Vancouver BC Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church 1950

Vancouver, British Columbia, Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, 1950

Prehistory

In 1950, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, welcomed Archpriest Philemon Gorelik with his family.

Father Philemon Gorelik was originally from Byelorus, where he had been ordained to the Holy Priesthood by Metropolitan Panteleimon (Rozhnovskii) (1867-1950) of Minsk, Exarch of the Moscow Patriarchate in Byelorus.

During World War II, Father Philemon was living in territory that had been occupied by the Nazi-Germans. Towards the end of the war, when the Soviet communists arrived, he was forced to leave his home, and to travel into Germany.

In Germany, he was sent to a refugee camp where he supported many needy Russian-speaking people spiritually (as did many other clergy in a similar situation). Later, his camp came to be within the British zone, and the British moved him and his family to England. After this, he emigrated to Canada and to the city of Vancouver, British Columbia.

At the time of his arrival in Vancouver, there already existed Holy Resurrection Russian Orthodox Church in central Vancouver (at that time). However, his subsequent activities indicate that by this time, he must have become part of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR), since he did not participate in nor seem to have contact with the "mother parish" of the city.

Establishing the community ; constructing the Temple, 1950

The idea of creating a traditional Russian Temple had long been nurtured in the mind and heart of Father Philemon. He perceived that there was a need to erect a Temple on the picturesque corner of East 13th Avenue and Prince Albert Street in central Vancouver.

In the services to this day, the church keeps the memory of the initiators : Father Philemon Gorelik and his children, the Shestovskis, the Zotovs, the Tiunovs and many others. They are the founders, builders, philanthropists and benefactors of this holy Temple.

Thus, construction commenced on the Temple named in honour of Saint Nicholas of Myra.

Father Philemon and parishioners at the blessing of the beginning of construction

In 1952, the construction was completed, and a second Temple of the Canadian Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR) was established in Vancouver. Their joy was great. Now, this Russian-speaking community could develop, and could communicate their saving Faith, language and spiritual culture, the holy Orthodox Christian Faith. There have always been interesting and educated priests and parishioners, who became strong workers in the parish.

The new Saint Nicholas Church

Saint Nicholas interior at the Nativity

Purchase of the Holy Trinity Temple, 1954 : 2 congregations

In 1954, Father Philemon and some parishioners bought the Holy Trinity Temple on Campbell Avenue (which had been built by Father A Kizyun, and which had been put up for sale after his repose). As a consequence, Father Philemon and some parishioners moved to this Temple, and they developed a community on that site.

After their departure, Hieromonk Seraphim (Popov) was assigned to serve at the Temple of Saint Nicholas.

Igumen Seraphim (Popov)

He was followed later by other priests.

In 1980, Archpriest Peter Dubovik arrived from Europe, and he was assigned to serve this parish. He had graduated from the Faculty of Theology in Warsaw, Poland.

Construction of extensions

In the early 1990s, the Temple was enlarged and rebuilt in the form of a Cross. The parish does not have large financial opportunities, but the parishioners warmly invested their share in the construction. The Temple was no longer a modest and small structure, but rather a substantial Temple which was able to welcome many more people.

Reconciliation of the ROCOR and the Moscow Patriarchate, 2007

On the Feast of the Ascension of Christ (17 May, 2007), Metropolitan Laurus (Škurla), along with many of the clergy of the ROCOR, participated in the signing of the “Act of Canonical Communion” in Moscow, Russia. Together with this signing, Metropolitan Laurus (Škurla) participated in serving the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy with the Patriarch of Moscow, Aleksey II (Ridiger), at Christ the Saviour Cathedral in Moscow.

Metropolitan Laurus and Patriarch Aleksey sign the Act of Reconciliation

Metropolitan Laurus, Patriarch Aleksey

90th anniversary of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia, 2010

In 2010, the Parish of Saint Nicholas celebrated joyfully the 90th anniversary of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad (or "Outside Russia", as it is also called). Many people came, including the Honourary Consul of the Russian Federation in Vancouver, Mr. Alexander Ivanovich Bardin and his family. Reports on the history of the Russian Church Abroad were read, and then Alexander Ivanovich congratulated all parishioners on this historical anniversary.

The festival featured a performance by the Russian ensemble “Serebro” and the choir of Saint Nicholas Church. Russian songs were performed ; and there was a very friendly and warm atmosphere, which created a desire for everyone to stay together until the evening.

Archpastoral visitation of Archbishop Gabriel (Chemodakov), 2018

On 24 May, 2018, Archbishop Gabriel (Chemodakov) made an archpastoral visit to the parish of Saint Nicholas in Vancouver, British Columbia. He served the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy together with the parish clergy ; and there followed a Cross-procession about the Temple, and the blessing of a Holy Cross out-of-doors, on a wall of the Temple.

Parishioners at the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy

Archbishop Gabriel and parishioners

Blessing the Exterior Cross

Bereavement, 2022

On 20 August, 2022, Protodeacon Christopher Birchall reposed in the Lord.

On 29 August, 2022, at 11:40 a.m., the Funeral Service for the Burial of a Deacon was offered in Saint Nicholas Temple.

Protodeacon Christopher Birchall

Election of a new First Hierarch, 2022

On 13 September, 2022, at the Meeting of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR) in New York, Bishop Nicholas (Olhovsky) was elected to be First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia. He was to be elevated to the dignity of Metropolitan, and to be the ruling bishop of the Diocese of Eastern America and New York.

On 14 September, 2022, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church approved his election.

On 17 September, 2022. he was elevated to the dignity of metropolitan in the New York Synodal Cathedral of the Sign of the Theotokos.

On 18 September, 2022, Metropolitan Nicholas (Olhovsky) was assigned by the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church to be First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia.

He was later elected to serve as a Member “ex officio” of the Presidium of the Inter-Council Presence of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Enthronement

On Sunday, 18 September, 2022, Metropolitan Nicholas (Olhovsky) was enthroned by the bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR) as Archbishop and Metropolitan of New York and the Diocese of Eastern America, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia. The enthronement took place during the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy in the Sign of the Theotokos Cathedral in New York City, New York. A video of the enthronement service may be found here.

85th Anniversary of Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox Parish in Vancouver, 2023

In September, 2023, Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church in Vancouver, British Columbia, celebrated its 85th anniversary.

On this occasion, a historical article, written in 2011, was re-published in the magazine "Vancouver and Us" ("Ванкувер и мы").

Particular parish information

This parish is part of the Diocese of Montréal and Canada, of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia. The bishop is Archbishop Gabriel (Chemodakov).

This community follows the Old (Julian) Calendar.

The Altar Feast-day of this parish is the Feast of Saint Nicholas of Myra the Wonder-worker, 6/19 December.

In 2023, the pastor is Priest Evstafij Hripunov.

The deacon in the parish is Deacon Andrei (family name not published at present).

Address :

Russian Orthodox Church of Saint Nicholas the Wonder-worker

810, East 13th Avenue

Vancouver, British Columbia

V5T 2L5

Telephones : 604-873-8110 ; 604-762-1147

Web-site : (Russian) ; (English)

Facebook

E-mail : evstafij@gmail.com

Directions :

The Temple is situated at the intersection of East 13th Avenue at Prince Albert Street.

It is 1 block north of 12th Avenue (on which there is bus service) and 1 block east of Fraser Street (on which there is bus service), and about 4 blocks north of Kingsway Avenue (on which there is bus service).

By car :

From the east on Highway #1, take the exit for the Grandview Highway to the west. Continue westwards on the Grandview Highway when it becomes East 12th Avenue. At Prince Albert Street, turn left (south) and drive to East 13th Avenue. The Temple is on the left.

From the south on Highway #99, follow this highway northwards into the city. After the Fraser River, take the exit for SW/SE Marine Drive and drive eastwards until Knight Street. Turn left (north) on Knight Street and drive northwards. Pass Kingsway Avenue, and continue until East 13th Avenue. Turn left (west) and drive westwards for 4 blocks until Prince Albert Street. The Temple is on the left.

From Kingsway Avenue from the southeast or the northwest, drive until Fraser Street. At Fraser Street, turn north and drive until East 13th Avenue. Turn right (east) and drive eastwards 1 block until Prince Albert Street. The Temple is on the right.

By bus :

Consult BC Transit’s Translink. There is bus service (#8) along Fraser Street, and there is bus service (#19) on Kingsway Avenue.

By railway :

Vancouver is accessible by railway (and hence this parish) by VIARail from points to the east in Canada.

It is accessible also by Amtrak from Seattle, Washington, USA, and other connecting stations.

Vancouver is accessible by road, chiefly by Highway #1 from the west, and Highway #99 from the south.

It is accessible by various airline companies through the Vancouver International Aeroport.

It is accessible by ferry through BC Ferries at either Tsawassen or Horseshoe Bay.

Priest Evstafij Hripunov

Telephone : 604-873-8110 ; 778-302-7775

E-mail : evstafij@gmail.com

References

Original article

Parish history written in 2011 by Priest Evstafij Hripunov

Additional information :

Makovetsky, Archpriest A V, “History of the Russian Church Abroad” (Moscow : Publishing House Peter, 2009). ISBN 978549807-400-9. (in Russian)

Pospielovsky, Dimitry, “Russian Orthodox Church in the XX Century” (Moscow : Respublika Publishing House, 1995). ISBN : 5-250-02501-3. [available on-line in Russian and in English]

Seide, Gernot, “History of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia from its Beginnings to the Present : Part IV, Chapter 1.5 – The Dioceses in Canada” (rocorstudies.org)

Shchukin, Archpriest Sergei, “A brief History of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia, 1922-1972”. (in English)

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.

Saint Nicholas Parish web-site (in Russian)

Saint Nicholas Parish web-site (in English)

Montréal and Canadian Diocese of the ROCOR web-site (in Russian)

Montréal and Canadian Diocese of the ROCOR web-site (in English)

Parish listing in the Montréal and Canadian Diocese

ROCOR clergy and parish directory listing

ROCOR Parish Directory

Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR) web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia

Russian Orthodox Church web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about the Church of Russia

Saint John (Maximovitch)