View source for Lady Lake SK Saint Demetrius Orthodox Church and Cemetery 1907



[[File:St Demetrius Lady Lake 2544652 1404739424 S.jpg]]

'''Lady Lake, Saskatchewan, Saint Demetrius Orthodox Church and Cemetery, 1907'''


Demetrius may be spelt Dimitrius, Dimitrios, Dimitrie, Dmitry.


==Prehistory==

Most of the original members of the parish of Saint Demetrius at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_Lake,_Saskatchewan Lady Lake], [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/saskatchewan Saskatchewan], [https://www.britannica.com/place/Canada Canada], emigrated from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bukovina Bucovina] area of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukraine Ukraine]/[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romania Romania].  There were long-standing family relationships between this parish and the parish of [[Moose Jaw SK Holy Trinity Orthodox Church 1913 |Holy Trinity]] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moose_Jaw Moose Jaw], Saskatchewan. 

In the region from which the pioneers emigrated, the people historically were [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Orthodox_Church Orthodox Christians].  However, under the pressures of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austria-Hungary Austro-Hungarian Empire] when it came into control of this territory, many people had been pressed into the "[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Catholic_Churches Unia]" (union with the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Church Roman Catholic Church]).  Besides this, there were many other pressures on the people who worked the land in that region which made life very difficult.  When the opportunity arrived for people to emigrate to Canada, a large number of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Orthodox_Church Orthodox Christians] and others took this opportunity despite all the potential difficulties and risks. 

As elsewhere, upon arrival in Canada, the pioneers of this region who came from Bucovina began to establish their [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/homesteading homesteads] in accordance with the [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/dominion-lands-policy rules of settlement].  Land had to be cleared, ploughed and seeded quickly in order to provide for the basic needs of the coming winter.  

At first, the families quickly erected sod houses on the basis of earthen floors known as “[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sod_house soddies]” or “[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burdei bordays]”.  Once the pioneers had managed this much, they banded together to construct for themselves a spiritual house, a Temple in which to [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Worship worship] [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Lord the Lord], because this had been and remained the focus of their lives.  Without the Lord, they would not have had the strength to endure and to persevere. 

Retaining, living and practicing daily their [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Introduction_to_Orthodox_Christianity  Orthodox Christian Faith], the settlers gathered together to worship together in their homes (they used a [https://www.orthodoxwiki.org/Reader reader’s] form of services such as "[https://en.orthodoxwiki.org/Typika Typica]"), and they began the work required to organise the parish and to construct a Temple to [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Jesus_Christ the Lord].  As usual, a portion of property was donated for this purpose.

==Construction of the Temple, 1907==

Property was acquired for the purpose of establishing a Temple, and a cemetery.  The parish was also legally registered with the government of the recently-established (1905) [https://esask.uregina.ca/entry/history_of_saskatchewan.jsp new Province of Saskatchewan], and the parish acquired legal status.  

The Temple of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Demetrius_of_Thessaloniki Saint Demetrius] was constructed of logs in 1907, and by 1918, other structures had been completed.  It was [http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cansacem/ladylake.html Wasyl Kalenchiuk] who is recorded as having been the designer and the leader in the construction of this Temple, which is in a typical format for [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romania Romanian] Temples on the Canadian [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/prairie/ prairies].  It reflects the character of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romanian_architecture Temples in Romania], but it retains a very simple format, with a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hip_roof hip roof], a rectangular shape and a small rounded [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apse apse] on the east side of the building.  The interior of the Temple has a wooden chandelier, and several [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Hand_Cross hand-Crosses], all locally hand-made in the early 20th century.  The decorated [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Altar Altar area] and the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Iconostasis iconostas] include numerous wood moldings, intricately carved [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Holy_Doors Royal Doors], and 10 [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Iconography icons] on the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Iconostasis iconostas].  The construction also includes 2 recesses on the sides, all covered by the single straight roofline.  These recesses give the interior of the Temple a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cruciform cruciform shape].  

Constructed on a large hill overlooking the community of Lady Lake, the Temple is visible from a great distance, which makes it into a local landmark.  It is one of the oldest public buildings in the municipality. 


[[File:Saint Demetrius Orthodox Church Preeceville Saskatchewan.jpg]] '''Side view from south'''


There was also established a 2-storey [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Bells bell-house] by the Temple, which also kept a simple and practical format which is found with very many rural [https://orthodoxwiki.org/List_of_parishes_in_Saskatchewan_(Canada) Orthodox Christian Temples on the prairies].  There are several styles, but the one used by this parish is the most typical.  In a usual Romanian parish, it is not only the bell (or bells) which is used to announce the services, but also the “[https://ro.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toacă toacă]”, or “[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semantron semantron]”.  This is a long wooden plank which is especially shaped for holding in the hands, or it is a fixed thick piece of wood.  In either case, it is beaten rapidly with a mallet or mallets.


[[File:Hill.jpg]]  '''The Temple and bell-house viewed from the east'''


In addition, the parishioners constructed a rectory, where a priest was resident for many years. 

'''Consequences of rural depopulation, after 1930s'''

As with other rural parishes in Saskatchewan and the other prairie provinces, the community suffered from [https://www.jstor.org/stable/23775670 rural depopulation from the 1930s onward], and a steadily declining number of parishioners.  This decline occurred as younger people moved to cities in search of work, and as farms were consolidated when they began to be incorporated into larger farms and then [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agribusiness agricultural businesses].

==Historical site, 1990==

On 5 February, 1990, the Temple and Cemetery were recognised by the local government as a municipal heritage property, and thus a [https://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=3948 historical site].   

Despite the depopulation, there are many people in other communities whose family origins are focussed on this Temple, and who maintain an active interest and periodic participation in this parish.  There remain some [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Introduction_to_Orthodox_Christianity Orthodox Christians] in the region who maintain the buildings and the grounds.  

==Saint Demetrius Orthodox Cemetery, 1907==

Land description is NW 24-35-5 W2, in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rural_Municipality_of_Preeceville_No._334 Lady Lake district of the RM] of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preeceville Preeceville].

The first interment in [https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2544652/saint-demetrius-orthodox-cemetery this cemetery] was in 1907. 

There are more than 170 interments in this cemetery.  The graves are marked customarily with an upright concrete Cross.  


[[File:Cemetery 2544652 1404743294 S.jpg]]  '''View of the cemetery'''


[[File:Cemetery 2544652 1404739460 S.jpg]]   '''View of the cemetery'''

==Particular parish information==

Lady Lake is a hamlet situated about 105 km (65 mi) north of [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/yorkton/ Yorkton], Saskatchewan.

The parish of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Demetrius_of_Thessaloniki Saint Demetrius] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_Lake,_Saskatchewan Lady Lake], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saskatchewan Saskatchewan], is a parish of the [https://www.archdiocese.ca Archdiocese of Canada] in [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Orthodox_Church_in_America The Orthodox Church in America].  

This parish is a part of the [https://www.archdiocese.ca/communities?field_deanery_tid_i18n=4&field_community_type_value_i18n=All&title= Deanery of Saskatchewan-Manitoba-Nunavut], of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Archdiocese_of_Canada Archdiocese of Canada] (OCA).  The dean is the [https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/scratch-priest-gregory Archpriest Gregory Scratch].  The bishop is [[Archbishop Irénée (Rochon)]].

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

The Altar Feast-day of the parish is the Feast of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Pentecost Pentecost] (Descent of the Holy Spirit, Holy Trinity).

In 2025, the pastor of this community was the [https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/luciuk-archpriest-rodion Archpriest Rodion Luciuk] of Yorkton, Saskatchewan.


Address :

[https://www.archdiocese.ca/community/st-demetrius-church-cemetery-lady-lake-sk Saint Demetrius Orthodox Church]

Land description site NW 24-35-5 W2

Lady Lake,  

RM of Preeceville #334, 

Saskatchewan



Directions :

Saint Demetrius Orthodox Church is situated at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_Lake,_Saskatchewan Lady Lake, Saskatchewan], located 11.3 km (7 mi) north and 3.2 km (2 mi) east of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preeceville Preeceville], Saskatchewan.  It is 105 km (65 mi) northeast of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yorkton Yorkton].  

From Yorkton, drive north on Highway #9 and continue on this highway past [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canora,_Saskatchewan Canora], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stenen,_Saskatchewan Stenen], and [http://www.townofsturgis.com/ Sturgis].  At the junction of Highway #47 at the access to Preeceville, follow Highway #9 to the right towards Lady Lake.  

GPS : 52.023617 degrees north, 102.600682 degrees west



Mailing address :

Saint Demetrius Orthodox Church

c/o Fred Lesko

P.O. Box 895

Preeceville, Saskatchewan

S0A 3B0 


Please call the priest for specific information.


[https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/luciuk-archpriest-rodion Archpriest Rodion Luciuk]

310, Circlebrooke Drive

Yorkton, SK 

S3N 2T1

Telephone : 306-782-2482

E-mail : fatherrod@sasktel.net

==References==

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

Department of Culture, Youth and Recreation Heritage Resources Branch 1919 Saskatchewan Drive Regina, SK File: PHP 1319.

Rural Municipality of Preeceville No. 334 Bylaw 4-1990. 

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

Tarasar, Constance J, ed., “Orthodox America 1794-1976 : Development of The Orthodox Church in America” (Syosset, NY : The Orthodox Church in America Department of History and Archives, 1975). ASIN : B000ZLZAUE.

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_Lake,_Saskatchewan Wikipedia article]



'''Additional information  : '''

Anderson, Alan, “[https://esask.uregina.ca/tmc_cms/modules/customcode/includes/print_entry.cfm-entryid=73483C04-1560-95DA-43F1D7656E543EC8.jsp Ethnic Block Settlements in Saskatchewan]”  

[http://www.ukrainianchurchesofcanada.ca/architectural_styles/traditonal_bukovynian.html Ukrainian Churches of Canada Architectural Styles]  

[http://archdiocese.ca/community/st-demetrius-church-cemetery-lady-lake-sk Archdiocese listing]

[http://oca.org/parishes/oca-ca-ldlsdc OCA listing]

[http://orthodox-world.org/en/i/23593/Saint_Demetrius_Orthodox_Church_Preeceville Orthodox World listing]

[https://www.archdiocese.ca Archdiocese of Canada web-site] 

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Archdiocese_of_Canada Orthodoxwiki article about the Archdiocese of Canada]    

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthodox_Church_in_America_Archdiocese_of_Canada Wikipedia article about the Archdiocese of Canada]   

[https://www.oca.org/ Orthodox Church in America web-site]   

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

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Saint_Tikhon_(Belavin) Archbishop (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_Leonty_(Turkevich) Metropolitan Leonty (Turkevich)]   

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Ireney_(Bekish) Metropolitan Ireney (Bekish)]   

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

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

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

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

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

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Nikon_(de_Gr%C3%A8ve) Archbishop Nikon (de Grève)] 

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Sylvester_(Haruns) Archbishop Sylvester (Haruns)]   

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Ir%C3%A9n%C3%A9e_(Rochon) Archbishop Irénée (Rochon)] 

[https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=2544652 Find a grave listing for the Saint Demetrius Orthodox Cemetery] 

[https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gsr&GScid=2544652 Find a grave interments listings]

[http://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=3948 Historical Places article about Saint Demetrius Orthodox Church] 

[http://roadsidethoughts.com/sk/lady-lake-profile.htm Roadside Thoughts listing] 

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

[https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/timeline/saskatchewan Canadian Encyclopedia article about Saskatchewan]  
 
[https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/orthodox-church Canadian Encyclopedia article about the Orthodox Church]   

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/List_of_parishes_in_Saskatchewan_(Canada) Orthodoxwiki list of Orthodox Parishes in Saskatchewan]    

[https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=DPL&Code1=470071&Geo2=PR&Code2=47&SearchText=Lady%20Lake&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=Population&TABID=1&type=0 Statscan 2016 census data]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Isx4jc9kyEI Video : The Toacă of the Petru Voda Monastery]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZyzq-kSR-E Video : The Toacă of the Putna Monastery]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wir0jgo_rP0 Video : The Toacă and bells of the Putna Monastery]






[[Category:Parish Communities]] [[Category:Saskatchewan]] [[Category:RusM]] [[Category:ADOCA]] [[Category:ROGCCNA]] [[Category:OCA]]