Dmytro and Ahafia Derhak - Revision history

Vladyka Seraphim: /* Pilgrimage from Canada to the Holy Land, 1927 */

2025-09-08T16:58:15Z

Pilgrimage from Canada to the Holy Land, 1927

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:58, 8 September 2025
Line 95:		Line 95:
	'While they were in Jerusalem, Dmytro and Ivan visited a Russian [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monastery Monastery], and a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Geronta staretz] (who rarely spoke to pilgrims) saw and counselled Dmytro. Dmytro brought back with him a medallion of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Seraphim_of_Sarov Saint Seraphim of Sarov] and 2 golden Easter Eggs with the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Resurrection Resurrection] painted on them.		'While they were in Jerusalem, Dmytro and Ivan visited a Russian [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monastery Monastery], and a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Geronta staretz] (who rarely spoke to pilgrims) saw and counselled Dmytro. Dmytro brought back with him a medallion of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Seraphim_of_Sarov Saint Seraphim of Sarov] and 2 golden Easter Eggs with the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Resurrection Resurrection] painted on them.

	He brought with him also many [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithography lithographs] of old [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Iconography icons] from Jerusalem, and 2 of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Theotokos Virgin Mary] visiting [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Mount_Athos Mount Athos]. He also brought a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Church_Slavonic Slavonic] [https://orthodoxwiki.org/~~Gospel_Book Gospel~~ Book] from which he would read. This ~~Gospel~~ Book is now kept in the [http://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/sites/ukrainianmuseumsandylake.shtml Sandy Lake Ukrainian Museum], along with some other items that Dmytro had brought with him from the pilgrimage.		He brought with him also many [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithography lithographs] of old [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Iconography icons] from Jerusalem, and 2 of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Theotokos Virgin Mary] visiting [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Mount_Athos Mount Athos]. He also brought a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Church_Slavonic Slavonic] [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Psalter-Book] (Book of the Psalms, with various prayers) from which he would read. This Pslater-Book is now kept in the [http://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/sites/ukrainianmuseumsandylake.shtml Sandy Lake Ukrainian Museum], along with some other items that Dmytro had brought with him from the pilgrimage.

	Included in the items he brought with him was a golden [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Pectoral_cross pectoral Cross] that was associated with the [https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2015/07/19/102053-uncovering-of-the-relics-of-venerable-seraphim-of-sarov glorification of Saint Seraphim of Sarov]. This Cross was made of a soft metal, and it was gold in colour only. Some of the lithographs include :		Included in the items he brought with him was a golden [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Pectoral_cross pectoral Cross] that was associated with the [https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2015/07/19/102053-uncovering-of-the-relics-of-venerable-seraphim-of-sarov glorification of Saint Seraphim of Sarov]. This Cross was made of a soft metal, and it was gold in colour only. Some of the lithographs include :

Vladyka Seraphim: /* Pilgrimage from Canada to the Holy Land, 1927 */

2025-09-08T00:23:43Z

Pilgrimage from Canada to the Holy Land, 1927

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:23, 8 September 2025
Line 95:		Line 95:
	'While they were in Jerusalem, Dmytro and Ivan visited a Russian [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monastery Monastery], and a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Geronta staretz] (who rarely spoke to pilgrims) saw and counselled Dmytro. Dmytro brought back with him a medallion of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Seraphim_of_Sarov Saint Seraphim of Sarov] and 2 golden Easter Eggs with the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Resurrection Resurrection] painted on them.		'While they were in Jerusalem, Dmytro and Ivan visited a Russian [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monastery Monastery], and a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Geronta staretz] (who rarely spoke to pilgrims) saw and counselled Dmytro. Dmytro brought back with him a medallion of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Seraphim_of_Sarov Saint Seraphim of Sarov] and 2 golden Easter Eggs with the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Resurrection Resurrection] painted on them.

	He brought with him also many [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithography lithographs] of old [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Iconography icons] from Jerusalem, and 2 of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Theotokos Virgin Mary] visiting [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Mount_Athos Mount Athos]. He also brought a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Church_Slavonic Slavonic] [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Gospel_Book Gospel Book] from which he would read. This Gospel Book is now kept in the [http://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/sites/ukrainianmuseumsandylake.shtml Sandy Lake Ukrainian Museum].		He brought with him also many [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithography lithographs] of old [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Iconography icons] from Jerusalem, and 2 of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Theotokos Virgin Mary] visiting [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Mount_Athos Mount Athos]. He also brought a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Church_Slavonic Slavonic] [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Gospel_Book Gospel Book] from which he would read. This Gospel Book is now kept in the [http://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/sites/ukrainianmuseumsandylake.shtml Sandy Lake Ukrainian Museum], along with some other items that Dmytro had brought with him from the pilgrimage.

	Included in the items he brought with him was a golden [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Pectoral_cross pectoral Cross] that was associated with the [https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2015/07/19/102053-uncovering-of-the-relics-of-venerable-seraphim-of-sarov glorification of Saint Seraphim of Sarov]. This Cross was made of a soft metal, and it was gold in colour only. Some of the lithographs include :		Included in the items he brought with him was a golden [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Pectoral_cross pectoral Cross] that was associated with the [https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2015/07/19/102053-uncovering-of-the-relics-of-venerable-seraphim-of-sarov glorification of Saint Seraphim of Sarov]. This Cross was made of a soft metal, and it was gold in colour only. Some of the lithographs include :

Vladyka Seraphim: /* Early life of Dmytro Derhak */

2025-09-08T00:19:18Z

Early life of Dmytro Derhak

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:19, 8 September 2025
Line 22:		Line 22:
	Dmytro was raised in the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Introduction_to_Orthodox_Christianity Orthodox Christian Faith] in a community of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Church_of_Russia Russian Orthodox Church] in that region (although at that time within the Austro-Hungarian Empire’s territory).		Dmytro was raised in the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Introduction_to_Orthodox_Christianity Orthodox Christian Faith] in a community of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Church_of_Russia Russian Orthodox Church] in that region (although at that time within the Austro-Hungarian Empire’s territory).

	As he grew up, Dmytro became an [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Orthodox_Church Orthodox] pillar of light and knowledge for the Derhak family in this, his ancestral village. He was one of the few literate villagers. Not many families in Panivtsi were [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Orthodox_Church Orthodox] : many had been taken into [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Catholic_Churches Uniatism] in the 1800s. However, Dmytro’s father Andrei Derhak had been serving in his parish for a long time as a “[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Cantor dyak]”(a cantor, reader), and he had taught his son likewise how both to read and to sing the services of the Church. Dmytro carried on this custom. As a consequence, there came about 4 straight generations of “dyaks”, the last 3 having served at [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Sandy_Lake_MB_Saint_Nicholas_Orthodox_Church_and_Cemetery_1900 Saint Nicholas’ Church], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandy_Lake,_Manitoba Sandy Lake], Manitoba, [https://www.britannica.com/place/Canada Canada].		As he grew up, Dmytro became an [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Orthodox_Church Orthodox] pillar of light and knowledge for the Derhak family in this, his ancestral village. He was one of the few literate villagers. Not many families in Panivtsi were [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Orthodox_Church Orthodox] : many had been taken into [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Catholic_Churches Uniatism] in the 1800s. However, Dmytro’s father Andrei Derhak (born between 1820 and 1830) had been serving in his parish for a long time as a “[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Cantor dyak]”(a cantor, a reader), and he had taught his son likewise how both to read and to sing the services of the Church. Dmytro carried on this custom. As a consequence, there came about 4 straight generations of “dyaks”, the last 3 having served at [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Sandy_Lake_MB_Saint_Nicholas_Orthodox_Church_and_Cemetery_1900 Saint Nicholas’ Church], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandy_Lake,_Manitoba Sandy Lake], Manitoba, [https://www.britannica.com/place/Canada Canada].

	The 4 generations :		The 4 generations :

Vladyka Seraphim: /* Pilgrimage from Canada to the Holy Land, 1927 */

2025-09-08T00:12:38Z

Pilgrimage from Canada to the Holy Land, 1927

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:12, 8 September 2025
Line 95:		Line 95:
	'While they were in Jerusalem, Dmytro and Ivan visited a Russian [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monastery Monastery], and a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Geronta staretz] (who rarely spoke to pilgrims) saw and counselled Dmytro. Dmytro brought back with him a medallion of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Seraphim_of_Sarov Saint Seraphim of Sarov] and 2 golden Easter Eggs with the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Resurrection Resurrection] painted on them.		'While they were in Jerusalem, Dmytro and Ivan visited a Russian [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monastery Monastery], and a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Geronta staretz] (who rarely spoke to pilgrims) saw and counselled Dmytro. Dmytro brought back with him a medallion of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Seraphim_of_Sarov Saint Seraphim of Sarov] and 2 golden Easter Eggs with the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Resurrection Resurrection] painted on them.

	He brought with him also many [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithography lithographs] of old [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Iconography icons] from Jerusalem, and 2 of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Theotokos Virgin Mary] visiting [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Mount_Athos Mount Athos]. He also brought a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Church_Slavonic Slavonic] [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Gospel_Book Gospel Book] from which he would read. This Gospel Book is now in the [http://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/sites/ukrainianmuseumsandylake.shtml Sandy Lake Ukrainian Museum]. Included in the items he brought with him was a golden [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Pectoral_cross pectoral Cross] that was associated with the [https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2015/07/19/102053-uncovering-of-the-relics-of-venerable-seraphim-of-sarov glorification of Saint Seraphim of Sarov]. This Cross was made of a soft metal, and it was gold in colour only. Some of the lithographs include :		He brought with him also many [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithography lithographs] of old [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Iconography icons] from Jerusalem, and 2 of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Theotokos Virgin Mary] visiting [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Mount_Athos Mount Athos]. He also brought a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Church_Slavonic Slavonic] [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Gospel_Book Gospel Book] from which he would read. This Gospel Book is now kept in the [http://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/sites/ukrainianmuseumsandylake.shtml Sandy Lake Ukrainian Museum].

			Included in the items he brought with him was a golden [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Pectoral_cross pectoral Cross] that was associated with the [https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2015/07/19/102053-uncovering-of-the-relics-of-venerable-seraphim-of-sarov glorification of Saint Seraphim of Sarov]. This Cross was made of a soft metal, and it was gold in colour only. Some of the lithographs include :
	• [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Ignatius_of_Antioch Saint Ignatius] with lions ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odesa Odessa])		• [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Ignatius_of_Antioch Saint Ignatius] with lions ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odesa Odessa])
	• [https://orthodoxwiki.org/George_the_Trophy-bearer Saint George] & dragon (Odessa}		• [https://orthodoxwiki.org/George_the_Trophy-bearer Saint George] & dragon (Odessa}

Vladyka Seraphim: /* Early life of Dmytro Derhak */

2024-08-13T18:22:37Z

Early life of Dmytro Derhak

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:22, 13 August 2024
Line 16:		Line 16:
	==Early life of Dmytro Derhak==		==Early life of Dmytro Derhak==

	On 8 November (“Листопад”), 1866, Dmytro Derhak was born to Adrei and Ahafia Derhak in the village of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_villages_in_Ternopil_Oblast Panivtsi] (also spelt Paniowce) in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ternopil_Oblast Ternopil ~~Oblast~~] (province). It is about 150 km (93 mi) southeast of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ternopil Ternopil City], about 44 km (27 mi) southeast of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borshchiv Borshchiv], about 33 km (21 mi) northeast of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khotyn Khotyn], about 100 km (62 mi) northeast of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chernivtsi Chernivtsi], in what is now [https://www.britannica.com/place/Ukraine Ukraine]. Panivtsi is 432 km (268 mi) southwest of [https://www.britannica.com/place/Kyiv Kyiv], and it is only a little north of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dniester Dniester River] (which was historically the border with [https://www.britannica.com/place/Romania Romania]). On the south of this river is the beginning of the foothills of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpathian_Mountains Carpathian Mountains]. Panivtsi is north of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suceava Suçeava], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romania Romania].		On 8 November (“Листопад”), 1866, Dmytro Derhak was born to Adrei and Ahafia Derhak in the village of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_villages_in_Ternopil_Oblast Panivtsi] (also spelt Paniowce) in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ternopil_Oblast Ternopil district] of the semi-autonomous province of [https://www.encyclopediaofukraine.com/display.asp?linkpath=pages/G/A/Galicia.htm Galicia] in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austria-Hungary Austro-Hungarian Empire]. It is about 150 km (93 mi) southeast of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ternopil Ternopil City], about 44 km (27 mi) southeast of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borshchiv Borshchiv], about 33 km (21 mi) northeast of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khotyn Khotyn], about 100 km (62 mi) northeast of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chernivtsi Chernivtsi], in what is now [https://www.britannica.com/place/Ukraine Ukraine]. Panivtsi is 432 km (268 mi) southwest of [https://www.britannica.com/place/Kyiv Kyiv], and it is only a little north of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dniester Dniester River] (which was historically the border with [https://www.britannica.com/place/Romania Romania]). On the south of this river is the beginning of the foothills of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpathian_Mountains Carpathian Mountains]. Panivtsi is north of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suceava Suçeava], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romania Romania].

	Before [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_I World War I], this region was a part of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Galicia_and_Lodomeria Kingdom of Galicia and Ludomeria], which was itself a constituent crown-land of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austria-Hungary Austro-Hungarian Empire]. This region of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Ukraine Western Ukraine] is generally called “[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galicia_(Eastern_Europe) Galicia]”, or “Halychina”.		Before [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_I World War I], this region was a part of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Galicia_and_Lodomeria Kingdom of Galicia and Ludomeria], which was itself a constituent crown-land of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austria-Hungary Austro-Hungarian Empire]. This region of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Ukraine Western Ukraine] is generally called “[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galicia_(Eastern_Europe) Galicia]”, or “Halychina”.

Vladyka Seraphim: /* References */

2024-06-23T23:42:26Z

References

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:42, 23 June 2024
Line 332:		Line 332:


	~~Please send your suggestions, additions, corrections or contributions to this address :~~

	~~info@orthodoxcanada.ca~~

	[[Category:Lay-persons]] [[Category:Manitoba, Saskatchewan, & Nunavut]] [[Category:ROGCCNA]] [[Category:ADOCA]] [[Category:OCA]]		[[Category:Lay-persons]] [[Category:Manitoba, Saskatchewan, & Nunavut]] [[Category:ROGCCNA]] [[Category:ADOCA]] [[Category:OCA]]

Vladyka Seraphim: /* References */

2024-05-15T13:31:41Z

References

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:31, 15 May 2024
Line 327:		Line 327:
	[http://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/mb_history/index.shtml “Manitoba History Journal” (Manitoba Historical Society, Winnipeg, MB, 2020)]		[http://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/mb_history/index.shtml “Manitoba History Journal” (Manitoba Historical Society, Winnipeg, MB, 2020)]

	[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/messenger/Com2004-3.15-3.pdf ‘Pillar of Sandy Lake community Falls asleep in the Lord’ in “Canadian Orthodox Messenger” (Summer, 2004), p. 5] [~~Stephan~~ Derhak]		[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/messenger/Com2004-3.15-3.pdf ‘Pillar of Sandy Lake community Falls asleep in the Lord’ in “Canadian Orthodox Messenger” (Summer, 2004), p. 5] [Steven Derhak]

Vladyka Seraphim: /* To marry, or not to marry Ahafia Sheeska */

2024-05-15T13:30:13Z

To marry, or not to marry Ahafia Sheeska

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:30, 15 May 2024
Line 37:		Line 37:
	After the conversations, he walked back to Panivtsi.		After the conversations, he walked back to Panivtsi.

	Upon his return, he ~~was married~~ to Ahafia (Hafia) Sheeska (born 6 November (“Листопад”), 1866), who was a “simple” person (that is, she was an ordinary, illiterate young villager). Ahafia was an orphan who had been raised by her older brothers, since her parents had died when she was young. Because they had been born in the same village, at least ~~they~~ knew who each other was.		Upon his return, he prepared to marry Ahafia (Hafia) Sheeska (born 6 November (“Листопад”), 1866), who was a “simple” person (that is, she was an ordinary, illiterate young villager). Ahafia was an orphan who had been raised by her older brothers, since her parents had died when she was young. Because they had been born in the same village, at least Dmytro and Hafia knew who each other was.

	==Marriage, 1890==		==Marriage, 1890==

Vladyka Seraphim: /* Pilgrimage from Canada to the Holy Land, 1926 */

2024-05-12T22:14:28Z

Pilgrimage from Canada to the Holy Land, 1926

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:14, 12 May 2024
Line 81:		Line 81:
	After his repose, Dmytro’s son, Ivan, took over his duties in the Church services ; and after Ivan, Dmytro’s grandson, [[Stephen and Helen Derhak \|Steven]], was also a “dyak”. This makes a total of 4 generations of readers in one family ! Steve was later president of the Sandy Lake parish for 27 years.		After his repose, Dmytro’s son, Ivan, took over his duties in the Church services ; and after Ivan, Dmytro’s grandson, [[Stephen and Helen Derhak \|Steven]], was also a “dyak”. This makes a total of 4 generations of readers in one family ! Steve was later president of the Sandy Lake parish for 27 years.

	==Pilgrimage from Canada to the Holy Land, ~~1926~~==		==Pilgrimage from Canada to the Holy Land, 1927==

	At one time, Dmytro became very restless with his farm duties, and in ~~1926~~, at the age of 60, he felt spiritually compelled to make a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Pilgrimage pilgrimage] to the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Land Holy Land]. He became the first Canadian Ukrainian immigrant to make a pilgrimage from Canada to the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Holy_Land Holy Land].		At one time, Dmytro became very restless with his farm duties, and in 1927, at the age of 60, he felt spiritually compelled to make a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Pilgrimage pilgrimage] to the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Land Holy Land]. He became the first Canadian Ukrainian immigrant to make a pilgrimage from Canada to the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Holy_Land Holy Land].

	From the time of his arrival in Canada, Dmytro had continued to correspond with an old friend from his homeland, Ivan (John, Johannes) S Benske. This Orthodox friend had already emigrated to the [https://www.britannica.com/place/United-States USA] in 1890. Although he had been born and baptised in about 1865 as Johannes Dzubinsky, he had changed his name to John Benske when arrived in the USA. There, he was also known as Ivan or John. It is not known where they met. However, there were friends of Dmytro from Paniowce where Dmytro was born, who lived in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scranton,_Pennsylvania Scranton], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pennsylvania Pennsylvania] who worked in the coal mines. After his arrival, Ivan had lived for a time in Scranton, and he had later settled in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit Detroit], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michigan Michigan], USA, where he reposed in Christ in 1937.		From the time of his arrival in Canada, Dmytro had continued to correspond with an old friend from his homeland, Ivan (John, Johannes) S Benske. This Orthodox friend had already emigrated to the [https://www.britannica.com/place/United-States USA] in 1890. Although he had been born and baptised in about 1865 as Johannes Dzubinsky, he had changed his name to John Benske when arrived in the USA. There, he was also known as Ivan or John. It is not known where they met. However, there were friends of Dmytro from Paniowce where Dmytro was born, who lived in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scranton,_Pennsylvania Scranton], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pennsylvania Pennsylvania] who worked in the coal mines. After his arrival, Ivan had lived for a time in Scranton, and he had later settled in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit Detroit], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michigan Michigan], USA, where he reposed in Christ in 1937.

Vladyka Seraphim: /* Pilgrimage from Canada to the Holy Land, 1926 */

2024-05-12T03:07:13Z

Pilgrimage from Canada to the Holy Land, 1926

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:07, 12 May 2024
Line 85:		Line 85:
	At one time, Dmytro became very restless with his farm duties, and in 1926, at the age of 60, he felt spiritually compelled to make a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Pilgrimage pilgrimage] to the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Land Holy Land]. He became the first Canadian Ukrainian immigrant to make a pilgrimage from Canada to the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Holy_Land Holy Land].		At one time, Dmytro became very restless with his farm duties, and in 1926, at the age of 60, he felt spiritually compelled to make a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Pilgrimage pilgrimage] to the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Land Holy Land]. He became the first Canadian Ukrainian immigrant to make a pilgrimage from Canada to the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Holy_Land Holy Land].

	From the time of his arrival in Canada, Dmytro had continued to correspond with an old friend from his homeland, Ivan (John) S Benske. This friend had already emigrated to the [https://www.britannica.com/place/United-States USA] in 1890. Although he had been born and baptised in about ~~1866~~ as Johannes Dzubinsky, he had changed his name to John Benske when arrived in the USA. There, he was also known as Ivan or John. ~~After his arrival~~, ~~he had~~ lived ~~for a time~~ in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scranton,_Pennsylvania Scranton], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pennsylvania Pennsylvania], and he had later settled in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit Detroit], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michigan Michigan]. Already in 1913, Ivan had travelled from Detroit to Sandy Lake in order to visit Dmytro. By the mid-1920s, Ivan had been widowed, and in their correspondence they had discussed the possibility of making a pilgrimage together to the Holy Land. They then agreed on a date and a possible itinerary.		From the time of his arrival in Canada, Dmytro had continued to correspond with an old friend from his homeland, Ivan (John, Johannes) S Benske. This Orthodox friend had already emigrated to the [https://www.britannica.com/place/United-States USA] in 1890. Although he had been born and baptised in about 1865 as Johannes Dzubinsky, he had changed his name to John Benske when arrived in the USA. There, he was also known as Ivan or John. It is not known where they met. However, there were friends of Dmytro from Paniowce where Dmytro was born, who lived in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scranton,_Pennsylvania Scranton], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pennsylvania Pennsylvania] who worked in the coal mines. After his arrival, Ivan had lived for a time in Scranton, and he had later settled in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit Detroit], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michigan Michigan], USA, where he reposed in Christ in 1937.

			Already in 1913, Ivan had travelled from Detroit to Sandy Lake in order to visit Dmytro. By the mid-1920s, Ivan had been widowed, and in their correspondence they had discussed the possibility of making a pilgrimage together to the Holy Land. They then agreed on a date and a possible itinerary.

	When Dmytro made his departure from Sandy Lake at the time of harvest in 1926, he travelled by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rail_transport railway ]to the east, to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halifax,_Nova_Scotia Halifax], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nova_Scotia Nova Scotia]. There, Ivan Benske met him, and they sailed from there across the [https://www.britannica.com/place/Atlantic-Ocean Atlantic Ocean] to [https://www.britannica.com/place/Europe Europe].		When Dmytro made his departure from Sandy Lake at the time of harvest in 1926, he travelled by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rail_transport railway ]to the east, to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halifax,_Nova_Scotia Halifax], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nova_Scotia Nova Scotia]. There, Ivan Benske met him, and they sailed from there across the [https://www.britannica.com/place/Atlantic-Ocean Atlantic Ocean] to [https://www.britannica.com/place/Europe Europe].
Line 91:		Line 93:
	Together, Dmytro and his old friend Ivan travelled through Europe to [https://www.britannica.com/place/Jerusalem Jerusalem] (which at that time was a part of the [https://www.britannica.com/place/Ottoman-Empire Ottoman Empire]).		Together, Dmytro and his old friend Ivan travelled through Europe to [https://www.britannica.com/place/Jerusalem Jerusalem] (which at that time was a part of the [https://www.britannica.com/place/Ottoman-Empire Ottoman Empire]).

	While they were in Jerusalem, Dmytro and Ivan visited a Russian [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monastery Monastery], and a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Geronta staretz] (who rarely spoke to pilgrims) saw and counselled Dmytro. Dmytro brought back with him a medallion of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Seraphim_of_Sarov Saint Seraphim of Sarov] and 2 golden Easter Eggs with the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Resurrection Resurrection] painted on them.		'While they were in Jerusalem, Dmytro and Ivan visited a Russian [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monastery Monastery], and a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Geronta staretz] (who rarely spoke to pilgrims) saw and counselled Dmytro. Dmytro brought back with him a medallion of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Seraphim_of_Sarov Saint Seraphim of Sarov] and 2 golden Easter Eggs with the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Resurrection Resurrection] painted on them.

	He brought with him also many [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithography lithographs] of old [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Iconography icons] from Jerusalem, and 2 of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Theotokos Virgin Mary] visiting [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Mount_Athos Mount Athos]. He also brought a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Church_Slavonic Slavonic] [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Gospel_Book Gospel Book] from which he would read. This Gospel Book is now in the [http://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/sites/ukrainianmuseumsandylake.shtml Sandy Lake Ukrainian Museum]. Included in the items he brought with him was a golden [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Pectoral_cross pectoral Cross] that was associated with the [https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2015/07/19/102053-uncovering-of-the-relics-of-venerable-seraphim-of-sarov glorification of Saint Seraphim of Sarov]. This Cross was made of a soft metal, and it was gold in colour only. Some of the lithographs include :		He brought with him also many [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithography lithographs] of old [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Iconography icons] from Jerusalem, and 2 of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Theotokos Virgin Mary] visiting [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Mount_Athos Mount Athos]. He also brought a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Church_Slavonic Slavonic] [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Gospel_Book Gospel Book] from which he would read. This Gospel Book is now in the [http://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/sites/ukrainianmuseumsandylake.shtml Sandy Lake Ukrainian Museum]. Included in the items he brought with him was a golden [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Pectoral_cross pectoral Cross] that was associated with the [https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2015/07/19/102053-uncovering-of-the-relics-of-venerable-seraphim-of-sarov glorification of Saint Seraphim of Sarov]. This Cross was made of a soft metal, and it was gold in colour only. Some of the lithographs include :
Line 109:		Line 111:
	In all, they visited [https://www.britannica.com/place/England England], [https://www.britannica.com/place/France France], [https://www.britannica.com/place/Jerusalem/Education Jerusalem], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_of_Palestine Palestine], [https://www.britannica.com/place/Egypt Egypt], [https://www.britannica.com/place/Greece Greece] and [https://www.britannica.com/place/Italy Italy].		In all, they visited [https://www.britannica.com/place/England England], [https://www.britannica.com/place/France France], [https://www.britannica.com/place/Jerusalem/Education Jerusalem], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_of_Palestine Palestine], [https://www.britannica.com/place/Egypt Egypt], [https://www.britannica.com/place/Greece Greece] and [https://www.britannica.com/place/Italy Italy].

	Dmytro returned home to his family from the pilgrimage on 18 July, 1927. However, his friend Ivan remained in Europe for a time. He travelled to Poland, where he was married again ~~married~~, and he then returned to the USA. Ivan lived in the USA together with his new wife until his repose in Christ in 1937 in Detroit. His funeral services were held in one of the Russian Orthodox Churches in the city (very likely Saints Peter and Paul Sobor).		Dmytro returned home to his family from the pilgrimage on 18 July, 1927. However, his friend Ivan remained in Europe for a time. He travelled to Poland, where he was married again, and he then returned to the USA. Ivan lived in the USA together with his new wife until his repose in Christ in 1937 in Detroit. His funeral services were held in one of the Russian Orthodox Churches in the city (very likely Saints Peter and Paul Sobor).

	Making a pilgrimage was not at all unusual for Orthodox believers in Dmytro’s homeland, and in 1898, Dmytro himself had already made a pilgrimage to Kyiv from Panivtsi. It was commonplace that people would walk even for hundreds of kilometres to worship in one or another monastery or holy place, and venerate there the Holy [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Relics Relics] of saints and [https://iconreader.wordpress.com/tag/wonderworking-icon/ wonder-working icons]. Fewer would travel as far as Mount Athos or Jerusalem, but some people did do this. From [https://www.britannica.com/place/North-America North America], it was unusual to do this ; in Canada, it was perhaps even more unusual than in the USA.		Making a pilgrimage was not at all unusual for Orthodox believers in Dmytro’s homeland, and in 1898, Dmytro himself had already made a pilgrimage to Kyiv from Panivtsi. It was commonplace that people would walk even for hundreds of kilometres to worship in one or another monastery or holy place, and venerate there the Holy [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Relics Relics] of saints and [https://iconreader.wordpress.com/tag/wonderworking-icon/ wonder-working icons]. Fewer would travel as far as Mount Athos or Jerusalem, but some people did do this. From [https://www.britannica.com/place/North-America North America], it was unusual to do this ; in Canada, it was perhaps even more unusual than in the USA.

	After his return from the pilgrimage, his granddaughter [[Anna and Wyamond McIntyre \|Ann Rystephanuk McIntyre]] said that a reporter from the “[https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/about-us/ Winnipeg Free Press]” newspaper had heard of his pilgrimage, and came to Sandy Lake to interview him about his experiences. Dmytro was likely one of the very few Canadian people of [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/ukrainian-canadians Ukrainian heritage] to have embarked on the journey in those years. However, Dmytro refused to answer specific questions. As he said, it was a “holy and private experience” which could not be shared in words. This article was never published.		After his return from the pilgrimage, his granddaughter [[Anna and Wyamond McIntyre \|Ann Rystephanuk McIntyre]] said that a reporter from the “[https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/about-us/ Winnipeg Free Press]” newspaper had heard of his pilgrimage, and came to Sandy Lake to interview him about his experiences. Dmytro was likely one of the very few Canadian people of [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/ukrainian-canadians Ukrainian heritage] to have embarked on the journey in those years. However, Dmytro refused to answer specific questions. As he said, it was a “holy and private experience” which could not be shared in words. This article was never published.

			The Orthodox treasures which he brought home were at first kept safely in the home of his daughter Tatiana Derhak and her husband Nikifor Rystephanuk in Sandy Lake. They are now in the home of Dmytro's great-grandchild, and displayed with reverence with other family photos and memorabilia.

	When he returned, Dmytro always said that he wanted to go back again, and to spend the rest of his days on Mount Athos in [https://www.britannica.com/place/Greece Greece]. However, with failing health, his wishes were not fulfilled.		When he returned, Dmytro always said that he wanted to go back again, and to spend the rest of his days on Mount Athos in [https://www.britannica.com/place/Greece Greece]. However, with failing health, his wishes were not fulfilled.