View source for Skaro AB Holy Ascension Russo Orthodox Church and Cemetery 1898



[[File:Holy Ascension Temple 2.png]]

'''Skaro, Alberta, Church and Cemetery in the Name of the Holy Ascension, 1898'''


==Prehistory==

The parish of the Russo Orthodox Church at [https://mapcarta.com/24643152 Skaro], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberta Alberta], [https://www.britannica.com/place/Canada  Canada], was organised in the years 1897-1898.  

Skaro is situated in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamont_County Lamont County], which is a part of the large region presently known as “[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalyna_Country Kalyna Country]”, and it was part of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edna-Star_colony Edna-Star Colony] of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukrainian_Canadians Ukrainian Block Settlement].  It is at some distance to the northeast from Skaro Lake, which is found north of Township Road #572.  At the time of the arrival of the newcomers, this region was still (until 1905) the [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/north-west-territories-1870-1905 North-West Territories] of Canada.  

Many of the settlers of the region around Skaro arrived in the early part of the "first wave" of immigration.  They came primarily from the region of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galicia_(Eastern_Europe) Galicia] (Halychyna) of the former [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Galicia_and_Lodomeria Kingdom of Galicia and Ludomeria] in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austria-Hungary Austro-Hungarian Empire].  

Many of the newcomers arrived as a consequence of the [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/dominion-lands-policy enticements of the Government of Canada] in Galicia and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bukovina Bucovina], as conveyed by [http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/oleskow_josef_13E.html Dr. Josef Oleskow].  The [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukrainian_language Ukrainian], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish_language Polish], and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_language German] languages were all known and used by people both in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europe Europe], and in this part of Alberta.  

As was the custom at the time, an application was made to the government for a grant of 16 hectares (40 acres) of land for the purpose of establishing a place of worship.  This was the standard amount of land allotted at the time.  The allotment was made in 1898.  However, in this case, the distinction between [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Orthodox_Church Orthodox Christians] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukrainian_Greek_Catholic_Church Ukrainian Catholic Christians] produced the unusual subdivision of these 16 hectares (40 acres) into 2 parcels of 8 hectares (20 acres) each, one for the Ukrainian Catholics, the other for the Orthodox believers.  It was in 1900 that the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukrainian_Greek_Catholic_Church Ukrainian Catholic] [https://www.flickr.com/photos/tubaism/2778948149 Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross] was constructed just to the south of the Orthodox Temple.  

The location of the Holy Ascension Russo-Greek Catholic Orthodox Church of Skaro is unique, as it shares a common cemetery with the Skaro Greek Catholic Church of the Holy Cross.  This fact is an expression of the early history of the district in which it is situated.  From the earliest days, there was an inter-mixture of both Orthodox and Greek-Catholic people who had immigrated and settled near one another.

==Founding the parish, 1898==

The founders and builders of the first Temple and congregation in 1897-1898 were [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/121479319/ivan-sachman Ivan Sachman] and [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/146907710/wasyl-lopushinsky Wasyl Lopushinsky], 2 Russian patriots who had recently arrived.  The founding parishioners were : 
  [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/191427196/paulo-gudzan Pavlo and Palahna Gudzan] ; [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/121479323/wasyl-hunka Wasyl and Anna Hunka] ; Feodor and Katryna Kinash ; Petro Kinash ; 
  [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/121479311/anton-krys Anton and Hazel Krys] ; [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/121479243/wasyl-krys Wasyl and Hafia Krys] ; [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/133213205/nicholas-lakusta Nikolai and Domka Lakusta] ; [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Hrihory_and_Rosalia_Lopushinsky Hrihori and Rosalia Lopushinsky] ; 
  [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/191426327/ivan-lopushinsky John and Katerina Lopushinsky] ; [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/121479272/mathias-lopushinsky Matvi and Katerina Lopushinsky] ; [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/121479327/josephat-lopushinsky Safat and Matronka Lopushinsky] ; 
  [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/121479324/fedor-lopushinsky Theodore and Euphemia Lopushinsky] ; [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/121479266/eva-lopushinsky Wasyl and Eva Lopushinsky] ; [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/121479316/john-mackowezki John and Katarina Makowesky] ; 
  [https://diasporiana.org.ua/wp-content/uploads/books/14179/file.pdf Makita and Pearl Moschansky] ; [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/121479319/ivan-sachman Ivan and Elena Sachman] ; [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/191426031/wasyl-zacharko Wasyl and Fimka Zarcharko] ; and their families.

==First Temple, 1899==

The first log Temple was [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Consecration_of_a_church sanctified] in the name of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Protection_of_the_Mother_of_God Protection of the Mother of God] during the time when [[Saint Tikhon (Belavin) |Bishop Tikhon (Belavin)]] was the [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/The_%E2%80%9CRussian_Mission%E2%80%9D_in_North_America#Bishop_Tikhon_(Belavin),_1898 diocesan bishop in North America].  

This Temple was used until 1920.  Then, because it was decided to rebuild the Temple, it was dismantled, and the logs were hauled to a nearby sawmill.

==Second Temple, 1927==

The logs were sawn into lumber, and the present-day structure was immediately constructed from that lumber.  


[[File:Skaro Holy Ascension First Temple 2.png]]  '''The reconstruction in progress'''


The Temple is a tripartite structure with a large central [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dome dome] and 2 small [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cupola cupolas] over the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Nave nave] and [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Altar sanctuary].  

This second Temple was formally sanctified during a 1927 episcopal visitation by [[Archbishop Adam (Philipovsky) |Bishop Adam (Philipovsky)]], and the name was changed to the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Ascension Holy Ascension].  


[[File:Holy Ascension Church Skaro AB.jpg]]  '''The Temple in winter'''

==Time of historical disturbances==

After [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_I World War I] and after the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/October_Revolution Bolshevik Revolution] against the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Empire Russian Empire], there came to Canada and to Alberta a period of considerable disturbance in Church life.  

At the end of the war, the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukrainian_Orthodox_Church_of_Canada Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada] had been established, and many parishes throughout the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Prairies prairie provinces] determined to join this entity because of the use of the Ukrainian language instead of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_Slavonic_language Church Slavonic] in the services.  During the 1920s and 1930s also, there were divisions of sorts amongst the western Canadian parishes of the Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church in North America.  

[[Archbishop Adam (Philipovsky) |Bishop Adam (Philipovsky)]] had previously been the administrator of the Canadian parishes of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthodox_Church_in_America Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church in North America] (ROGCCNA) when it was yet the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Eastern_Orthodox_Church_in_North_America North American Diocese of the Russian Mission].  However, he became a bishop of an early form of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/American_Carpatho-Russian_Orthodox_Diocese Carpatho-Rusyn Diocese] in the [https://www.britannica.com/place/United-States USA] in 1922, and during the following decades he made visits to the Canadian parishes he once served.  These visits were welcomed by the people, since they knew and loved him from before ; however, he did not do so with the blessing of the ruling bishop at that time, [[Saint Arseny (Chahovtsov) |Bishop Arseny (Chahovtsov)]].  This caused confusion and some controversy as a result.  Some of the effects of those incorrect visits remained for a long time afterwards.  

'''The choir'''

In 1934-1935, a choir of young singers was founded, and trained in the singing of 4-part harmony.  There were already 50 members of this choir at the beginning, and good liturgical singing remained thereafter an important element in parish worship, and also in the social life of the parish.  During this particular year, [http://www.prairiesouls.com/A.%20Lamont%20Cemetries%20on%20Line/Skaro,%20AB%20-%20%20Orthodox%20Cemetery/Mycemetery-81.htm John T Lopushinsky] (who lived and studied in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City New York]) had returned to spend a year with his parents.  A talented musician and choir-director, he spent a great amount of time and energy in forming the eager singers at Skaro (most notably, [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/121479263/daniel-lopushinsky Daniel T Lopushinsky] who led the singing for 47 years after this).  He organised several rehearsals per week, and before he returned to his studies, he had prepared about 50 young men, women, and children to sing the services correctly in four-part harmony, in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_Slavonic Church Slavonic].  That one winter of intense focus bore fruit in the local singing for many decades afterwards.

==Rural depopulation==

As have all other rural parishes across Western Canada, this parish community suffered from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rural_flight rural depopulation], which began in the 1930s.  This accelerated after [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II World War II] with the increase in mechanisation and the consolidation of small farms into larger ones.  The consequence of this was the move of many people into various urban areas.

By the 1990s, the number of farms had decreased even more greatly because a great many had been bought by larger and larger farming operations.

==Further development==

In 1942, the parish realised another great achievement by purchasing a beautifully-toned [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Bells church bell].  The bell was then mounted on a 20-foot high bell-house made from local field-stones.  At the sound of the bell, emotional joys and memories are aroused in the hearts of the living parishioners who continue to remember and appreciate the faith and sacrifices of their forefathers and founders of the parish.  


[[File:Skaro AB belfry 2.png]]  '''The new bell-house'''


The Temple is beautifully decorated inside, in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Orthodox_church_architecture traditional Orthodox style].  Inside, there is a 4-tier [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Iconostasis iconostas].  It includes a framed [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Icomography icon] on the right side, which depicts the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Ascension Ascension of Christ].  This icon was commissioned in 1947 from the artist [https://www.wcr.ab.ca/This-Week/Stories/entryid/4667 Peter Lipinski], a famous church painter from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmonton Edmonton], Alberta.  The Temple is lit by an impressive [https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chandelier chandelier] suspended from the central dome.  

This parish is well-known for the high quality of the congregational singing, as well as the choral singing.

Throughout its history, the parish of the Holy Ascension has served as a focus of worship and a source of spiritual strength for all those who have lived in this region. 

In 1980, the parish received an Alberta government grant in order to establish a monument to memorialise the founders of the parish. 


[[File:Memorial monument 2.png]]  '''Monument to pioneers and founders'''



'''Annual memorial services continued throughout the parish history'''

The annual [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Radonitsa post-Pascha memorial services] at the graves in the cemetery continued to be offered every year from the beginning.


[[File:Skaro AB Provody 1982 1.png]]  


On 23 May, 1985, [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/121479263/daniel-lopushinsky Daniel T Lopushinsky], the long-time self-taught, capable and devoted choir-leader was formally thanked for his 50 years of service as the choir director and cantor of the parish.  

In 1988, the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1000th_anniversary_of_the_Christianization_of_Rus' millennium year] of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianization_of_Kievan_Rus' Baptism of Rus’], the parish undertook 2 projects.  One was the beautification of the grounds, and the second was the provision of a small social centre for the parish.  A dedicated workforce of parishioners completed both projects and the resulting centre became used for various parish functions.  


[[File:CEM2511666 1406120737.jpg]]  '''Millennium commemorative cairn'''

==100 years==

1998 marked the centennial year of the founding of the parish and of the construction of the first Temple. 

In 2001, at the conclusion of the regular [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/messenger/Com2001-4.12-4.pdf Archdiocesan Assembly Meeting] of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Archdiocese_of_Canada Archdiocese of Canada] of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Orthodox_Church_in_America The Orthodox Church in America] in [https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/edmonton/ Edmonton], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberta Alberta], buses of representatives and clergy visited [http://archbishop-of-ottawa.org/messenger/Com2001-4.12-4.pdf various historical rural parishes], including the Holy Ascension Church at Skaro.  The parishioners warmly greeted their guests, who had been quite delayed in their journey as they visited many Temples.  At each stop, the visitors learnt a considerable amount about the history of the [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/A_Chronological_History_of_the_Archdiocese_of_Canada,_Part_1 Orthodox Church in Canada], and the visit to this Temple was no exception.


Although the parish is relatively small, it is active and functions very well to provide its parishioners with an [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Introduction_to_Orthodox_Christianity Orthodox Christian] life.  The Temple and cemetery are maintained by fourth and fifth generation descendants of the early pioneers. 


[[File:Aerial view of the Temple and belfry 2.png]]  [[File:Aerial view of the Temple and Hall 2.png]]  

'''Aerial view of the Temple and belfry''' (left)''' ; Aerial view of the Temple and hall''' (right)

==The Holy Ascension Cemetery at Skaro, 1898==

[https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2511666/holy-ascension-russo-greek-orthodox-cemetery Holy Ascension Cemetery] is located near Holy Ascension Temple at Skaro, Alberta. 

The Land description site is : SE 01-57-20 W4, Range Road #200

The GPS co-ordinates are : Coordinates: 53.90960, -112.82910

Lamont County, Alberta


[[File:Holy Ascension Skaro 1920.jpg]]  '''Holy Ascension Cemetery'''


[[File:Holy Ascension Cemetery Skaro 2.png]]

==Particular parish details==

This parish is part of the [http://www.orthodox-canada.com/ Moscow Patriarchate Parishes in Canada].  The bishop is [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Bishop_Matthew_(Andreev) Bishop Matthew (Andreev)].

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 the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Ascension Ascension of Christ], 40 days after the Feast of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Pascha Pascha].  

In 2023, the pastor of this parish is the [http://www.orthodox-canada.com/ru/parishes/orthodox-v/priest/ Priest Alexey Surayev].


[[File:Skaro Holy Ascension Gate Sign.jpg]]  '''Gate sign : Holy Ascension Russo Orthodox Temple and Cemetery'''


Address : 

[http://www.orthodox-canada.com/parishes/orthodox-v/churches/holy-ascension-orthodox-church-skaro/ Holy Ascension Russo Orthodox Church at Skaro] 

Land description site SE01-57-20-W4 

Range Road #200 

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamont_County Lamont County], Alberta


Directions :

From nearby places :

The Temple is located approximately 70 km (44 mi) northeast of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmonton Edmonton], Alberta.  

On [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberta_Highway_45 Highway #45], drive 16 km (10 mi) north and east from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruderheim Bruderheim] to Skaro Road (Range Road #200).  Turn left on Range Road #200 and drive 1 km (½ mi) north.  The Temple is on the left.  

From the intersection of Highway #45 and [https://mapcarta.com/24643152 Secondary Highway #831], drive west to Skaro Road (Range Road #200).  Turn right and drive 1 km (½ mi) north.   The Temple is on the left. 

From Edmonton  :

[https://mapcarta.com/24643152 Skaro] is approximately 65 minutes by car from Edmonton. 

From the city of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmonton Edmonton], drive on [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberta_Highway_15 Manning Drive] until [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberta_Highway_28A Highway #28A] north.  Turn left on Highway #28A.  At [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gibbons,_Alberta  Gibbons], turn right on [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Alberta_provincial_highways#643 Highway #643], eastwards, then northwards.  At [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberta_Highway_38 Highway #38], turn right.  Drive eastwards on Highway #38, which becomes Highway #45.  Drive to Skaro Road (Range Road #200).  Turn left and drive 1 km (½ mi) northwards.  The Temple is on the left.


[[File:CEM2511666 138660990543.jpg]]  '''Address sign'''



[http://www.orthodox-canada.com/ru/parishes/orthodox-v/priest/ Priest Alexey Surayev], Pastor of the parish

5003-46 Street, PO Box 483 

Lamont, Alberta 

T0B 2R0

Telephone : (780) 895-2149 

Mobile : (780) 991-4981 

E-mail : aleksurus@gmail.comv


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

Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada

Addresses : 

10812-108 Street

Edmonton, Alberta 

Canada

Telephone : (780) 420-9945

OR :

67, Ennismore Gardens

London, SW7 1NH 

United Kingdom

Telephone : 011-44-207-584-0096

E-mail : sourozhdiocese@me.com


[[File:CEM2511666 138660952688LS.jpg]]

==References==

[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)]. 

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/A_Chronological_History_of_the_Archdiocese_of_Canada,_Part_1 A Chronological History of the Archdiocese of Canada, Part I]  

[https://diasporiana.org.ua/wp-content/uploads/books/14179/file.pdf Dictionary of Ukrainian Canadian Biography of Pioneer Settlers of Alberta] (Edmonton : Ukrainian Pioneer Association of Alberta, 1984), pp. 160-162.  

"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).  

“Pride in Progress : Chipman - St. Michael - Star Districts” (Chipman, Alberta : Alberta Rose Historical Society, 1982), pp. 575-576. ISBN : 0-88925-369-2.  

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

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. 

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).  ISBN-10 : 0973117400 ; ISBN-13 : 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 :'''

[http://www.orthodox-canada.com/parishes/orthodox-v/churches/holy-ascension-orthodox-church-skaro/ MP listing]

[http://www.orthodox-canada.com/parishes/ Moscow Patriarchate Parishes web-site] 

[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]  

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

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Archdiocese_of_Canada Orthodoxwiki 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 of America]   

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

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Archdiocese_of_Canada Orthodoxwiki 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 of America]   

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[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 (Shkrumko)] 

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

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

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

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

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

[http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/orthodox-church/ Canadian Encyclopaedia article about the Orthodox Church]

[http://files.townlife.com/public/uploads/documents/12997/churchtourbooklet.05.pdf  Brochure "Church Capital of North America Lamont County" (articles and photos about some of the 47 churches in the county)], p. 6. 

[http://www.prairiesouls.com/A.%20Lamont%20Cemetries%20on%20Line/Skaro,%20AB%20-%20%20Orthodox%20Cemetery/Mycemetery--Orthodox-Cemetery-cem-index.htm Prairiesouls Cemetery names]

[https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2511666/holy-ascension-russo-greek-orthodox-cemetery Findagrave article about the Holy Ascension Cemetery in Skaro] 

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Hrihory_and_Rosalia_Lopushinsky Hrihory and Rosalia Lopushinsky]   

[https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/121479321/rosilia-lopushinsky Findagrave reference for Rosalia Lopushinsky]   

[https://diasporiana.org.ua/wp-content/uploads/books/14179/file.pdf Dictionary of Ukrainian Canadian Biography of Pioneer Settlers of Alberta  article about Hrihory (Hryc) Lopushinsky], pp. 160-161.  

[https://www.wcr.ab.ca/This-Week/Stories/entryid/4667 Article about Peter Lipinsky iconographer] 

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

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_diaspora Wikipedia article about the Russian Diaspora]

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukrainian_diaspora Wikipedia article about the Ukrainian Diaspora]

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

[https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/ukrainian-canadians/ Canadian Encyclopaedia article about Ukrainian Canadians] 

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/messenger/Com2001-4.12-4.pdf ‘Assembly pilgrims visit heritage churches’ in “Canadian Orthodox Messenger” (Autumn, 2001)], pp. 7-8. 

[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)  






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