Alvena SK All Saints Ukrainian Orthodox Church 19: Difference between revisions

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The people who emigrated from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Europe Eastern Europe], immigrated to Canada, and then settled in the Alvena region seem to have been largely from the region of "Halychyna" ([https://www.britannica.com/place/Galicia-historical-region-Eastern-Europe Galicia]), in the Austro-Hungarian Empire.  They lived in the region in the vicinity of [http://www.encyclopediaofukraine.com/display.asp?linkpath=pages\T\E\Ternopil.htm Ternopol (Tarnopil)], and they were mostly [https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tenant%20farmer tenant-farmers], [https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/serfdom-east-central-europe serfs] and servants.  Their resources were few, and when it began to be advertised in their region that land was available in Canada, they risked everything for the sake of this opportunity to own their own property.  Thus, they began to arrive in Canada with the first wave of emigrants from that region in about 1898.  Reaching their final destination was complicated because the railway system on the prairies (apart from the trans-continental [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Pacific_Railway Canadian Pacific Railway] service) was yet in the early times of its development.  Some of their travel had to be by foot and/or horse.   
The people who emigrated from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Europe Eastern Europe], immigrated to Canada, and then settled in the Alvena region seem to have been largely from the region of "Halychyna" ([https://www.britannica.com/place/Galicia-historical-region-Eastern-Europe Galicia]), in the Austro-Hungarian Empire.  They lived in the region in the vicinity of [http://www.encyclopediaofukraine.com/display.asp?linkpath=pages\T\E\Ternopil.htm Ternopol (Tarnopil)], and they were mostly [https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tenant%20farmer tenant-farmers], [https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/serfdom-east-central-europe serfs] and servants.  Their resources were few, and when it began to be advertised in their region that land was available in Canada, they risked everything for the sake of this opportunity to own their own property.  Thus, they began to arrive in Canada with the first wave of emigrants from that region in about 1898.  Reaching their final destination was complicated because the railway system on the prairies (apart from the trans-continental [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Pacific_Railway Canadian Pacific Railway] service) was yet in the early times of its development.  Some of their travel had to be by foot and/or horse.   


It seems that once the immigration began, the earliest arrivals were in the vicinity of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weyburn Weyburn], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saskatchewan Saskatchewan].  This was followed by the [https://ghosttowns.com/canada/sa/donwell.html Donwell] region (near present-day [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yorkton Yorkton]) ; then came the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamsack Kamsack] area, and regions to the west ; and then the Alvena region, and its surrounding regions in various directions.  Some of the newcomers arrived in the early 1900s ; however, the treater numbers came following the attempted [https://www.britannica.com/event/Russian-Revolution-of-1905 revolution in 1905] the [https://www.britannica.com/place/Russian-Empire Russian Empire].  The young persons arriving in the early 20th century were often rather well-educated, and very intent on preserving Ukrainian language, culture, as well as national and religious beliefs.  ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_language Great Russian], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belarusian_language White Russian or Byelorussian] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukrainian_language Ukrainian] are designated as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Slavic_languages "East Slavic" languages].)
It seems that once the immigration began, the earliest arrivals were in the vicinity of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weyburn Weyburn], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saskatchewan Saskatchewan].  This was followed by the [https://ghosttowns.com/canada/sa/donwell.html Donwell] region (near present-day [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yorkton Yorkton]) ; then came the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamsack Kamsack] area, and regions to the west ; and then the Alvena region, and its surrounding regions in various directions.  Some of the newcomers arrived before 1900 ; however, a greater number came following the attempted [https://www.britannica.com/event/Russian-Revolution-of-1905 revolution in 1905] the [https://www.britannica.com/place/Russian-Empire Russian Empire].  The young persons arriving in the early 20th century were often rather well-educated, and very intent on preserving Ukrainian language, culture, as well as national and religious beliefs.  ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_language Great Russian], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belarusian_language White Russian or Byelorussian] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukrainian_language Ukrainian] are designated as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Slavic_languages "East Slavic" languages].)


As is frequently the case in various settlements (be they [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/ukrainian-canadians Ukrainian], [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/romanians Romanian] or other), there was a Temple within the village, and at least one in the midst of the homesteads round about.  In this case, the Temple was constructed in the village.  
As is frequently the case in various settlements (be they [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/ukrainian-canadians Ukrainian], [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/romanians Romanian] or other), there was a Temple within the village, and at least one in the midst of the homesteads round about.  In this case, the Temple was constructed in the village.  


Although it is not known from available evidence when this Temple was established, nor whether what currently stands is the original (likely newer), it is usual in the behaviour of the Ukrainian and Romanian immigrants of that and subsequent periods that a place of worship be constructed soon after their arrival.
With the arrival of the Slavic homesteaders, in 1898, Alvena became a part of the [https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~gaoliver/genealogy/AlvenaSKgenealogy.html Saskatoon-Fish Creek-Wakaw Bloc Settlement].  The majority of the settlers in this bloc settlement came from the province of Halychyna and the counties of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borshchiv Borshchiv], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horodenka Horodenka], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ternopil Ternopil], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Husiatyn Husiatyn], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sokal Sokal], and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yavoriv Yavoriv].
 
Although it is not known from available evidence when this Temple was established, nor whether what currently stands is the original (likely newer), it is usual in the behaviour of the Ukrainian and Romanian immigrants of that and subsequent periods that a place of worship be constructed soon after their arrival.  Moreover, it seems that as was often the case, it was the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukrainian_Greek_Catholic_Church Ukrainian Greek Catholics] who arrived, and that they established themselves to begin with.  It would have been at some time not very long afterwards that the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Introduction_to_Orthodox_Christianity Orthodox Christians] began to distinguish themselves from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_Catholic_Church Greek-Catholics].


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


In 2024, The pastor of the parish is [https://www.uocc.ca/clergy/the-rev-fr-patrick-d-powalinsky/ Archpriest Patrick D Powalinsky].   
In 2025, The pastor of the parish is [https://www.uocc.ca/clergy/the-rev-fr-patrick-d-powalinsky/ Archpriest Patrick D Powalinsky].   




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[http://www.encyclopediaofukraine.com/display.asp?linkpath=pages\S\A\Saskatchewan.htm Encyclopaedia of Ukraine article about Saskatchewan]  
[http://www.encyclopediaofukraine.com/display.asp?linkpath=pages\S\A\Saskatchewan.htm Encyclopaedia of Ukraine article about Saskatchewan]  


[http://munster.sasktelwebsite.net/AlvenaGenealogy/Alvena.html Alvena, Saskatchewan Genealogy and Homestead History (a)]   
[http://freepages.rootsweb.com/~gaoliver/genealogy/AlvenaSKgenealogy.html Alvena, Saskatchewan Genealogy and Homestead History]   


[http://munster.sasktelwebsite.net/AlvenaGenealogy/AlvenaChurches.html Alvena, Saskatchewan Genealogy and Homestead History (b)]
[https://sites.rootsweb.com/~cansk/Saskatchewan/ethnic/ukranian-saskatchewan.html Ukrainian Saskatchewan Genealogy Roots]
 
[https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~gaoliver/genealogy/AlvenaSKgenealogy.html Alvena, Saskatchewan Genealogy and Homestead History
 
[https://calendar.ucc.sk.ca/pdf/SUHStravelguide.pdf Saskatchewan's Ukrainian Legacy]  (The Saskatchewan Ukrainian Historical Society, 2006)
 
Fiftieth Anniversary Book of the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada 1918-1968 (Winnipeg : Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church, 1968)


[https://pioneerchurches.ca/index.php Pioneer Churches on the Prairies web-site]   
[https://pioneerchurches.ca/index.php Pioneer Churches on the Prairies web-site]   
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[[Category:Parish Communities]] [[Category:Saskatchewan]] [[Category:UGOCC]] [[Category:UOCC]]
[[Category:Parish Communities]] [[Category:Saskatchewan]] [[Category:UGOCC]] [[Category:UOCC]] [[Category:UOCCCE]]
 
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Latest revision as of 18:53, 15 September 2026

All Saints Ukr Orthodox Church Alvena SK 1.jpg

Alvena, Saskatchewan, All Saints Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 19__

General history

Early settlers along the South Saskatchewan River were Métis. Many of these families were involved in the 24 April, 1885, Battle of Fish Creek (also known as the "Battle of Tourond's Coulee", a few miles west of what later became known as Alvena), Saskatchewan, Canada.

Many subsequent settlers to Alvena were of Ukrainian origin. Many were peasant or serf farmers in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, although others came from Poland. Upon arrival, they soon began to erect Roman Catholic, Ukrainian Catholic, and Orthodox Churches in the area.

The people who emigrated from Eastern Europe, immigrated to Canada, and then settled in the Alvena region seem to have been largely from the region of "Halychyna" (Galicia), in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. They lived in the region in the vicinity of Ternopol (Tarnopil), and they were mostly tenant-farmers, serfs and servants. Their resources were few, and when it began to be advertised in their region that land was available in Canada, they risked everything for the sake of this opportunity to own their own property. Thus, they began to arrive in Canada with the first wave of emigrants from that region in about 1898. Reaching their final destination was complicated because the railway system on the prairies (apart from the trans-continental Canadian Pacific Railway service) was yet in the early times of its development. Some of their travel had to be by foot and/or horse.

It seems that once the immigration began, the earliest arrivals were in the vicinity of Weyburn, Saskatchewan. This was followed by the Donwell region (near present-day Yorkton) ; then came the Kamsack area, and regions to the west ; and then the Alvena region, and its surrounding regions in various directions. Some of the newcomers arrived before 1900 ; however, a greater number came following the attempted revolution in 1905 the Russian Empire. The young persons arriving in the early 20th century were often rather well-educated, and very intent on preserving Ukrainian language, culture, as well as national and religious beliefs. (Great Russian, White Russian or Byelorussian and Ukrainian are designated as "East Slavic" languages.)

As is frequently the case in various settlements (be they Ukrainian, Romanian or other), there was a Temple within the village, and at least one in the midst of the homesteads round about. In this case, the Temple was constructed in the village.

With the arrival of the Slavic homesteaders, in 1898, Alvena became a part of the Saskatoon-Fish Creek-Wakaw Bloc Settlement. The majority of the settlers in this bloc settlement came from the province of Halychyna and the counties of Borshchiv, Horodenka, Ternopil, Husiatyn, Sokal, and Yavoriv.

Although it is not known from available evidence when this Temple was established, nor whether what currently stands is the original (likely newer), it is usual in the behaviour of the Ukrainian and Romanian immigrants of that and subsequent periods that a place of worship be constructed soon after their arrival. Moreover, it seems that as was often the case, it was the Ukrainian Greek Catholics who arrived, and that they established themselves to begin with. It would have been at some time not very long afterwards that the Orthodox Christians began to distinguish themselves from the Greek-Catholics.

Rural depopulation

As became the case everywhere on the Canadian prairies, during the 1930s, there began a steady reduction in the population. The Great Drought of that decade was a major factor. However, the availability of machines reduced the physical labour required for farming. As a consequence, the process of consolidating and merging of farms began. Subsistence family farming began to fade away. This process continued steadily after World War II with the development of commercial farming and the establishing of farms as businesses as they became larger and larger units.

In every case, when the farm populations became depleted, some of the former farmers moved either into the village (at least for a time), or they moved to greater population centres elsewhere.

Change of status of the UGOCC, 1990

Change of name, 1990

In 1990, the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada was officially renamed “The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada” (UOCC) by an Act of the Parliament of Canada.

Acceptance by the Patriarchate of Constantinople, 1990

In 1990, the 18th Sobor of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada in Winnipeg, Manitoba, decided to enter into Eucharistic Union with the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople (Istanbul). This decision also changed the relationship with the other Orthodox dioceses and parishes in Canada in a positive way.

Centennial of the UOCC, 2018

In 2018, the 100th anniversary of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada and also of Holy Trinity Cathedral were marked at an extraordinary sobor (assembly) at the cathedral in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

The purpose of the sobor was to celebrate 100 years of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada. The celebrations were attended by Ukrainian Orthodox faithful from across Canada and beyond.

The Sobor began on Thursday, 9 August, 2018, with a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy in the Chapel of Saint Petro Mohyla Institute, presided by Bishop Andriy (Peshko) of the Eastern Eparchy, with the responses sung by the Clergy led by Father Michael Lomaszkiewicz. This was followed by an All-Canada Clergy Conference.


CentennialConferenceSaskatoon 2.png Centennial Clergy Conference


All gathered for Vespers at the Mohyla Institute Chapel and this was followed by a wine and cheese reception as the delegates and guests registered for the Extraordinary National Council.

The celebrations continued for a year.

2020-2021 Coronavirus-19 virus restrictions on parishes

In early 2020, the Covid-19 virus made its appearance in Canada, and it quickly became a world-wide pandemic. Because of the rules governing gatherings that were laid down by the provincial and city governments, the parish stopped any further services after 8 March, 2020. Including the rules regarding social distancing, the decreasing numbers permitted for any gathering, and the considerations regarding the health of all concerned, this and other parishes were required to close for a time.

As elsewhere, there was some controversy about the legal requirements.

Election of Metropolitan Ilarion (Rudnyk), 2022

Election of a nominee by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada

On 15-19 June, 2022, the 24th Sobor of the Ukrainian Orthodox of Canada was convened "on-line". This conference-meeting was convened thus instead of convening physically (as customarily) in Winnipeg, Manitoba. There were 6 cathedrals in Canada where this meeting took place simultaneously through a computer-network : in Winnipeg, Manitoba (Holy Trinity Metropolitan Cathedral) ; Vancouver, British Columbia (Holy Trinity Cathedral) ; in Edmonton, Alberta (Saint John's Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral) ; in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (Holy Trinity Cathedral) ; in Toronto, Ontario (Saints Vladimir and Olga Cathedral) ; in Montréal, Québec (Saint Sophie Cathedral).

There was a total of 205 delegates, which was near the average attendance for such sobors.

In the course of the work of the Sobor, there was the necessary election in order to nominate to the Holy Synod of the Church of Constantinople a candidate for election as Archbishop of Winnipeg and Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, who would succeed the Retired Metropolitan Yurij (Kalistchuk).

There were 3 candidates who were considered : Archbishop Job (Getcha), Bishop Ilarion (Rudnyk), and Bishop Andriy (Peshko). The final choice of the members of the sobor was Archbishop Job (Getcha). He had received more than the minimum required 51% of the votes, and there was no subsequent voting required.

The election by the Sobor (Assembly) of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada then had to be confirmed by the Holy Synod of Bishops of Constantinople (as is described in the Consistory By-laws).

Upon having received the nomination (with accompanying documents) from the Sobor of the UOCC, the Holy Synod of the Church of Constantinople elected Vladyka Ilarion (Rudnyk) to become Archbishop of Winnipeg and Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Canada.

The Holy Synod of the Church of Constantinople elected Archbishop Job (Getcha) to become Metropolitan of Pisidia, in west-central Türkiye (Turkey), north of Lycia, and east of Ephesus.

Confirmation of election in Constantinople/Istanbul, 2022

On 29 August, 2022, Vladyka Ilarion (Rudnyk) was at the Phanar in Constantinople for the purpose of the first confirmation of the election in June, 2022. He co-served the Divine Liturgy with Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis) in the Cathedral of Saint George at the Phanar.

Enthronement as Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, 2022

On Saturday, 19 November, 2022, at 9:30 a.m., in Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the Enthronement Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was served. Metropolitan Ilarion (Rudnyk) presided at the Divine Liturgy. He was assisted by Bishop Andriy (Peshko), many priests, several deacons, subdeacons and Altar-servers. Present also were Metropolitan Archbishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas), Exarch of Canada for the Patriarchate of Constantinople, and Retired Metropolitan Yurij (Kalistchuk), Former Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada.

Metropolitan Ilarion (Rudnyk) at the Phanar, Istanbul, 2023

On Sunday, 2 July, 2023, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis) was present and praying during the Divine Liturgy at Saint George's Cathedral in the Patriarchate compound. He gave the blessing that Metropolitan Ilarion (Rudnyk) preside ("horostasia") over the Divine Liturgy. Metropolitan Job (Getcha) of Pisidia, Bishop Athenagoras (Ziliaskopoulos) of Nazianzos, and the Honourable Roman Nedilskyi, General Consul of Ukraine in Constantinople were also present and praying with the congregation of the Faithful.

Change of calendar for the UOCC, 2023

On 1 December, 2023, in accordance with the resolutions of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, Metropolitan Ilarion II (Rudnyk) announced that, effective that day, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada moved to use the New (Revised Julian) Calendar. He allowed that for a brief period of time, a parish might remain on the Old (Julian) Calendar.

It seems that subsequently, John's Cathedral in Edmonton, Alberta, was the first to adopt the New (Revised Julian) Calendar.

However, a previously-existing group of persons began to encourage resistance to the immediacy of this change. It was their understanding that the process would be determined ultimately and finally at the next general sobor of the UOCC. Therefore, on 16 December, 2023, Metropolitan Ilarion issued a formal letter concerning the situation, together with a letter of support sent to him by his predecessor (Retired Metropolitan Yurij (Kalistchuk)). He called the resisters to repentance.

Particular parish information

This parish is part of the Central Eparchy, Wakaw-Melfort-Nipawin Region, of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada (UOCC). The bishop of the eparchy is Metropolitan Ilarion II (Rudnyk).

This parish follows the Old (Julian) Calendar.

In 2025, The pastor of the parish is Archpriest Patrick D Powalinsky.


Address :

All Saints Ukrainian Orthodox Church

Alvena, Saskatchewan

S0K 0E0


Directions :

All Saints Ukrainian Orthodox Church is situated within the Rural Municipality of Fish Creek No. 402. It is located approximately 60 km (38 mi) northeast of Saskatoon, and 88 km (55 mi) southwest of Prince Albert.

Call the priest for directions and for other information.


Archpriest Patrick D Powalinsky

Telephone : (306) 382-1510

Telephone : (306) 371-9090

Telephone : (306) 382-1580

E-mail : ppowalinsky@sasktel.net


All Saints Ukr Orthodox Church Alvena SK 2.png

References

UOCC listing

Orthodox World listing


Additional information :

Harbus, Mike, “Ukrainian Pioneer Days in Early Years 1898-1916 in Alvena and District, Saskatchewan” (North Battleford, Saskatchewan : Appel Printing, 1980).

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

All Saints Ukrainian Orthodox parish listing

Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada

Wikipedia article about the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada

Central Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada

Church of Constantinople web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about the Church of Constantinople

Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis)

Metropolitan Germanos (Shehadeh)

Metropolitan John (Theodorovych)

Bishop Mstyslav (Skrypnyk)

Metropolitan Ilarion (Ohienko)

Metropolitan Michael (Khoroshy)

Metropolitan Andrew (Metiuk)

Metropolitan Wasyly (Fedak)

Metropolitan John (Stinka)

Metropolitan Yurij (Kalistchuk)

Metropolitan Ilarion (Rudnyk)

Bishop Andriy (Peshko)

Wikipedia article about Alvena

Orthodoxwiki article about Orthodox parishes in Saskatchewan

The Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan article about Ukrainian settlements

Encyclopaedia of Ukraine article about the history of the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada

Saskatchewan-Ukraine Relations

Ukrainian Museum of Canada

Roots Web article : A Few Historical Highlights of Ukrainians in Saskatchewan

Encyclopaedia of Ukraine article about Saskatchewan

Alvena, Saskatchewan Genealogy and Homestead History

Ukrainian Saskatchewan Genealogy Roots

Alvena, Saskatchewan Genealogy and Homestead History

Saskatchewan's Ukrainian Legacy (The Saskatchewan Ukrainian Historical Society, 2006)

Fiftieth Anniversary Book of the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada 1918-1968 (Winnipeg : Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church, 1968)

Pioneer Churches on the Prairies web-site

Enthronement of Bishop Ilarion (Rudnyk) as Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada (19 November, 2022)

Metropolitan Ilarion (Rudnyk) announces Change of Calendar (1 December, 2023)

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