Nikita and Mary Ann Lopoukhine

Nikita Rafailovich Lopoukhine (1944-____)

and

Mary Ann (born Nicoloff) Lopoukhine (1948-____)

Lopoukhine may be spelt Lopoukhin, Lopukhin.

Rafail may be spelt Raphael.

Rafailovich may be spelt Raphaelovich, Raphaelovitch.

Early life of Nikita Rafailovich Lopoukhine

Nikita Rafailovich Lopoukhine was born on 13 May, 1944, in Paris, France (just after the liberation of Paris from the Nazis).

Nikita's parents were Rafail Nikolayevich Lopoukhine (born in 1916, in Moscow, Russia), and Sofia Mikhailovna Lopoukhine (born Tolstoy, in 1917, in Moscow). Sofia Mikahilovna's family escaped from the Soviets by travelling to Istanbul. Once her father had arrived there from fighting for the White Army, they moved on to Morocco, and then to Paris, France. It was there that she and Raphael Nikolayevich met and married in 1941.

Rafail and Sofia Lopoukhine

There were 2 other children, Sergei and Andrei.

Through their mother, the 3 sons were great-grandsons of Lev (Leo) N Tolstoy.

The family emigrated to Canada in 1951, and they settled in Maniwaki, Québec. Raphael found work, and he supported his family in Maniwaki.

Their sons received their primary education there, and some of their secondary education.

Bereavement, 1960

In 1960, Rafail Nikolaevich Lopoukhine fell asleep in the Lord in Maniwaki (La Vallée-de-la-Gatineau Regional County Municipality). He was 44 years old.

After the funeral services, his body was interred at the Mount Royal Cemetery in Montréal, Québec.

He left his wife a widow of 43 years of age, and his 3 young sons. Nikita was 16 years old at the time.

Sofia then moved with her sons to Nyack, New York, USA, in order to be near other family members who lived in the vicinity, not far northwest of New York City.

There, she worked as a nurse, and her sons continued their education.

Higher education of Nikita

In 1963, after having completing his primary and secondary education (in Québec and in New York), Nikita enrolled in the State University of New York’s College of Environmental Sciences and Forestry.

In 1968, Nikita graduated from the State University of New York (SUNY) with a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Forest Botany.

Bereavement, 1975

In 1975, Sofia Mikahilovna Lopoukhine fell asleep in the Lord in Spring Valley, New York. She was 58 years old.

After the funeral services, her body was interred at the cemetery of the Novo Diveyevo Convent, in Spring Valley, New York.

Sofia M Lopoukhine (born Tolstoy)

Early Life of Mary Ann G Nicoloff

On 16 July, 1948, Mary Ann G Nicoloff was born to the Priest (later Protopresbyter) George and his wife, Popadia Vera (born Buneva) Nicoloff] in Detroit, Michigan, USA.

Mary Ann was the youngest child in the family, and there were 3 older brothers (Nicholas, Clement and Boris (†2016)).

It was in this area that she grew up in the parish her family served, and where she received her primary and secondary education.

Protopresbyter George and Popadia Vera Nicoloff

Higher education of Mary Ann

After this, she enrolled in Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, from which she received the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Teaching, and Special Education.

Mary Ann and Nikita met one another at a Christmas retreat for college-age young people at Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (a retreat series developed by Mary Ann’s brother Boris).

Marriage, 1970

On 21 July, 1970 Nikita R Lopoukhine was married to Mary Ann G Nicoloff in Detroit, Michigan, USA.

Further education, 1972

In 1972, both Nikita and Mary Ann enrolled in the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, where they each completed masters’-degree work in a year.

In 1973, Mary Ann graduated with a Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree in the Supervision-Language Arts Programme.

In 1973, Nikita graduated with a Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree in Plant Ecology.

Professional careers ; family life ; serving

In 1973, after their marriage, and after the completion of their academic formation, Nikita and Mary Ann spent some years living and working in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

In Halifax, they began to receive from the Lord their 3 children : Sofia, Alexandra and Raphael.

Later, they moved to Ottawa, Ontario. In Ottawa, they were all active parishioners, first in Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, then in the Holy Transfiguration Mission (worshipping in English), and then in the amalgamation of the 2 communities in 1988, which formed the Annunciation to the Theotokos-Saint Nicholas Cathedral.

Not only were they active in the local worshipping community, but they were also both very active in helping to develop the administration of the Archdiocese of Canada. This began during the time when Metropolitan Theodosius (Lazor) was the administrator of the diocese. This activity continued on for decades thereafter with Archbishop Seraphim (Storheim) and his successor Archbishop Irénée (Rochon). They each did quite different work from the other ; but they worked very much in harmony with one another, and this work had a very positive effect on the internal life of the whole diocese. This positive effect remains evident in the life of the cathedral parish in particular.

Nikita had already started his professional career with Forestry Canada in 1968, from which he later moved to the Lands Directorate of Environment Canada. He took a leading rôle in bringing broad ecological thinking to the Government of Canada in the developing field of land-mapping of ecosystems. Nikita was involved in the creation of ecological maps for some of Canada’s most noted parks. It was during this period that he had also taken the time to study in Saskatoon.

In the 1980s, Nikita was recruited by Parks Canada and he initiated their fire management programme, which ensures healthy ecosystems in the national parks. In the 1990s, Nikita served as the chair of the “International Society for Ecological Restoration”. He also played an important rôle through the “World Bank” in helping Russia to develop its protected areas programme.

Nikita served as the first executive director of the “Ecological Integrity Branch”.

In 2001, Nikita became the Director General of “National Parks”. He was responsible for establishing new parks and marine conservation areas as well as establishing the ecological integrity monitoring programme and implementing the “Species at Risk Act”. He earned a reputation as a champion of conservation.

Bereavement, 1997

19 April, 1997, Protopresbyter George Nikoloff fell asleep in the Lord in the Oakwood Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. That year, the day was Lazarus Saturday.

On Tuesday, 22 April, 1997, at 7:00 p.m., a Panikhida (Memorial Service) was served at Saint Paul's Macedonian Orthodox Cathedral in Dearborn Heights, Michigan.

At 9:00 a.m. on Holy Wednesday, 23 April, 1997, the Funeral Services for the Burial of a Priest took place in Saint Paul's Macedonian Orthodox Cathedral in Dearborn Heights, Michigan. The funeral service took place on 23 April, the Feast-day of Saint George (Father George’s patron saint). Archbishop Kyrill (Yonchev), assisted by various clergy, presided over the services.

After the funeral services, “Otets” George's body was interred at the Grand Lawn Cemetery in Detroit.

“Otets” George Nicoloff

Popadia Vera Nicoloff continued to live in Detroit after the repose of her husband.

Further service of Nikita

On 10-23 October, 2003, as the Director General of Parks Canada, Nikita was one of 6 Canadian participants in a meeting sponsored by the World Conservation Union (an "arm" of the United Nations) in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The World Heritage Boreal Zone Workshop in which he participated included delegations from Canada, Finland, Norway, France and Russia. Besides other matters, the meeting considered the current state of the northern boreal forests, and it considered the process of identifying exceptional boreal forest protected areas for potential inscription as natural sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

In 2004, at the “International Union for Conservation of Nature” (IUCN) World Conservation Congress in Bangkok, Thailand, Nikita was elected to be the Chair of the IUCN “World Commission on Protected Areas” (WCPA). During his time as Chair, IUCN WCPA has influenced the “Convention on Biological Diversity” (CBD) by becoming its principal advisor on the “Programme of Work on Protected Areas”. Nikita has promoted the importance of youth. He has also supported efforts to ensure that there is increased awareness and understanding of the value and rôle of protected areas in meeting such global challenges as combatting climate change and desertification and connecting people to nature. He stepped down from this rôle in 2012, and he now serves on the board of the “Wildlands Network” and the “Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society” (CPAWS).

Nikita is a Fellow of the “Royal Canadian Geographic Society”.

In 2004, as Chair of the World Commission on Protected Areas, Nikita participated in the Durban World Parks Conference, in which Nelson Mandela and Queen Noor of Jordan gave the opening addresses.

Nikita Lopoukhine and Nelson Mandela

"Retirement", 2005

Upon his retirement in 2005, Nikita served as Chair of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) World Commission on Protected Areas from 2004 to 2012.

He also served as chair for the International Society for Ecological Restoration ; he represented Canada at the Canadian Biodiversity Convention in the negotiations leading to the development of the Programme of Work on Protected Areas ; he chaired the process that redefined the IUCN definition of “protected areas” and renewed the Protected Areas Management Categories that are used as a global standard.

In February, 2012, Nikita was honoured by CPAWS with the “J B Harkin Award” for his life-long commitment to Canadian conservation. The award, named after the “Father of National Parks”, J B Harkin, honours those persons who have made significant contributions to the conservation of Canada’s parks and wilderness. The citation of the award outlines Nikita’s work, and it indicates that the award was given

 [...] in recognition of Nikita (Nik) Lopoukhine, for his lifetime commitment to protecting the special 
 places of our planet and for inspiring new generations of people to experience, embrace, and love nature 
 at first hand.  With National Parks in Canada for 23 years, Nik deeply influenced the advancement of new 
 thinking that ensures ecological integrity in protected areas, in strengthening science for decision-making 
 and in coming to grips with the emerging challenge of climate change.  Throughout his career, Nik has 
 promoted and supported efforts to ensure that there is increased awareness and understanding of the value 
 and role of protected areas in meeting global challenges, including through editorial articles in the 
 international press and through publications.  As Chair of the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas, 
 Nik transformed and strategically repositioned the WCPA by re-invigorating the network, rekindling the 
 vision, and modernising governance.  He championed the cause of protected areas in the IUCN programme, 
 and through his conviction and courage, strengthened the recognition of the fundamental role of protected 
 areas in conserving nature, and of inspiring a new generation of professionals and citizens who love and 
 conserve nature. 

With regard to the presentation of this award, Holly Postlethwaite commented :

 After weeks of hard work, I had the pleasure of attending the beautiful award reception held at the 
 Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa, Ontario, where Nik was honoured for his lifetime of commitment 
 to promoting scientific discussion and ecological integrity within Parks Canada and for championing 
 Canadian conservation and park values globally.  [...] Many familiar faces and some new were brought together 
 in honour of Nik, including MP Fin Donnelly and past J B  Harkin award recipients Jacques Gérins, Stephanie Cairns, 
 Stephen Woodley and MP Elizabeth May.  The room buzzed with energy and possessed an ambiance only felt 
 when surrounded by friends.
 Nik Lopoukhine delivered an acceptance speech that resonated with the crowd. He shared his ‘many blessings’ 
 throughout his career and the important people he met along the way.  Mr. Lopoukhine was joined by his wife 
 Mary Ann and their children. His entire family beamed with pride.  The audience was invited to share moments 
 from Nik’s past with a special video highlighting his many milestones filled with photographs collected by his 
 son Raphael.  Nik received a beautiful bronze medal and a framed citation to commemorate his honour.  After the 
 award ceremony Nik personally came to thank me for the evening, truly demonstrating his genuine and sincere
 nature.
 A special presentation by guest speakers Alexandre Bevington and Dalal Hanna, two members from Trans CanEAUDA, 
 invigorated the evening with a burst of energy as they shared stories from their 7,000 km paddling journey
 that they undertook last spring to raise awareness for watershed conservation.  The group shared pictures and 
 videos from their trip and led the audience from laughter to sheer awe.  Notable moments included an intimate 
 encounter with a lynx and their war against mosquitoes.

In 2013, Nikita was awarded a “Golden Leaf” by the “Canadian Council for Ecological Areas” (CCEA) in recognition for his contributions to conservation.

After this, Nikita has served as an advisor to the “Auditor General of Canada” on the review of the “Ecological Integrity Programme” and he wrote a commissioned report on the state of “Marine Protected Areas” for the Senate of Canada.

He served as an advisor to the Auditor General of Québec on the management of the province’s protected areas network. He served on various boards, and he received numerous national and international awards for his professional and volunteer work.

In 2017, Nikita was still serving on the Board of CPAWS (national trustee and Ottawa Valley). He has also served as an advisor to the Auditor General of Canada about Canada Nonprofit Organisation Management.

About Nikita, it was written :

 Nik has made the World Commission on Protected Areas, of IUCN, of outstanding importance in the world of 
 nature conservation and protected areas, including well positioning protected areas in the 2020 global
 biodiversity conservation targets (CBD Aichi Targets).

As may be seen, Nikita’s attitude in working as he has, is one of service. It is a way of life, and an expression of who he is as an Orthodox Christian. Although he officially retired some years ago, he continues to help and support those who continue to work in his field.

Retirement as Archdiocesan Treasurer, 2015

A biographical outline about Nikita notes that in his spare time, he had served since 1987 as the treasurer of the Archdiocese of Canada, in The Orthodox Church in America.

In 2007, in addition to his appointed work as the treasurer, Nikita had been elected to serve for 3 years on the Archdiocesan Council.

In 2015, after almost 30 years of his service as treasurer, Nikita retired from this responsibility.

In fact, his service was not actually a “spare time” responsibility. It required of him very many hours of attention weekly during those nearly 3 decades. As is the case for most treasurers, there were few expressions of appreciation forthcoming. Nikita’s involvement in the administration of the archdiocese required more than simply the responsibility of being the treasurer, since he was an integral and active part of the executive committee, and a person to whom all the officers frequently turned for his opinion about various matters. His careful fiscal policies helped the diocese to develop a better method of operation, to weather many difficult moments successfully, and to establish a firm economic foundation. Most importantly, he helped the diocese to ease into the positive “first-portion giving” method of support for the diocesan administration. This method helped parishes and parishioners to feel that they are exercising a positive and voluntary responsibility, rather than feeling that they are being taxed by the diocesan administration.

Nikita

More about Mary Ann

The same sorts of things may be said of Mary Ann, whose life is and has been one of caring, responsible service. Because of her sincere care, she has applied her many gifts and her intelligence to helping a multitude of people learn how better, more clearly, and more effectively to communicate. This includes some portions of government administration. It also includes aspects of the administration of the Archdiocese of Canada. Together with Nikita, she has been deeply involved in parish and diocesan life and activities. This was so for her in quite a different way, since she grew up in the family of a priest, and this sort of involvement has been a daily experience throughout her life.

Mary Ann work photo

Bereavement, 2012

On Friday, 24 August, 2012, Popadia Vera Nicoloff, Mary Ann's mother, fell asleep in the Lord in Detroit, Michigan.

On Wednesday, 29 August, at 2:00 p.m., Popadia Vera's body was brought to Saint Paul's Macedonian Orthodox Cathedral in Dearborn Heights, Michigan, at which time, people could visit.

On Wednesday, 20 August, at 7:00 p.m., a Panikhida (Memorial Service) was served for Popadia Vera at the cathedral.

On Thursday, 30 August, 2012, at 10:00 a.m., the cathedral was opened for an hour of visitation before the funeral.

On Thursday, 30 August, 2012, at 11:00 a.m., at Saint Paul's Macedonian Orthodox Cathedral, the Funeral Services for the Burial of a Lay-person were offered in the cathedral.

After the funeral services, the body of Popadia Vera Nicoloff was interred beside that of her husband, at the Grand Lawn Cemetery in Detroit.

Popadia Vera Nicoloff

Mary Ann continues her work

Mary Ann was the owner of “WordClass Communications Consultants” in Ottawa, Ontario, through which she did professional training and coaching from 1988. Her firm offered training in design and delivery, business communication skills, and the producing of Canadian federal government documents. She left this work and sold the company in 2016.

Mary Ann had more than 25 years of experience as a training professional, which focussed on the design and delivery of workshops that enhance business communication skills, and primarily writing and analysis. Thus, Mary Ann’s workshops had considerable success in improving the English writing skills of those who participated. Mary Ann has trained thousands in both the public and private sectors. She remains a recognised specialist on how to write effective briefing notes. She tailored her workshops to the particular requirements of each sponsoring government department. Her training sessions were designed to be highly practical, to encourage lively participation and to maintain a sense of fun.

Bereavement, 2017

On 31 January, 2016, Mary Ann's brother, Boris Nicoloff, fell asleep in the Lord in Detroit, Michigan.

After the Funeral Services for the Burial of a Lay-person, his body was interred at the Grand Lawn Cemetery in Detroit.

Boris Nicoloff

Further details about Mary Ann's service

The “Building Blocks” 2-day workshops which Mary Ann led in 2017 can provide an example of the training she has offered in the course of her professional activities.

In an article on the web-site of the “Carleton University School of Journalism and Communication”, under the headline ‘Job-skill trainers may weather federal cuts’ by W Campbell, Mary Ann is written about as follows :

 [...] Mary Ann Lopoukhine has been leading business skill workshops for civil servants for more than two decades 
 and runs up to 100 sessions a year.
 
 If there’s one thing she’s learned, she says, it’s that spending on training can be silently erased during 
 federal belt-tightening – something she witnessed during mid-1990s austerity budgets that culled 50,000 
 government jobs across the country.
 ‘It’s not visible by the public,’ Lopoukhine said.
 ‘Training is always vulnerable.’
 She said there may be work upgrading younger employees as staff shrinkages leave ‘people with corporate memory 
 walking out the door.’

These principles apply in the life of the Orthodox Church’s dioceses and parishes as well.

Mary Ann signed a petition for permitting a special delegation of women consultants at the 2016 Pan-Orthodox Council. She wrote :

 I’m signing because our beloved Church needs to imitate our Lord and fully include women as our Lord did in 
 his earthly life. The Church needs to act with the same love that Christ had for the women in His earthly 
 life, starting with his All-Holy Mother of God.  They need to remember and respect the significance of the 
 Myrrh-bearing women and equal to the Apostle Mary Magdalene and all the female saints and martyrs.

Lac Labelle, Québec

For many decades, the Lopoukhine family has been very involved as well in the spiritual and social life of another group of Orthodox Christians who have summer homes and cottages along Lac Labelle, north of Montréal, Québec.

Thanks to Serge and Lubov Troubetzkoy, there has been a small Orthodox chapel (the Chapel of Saint Sergius of Radonezh), in which services are frequently offered by one or another priest throughout the summer months. This common experience has been very refreshing and strengthening to everyone who has had the possibility to participate.

The fact that the Lopoukhines had established their cottage in Labelle, and that they have spent many summers there is also because of the presence of this chapel. To attend services, it meant for most of these years that they would paddle or row across the lake from their cottage (which had no utilities). This only changed when they finally could afford to purchase a home on the other side of the lake, one which had and has the usual modern utilities.

Retirement

In 2005, Nikita retired officially from Parks Canada, and Mary Ann continued on with her work for some time thereafter.

In retirement, they both continued to be active participants in the life and parish worship of the cathedral in Ottawa, and to some extent in diocesan affairs.

Highlights of Nikita's career (particularly in National Parks) include the introduction of the fire management policy and programme, the development of the Terms of Reference for the Ecological Integrity Panel, and the supervision of the carrying out of all of the Ecological Integrity Panel’s recommendations.

In 2017, Nikita and Mary Ann sold their home of 30 years in "The Glebe" neighbourhood of Ottawa, and they moved into an apartment. They found that maintaining a house was rather a lot of work, and that in smaller quarters they could have more time available for their other occupations and pursuits.

As they have remarked, all their children pursued involvement in work aimed at helping others, and the parents continued always to be available for back-up support for them.

Nikita continued to be active as a National Trustee of CPAWS, and Mary Ann temporarily extended the life of her corporation because of one remaining project. They continued also to be active in various ways in the life of the Orthodox Christian Church, which was from the beginning the central focus of their whole life.

Diocesan service, diocesan events, and events of recognition

Nikita Lopoukhine began to serve as the Treasurer of the Archdiocese of Canada in 1987, and he retired from this responsibility in 2015.

At the 1996 Archdiocesan Assembly, the "Canadian Orthodox Messenger" reported on pages 4 and 5 that as Nikita gave the Treasurer’s Report, he announced that for the first time since his 9-year incumbency, in 1995, the archdiocesan income exceeded expenditures due in large part to the application of the Financial Task Force’s recommendations. (His humility did not call attention to the effective results of his own leadership.) Mary Ann served as the lay chairwoman of the Assembly.

Nikita presents the Treasurer's Report, 1996 Assembly

Mary Ann with chairing officials, 1996 Assembly

Both Nikita and Mary Ann have each received ecclesiastical recognition for their labours and service within the Archdiocese of Canada.

In 2004, at the Annunciation to the Theotokos-Saint Nicholas Cathedral in Ottawa, on the Feast-day of the Annunciation (25 March), Nikita and Mary Ann Lopoukhine each received the Archdiocese of Canada Medal and Award of Saint Tikhon. In presenting the gramota that accompanied the award, the bishop expressed gratitude

 for their life-long service and witness in the Church, for their building-up of the Ottawa Cathedral from its 
 beginning, for their Archdiocesan service – he as Treasurer for many years, she for helping improve 
 communication, and giving exemplary hospitality – and for serving the OCA.  

Saint Tikhon Medal and Award, 2004

They have also received recognition for their labours and service in The Orthodox Church in America. They have each been given the Order of Saint Innocent by The Orthodox Church in America

In 2004, the Archdiocesan Assembly met in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. As is always required, Nikita presented the Treasurer’s Report.

In 2007, the Archdiocesan Assembly met in Ottawa, Ontario, under the sponsorship of the Annunciation-Saint Nicholas Cathedral. As usual, Nikita presented the Treasurer’s Report. In addition to his insightful comments about the state of the diocese, there was a report also from Kosta Stavrianeas, who exhorted the administration to find "backup" assistance to Nikita for the sake of clarity and transparency in reporting. He strongly recommended acquiring a standard accounting software programme.

Nikita giving his report, 2007

Nikita, observing the proceedings

In 2010, the Archdiocesan Assembly met in Victoria, British Columbia. As usual, Nikita presented the Treasurer's Report on 27 July, 2010. His wife, Mary Ann, and Deacon Gregory Scratch, assisted him in this presentation (which had an interactive format). Mary Ann introduced the goals of the session. The format allowed the participants not only to receive the information, but also to reflect on, discuss, and evaluate the information. The intention was that the generated ideas would encourage a better understanding of how closely tied is our Orthodox Christian stewardship to the function, life and fulfilment of the vision of the Archdiocese of Canada. The discussion continued over the next days of the assembly, so that the delegates and clergy would take these ideas back to their parishes.

The Archdiocese of Canada news article of 16 March, 2013, “Archdiocesan Council concludes meeting” reported that

 Nikita Lopoukhine, the Treasurer of the Archdiocese of Canada, presented a complete financial report and 
 proposed a budget for 2013.  German Ovodov, the Chair of the Auditing Committee, presented a comprehensive 
 internal auditors’ report, highlighting critical budgetary issues and budget-related action items. 

At the Archdiocesan Assembly of 22-24 August, 2013, in Gatineau, Québec, Metropolitan Tikhon (Mollard), in his address, gave encouragement to Bishop Irénée (Rochon)] and to the Archdiocese to continue the positive work that has been accomplished in previous years. Metropolitan Tikhon (Mollard) then presented 2 “Challenge Coin” medals. The first one was given to Deacon Jesse Isaac. The second one was given to Mary Ann Lopoukhine for her work as Chair of the Assembly Organising Committee.

An Archdiocese of Canada news article announced a 1-day special Archdiocesan Assembly on 2 October, 2014, at the Annunciation to the Theotokos-Saint Nicholas Cathedral, in Ottawa, Ontario. The purpose was to nominate the candidate for election by the Holy Synod of Bishops to be the Bishop of Ottawa and Canada. The members of the Assembly Planning Commission, nominated by the Archdiocesan Executive Council and approved by the Archdiocesan Council, included Bishop Irénée, the Administrator of the Archdiocese of Canada, and Metropolitan Tikhon (Mollard), the Locum Tenens of the Archdiocese of Canada, as co-chairs ; Protodeacon Nazari Polataiko, Secretary of the Archdiocese of Canada ; Mary Ann Lopoukhine, Assembly Manager ; Nikita Lopoukhine, Treasurer of the Archdiocese of Canada ; and the Priest Stelian Liabotis, Logistics Manager.

At the Spring, 2015, meeting of the Archdiocesan Council (12-13 March, 2015), Vladyka Irénée (Rochon) thanked the officers and Archdiocesan Council members for their work, and specially to Mr. Nikita Lopoukhine for his labours as Treasurer of the Archdiocese of Canada for over 30 years. He said :

 As you know, our veteran Treasurer, Nikita Lopoukhine is retiring after over 30 years of loyal services to the 
 Archdiocese of Canada.  I have never known the Archdiocese without him [...].  

After his retirement as the treasurer of the archdiocese, Nikita was followed as treasurer by the Priest Justin Mitchell of Montréal, Québec.

Reflections

There are some difficulties in providing a reflection on the lives and labours of Nikita and Mary Ann Lopooukine. Of course, the first is that they are both still labouring and living, albeit now in official retirement.

From an Orthodox Christian perspective, it may be said that their lives each represent a balanced wholeness. Their personal foundations are and have been rooted in the Orthodox Christian Faith. Their personal, ancestral histories are very different, to be sure, but their love for the Lord and for each other has "informed" the rest of their lives in a complementary manner. As is commonly the case with Orthodox Christians, their lives are characterised by service : service of God, service of the family, service of the Church, service of human beings, service of God's creation.

It is perhaps easier to see the character of service in Mary Ann's context, because she has been (and is) a teacher. A teacher can have a direct effect for the good on human beings, at whatever level and age the teaching is provided. Developing a balanced human being is a part of the main reason for teaching, and the best teaching is conveyed through love. Some might find it more challenging to see this in Nikita's offering, but it can become obvious quickly if one will use the proper lens.

It is true that Nikita arrived at a very elevated and responsible administrative position. However, Nikita was no mere administrator. To be a truly productive and effective administrator requires many of the gifts of a teacher, and the element of love and respect for persons is the same. If Nikita did not have and exercise these qualities in the course of his work, the amount of respect for him and his perception of the state of God's creation and creatures would not be evident. Further, because of their gifts, they each had some difficulty actually achieving retirement. Perhaps Nikita himself, even in 2024, has not completely done so, since he is still a participant in many groups around the world which are concerned with ecology.

Mary Ann's professional life has been very productive, and Nikita's professional life has likewise been very productive (most particularly in the decades during which he worked in Parks Canada, and as Director General of National Parks).

The life and work of Mary Ann and Nikita has not been less productive and effective in their life in the Church. This is one way in which one may perceive the balance in their lives, which is one of the important marks of a maturing Orthodox Christian.

It was the case before, but once they arrived in Ottawa, they entered the life of the parish they joined, and they did so fully. They did so as "family members" of the parish, and they contributed their personal God-given gifts (talents) in whatever way they were needed. There is likely no-one who would doubt their complete commitment to serving the Lord, and to caring for His rational sheep in harmony with the other parishioners.

Mary Ann provided many workshop educational opportunities both to the local parish and to the diocese in order to help people to grow in their Christian understanding and opportunities. In Nikita's case, when he was asked by the bishop to take on the responsibility of serving as treasurer for the developing diocesan administration, he did so willingly (even though the work of a treasurer was not at all part of his training). The consequence of this obedience was the development of a stable financial foundation in the diocese. He was required to use his own teaching skills, conveyed through his own love for the Lord, in order to help people throughout the diocese to understand their responsibilities as Orthodox Christians.

There is a responsibility for contributing time, talent and financial support within the local parish, but we have this same responsibility towards the diocese. Each parishioner is a member of a parish family, and each parish is a member of a diocesan family. Together, they all constitute one large family led by their bishop, and in Christ they are one.

In retirement, although they are able to take much more time for themselves and with themselves than before, they have remained as committed as ever in their love for Christ to serve as they are able.

Writings

In the course of his career, Nikita wrote innumerable documents and articles which were pertinent to the internal workings of the Ministry and Department in which he worked. They are, of course, unavailable. This is much the same regarding his many reports within the diocese and parish in which he served. It may be understood that Mary Ann's work also involved a large amount of writing, but writings which were kept for the internal functioning of her business. The following references to Nikita's work are in the public domain :

“The Current State of Marine Protected Areas in Canada” by Nikita Lopoukine (31 March, 2013)

‘Let’s make Gatineau Park a real park’, by Nikita Lopoukhine, in “Ottawa Citizen” (9 August, 2016)

“Presentation on the Ecology of the Canadian & International boreal Forest and Benefits of Conservation” by Nikita Lopoukhine, President Emeritus of the IUCNWorld Commission on Protected Areas

“Conservation through Protected Areas” by Nikita Lopoukhine (2016)

‘Gatineau Park deserves legislation to properly protect it’ in “Ottawa Citizen” (18 September, 2020)

References

Lopoukhine family partial biography

Nicoloff family partial biography

Biography of Nikita Lopoukhine on the Conservation 2020 Canada web-site

Additional information :

Nikita Lopoukhine Linkedin

Mary Ann Lopoukhine Linkedin

‘Archdiocese of Canada Medal and Award given to Nikita and Mary Ann Lopoukhine’ in “Canadian Orthodox Messenger” (Autumn, 2004) p. 12.

Presentation of the “Challenge Coin” to Mary Ann Lopoukhine, 2013

Brandwein Medal awarded to Nikita Lopoukhine at ICUN-World Parks Congress, 2014

About Nikita (Nik) Lopoukhine and the Society for Ecological Restoration

Nikita Lopoukhine, Recipient of Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) Award

Mary Ann Lopoukhine : WordClass Communications Consultants

Archdiocese of Canada listing for the Annunciation to the Theotokos-Saint Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral

Archdiocese of Canada web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about the Archdiocese of Canada

Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, Ottawa, Ontario

Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission, Ottawa, Ontario

Orthodox Church in America listing for the Annunciation to the Theotokos-Saint Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral

Archdiocese of Canada listing for the Annunciation to the Theotokos-Saint Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral

Article about the Annunciation to the Theotokos-Saint Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral, Ottawa, Ontario

Orthodox Church in America web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about The Orthodox Church in America

Metropolitan Leonty (Turkevich)

Metropolitan Ireney (Bekish)

Metropolitan Theodosius (Lazor)

Metropolitan Herman (Swaiko)

Metropolitan Tikhon (Mollard)

Archbishop Sylvester (Haruns)

Archbishop Seraphim (Storheim)

Archbishop Irénée (Rochon)

Archpriest George Pokrowsky

Igumen John (Scratch)

Archpriest Andrew Morbey

Archpriest John Jillions

Archpriest James Griggs

Archpriest Stelian Liabotis

Priest Nikolay Melnik

Priest Justin Mitchell

Protodeacon Nazari Polataiko

Protodeacon Jesse Isaac

German Ovodov

Prince Serge and Princess Lubov Troubetzkoy

Findagrave reference to Protopresbyter George Nicoloff

Findagrave reference to Popadia Vera Nicoloff

Obituary of Boris Nicoloff

Findagrave reference to Grand Lawn Cemetery in Detroit, Michigan

Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS)

Wikipedia article about Parks Canada

National Parks of Canada web-site

Conservation 2020 web-site

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

J B Harkin Award

Tolstoy museum

Canadian Encyclopaedia article about Ottawa, Ontario

Canadian Encyclopaedia article about Ontario

Archdiocesan Assembly Plenary Session 2 of the Assembly Minutes : Treasurer's Report (2010), pp. 7-10.

“Archdiocesan Council concludes meeting” : the Archdiocesan Council received the annual financial report and the proposed budget (15-16 March, 2013)

Archdiocese of Canada news article which announced the 2014 committee membership (2 October, 2014).

Archdiocesan Council expresses gratitude to Nikita Lopoukhine at meeting (12-13 March, 2015).

‘2004 Archdiocesan Assembly meets in Saskatoon’ in “Canadian Orthodox Messenger” (Autumn, 2004) pp. 1, 4. [Nikita presented the Treasurer’s Report.]

‘2004 Archdiocesan Assembly meets in Saskatoon’ in “Canadian Orthodox Messenger” (Autumn, 2004) p. 12. [Nikita and Mary Ann Lopoukhine each received the Archdiocesan Award and Medal of Saint Tikhon of Moscow.]

‘2007 Archdiocesan Assembly : Treasurer's report’ in “Canadian Orthodox Messenger” (Autumn, 2007) pp. 3-4.