside_Russia Russian Orthodox Church outside Russia], and Vladyka Ioasaph remained with the latter.  It was at about that time that the Temple of [[Edmonton AB Saint Vladimir Russian Orthodox Church 1946 |Saint Vladimir]] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Edmonton,_Alberta North Edmonton] was established.  In 1947, Archbishop Ioasaph was declared to be the bishop of the new [https://wadiocese.org/ Western Diocese of the ROCOR].  In 1951, Vladyka Ioasaph was transferred to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buenos_Aires Buenos Aeres], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argentina Argentina], where he reposed in the Lord in 1955.  However, the signs of his labours remain in a monastic community and some Temples which remain from his time.

==1949==

In 1949, the [[Archpriest Vasily and Matushka Paraskevia Hochachka |Priest Vasily and Matushka Paraskevia Hochachka]] were assigned to serve at Saint Barbara's Church, where he was the rector for 6 years.  He arrived at a time of increasing controversy and the expression of strong opinions.  Many of these were the fruit of the events of the past 4 decades, both local and abroad.  At this time in particular there were strong tensions (particularly in the USA) regarding the ownership of parish properties.  Since the time of the invention of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Stalin Stalinist] "[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Living_Church Renovated Church]" in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet_Union Soviet Union] (USSR), there were attempts made by the Soviet government to secure ownership of properties formerly belonging to the Imperial Government which preceded it.  The main focus at this time was the [http://orthodoxwiki.org/St._Nicholas_Cathedral_%28New_York%2C_New_York%29 Cathedral of Saint Nicholas] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City New York], which was built in imperial times, and which had been the cathedral of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Orthodox_Church_in_America Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church in North America] (ROGCCNA) , the continuation of the pre-revolutionary [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/The_%E2%80%9CRussian_Mission%E2%80%9D_in_North_America Russian North American Mission].  

==50 years, more changes==

In 1950, under the leadership of its first abbot, [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/129407781/hermorgen-archym  Archimandrite Germogen (Cherkasin)], the [[Dickie Bush AB Hermitage of Prophet Elias 1950 |Hermitage of Prophet Elias]] was established at [[Dickie Bush AB Saints Peter and Paul Russo Orthodox Church and Cemetery 1906, 1909 |Dickie Bush]], near the [http://www.history.alberta.ca/victoria/about/about.aspx Victoria Settlement].  The original monks were derived originally from the Saint Job of Pochaiv brotherhood (known as the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Pochaev_Lavra_of_the_Dormition_of_the_Theotokos Holy Dormition Pochaiv Lavra] in Ukraine), by way of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Trinity_Monastery_(Jordanville,_New_York) Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, New York]. The original monastery of Saint Elias was abandoned with the moving away of Archimandrite Germogen in the early 1960s.

In 1950, the [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Vancouver_BC_Holy_Resurrection_Russian_Orthodox_Sobor_1924#Mitred_Archpriest_Peter_Kurzemnek,_1952 Archpriest Peter and Matushka Yelizaveta Kurzemnek] were sent by [[Metropolitan Leonty (Turkevich)]] to serve in the Alberta parishes associated with Saint Barbara's Church.  In 1952, Father Peter was transferred and assigned to [[Vancouver BC Holy Resurrection Russian Orthodox Sobor 1924 |Holy Resurrection Church]] in [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/vancouver Vancouver], [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/british-columbia British Columbia].

In the context of the various confusing differences of opinion and the developing divisions, by 1955, there had grown up strong enough differences of opinion within the parish of Saint Barbara that both the rector (the Archpriest Vasily Hochachka) and the elected parish council resigned, withdrew, and then established a new congregation on 96th Street, [[Edmonton AB Holy Trinity Canadian Orthodox Church 1955 |Holy Trinity Canadian Orthodox Church]].  

A major subject of debate throughout the continent since the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Revolution Bolshevik Revolution] had been the nature of the relationship between the North American dioceses and the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Orthodox_Church Moscow Patriarchate], which at that time was subject to the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Orthodox_Church Soviet Union] government.  This event precipitated a search for a new pastor for the parish. 

In 1952, the court challenge in New York ("[https://casetext.com/case/kedroff-v-st-nicholas-cathedral Kedrov et al v. St. Nicholas Cathedral]") had been decided in favour of the Russian Orthodox Church and its exarchate, essentially on the basis of original documents and of the principle of non-interference with internal church affairs. 

During the first 56 years of the history of Saint Barbara's Church in Edmonton, the parish was served by :

  Priests Jakob Korchinsky, Archimandrite Arseniy (Chahovtsov), Zaychenko, Archimandrite Amphilochiy, Makarov, 
  Boszik, Soroka, [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archpriest_Alexander_Kiziun Kiziun], Archimandrite Antoniy (Tereshchenko), Bezkorovainy, Silden, John Wasel, John Kowalchuk, 
  Andrey Kokolsky, George Marinetz


[[File:StBarbara Edmonton 1a-3600- 2.jpg]]  '''Archbishop Adam (Philipovsky) et al'''

==1956 : Father John Margitich, new Temple==

On 23 May 1956, the [[Mitred Archpriest John and Matushka Helen Margitich |Priest John Margitich]] was assigned to serve as the rector of Saint Barbara’s Church.  He moved from his native [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passaic,_New_Jersey Passaic], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Jersey New Jersey], [https://www.britannica.com/place/United-States USA], to serve the parish.  Together with Matushka Helen, he served it thereafter as a father and a shepherd, and in this parish his family grew up.  

When Father John and his family arrived, the new Temple had already been under construction, and he oversaw the remaining work.


[[File:Foundation plaque.jpg]]  '''Foundation plaque'''

==Archbishop Panteleimon (Rudyk), 1957==

In 1957, [[Archbishop Panteleimon (Rudyk)]] (one of the most significant personalities at Saint Barbara’s in the second half of the century) moved from the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Russian_Orthodox_Church_Outside_Russia   ROCOR] to the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriarchial_Parishes_in_Canada Moscow Patriarchate], at first unofficially.  At that time, he still lived in Montréal, Québec.  Then, on 5 March, 1959, after bringing a statement of repentance to the Moscow Patriarchate (this was with regard to any voluntary or involuntary separation from communion with the Moscow Patriarchate and the Canonical Orthodox Church from the time of the German invasion of Ukraine), Archbishop Panteleimon was officially admitted in his rank into communion with the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Church_of_Russia Russian Orthodox Church].  Archbishop Panteleimon became established in a modest house in west-central Edmonton, where [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archimandrite_Dimitriy_(Shchur) Archdeacon Dmitry (Schur)] occupied one portion of the house.  He had previously served during the war years as Archbishop of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyiv Kyiv], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukraine Ukraine], under the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Church_of_Russia Moscow Patriarchate], but he had suffered displacement during the turmoil at the end of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II World War II].  He then moved to Edmonton, Alberta, where he spent the remainder of his life.  He lived in very modest circumstances.  

==Move to the "Russian Exarchate", 1959==

The Temple of [http://www.orthodox-canada.com/parishes/st-barbara-cathedral/ Saint Barbara the Great-martyr] in Edmonton (where one may now find the incorrupt foot of the Great-martyr) became his cathedral.  In that same year, 1959, this Temple was taken from the “[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthodox_Church_in_America Metropolia]” and was taken into the jurisdiction of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Orthodox_Church Moscow Patriarchate], in the [http://en.orthodoxwiki.org/Russian_Exarchate_of_North_America Russian Exarchate] of the Moscow Patriarchate in North America.  From that time, also, it may be said that the Cathedral of Saint Barbara became the focus of the diocesan administration of Vladyka Panteleimon ; and from Edmonton, Vladyka Panteleimon shepherded the parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in Alberta and [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/saskatchewan Saskatchewan].  

On 8 August, 1959, Archbishop Panteleimon was officially assigned to be the Archbishop of Edmonton and Canada.  In the beginning of his service in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriarchial_Parishes_in_Canada newly-formed Moscow Patriarchal Canadian Diocese of Edmonton], there was a lack of clergy.  Besides Archbishop Panteleimon, there were only 3 priests.  In accordance with the petition to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikodim_(Rotov) Metropolitan Nikodim (Rotov)], the President of the [https://mospat.ru/en/ Department of External Church Relations], the DECR began sending priests  to Canada, usually from the Ukrainian Exarchate, in order to care for their compatriots. 

During his years serving in Edmonton, Archbishop Panteleimon found that his chief co-worker and builder of Orthodox Christian life in the region was the Archpriest John Margitich, the rector of Saint Barbara's Cathedral.  He was a hard-working pastor, who cared for everyone without distinction.  

==60 years, new Temple==

In 1960, there was another court challenge regarding [https://orthodoxwiki.org/St._Nicholas_Cathedral_%28New_York%2C_New_York%29 Saint Nicholas' Cathedral] in New York ([https://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-supreme-court/363/190.html Kreshi v. St. Nicholas]).  The decision this time was the same as that in 1952.  These challenges in the USA affected Church life in Canada as well.  

On 31 July, 1960, Archbishop Panteleimon (Rudyk) presided over the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Consecration_of_a_church sanctification] of the new cathedral structure.  This Temple became an even more pronounced landmark in the city than was the first Temple.  

On 7 September, 1961, Archbishop Panteleimon began a visit to his native Mother-Church, which was living through the difficult time of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikita_Khrushchev Nikita S Khrushchev]’s persecution (1958-1964). During his 2-week visit in the Soviet Union, with the blessing of [[Patriarch Alexei I (Simansky)]], he served in the Temples of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moscow Moscow], at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trinity_Lavra_of_St._Sergius Saint Sergius-Holy Trinity Lavra], and at the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Nevsky_Lavra Saint Alexander Nevsky-Holy Trinity Lavra] in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Petersburg Saint Petersburg].  He was able to venerate the sacred places, and he prayed for all the Faithful, and for all the Russian Church.  At that time, he also visited with [[Metropolitan Boris (Vik)]], the [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Russian_Exarchate_of_North_America Patriarchal Exarch in America], and with [[Metropolitan Nikodim (Rotov)]], the Head of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Department_for_External_Church_Relations_of_the_Moscow_Patriarchate Department for External Church Relations].  

On 11 May, 1963, Archbishop Panteleimon was awarded the Moscow Patriarchate’s Order of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Vladimir_of_Kiev Saint Vladimir] (1st degree) by [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Patriarch_Alexei_I_(Simansky) Patriarch Alexei I (Simansky)], in commemoration of the 50 years of the Patriarch’s service as a bishop, in remembrance of the jubilee service on that occasion.  

In 1967, by the invitation of Patriarch Alexei I, Archbishop Panteleimon visited the lands of Rus’ one more time.  On this visit, he was accompanied by some faithful people in Canada as pilgrims (mostly from Saint Barbara’s).  From 24 May to 22 June, he visited the [https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g298484-Activities-c47-t10-Moscow_Central_Russia.html holy places of Moscow], such as the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Holy_Trinity-St._Sergius_Lavra Saint Sergius-Holy Trinity Lavra], and also some of the open Temples in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Petersburg Saint Petersburg], [https://www.britannica.com/place/Kyiv Kyiv], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odessa Odessa] (where he met [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Sergei_(Petrov) Archbishop Sergei (Petrov)]), [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lviv L’viv], the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Pochaev_Lavra_of_the_Dormition_of_the_Theotokos Pochaiv Lavra], and the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korets Koretsky Holy Trinity Women’s Monastery] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rivne Rivno].  During this visit, a meeting was arranged between Archbishop Panteleimon and [https://ru-m-wikipedia-org.translate.goog/wiki/%D0%92%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B0%D0%BC%D0%B8%D0%BD_(%D0%9D%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%86%D0%BA%D0%B8%D0%B9)?_x_tr_sl=ru&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc Archbishop Benjamin (Novitsky)], who also had served in the Orthodox Church in the territory of occupied Ukraine, and who had served a sentence of 10 years in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulag Stalin’s camps].  This visit, which was in fact also a pilgrimage, had further significance in that it occurred during a window of opportunity in which such visits were permitted after the time of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikita_Khrushchev N S Khrushchev] but still during the "[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_War Cold war]".  Those who accompanied him were profoundly influenced by their experiences and encounters with the Russian Orthodox Church.  

On 25 July, 1968, by the invitation of [[Patriarch Athenagoras (Spyrou)]] of Constantinople, Archbishop Panteleimon visited the holy [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Athos Mount Athos], so that he could pray on the domain of the Holy [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Theotokos Theotokos], and also so that he could support the scarce numbers of Russian monks on the Holy Mountain at that time.  

It is written that at about this time, the clergy and the faithful of the Edmonton diocese decided to petition Patriarch Alexei I (Simansky) of Moscow and All Russia to grant Archbishop Panteleimon the rank of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Bishop#Archbishops_and_Metropolitans metropolitan] for his zealous service for many years.  Only the sudden death of the archbishop prevented this sincere desire from being fulfilled.  However, the exactness of such a reported quest is in doubt.  Were the request to have been blessed, that would have meant that Vladyka Panteleimon would have had to move elsewhere, since this title is associated with a particular territory and a responsibility.  Edmonton and Canada were and are too small for such a dignity, title and responsibility.  

On 2 October, 1968, in the morning, in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Alexandra_Hospital,_Edmonton Royal Alexandra Hospital] in Edmonton, Alberta, Archbishop Panteleimon reposed in Christ.

==Archdeacon Dimitriy (Shchur)==

The life and quiet presence of [[Archimandrite Dimitriy (Shchur) |Archdeacon Dimitry (Shchur)]] continued in the same manner as it did while Archbishop Panteleimon was present.  In due course, he was ordained to the Holy [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Presbyter Priesthood] and elevated to the dignity of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Archimandrite archimandrite].  Regardless of title, he behaved as an unobtrusive Christian who serves.  He served the Lord ; he served and cared for people ; he was hospitable.  The Slavic word "tserkovny" or the English word "churchly" would be inadequate to convey his character.  When one met him, one encountered a combination of joy, humility and peace.  He very quietly went about his work in the parish for almost 30 years.  He is aptly described as having been the spiritual rudder of the Temple of Saint Barbara.  He taught by the example of his life, rather than by criticising or preaching (although he  did some preaching after his ordination).  He was visible in part because of his significant beard, and he was attractive in that his eyes shone with light and joy, mixed with a certain amount of humour.  

==Second Temple, 1960==

Over the course of the many decades since the erection of the first Temple, it became clear that a new building was required by the growing parish.  On 15 June, 1956, the parish council and the congregation began the building a new, more capacious multi-cupola building.  The very active leader of the construction of the Temple was the newly-assigned rector (23 May 1956), the [[Mitred Archpriest John and Matushka Helen Margitich |Priest John Margitich]].  Designed by the local church architect, Nicolas Flak, the building of the Temple was completed in 1958.  It was first blessed by [[Metropolitan Boris (Vik)]] of Odessa, Exarch of North America, and it was sanctified on 31 July, 1960 by [[Archbishop Panteleimon (Rudyk)]].  An architectural article describes the building in this manner :

  The building is built in the shape of a Cross.  Known as a 'cruciform plan', this footprint is commonly used 
  in Christian religious architecture.  The exterior uses high walls, relatively free of openings ; and the 
  roof-line features many cupolas (or domes).  The cupolas are curved to signify heaven above ; the large dome 
  is a reminder that Christ is head of the Church ; and the 4 smaller domes represent the 4 evangelists.  
  Measuring 34 feet in diameter and 33 feet high when it was built, the central dome was the largest in the city 
  at that time.  The inside contains an ornate Holy Table with an iconostasis which separates the Altar from the 
  Nave.

The building was then sanctified to be a cathedral, since there was now a resident bishop in Edmonton.  Included in the cathedral is a portion of the relics of the Great Martyr Barbara.  The sanctification was accomplished by the Patriarchal Exarch of North America and the Aleutians, [[Metropolitan Boris (Vik)]] and by the Archbishop of Edmonton and Canada, Archbishop Panteleimon (Rudyk).  This sanctification took place on Sunday, 31 July, 1960.  It was at some time not long after this that Father Margitich established the weekly serving of a "Pro-Liturgy" (the "[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Typika obednitsa]") which was served in English on Sunday mornings before the regular Slavonic Divine Liturgy.  It was offered as such for several decades.  

The Mitred Archpriest John Margitich (+ 9 March, 1991), together with Matushka Helen (+2 March, 1994), continued to serve at Saint Barbara’s Cathedral for the rest of their lives.  Father John’s “common sense” and his care for the flock entrusted to him welcomed people warmly and without barriers.  Another priest and matushka "team" who had served both in Saint Barbara's and in the nearby region was the Mitred Archpriest John and Matushka Anna Wasel.


<div align="center">[[File:Saint Barbara's Cathedral Edmonton interior.jpg]]<br>

'''Interior of the Temple'''</div>


After the repose of Archbishop Panteleimon, and during the next 2 years, the [[Archbishop Jonathan (Kopolovich)]] of New York and the Aleutians  oversaw the life of the Canadian Russian diocese.  It is possible that one other bishop also spent some time in Edmonton. 


[[File:Saint Barbara's Cathedral, 1959 2.png]]  '''Saint Barbara's Cathedral'''

==70 years==

On 31 March, 1970, there came the event of the granting of [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Autocephaly autocephaly] to the "Metropolia", and the change in status of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Russian_Exarchate_of_North_America Russian Exarchate in North America] to the [https://orthochristian.com/133818.html Administration of the Parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in North America] (later to be divided into [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriarchial_Parishes_in_Canada those in Canada] and [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Russian_Orthodox_Church_in_the_USA those in the USA]).  With the granting of autocephaly the "Metropolia" became "[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Orthodox_Church_in_America The Orthodox Church in America]".  

==Bishop Makary (Svistun), 1970==

After the granting of autocephaly, and in accordance with the agreements of the "[http://oca.org/history-archives/tomos-of-autocephaly Tomos of Autocephaly]" given by the Moscow Patriarchate, the next bishop sent to Canada to lead the Parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate was [[Metropolitan Makary (Svistun) | Bishop Makary (Svistun)]].  In 1970, retaining his title as Bishop of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uman Uman], Bishop Makary was assigned to serve as the Administrator of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriarchial_Parishes_in_Canada Canadian parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate], and as the Temporary Administrator of the [http://mospatusa.com/ Patriarchal Parishes in the USA].  The main facilitator of Vladyka Makary's immigration to Canada was the Archpriest John Margitich in Edmonton, Alberta.  

Then, in 1975, Bishop Makary (Svistun) was transferred, and he was assigned to serve as the Permanent Representative of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia at the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Council_of_Churches World Council of Churches] in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geneva Geneva], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Switzerland Switzerland]. 

==Bishop Job (Tyvoniuk), 1976==

In February, 1975, Bishop Makary was succeeded by [[Metropolitan Job (Tyvoniuk) | Bishop Job (Tyvoniuk)]].  However, on 19 July, 1976, Bishop Job was released from the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada and in the United States, and he was assigned to be the Deputy Chairman of the Department of External Church Relations in Moscow. 

==Bishop Ireney (Seredniy), 1976==

Bishop Job was succeeded by [[Metropolitan Ireney (Seredniy) |Bishop Ireney (Seredniy)]].  On 19 July, 1976, Bishop Ireney (Seredniy) was transferred and assigned to become the Bishop of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serpukhov Serpukhov], and a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Auxiliary_bishop Vicar-Bishop] of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moscow Moscow] Diocese.  At the same time, he was assigned to serve as the Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada and temporarily of the parishes in the United States.  

'''Repose of Archpriest Andrew Kokolsky, 1979'''

On 7 May, 1979, the [[Mitred Archpriest Andrew A and Matushka Maria Kokolsky |Mitred Archpriest Andrew Kokolsky]] fell asleep in the Lord in Edmonton.  His wife, Matushka Maria, had reposed in Christ on 24 July, 1971.  They had served for many years at Saint Barbara's and also in the surrounding parishes.

==75th anniversary of incorporation, and of the sanctification of the first Temple, 1979==

In 1979, Saint Barbara's Cathedral parish (and several rural parishes) marked the [https://ricolor-org.translate.goog/rz/kanada/mp/1979/?_x_tr_sch=http&_x_tr_sl=ru&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc 75th anniversary] of the construction and sanctification of the first Temple, and of the incorporation of the parish under the [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/The_Ordinances_-_1903,_1904 legislation] achieved by [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Saint_Tikhon_(Belavin) Saint Tikhon (Belavin)].  

On this occasion, [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Patriarch_Pimen_(Izvekov) Patriarch Pimen (Izvekov)] and the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Holy_Synod Holy Synod] of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Church_of_Russia Church of Russia] sent [https://www-eparchia-kharkov-ua.translate.goog/stat/8?_x_tr_sch=http&_x_tr_sl=ru&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc Archbishop Nikodim (Rusnak)] of [https://ru-m-wikipedia-org.translate.goog/wiki/Харьковская_и_Богодуховская_епархия?_x_tr_sl=ru&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc Kharkiv and Bogodukhov] in Ukraine was sent with an entourage to serve with [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Ireney_(Seredniy) Bishop Ireney (Seredniy)] on this occasion.  The entourage included Archpriest John Korol (rector of Saint George's Cathedral in Lviv ; Priest Vasily Vakulin (cleric of the Kiev diocese) ; Protodeacon Vasily Diolog (cleric of the Annunciation Cathedral in Kharkiv).
  
On 18 June, 1979, the Archbishop Nikodim (Rusnak) and the entourage arrived in Montréal, Québec, where they were greeted by Walter (Vladimir) Ivanovich Litivin on behalf of Bishop Ireney (Seredniy) and Saint Barbara's Cathedral.  They all arrived in Edmonton, Alberta, on 19 June, where they were greeted by Bishop Ireney, Archpriest John Margitich, and other clergy and parishioners.  As is customary, immediately afterwards, in Saint Barbara's Cathedral, Father John Margitich led a Moleben of Thanksgiving for the safe arrival.  This was followed by words of formal greeting, and Archpriest John  Korol conveyed to those gathered the greetings of Metropolitan Nikolai of Lviv and Ternopil.  He also presented to the parishioners of Saint Barbara's Cathedral from the believers of the Lviv diocese 2 embroidered processional banners which depicted the Holy Great Martyr Barbara and the Great Martyr George the Victorious.  

On 20 June, Archbishop Nikodim was taken to the Provincial Legislature for a courtesy meeting with Deputy Premier G Horner.  Then began a visit to the rural parishes to the northeast of the city.  On 21-22 June, the bishops and the entourage visited the parished in the Peace River district of Alberta.  On 23 June, they visited the rural parishes southwest of Edmonton.  

On 23-24 June, Archbishop Nikodim (Rusnak) and Bishop Ireney (Seredniy) led the concelebration of the Saturday-Sunday Vigil and Hierarchical Divine Liturgy for the anniversary in Saint Barbara's Cathedral.  They were assisted by Archpriest John Margitich ; Archpriest John Korol ; Archimandrite Hermogen (Cherkashin) ; Archpriest Peter Vlodek ; Igumen Dimitry (Shchur) ; Archpriest Vasily Vakulin ; Archpriest John Nikolaou (Church of Constantinople) ; Archpriest Mircea Panchuk (Church of Romania) ; Archpriest Nikanor Shimko  Archpriest Arseniy Melnik ; Archdeacon Vasily Diolog. 

During the Divine Liturgy, 2 homilies were preached, and Igumen Dimitry (Shchur) was elevate to the diginity of archimandrite.  After the concluding Moleben of Thanksgiving, varioius awards and certificates were presented.  Various telegrams and letters of congratulation were read.  There was also a Panikhida (Memorial Service) for the founders, benefactors, and departed parishioners of Saint Barbara's Cathedral.  This was followed by a festive banquet which included more speeches and some entertainment.

On 25 June, the entourage visited Anglican Bishop John Langston (who had attended the services and banquet of the previous day), and they visited the Greek Orthodox Temple of Saint George.  Afterwards, there were further visits to the rural parishes northeast of Edmonton.  

On 26 June, the entourage was received by Lieutentant Governor R Steinaur at Government House.  Afterwards, the entourage continued their visit to other rural parishes northeast of Edmonton.    Afterwards, on the next 2 days, the entourage visited the Rocky Mountains to the west of the city.

On Saturday, 30 June, the entourage was present in Saint Barbara's Cathedral for the Vigil service.

On Sunday, 1 July, the bishops and the visiting entourage served the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy in the Temple of the Nativity of the Theotokos at Nisku, Alberta, south of Edmonton.  Archpriest Peter Vlodek, Starosta Petro Fedor, and the sisterhood welcomed the honoured guests.  Following the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, there was a Panikhida (Memorial Service) at the grave of Archbishop Panteleimon (Rudyk).  After a Moleben (Prayer-service) for the national day, Bishop Ireney (Seredniy) led a service of prayer for the entourage in advance of the pending travel.  A festive dinner was served afterwards.  

On 2 July, other parishes were visited, and on 3 July, the entourage visited the Mayor of Edmonton, S Pirvis.  

On 3 July, there was a farewell dinner, after which the entourage travelled to Ottawa.  There, they ment the Deputy Prime Minister Vasily Yurko.  They were given a tour of the Parliament Buildings.  They also visited the Soviet Embassy in Ottawa, after which they made their departure for Moscow.

==80 years==

On 16 July, 1982, Bishop Ireney was elevated to the dignity of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Bishop#Archbishops_and_Metropolitans archbishop].  On the same day, Bishop Ireney was transferred, and he was assigned to become the Archbishop of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moscow Alma-Ata] and the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kazakhstan Kazakhstan] diocese.

==Bishop Kliment (Kapalin), 1982==

In August, 1982, [[Metropolitan Kliment (Kapalin) |Bishop Kliment (Kapalin)]], as Bishop of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serpukhov Serpukhov], was appointed to be the Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada and temporarily also of the Patriarchal Parishes in the United States.

==“Saint Barbara’s Complex”, 1984==

In 1983, it was decided at a general parish meeting to construct a housing and office complex adjacent to the cathedral.  It replaced a previous building known as “Block Saint Barbara”.  In early 1984, the Archpriest Peter and Matushka Olga Vlodek were the first to occupy suite #303 of “Saint Barbara’s Complex”.   By 1987, the mortgage had been paid off. 


[[File:Saint Barbara's Complex 20170812 CS.jpg]]  '''Saint Barbara’s Complex'''


In 1985, [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/129407781/hermorgen-archym Archimandrite Germogen (Cherkashin)] reposed in the Lord in Edmonton, at the age of 93 (he was born in 1892, and in civil life his name had been Nicholas).  He had arrived in the Edmonton region from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordanville,_New_York Jordanville], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_(state) New York], but he had previously been a monk of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pochayiv_Lavra Holy Dormition Pochaiv Monastery] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volyn_Oblast Volyn'], [https://www.britannica.com/place/Ukraine Ukraine].  After having been required to leave the [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Dickie_Bush_AB_Hermitage_of_Prophet_Elias_1955 Saint Elias Hermitage], he had served for many years at Saint Barbara's and the parishes associated with the cathedral.

On 23 March, 1987, Bishop Kliment was released from the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada, and he was appointed to be the Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the United States.

==Bishop Nikolai (Shkrumko), 1987==

In July, 1987, [[Metropolitan Nikolai (Shkrumko) |Bishop Nikolai (Shkrumko)]] was transferred to become the Bishop of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orekhovo-Zuyevo Orekhovo-Zuyevo], Vicar-Bishop of the Moscow Diocese and the Administrator of the Moscow Patriarchate Parishes in Canada.  In the same year, he was elevated to the dignity of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Bishop#Archbishops_and_Metropolitans archbishop].

  While he was in Canada, Archbishop Nikolai (Schkrumko) once related to others visiting him, his recollection 
  of one Pascha during one of the times of communist repression when he was a younger man.  He said that on this 
  one particular Pascha there was no possibility for believers to gather in a Temple anywhere in order to serve 
  for the Resurrection of Christ.  Therefore, he said, the faithful people gathered deep in a forest, where the 
  snow that year was yet 'hip-deep', and there they served.  Everything had to be improvised, because there were 
  no vestments or appropriate vessels.  They offered only what they had — which was a loaf of bread, and juice 
  squeezed by hand from berries.  He recalled that the snow appeared as diamonds, and that it was the most 
  memorable and moving [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Pascha Pascha] of his whole life (even more than that in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerusalem Jerusalem]).

On 25 September, 1987, Archimandrite Dimitry (Shchur) fell asleep in the Lord in Edmonton.  He had served as [https://orthodoxwiki.org/index.php?title=Archdeacon&redirect=no archdeacon] for a long time with Archbishop Panteleimon (Rudyk), and he had continued to live in a house in central-west Edmonton.  After he was ordained to the Holy Priesthood, he had continued to serve in the cathedral, and also in the surrounding parishes, and he had always been a quiet but significant indication to others of the love, peace and joy which are to be found in a lively, prayerful relationship with our Lord.

In February, 1991, Archbishop Nikolai (Shkrumko) was assigned to be the Archbishop of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladivostok Vladivostok] and the "[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primorsky_Krai Primorsky Krai]" ("Maritime Region") in the far east of [https://www.britannica.com/place/Russia Russia]. 

==90 years ; Archbishop Makary (Svistun)==

In July, 1990, the now Archbishop Makary (Svistun) was transferred to become the Archbishop of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klin,_Klinsky_District,_Moscow_Oblast Klin] (a town in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moscow_Oblast Moscow Province], and Vicar-Archbishop of the Moscow diocese, in order to serve again as the Administrator of the Moscow Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, and as the Temporary Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada. 

While he was caring for the patriarchal parishes in both countries, Archbishop Makary lived primarily in New York.  From there, in mid-March, 1991, he returned to Edmonton for the funeral services of the Mitred Archpriest John Margitich.  What Vladyka Makary said about Father John at the time might be, to some extent, said about himself by others : 

  He gave love and compassion to the people ; he strived all his life to bring to the people love, peace and 
  joy. 

He also said : 

  He could be found wherever there was sorrow, sickness and loneliness.

==Archpriest Michael Kit==

By this time, the Archpriest Michael Kit had become the pastor of Saint Barbara’s Cathedral.  He had first served for some time as Second Priest, and as a sort of apprentice to Father Margitich.  Father Michael and his family were the first to live in the recently-constructed apartment building adjacent to the cathedral (separated by a lane).  This building, known as “Saint Barbara’s Complex”, has a south-facing apartment reserved for the rector of the cathedral.  Other suites are rented to others.  Also constructed at about the same time, next to the cathedral, had been a bell-tower.


[[File:Bell-house 20170812CS.jpg]]  '''Bell-house'''


On 19 February, 1992, Archbishop Makary (Svistun) was assigned to be the Archbishop of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinnytsia Vinnytsia] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bratslav Bratslav] Diocese in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinnytsia_Oblast Vinnytsia Province].

==Bishop Paul (Ponomarev), 1992==

Archbishop Makary was followed by [[Metropolitan Paul (Ponomarev) |Bishop Paul (Ponomarev)]].  On 21-22 March, 1992, Archimandrite Paul (Ponomarev) had been ordained to the Holy [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Episcopate Episcopate] at the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yelokhovo_Cathedral Epiphany Cathedral] in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moscow Moscow] by [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Patriarch_Aleksey_II_(Ridiger) Patriarch Aleksey II (Ridiger)] ; [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juvenal_(Poyarkov) Metropolitan Juvenaly (Poyarkov)] of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krutitsy Krutitsy] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kolomna Kolomna] ; [[Metropolitan Volodymyr (Sabodan)]] of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rostov Rostov] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novocherkassk Novocherkassk], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pskov Pskov] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir,_Russia Vladimir] ; Archbishop Sergius of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solnechnogorsk Solnechnogorsk] ; Bishop [http://www.patriarchia.ru/db/text/38848.html Arseny (Epifanov)] of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Istra,_Istrinsky_District,_Moscow_Oblast#:~:text=Istra%20%28Russian%3A%20%D0%98%CC%81%D1%81%D1%82%D1%80%D0%B0%29%20is%20a%20town%20and%20the,%282010%20Census%29%3B%2033%2C652%E2%80%89%20%282002%20Census%29%3B%2035%2C046%E2%80%89%20%281989%20Census%29. Istra], and Bishop Victor of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podolsk Podol].  

He was immediately assigned to be the Bishop of [http://themoscownews.com/walks/20110120/188350278.html Zaraisk], Vicar-Bishop of the Moscow Diocese. This placement included his immediate assignment to be the Administrator of the [http://mospatusa.com/ Patriarchal Parishes in the United States] and temporarily of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriarchial_Parishes_in_Canada Parishes in Canada]. 

In 1999, Bishop Paul was transferred, and appointed to be the Bishop of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vienna Vienna] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austria Austria]. 

==Bishop Mark (Petrovtsiy), 1993==

On 1 November, 1993, by a decision of the Holy Synod, [[Metropolitan Mark (Petrovtsiy) |Bishop Mark (Petrovtsiy)]] was appointed to be the Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada, with the title “Bishop of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kashira Kashira]” (a vicariate of the Patriarchate of Moscow).  In 2003, Bishop Mark (Petrovtsiy) was elevated to the dignity of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Bishop#Archbishops_and_Metropolitans archbishop].

==Centennial of the first services in Western Canada (1897)==

On 27-28 July, 1997, under the leadership of [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Mark_(Petrovtsiy) Bishop Mark (Petrovtsiy)], the Administration of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriarchial_Parishes_in_Canada Parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in Canada] organised a general celebration of the [http://archbishop-of-ottawa.org/messenger/Com1998-1.9-1.pdf 100th anniversary] of the serving of the first Divine Liturgy in Canada (1897, by the Priest Dmitri Kamnev).   

On 27 July, at Stary Wostok, Alberta, there was a celebration of the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at [[Stary Wostok AB Holy Trinity Russo Orthodox Church and Cemetery 1897 |Holy Trinity Church]], Stary Wostok, by [[Metropolitan Philaret (Vakhromeyev)]] of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minsk Minsk] (who represented Patriarch Aleksey II) ; [[Metropolitan Ireney (Seredniy) |Archbishop Ireney (Seredniy)]] of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukraine Ukraine] (who represented [[Metropolitan Volodymyr (Sabodan)]], and who had previously served in Canada) ; [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Mark_(Petrovtsiy) Bishop Mark (Petrovtsiy)], and [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Seraphim_(Storheim) Bishop Seraphim (Storheim)] of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Archdiocese_of_Canada Archdiocese of Canada] in [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Orthodox_Church_in_America The Orthodox Church in America].  After the Divine Liturgy, there was a procession along the road to the site of the original service a century previous.  There, a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Molieben moleben] was served.  

On the following day, on the Feast of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Vladimir_of_Kiev Saint Vladimir] ([https://orthodoxwiki.org/Julian_Calendar OS]), the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was served at Saint Barbara's Cathedral in Edmonton, Alberta, by all these bishops, and also with [[Metropolitan Sotirios (Athanassoulas)]] of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Greek_Orthodox_Metropolis_of_Toronto_(Canada) Greek Orthodox Diocese of Toronto (Canada)], who had arrived for this service.  

This was the fullest expression of Orthodox unity in Canada thus far in the concelebration of bishops and priests together. 


[[File:27 vii 98 Canada centennial.png]]  '''Stary Wostok, Alberta, 100 years since the first Divine Liturgy'''

[[File:July 1998 Centennial Liturgy Saint Barbara.png]]  '''Saint Barbara's Cathedral, Edmonton, Alberta'''

'''Bishop Mark ; Metropolitan Ireney ; Metropolitan Philaret ; Metropolitan Sotirios ; Bishop Seraphim'''


During the course of this visit, the representatives from the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Church_of_Russia Church of Russia] visited many of the parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in Canada.

==100 years==

On 24 May, 2005, by a decision of the Holy Synod of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukrainian_Orthodox_Church_(Moscow_Patriarchate) Ukrainian Orthodox Church] and a decree of [[Metropolitan Volodymyr (Sabodan)]] (+5 July, 2014), the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Archbishop Mark was assigned to be the Archbishop of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumy Sumy] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okhtyrka Okhtyrka] in Ukraine.  At the same time, his predecessor in Sumy, [[Bishop Job (Smakouz) |Bishop Iov (Smakouz)]] was assigned to lead the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada. 


[[File:St Barbaras-Russian centennial 2.png]]  '''Centennial plaque'''

==Bishop Iov (Smakouz), 2005==

On 24 May, 2005, [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Job_(Smakouz) Bishop Iov (Smakouz)] was transferred and assigned to be the Vicar-Bishop of Kashira, a vicariate of the Moscow Diocese, and to be the Administrator of the Parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in Canada.

==Archpriest Sergey Kipriyanovych, 2006==

In October, 2006, the Archpriest Sergey Kipriyanovych was assigned to be the rector of Saint Barbara’s Cathedral.  He had previously served in parishes in New York City and in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabat Rabat], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morocco Morocco].  

On 31 March, 2009, the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Holy_Synod Holy Synod] of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Church_of_Russia Church of Russia] appointed Bishop Iov to serve as the Acting Administrator of the Parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in the USA, during the period from the return to Russia of the then administrator, [https://ru-m-wikipedia-org.translate.goog/wiki/%D0%9C%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%BA%D1%83%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%B9_(%D0%98%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B2)?_x_tr_sl=ru&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc Bishop Mercurii (Ivanov)] of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zaraysk Zaraisk], and the arrival of his successor [https://ru-m-wikipedia-org.translate.goog/wiki/%D0%AE%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B0%D0%BD_(%D0%9E%D0%B2%D1%87%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B2)?_x_tr_sl=ru&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc Archbishop Justinian (Ovchinnikov)] of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naro-Fominsk Naro-Fominsk], a position he held until early March, 2010.  After that time, Bishop Iov (Smakouz) continued in his responsibility of serving as the Administrator of the Canadian parishes. He diligently visited the parishes, improved the administration, and he wrote about the history of the administration and about certain world events.


<div align="center">[[File:20180220 StBarbara IconostasCS.jpg]] '''Iconostas'''
</div>

==110 years==

At the present time, in addition to the other parish activities, there is operating in Saint Barbara’s Complex, an [http://theintersciencecup.blogspot.ca/2011/11/accredited-russian-school-of-edmonton.html accredited Russian Saturday School].  

Perhaps the longest-serving and best-known leader of the singing at the Cathedral of Saint Barbara was Mr. William Holden.  He is a grandson of [[Theodore and Anna Fuhr |Theodore Fuhr]], a founding activist at the beginning of the missionary work in the region.  His successor, Mr. Fred Hochachka (son of a previous priest in the parish) also served faithfully for a long time.  They both maintained the tradition of good liturgical singing and the reputation for a good quality of singing for which this community has been known from the beginning.  This is attested to by the various comments made by the holy Archbishop Arseny (Chahovtsov), even from his first service in the community as an archimandrite more than a century ago.  There are many more such persons who have served in the same faithful manner from the very beginning of the parish. 

==Saint Barbara's Cathedral Cemetery, 1979==

The [https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2487699/saint-barbara%27s-cemetery cemetery of Saint Barbara's Cathedral] was established as a distinct place and administration in 1979.  Because of the nature of the relationship between the parishes, this cemetery was established adjacent to the cemetery of the [[Nisku AB Nativity of the Theotokos Russo Orthodox Church and Cemetery 1898 |Church of the Nativity of the Theotokos at Nisku]], just to the west side.

'''New iconostas, 2010'''

In 2010, the original iconostas was replaced with icons from Russia attached to a screen carved by a parishioner who is also a master woodworker.

==2018 : Transfer of the Archpriest Sergey Kyprianovych==

In early 2018, the Archpriest Sergey Kyprianovych was released from his responsibilities as the pastor of Saint Barbara's Cathedral, and as dean of the Alberta and Saskatchewan parishes.  He was recalled to Russia after a nearly 12-year pastorate in the Cathedral.  

==Establishment of a Moldovan Community==

With God’s help and Bishop Iov of Kashira’s blessing it was possible that the Moldovan Community be created de facto and de jure.  The group is small but they have big hearts and plans.  In order to realise their hopes, a leader was needed, and the Priest Father Vitalie Manoli from Moldova was assigned to serve the community. Bishop Job offered the possibility to begin serving in Saint Barbara's Cathedral for the present.  However, he also sought to offer the Moldovan Community a small church located nearby Edmonton, where they will be able to gather to pray and celebrate all religious holidays in their native language. 

==Transfer of Bishop Job, 2018==

On 14 July, 2018,  Bishop Job (Smakouz) of Kashira was released  from his responsibilities as the Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada according to his personal petition (having in part to do with the maximum permitted visa in Canada).  He was blessed  to continue his archpastoral ministry within the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate).  The patriarch and the Holy Synod  expressed their deep gratitude to Bishop Job for the many years of his archpastoral work on the Canadian soil.  He nevertheless remained in Canada for some time afterwards in order to make the necessary arrangements. 

The clergy and the faithful of the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada sincerely and wholeheartedly thanked Bishop Job (Smakouz) for his diligent service as the Bishop in Charge, and the Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada for 13 years, and for his spiritual guidance and leadership.  They prayerfully wished him good health, spiritual joy and blessed success in his new  archpastoral service in Ukraine.  

On 25 September, 2018, by the decision of the Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, under the chairmanship of [[Metropolitan Onufry (Berezovskiy)]] of Kyiv and All Ukraine, which took  place in the city of Kyiv, Ukraine, Bishop Job (Smakouz) was appointed  as bishop of Shumsk, a vicar bishop of the Ternopil Diocese  and the new rector of the Pochaiv Theological Seminary.  

==Assignment of the Archpriest Igor Kisil as Rector of the cathedral, 2018==

On 12 July, 2018, by the Decree (Ukase) of Bishop Job (Smakouz) of Kashira, Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada, the [http://www.orthodox-canada.com/parishes/st-barbara-cathedral/priest-2/ Archpriest Igor Kisil] was released from his duties as the priest of the "Orthodox 9 Parishes", and he was assigned to serve as the Rector of Saint Barbara’s Cathedral. He began to serve in the Canadian parishes on 17 April, 1997.  

On 10 September, 2018, by the Decree (Ukase) of Bishop Matthew (Andreev) of Sourozh, temporary Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada, the Archpriest Igor Kisil, Rector of Saint Barbara’s Cathedral, was assigned to serve also as the dean of the Patriarchal Parishes for the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan.


[[File:Archpriest Igor Kisil 1.jpg]]  '''Archpriest Igor Kisil'''

==Assignment of Bishop Matthew (Andreev)==

On 14 July, 2018, at a meeting of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, under the chairmanship of [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Patriarch_Kirill_(Gundyaev) Patriarch Kirill (Gundyaev)] of Moscow and All Russia, taking place in the city of Ekaterinburg, [[Bishop Matthew (Andreev)]] of Sourozh was entrusted with the temporary administration of the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada (Journal no.66). 




[[File:CEM2414659 1503354378 Cemetery gate S.jpg]]  [[File:CEM2414659 1503354420 S.jpg]]  


[[File:CEM2414659 1502194113 New Cemetery Cross S.jpg]]  '''Cemetery gate, plaque and Cross'''

==2020-2021 Coronavirus-19 virus restrictions on parishes==

In early 2020, the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19 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 cathedral 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.

==Retirement recognition of Protopop Mircea Panciuk, 2023==

On Sunday, 29 January, 2023 (Pentecost 33), [https://www.orthodox-canada.com/the-celebration-of-archpriest-mircea-54-years-of-assistance-and-retirement-at-st-barbara-cathedral/ the celebration] of [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archpriest_Mircea_and_Preoteasa_Ileana_Panciuk Archpriest Mircea Panciuk's] 54 years of assistance and retirement took place at Saint Barbara Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Edmonton.  

Father Mircea had served for many decades both at the [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Edmonton_AB_Saints_Constantine_and_Helen_Romanian_Orthodox_Church_1952 Saints Constantine and Helen Romanian Orthodox Cathedral in Edmonton], and also in the [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Boian_AB_Romanian_Orthodox_Church_and_Cemetery_of_Saint_Mary_1901 Nativity of the Holy Theotokos Church at Boian], along with several other rural parishes.  During this time, he had a regular association with Saint Barbara's Cathedral.  It is useful to recall that these rural parishes were first served by clergy of the [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/The_%E2%80%9CRussian_Mission%E2%80%9D_in_North_America Russian Orthodox Mission] in the early 1900s. 

On this day, the parishioners of [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Edmonton_AB_Saint_Barbara_Russo_Orthodox_Cathedral_Church_1900 Saint Barbara's Cathedral] had an opportunity to express their appreciation of all that Father Mircea had done during the many years in which he assisted and preached up until his retirement. 


[[File:Main ph 2.png]]  '''Serving clergy and family at the celebration'''


In 1969, Father Mircea arrived in Edmonton with his wife Preoteasa (Matushka) Ileana (Helen) and their son, to serve as the parish priest of Saint Mary’s Church in Boian.  He also took an active part in creating a Temple for a parish in the City of Edmonton, which was [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Consecration_of_a_church sanctified] as the Temple of [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Edmonton_AB_Saints_Constantine_and_Helen_Romanian_Orthodox_Church_1952 Saints Constantine and Helen] in 1972.

Not only did Father Mircea and Preoteasa Elena show much zeal in establishing the Romanian Orthodox presence visibly in the city amongst the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romanian_Canadians Romanian immigrants], but they were helped also by the outstanding Archpriest of Saint Barbara’s Cathedral, [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Mitred_Archpriest_John_and_Matushka_Helen_Margitich Father John Margitich].  He introduced the educated and talented young priest of Romanian descent to the whole Orthodox Community of the Edmonton area.  God granted him then to assist at the cathedral during the time and by the blessings of 9 bishops, to give help to many rectors, and to several generations of people.

The special talent of Father Mircea is his art of a Christian [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Homily homily] (sermon), that he gladly shared all these years every time he served Liturgy or at the other occasions, and the parishioners, priests and guest were gladly listening to, receiving the words of wisdom and edification.  This retirement occasion was no exception.


[[File:1-2.png]] '''Parintele Mircea preaching the homily'''


The rector of Saint Barbara’s Cathedral, the [https://www.orthodox-canada.com/parishes/st-barbara-cathedral/priest-2/ Mitred Archpriest Igor Kisil], congratulated the celebrant and his wife Ileana (Helen), by expressing gratitude on behalf of all the parishioners and priests past and present, and by presenting a traditional Romanian festive bread and flowers to them with many kind wishes and "Mnohaya Lita" ("Many Years", "La multi ani").


[[File:2 -2.png]]  '''Gifts after the Divine Liturgy'''

The Secretary of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriarchial_Parishes_in_Canada Patriarchal Parishes in Canada] Roman Lopushinsky invited Father Mircea and all the people to the festive meal, prepared by the Ladies’ Aid of the cathedral, where the festivities continued.

The grateful priests and people were enjoying the meal which included some traditional Romanian dishes, and heartfully communicating with each other and giving speeches and toasts in honour of Father Mircea.  A short summary of Father Mircea’s life was given by Roman Lopushinsky, who also, on behalf of the Cathedral Board presented a gift to Father Mircea.

In his speech of response, Father Mircea gave thanks to and for the people of the cathedral for having been so kind to him.  In doing so, they had, with God’s help, given him the inspiration to serve and to preach at this holy place all these years.  He asked everyone to keep commemorating him in their holy prayers.

==Parish particular information ==

The cathedral parish is a part of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriarchial_Parishes_in_Canada Parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in Canada].  The bishop is [[Bishop Matthew (Andreev)]]. 

The cathedral parish follows the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julian_calendar Old (Julian) Calendar].

The Altar Feast-day of the cathedral is the Feast of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Barbara_of_Heliopolis Great-martyr Barbara], 4/17 December.

In 2022, the rector of the cathedral is [http://www.orthodox-canada.com/parishes/st-barbara-cathedral/priest-2/ Archpriest Igor Kisil].


Address :

[https://www.orthodox-canada.com/parishes/st-barbara-cathedral/ Saint Barbara's Russo Orthodox Cathedral]

10105-96 Street 

Edmonton, Alberta 

T5H 2G3

Telephone : (780) 429-5920

[https://www.facebook.com/pages/Russian-Orthodox-Cathedrale-of-St-Barbara/536919136349496 Facebook]


Directions : 

The Cathedral Parish of Saint Barbara is located in the centre of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmonton City of Edmonton], at the southern terminus of the north-side 96th Street (once called "[https://spacing.ca/edmonton/2013/05/06/church-street-edmontons-sacred-heritage/ Church Street]").  It is located just south of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jasper_Avenue Jasper Avenue], and just north of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmund_Grierson Grierson Hill], on the upper north bank of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Saskatchewan_River North Saskatchewan River] valley.  It is also situated 1 block west of the "[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grierson_Centre Grierson Centre]", originally the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North-West_Mounted_Police North-West Mounted Police] divisional headquarters.  

There is a parking-lot beside the Temple, and there is some on-street parking available.

Access by bus :

There are many bus routes serving many parts of the city, which have stops along Jasper Avenue to the east of the city centre.  Please consult the [http://etstripplanner.edmonton.ca/PlanYourTrip.aspx Edmonton Transit System] to plan the trip.  

Access by LRT :

A Light-Rail-Transit (LRT) stop ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valley_Line_(Edmonton)#:~:text=The%20Valley%20Line%20is%20a%20future%2027%20km,Mill%20Woods%20to%20Lewis%20Farms%2C%20crossing%20through%20downtown. Valley Line]) was established nearby, at 96 Street : the "[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quarters_stop Quarters Stop]". 

Edmonton is accessible by road, chiefly by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberta_Highway_16 Highway #16] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberta_Highway_2 Highway #2].  

It is accessible by bus through [https://www.busbud.com/en-ca/bus-edmonton/c/c3x29u various interurban companies] (Red Arrow, Rider Express, Poparide, The Canada Bus, Ebus, and others).  There is service from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.  

It is accessible by various airline companies through the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmonton_International_Airport Edmonton International Aeroport] (near [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nisku Nisku]).

It is accessible by railway through [https://www.viarail.ca/en VIARail]. 


[http://www.orthodox-canada.com/parishes/st-barbara-cathedral/priest-2/ Archpriest Igor Kisil]

9566-101 Avenue, #303 

Edmonton, Alberta 

T5H 064

Telephone : 780-429-5920

E-mail : ikisil@telus.net

[[File:Saint Barbara's 20170812 S3.jpg]]  '''Saint Barbara's Cathedral (looking north)'''

==References==

[http://www.orthodox-canada.com/8936-2/ Alexandrov, V, "Journey to Canada : A Priest’s Diary"]

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/res/publications/TheOrthodoxChurchInCanadaChronology1980-1988.pdf Archdiocese of Canada — Orthodox Church in America, “The Orthodox Church in Canada : A Chronology” (Ottawa : Archdiocese of Canada, 1988).]

Patriarchal Parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in Canada, "100 Years of Orthodoxy in Canada 1897-1997 : Pictorial Memories" (Edmonton : Patriarchal Parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in Canada, 1997). 

Russian Orthodox Church History Book Committee, “Patriarchal Parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in Canada, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1000th_anniversary_of_the_Christianization_of_Rus' Millennium] of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Baptism_of_Rus%27 Baptism of Rus’]” (Edmonton : Russian Orthodox Church History Book Committee, 1988). ISBN: 0-88925-830-9. 

“[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/The_%E2%80%9CRussian_Mission%E2%80%9D_in_North_America The Russian Mission in North America]”

St. Barbara's Russian Orthodox Cathedral, “A century of faith : St. Barbara's Russian Orthodox Cathedral, Edmonton, Alberta, 1902-2002” (Edmonton : St. Barbara's Russian Orthodox Cathedral, 2002).  ISBN10 : 0973117400 ; ISBN13 : 978-0973117400. 

Tarasar, Constance J, ed., “[https://archive.org/details/orthodoxamerica10000unse 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.




'''Additional information :'''

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 : [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/index.php?title=Special%3ABookSources&isbn=9780969670056 9780969670056].

[http://www.orthodox-canada.com/parishes/ Patriarchal Parishes in Canada web-site] 

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Saint_Tikhon_(Belavin) Saint Tikhon (Belavin)] 

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_(Saint)_Arseny_(Chahovtsov) Archbishop (Saint) Arseny (Chahovtsov)]   

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Platon_(Rozhdestvensky) Metropolitan Platon (Rozhdestvensky)]  

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Theophilus_(Pashkovsky) Metropolitan Theophilus (Pashkovsky)]   

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Boris_(Vik) Metropolitan Boris (Vik)]   

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Volodymyr_(Sabodan) Metropolitan Volodymyr (Sabodan)]    

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Alexander_(Nemolovsky) Archbishop Alexander (Nemolovsky)] 

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Evdokim_(Meschersky) Archbishop Evdokim (Meschersky)] 

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Adam_(Philipovsky) Archbishop Adam (Philipovsky)] 

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Panteleimon_(Rudyk) Archbishop Pantelimmon (Rudyk)]  

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Jonathan_(Kopolovich) Archbishop Jonathan (Kopolovich)]  

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Job_(Smakouz) Bishop Job (Smakouz)]  

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Joasaph_(Skorodumov) Bishop Ioasaph (Skorodumov)]  

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Makary_(Svistun) Bishop Makary (Svistun)]  

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Job_(Tyvoniuk) Bishop Job (Tyvoniuk)] 

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Ireney_(Seredniy) Bishop Ireney (Seredniy)]   

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Kliment_(Kapalin) Bishop Kliment Kapalin]  

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Nikolai_(Shkrumko) Bishop Nikolai (Shkrumpko)]  

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Paul_(Ponomarev) Bishop Paul (Ponomarev)]  

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Mark_(Petrovtsiy) Bishop Mark (Petrovtsiy)]  

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Job_(Smakouz) Bisihop Job (Smakouz)]   

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Bishop_Matthew_(Andreev) Bishop Matthew (Andreev)]   

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Mitred_Archpriest_John_and_Matushka_Helen_Margitich Mitred Archpriest John Margitich]    

[http://www.orthodox-canada.com/parishes/st-barbara-cathedral/ Moscow Patriarchate listing]

[https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2487699/saint-barbara%27s-cemetery Findagrave Saint Barbara's Cemetery listing]

[http://www.orthodox-canada.com/about-us/history/ “History of Patriarchal Parishes of Russian Orthodox Church in Canada”] 

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriarchial_Parishes_in_Canada Wikipedia article about the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada]  

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Russian_Orthodox_Church_in_Canada Orthodoxwiki article about the Russian Orthodox Church in Canada]

[http://www.edmontonsarchitecturalheritage.ca/structures/st-barbaras-cathedral/ Architectural article] 

[https://issuu.com/davidmurrayarchitect/docs/inventory_master_report_1 Architectural article]

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Roots_of_community_-_Archbishop_Arseny Roots of Community : Saint Arseny]

[http://www.rocorstudies.org/church-people/lives-of-bishops/2016/12/15/bishop-amphilokhy-antony-vakulsky-12-24-september-1862-25-january-1933-of-alaska/ ROCOR Studies article on Archimandrite Antoniy (Vakulsky) by Michael Woerl]

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Roots_of_community_-_Towns_and_Cities Roots of Community : Towns and Cities]

[http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/madison/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/vol1ch2.pdf USA judgements regarding church property (1952, 1960)]  

[https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ru&u=http://www.orthlib.ru/JMP/79_10/10.html&prev=search&pto=aue 75th Anniversary article]  

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Alberta Wikipedia History of Alberta] 

[https://www.edmontonsarchitecturalheritage.ca/structures/st-barbaras-cathedral/ Edmonton Historical Board reference]  

[https://oca.org/orthodoxy/the-orthodox-faith/church-history/twentieth-century/orthodoxy-in-america-part-one-from-the-russian-mission-to-the-oca "Orthodoxy in America Part I : From the Russian Mission to the OCA"] 

[http://www.orthodox-canada.com/archpastoral-visitations-of-his-grace-bishop-matthew-of-sourozh-of-the-patriarchal-parishes-in-canada-in-may-2023/ Archpastoral Visit of Bishop Matthew Andreev to Alberta] (20 May, 2023)  

[http://archbishop-of-ottawa.org/messenger/Com1998-1.9-1.pdf ‘Alberta Centennial Celebration, 27-28 July 1997’ in “Canadian Orthodox Messenger” (Winter, 1997/1998)], pp. 5-6.




[[Category:Parish Communities]]  [[Category:Alberta & Northwest Territories]] [[Category:RusM]]  [[Category:ROGCCNA]]  [[Category:MP]]