Archimandrite Luke (Majoros)

Archimandrite Luke (Majoros) (1949-2026)

Rudolf may be spelt Rudolph, Rudolphe, Rodolfo, Rudolphus, Raoul, Rudis, Ruuto, Roel, Ralph.

Rudolf peut s'écrire Rudolph, Rudolphe, Rodolfo, Rudolphus, Raoul, Rudis, Ruuto, Roel, Ralph.

Luke may be spelt Luc, Luka, Lukas, Loukas, Lucius.

Luke peut s'écrire Luc, Luka, Lukas, Loukas, Lucius.

Hilandar may be spelt Chilandar, Khilandar.

Hilandar peut être orthographié Chilandar, Khilandar.

Early life of Rudolf Majoros/Jeunesse de Rudolf Majoros

On 4 November, 1949, Rudolf Majoros was born in Novi-Sad, Yugoslavia to Laszlo and Katica Majoros. He had one sister, Klara. He was born into a Hungarian-descended and Hungarian-speaking family, and he and his sister grew up speaking both Hungarian and Serbian. Throughout his life, he valued both elements of his inheritance and formation, but being of a Hungarian family took precedence in his heart.

Rudolf Majoros naquit le 4 novembre 1949 à Novi Sad, en Yougoslavie, de Laszlo et Katica Majoros. Il avait une sœur, Klara. Issu d'une famille d'origine hongroise et parlant couramment le hongrois, il grandit avec sa sœur en parlant aussi bien le hongrois que le serbe. Tout au long de sa vie, il accorda une grande importance à ses deux origines, mais son identité hongroise demeura sa priorité.

Both Rudolf and Klara were raised as Roman Catholic Christians. This was what was usual for most people in this town of Austro-Hungarian origin.

Rudolf et Klara ont tous deux été élevés dans la foi catholique, ce qui était courant dans cette ville d'origine [1].

Rudolf completed his primary education in Yugoslavia, where he was born.

Rudolf a terminé ses études primaires en Yougoslavie, où il est né.

Emigration/Émigration

As a teenager, Rudolph left Yugoslavia with his family, and they emigrated to Toronto, Ontario, Canada. His father had gone there a year earlier, in order to prepare their way.

Adolescent, il quitta la Yougoslavie avec sa famille et ils émigrèrent à Toronto, en Ontario, au Canada. Son père s'y était rendu un an auparavant afin de préparer leur chemin.

Rudolf completed his secondary education in Toronto.

Rudolf a terminé ses études secondaires à Toronto.

Higher education/L'enseignement supérieur

After this, he entered Holy Trinity College at the University of Toronto.

Après cela, il entra au _Toronto Holy Trinity College de [https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universit%C3%A9_de_Toronto l'Université de Toronto].

Holy Trinity College, University of Toronto/Collège de la Sainte-Trinité, Université de Toronto

Working and developing years/Années de travail et de développement

For some years, Rudolf worked as an airline steward on Canadian Pacific Airlines (CPAir). This was, in fact, his first permanent employment. This employment meant that he was exposed to many different cultures, since he served on some international routes.

Pendant plusieurs années, Rudolf a travaillé comme steward (agent de bord) pour la compagnie aérienne Canadian Pacific Airlines (CPAir). Il s'agissait en fait de son premier emploi stable. Ce travail lui a permis de découvrir de nombreuses cultures différentes, puisqu'il a navigué sur des lignes internationales.

Becoming an Orthodox Christian/Devenir chrétien orthodoxe

During his travels in the 1970s, when he would often stop and visit in Vancouver, British Columbia, he met 2 significant persons.

Au cours de ses voyages dans les années 1970, alors qu'il s'arrêtait souvent à Vancouver, en Colombie-Britannique, il a rencontré 2 personnes importantes.

One was Bishop Joasaph (Antonuk), who was Vicar-Bishop of the Archdiocese of Canada (Orthodox Church in America). He was serving at Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Vancouver, and he was a remarkable and holy person.

L'un d'eux était l'évêque Joasaph (Antonuk), évêque auxiliaire de [(https://orthodoxwiki.org/Archdiocese_of_Canada) l'archidiocèse du Canada] (Église orthodoxe en Amérique). Il officiait à [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Vancouver_BC _Holy_Resurrection_Russian_Orthodox_Sobor_1924 l'église orthodoxe de la Sainte-Résurrection] à Vancouver et était une personne remarquable et sainte.

The other person was the man who would become his Orthodox sponsor and guide, Professor Demetrios Conomos. Professor Conomos was a professor in the Department of Music of at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver).

L'autre personne était celui qui allait devenir son parrain et guide orthodoxe, le professeur Demetrios Conomos. Le professeur Conomos enseignait au Département de musique de l'Université de la Colombie-Britannique à Vancouver.

It was Demetrios who guided Rudolf into the Orthodox Christian Church, and to his baptism in Saint George Greek Orthodox Church in Vancouver. He was given the name Gabriel. Later, Demitrios enabled the newly-illumined Gabriel Majoros to make a visit to Mount Athos, Greece, for the first time.

C'est Démétrios qui a guidé Rodolphe vers l'Église orthodoxe et l'a conduit au baptême en [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/ Vancouver_BC_Saint_George_Greek_Orthodox_Cathedral_1927 l'église orthodoxe grecque Saint-Georges] de Vancouver. Il reçut le nom de Gabriel. Plus tard, Démétrios permit à Gabriel Majoros, nouvellement illuminé, de se rendre pour la première fois au Mont Athos, en Grèce.

Becoming a monk/Devenir moine

A consequence of this visit to Mount Athos was his decision in 1977 to return and to live permanently on the Holy Mountain at Hilandar Monastery. This monastery was founded in 1198 by Saint Symeon (Stefan Nemanja) and Saint Sava (Nemanjić). The monastery has a double dedication : to the Entrance of the Theotokos to the Temple, and to the Three-handed Icon of the Theotokos.

Suite à son pèlerinage au Mont Athos, il décida en 1977 de revenir s'installer définitivement au monastère d'Hilandar. Ce monastère fut fondé en 1198 par saint Syméon et [https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sava_de_Serbie saint Sava (Nemanjić. Il est doublement dédié à l'entrée du Temple de la Vierge Marie et à l'icône de la Vierge Marie à trois mains.

Hilandar Monastery of the Theotokos, Mount Athos/Monastère Hilandar de la Théotokos, Mont Athos

Monastic tonsure/Tonsure monastique

In about 1980, at Hilandar Monastery, Rudolf Majoros was tonsured to be a monk of the Lesser Schema, and he was given the name Luka (Luke). This occurred on the Feast of the Holy Apostle Luke 18 October/3 November.

Vers 1980, au monastère d'Hilandar, Rudolf Majoros reçut la tonsure et devint moine du Monastic_Ranks Petit Schéma. Il reçut alors le nom de Luka (Luc). Cet événement eut lieu le jour de la fête de saint Luc, 18 octobre/3 novembre.

The unforgettable Father Luke belonged to the generation of monks who arrived at the Hilandar Monastery in the 1970s, alongside the late Archimandrite Pajsije (Tanasijević) (1957-2003), Hieromonk Avakum (Medić) (1956-2006), Hieromonk Gavrilo (Vučković) (1944-2017), and Archimandrite Hrizostom (Stolić) (1939-2012), the last being the Bishop of Žiča. Another of his contemporaries, and nearer in age, was the Monk Andrej (Ćilerdžić), who later became a bishop of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

L'inoubliable Père Luc appartenait à la génération de moines arrivés au monastère d'Hilandar dans les années 1970, aux côtés du regretté archimandrite Pajsije (Tanasijević) (1957-2003), hiéromoine Avakum (Medić) (1956-2006), hiéromoine Gavrilo (Vučković) (1944-2017), et l'archimandrite Hrizostom (Stolić), le dernier étant l'évêque de Žiča. Un autre de ses contemporains, plus proche en âge, était le moine Andrej (Ćilerdžić), qui devint plus tard évêque de l'Église orthodoxe serbe.

Father Luke served for many years as the “Archondar” (hospitality officer) at Hilandar Monastery, and he was the closest cell attendant (“kelejnik”) to the late Elder Nikanor (Savić) of Hilandar (who was later recognised to be a saint).

Le père Luke a servi pendant de nombreuses années comme « archondar » (officier d'hospitalité) au monastère d'Hilandar, et il était le plus proche assistant de cellule (« kelejnik ») du défunt "starets"/vieillard Nikanor (Savić) d'Hilandar (qui a été plus tard reconnu comme un saint (https://orthodoxwiki.org/Saint)).

Diaconal ordination/Ordination diaconale

At Hilandar Monastery, in about 1980, the Monk Luka (Majoros) of Hilandar (tonsured monks take the monastery name as a “surname”) was ordained to the Holy Diaconate by Bishop Chrysostomos (Anagnostopoulos) of Rodostolon.

Au monastère d'Hilandar, vers 1980, le moine Luka (Majoros) d'Hilandar (les moines tonsurés prennent le nom du monastère comme « nom de famille ») a été ordonné au Saint Diaconat par l'évêque Chrysostomos (Anagnostopoulos) de Rodostolon.

Hierodeacon Luke (Marjoros) continued to serve the Hilandar Monastery brotherhood in the usual way of monks. It is useful to keep in mind that at that time, the Hilandar Monastery was an idiorrhythmic community, and it remained so until 1990, when it was changed to a cenobitic community. By this time, the nature of the brotherhood of the monastery had changed in various ways.

Le hiérodiacre Luc (Marjoros) continua de servir la communauté monastique du monastère d'Hilandar selon la tradition. Il est important de rappeler qu'à cette époque, le monastère d'Hilandar était une communauté idiorrythmique, et il le resta jusqu'en 1990, date à laquelle il devint une communauté cénobitique. Entre-temps, la nature de la vie monastique avait évolué de diverses manières.

Hierodeacon Luke at Hilandar/Hiérodiacre Luc à Hilandar

It was during his monastic life at Hilandar that Hierodeacon Luke refined his culinary skills, a talent through which he cared for and served people for the rest of his life.

C’est durant sa vie monastique à Hilandar que le hiérodiacre Luc perfectionna ses compétences culinaires, un talent grâce auquel il prit soin des autres et les servit pendant le reste de sa vie.

For a period of time, he lived as a solitary in a hermitage by the sea.

Il vécut quelque temps en solitaire dans un ermitage au bord de la mer.

Return to Canada/Retour au Canada

In 1985, Hierodeacon Luke, along with Monk Pierre (Vachon), returned to Canada to see his family.

En 1985, le hiérodiacre Luke, accompagné du moine Pierre (Vachon), est retourné au Canada pour voir sa famille.

Move to Jamaica/Déménager en Jamaïque

Afterwards, he felt unable to return to the Holy Mountain for some reason.

Par la suite, il se sentit incapable de retourner à la Montagne Sainte pour une raison quelconque.

Instead, Hierodeacon Luke went to Jamaica. His sister had moved there, and had married her husband Nigel Young-Chin. He arrived there in January, 1986, for the baptism of his niece Katleya, which took place on 25 January (she was exactly 6 months old).

While there, he worked as an English teacher at the Saint Andrew High school for Girls in Kingston, Jamaica. After that, he worked for the "Bolivar Art Gallery and Books".

Au lieu de cela, le hiérodiacre Luke se rendit en Jamaïque. Sa sœur y avait déménagé et avait épousé Nigel Young-Chin. Il y arriva en janvier 1986 pour le baptême de sa nièce Katleya, qui eut lieu le 25 janvier (elle avait exactement six mois}.

Pendant son séjour, il a travaillé comme professeur d'anglais au lycée Saint Andrew pour filles à Kingston en Jamaïque. Par la suite, il a travaillé pour la galerie d'art et librairie Bolivar.

He remained in Jamaica until the autumn of 1989, and the aftermath of a huge hurricane (Hurricane Gilbert) in September.

Il est resté en Jamaïque jusqu'à l'automne 1989, et jusqu'aux conséquences d'un énorme ouragan (l'ouragan Gilbert en septembre.

Return to Canada/Retour au Canada

When he returned to Canada, he worked at an office job with Laurentian Insurance.

À son retour au Canada, il a travaillé dans un bureau pour Laurentian Insurance.

Archdiocese of Canada, Orthodox Church in America/Archidiocèse du Canada, Église orthodoxe en Amérique

In 1989, when he returned to Toronto, Ontario, he was received into The Orthodox Church in America by Bishop Seraphim (Storheim) of Edmonton.

En 1989, à son retour à Toronto, en Ontario, il a été reçu dans l'Église orthodoxe en Amérique par l'évêque Séraphim (Storheim) d'Edmonton.

Upon coming to the Archdiocese of Canada, and upon his being received, Hierodeacon Luke (Majoros) was attached first to Christ the Saviour Cathedral in Toronto.

À son arrivée dans l’archidiocèse du Canada, et après avoir été reçu, le hiérodiacre Luc (Majoros) a d’abord été affecté à la cathédrale du Christ-Sauveur de Toronto.

Christ the Saviour Cathedral, Toronto/Cathédrale du Christ-Sauveur, Toronto

At that time, he became well-known to the family of Professor Richard Schneider of York University, and amongst the youth in general, he enjoyed teaching and playing the game of cricket. Being a fan of European football, he also encouraged the youth in this game.

À cette époque, il se fit connaître de la famille du professeur Richard Schneider de l'Université York et, auprès des jeunes en général, il appréciait enseigner et pratiquer le cricket. Passionné de football, il encourageait également les jeunes à s'adonner à ce sport.

Later, he became known at the Annunciation to the Theotokos-Saint Nicholas Cathedral in Ottawa, Ontario, where he was attached as a hierodeacon.

Plus tard, il se fit connaître à la cathédrale de l'Annonciation à la Théotokos-Saint Nicolas à Ottawa, en Ontario, où il était rattaché en tant que hiérodiacre.

After the last Hierarchical Divine Liturgy in the first Temple (1955-2005)/Après la dernière Divine Liturgie hiérarchique dans le premier Temple (1955-2005)

Annunciation-Saint Nicholas Cathedral, Ottawa (after 2005)/Cathédrale de l'Annonciation-Saint-Nicolas, Ottawa (après 2005)

Before long, he and Monk Pierre (Vachon) were searching for a site, either in Ontario or in Québec, where they might find a site of sufficient silence in order to make an attempt at eremitic life, similar to what they had lived on Mount Athos (albeit that they were in different communities). Ultimately, the place they found was in the region of the Lower Saint Lawrence River in Québec, in the Témiscouata region (which abuts the border with the USA). In that area also is Lac Témiscouata.

Peu après, lui et le moine Pierre (Vachon) se mirent en quête d'un lieu, en Ontario ou au Québec, où ils pourraient trouver un endroit suffisamment paisible pour tenter une vie érémitique, semblable à celle qu'ils avaient menée au Mont Athos (bien que dans des communautés différentes). Finalement, ils trouvèrent leur bonheur dans la région du Bas-Saint-Laurent, au Québec, dans la municipalité régionale de Témiscouata (qui borde les États-Unis). Le lac Témiscouata se trouve également dans cette région.

Hermitage of the Protection of the Theotokos, 1992/Ermitage de la Protection de la Mère de Dieu, 1992

On 2 August, 1992, the establishment of the Protection of the Theotokos Hermitage in Saint-Eusèbe de Témiscouata, Québec was blessed.

Le 2 août 1992, l'établissement de l'ermitage de la Protection de la Théotokos à Saint-Eusèbe de Témiscouata, Québec, a été béni.

Hierodeacon Luke (Majoros) was released from his attachment at the Annunciation to the Theotokos-Saint Nicholas Cathedral. He was assigned to the Ermitage de la Protection de la Mère de Dieu in Saint-Eusèbe de Témiscouata, Québec.

Le hiérodiacre Luc (Majoros) a été libéré de son attachement lors de la cathedrale de l'Annonciation à la Théotokos-Saint Nicolas. Il a été affecté à l'Ermitage de la Protection de la Mère de Dieu à Saint-Eusèbe de Témiscouata, Québec.

Fathers Luke and Pierre, visitor Charlene Lau (husband Brian Ahier, photographer)/Les pères Luke et Pierre, la visiteuse Charlene Lau (son mari Brian Ahier, photographe)

In the course of time there, Father Luke (an aficionado of astronomy) found employment as a visitor-guide at the nearby Aster Observatory and Planetarium. Through this, he was able to help sustain life at the hermitage economically.

Au fil du temps, le père Luke (un passionné d'astronomie) a trouvé un emploi de guide touristique à l'observatoire et planétarium Aster voisin. Grâce à cela, il a pu contribuer à assurer la viabilité économique de l'ermitage.

Presbyteral Ordination/Ordination presbytérale

On 12 March, 2000, at the Divine Liturgy at the Church of Saint-Benoît de Nursie in Montréal, Québec, the Archdeacon Luc (Majoros) was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by Bishop Seraphim (Storheim) of Ottawa.

Le 12 mars 2000, lors de la Divine Liturgie à l'église Saint-Benoît de Nursie à Montréal, Québec, l'archidiacre Luc (Majoros) a été ordonné au Saint Sacerdoce par [https:// orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Seraphim_(Storheim) l'évêque Séraphim (Storheim) d'Ottawa].

Pastoral service

On 12 March, 2000, the Priestmonk Luke (Majoros) was attached at the Communauté Monastique de Saint-Séraphim de Sarov. He was assigned also to serve at the Ermitage de la Protection de la Mère de Dieu in Saint-Eusèbe de Témiscouata, Québec.

Later, when the utter solitude (including being extremely distant from any Orthodox Christian community) had become too difficult to maintain, Priestmonk Luke (Majoros) was transferred to the Monastic Brotherhood of Saint Silouan of Mount Athos at Johnstown, Ontario. Regardless of this move, Father Luke continued to consider himself to be a monk of this hermitage.

At this time, he also served for a period of time at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in London, Ontario, “on-loan” to Metropolitan Sotirios (Athanassoulas) of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto (Canada).

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, London, Ontario

Then, in 2003, he was sent to serve at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Sudbury, Ontario.

Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Sudbury, Ontario

In both these assignments, he was well-loved by the parishioners.

European pilgrimage

During 2006, (with the blessing of the bishop), both Father Luke and Father Pierre (Vachon) began a 6-month pilgrimage to holy places in western, central, and eastern Europe. They visited many monasteries, and they venerated the relics of many saints. One such significant visit was to the Abbey Church of Saint Victor in Marseille, France, where they venerated the Holy Relics of Saint-John Cassian.

Saint John Cassian Reliquary

On 1 September, 2006, in addition to his attachment at the Chapel of Saint Silouan, Priestmonk Luke (Majoros) was, assigned to serve as Interim Priest-in-charge of Saint Gregory of Nyssa’s Church in Kingston, Ontario.

On 1 January, 2007, in addition to his other duties, Hieromonk Luke (Majoros) was assigned to be Priest-in-charge of Saint Gregory of Nyssa’s Mission in Kingston, Ontario.

Saint Gregory of Nyssa Mission, Kingston, Ontario

While he served at Kingston, he lived at the Hermitage of Saint Anthony at Westport, Ontario.

Father Luke at Saint Anthony's Hermitage (before the construction of the chapel)

On 4 April, 2010, Hieromonk Luke (Majoros) received from the Holy Synod of Bishops of The Orthodox Church in America, the blessing to wear the Gold Cross.

In May, 2011, Hieromonk Luke (Majoros) was elevated to the dignity of Igumen by the Holy Synod.

On 11 January, 2012, Igumen Luke (Majoros) was released from his responsibilities as Rector of the Mission of Saint Gregory of Nyssa in Kingston, Ontario.

Igumen Luke (Majoros) was granted a Leave-of-absence for one year, and he was given the status of Unassigned Cleric.

It was at that time that Igumen Luke moved to the Monastery of Saint Silouan at Johnstown, Ontario.

Monastery of Saint Silouan, Johnstown, Ontario

Later in 2012, Father Luke cared for the wife of Viktor Eryomin of Brockville, Ontario, in the hospital there during her final weeks. The funeral of Viktor's wife was served by Father Luke at the Chapel of Saint Silouan (Johnstown, Ontario). She was interred at the Saint James Cemetery at Maitland, Ontario. Before marriage to Viktor, she was the widow of one of the 2 sons of Grand Duchess Olga Kulikova.

After the funeral, Viktor began to visit the monastery frequently, in part because Father Luke could understand Russian (Viktor, born at Murmansk, Russia, had arrived in Canada many years previously as a refugee). Eventually, he moved to the monastery, and lived there as a worker, and he attended all the services in the chapel.

Rather later, he was tonsured by Father Luke to be a Stavrophore Monk.

On 21 February, 2013, Igumen Luke was formally attached as a Supply Priest of the Deanery of Ontario at the Chapel of Saint Silouan the Athonite in Johnstown, Ontario. There, he served in the Chapel of Saint Silouan the Athonite, and he travelled often to Potsdam, New York, USA, where he nurtured the beginning of the Mission of Saint Olympia. Some years after his pastoral service there, this mission-parish itself began to support the new Mission of Saint John the Soldier in Watertown, New York.

Father Luke, Father Pierre, and visitors from New York, from Kingston, and from Ottawa

(at Saint Silouan's Chapel)

Photos of Fathers Luke and Viktor at Potsdam, New York

Saint Olympia Church, Norwood, New York

In 2015, Igumen Luke (Majoros) was elevated to the dignity of Archimandrite.

Closure of Saint Silouan Monastery, 2016

In 2016, the Monastery of Saint Silouan was closed. As a consequence, Fathers Luke and Victor moved to a building on a farmstead at Kilmarnock, Ontario, where they continued as the Hermitage of the Protection of the Theotokos. Father Luke served in the Domestic Chapel of Saints Cosmas and Damian.

Saints Cosmas and Damian Chapel Kilmarnock, Ontario

At the end of 2024, because of the pending sale of the property where they had lived, Father Luke and Father Victor (Eryomin) moved into an apartment in Ottawa. They prayed at home, and they attended services at the Annunciation to the Theotokos-Saint Nicholas Cathedral, and Saint Stephen Serbian Orthodox Church.

Father Luke was fluent in speaking English, French, Greek, Hungarian, and Serbian.

In 2025, Father Luke began to feel very ill, and he received various treatments, which culminated in a surgery. Despite the surgery, which was followed by chemotherapy, Father Luke’s health had deteriorated sufficiently that his body could not tolerate treatment, and he remained in a hospital for a lengthy period of time.

Then, in February, 2026, he was admitted to the palliative care ward at the Saint Vincent Hospital in Ottawa.

Repose

Very early on 12 February, 2026, Archimandrite Luke (Majoros) fell asleep in the Lord at Saint Vincent’s Hospital in Ottawa, Ontario.

Archimandrite Luke was predeceased by his parents. He leaves behind his sister Klara (Nigel), his niece Katleya, and his fellow Monk Viktor (Eryomin).

On Friday, 13 February, 2026, Bishop Andrej (Ćilerdžić) (Serbian Orthodox Bishop of Switzerland), who once led the ascetic life in Hilandar Monastery alongside Father Luke, officiated at a Memorial Service (Panikhida) for the departed at the Church of the Holy Trinity in Zurich. He was accompanied by Protopresbyter Branimir Petković, and Deacon Vladimir Mihajlović.

On Tuesday, 17 February, 2026, the coffin with the body of Archimandrite Luke (Majoros) was brought to the Annunciation to the Theotokos-Saint Nicholas Cathedral (15, Eccles Street), in Ottawa, Ontario. His body remained there in the open coffin until the evening.

Archimandrite Luke in repose

The Funeral Service for the Burial of a Monk was offered at the Annunciation to the Theotokos-Saint Nicholas Cathedral (15, Eccles Street, Ottawa, Ontario) on Tuesday, 17 February, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. This service was led by Archbishop Irénée (Rochon) of Ottawa and Canada ; he was assisted by the Dean, Archpriest James Griggs, Second Priest Nikolay Melnik, and Deacon Denis Letunovsky. Deacon Mark Josefson was present. At the conclusion of the service, the Last Kiss was given to Archimandrite Luke, one-by-one, by those present.

The clergy serving at the funeral service

Following the end of the funeral, several people read the Psalter by turn throughout the night until the time of the Memorial Divine Liturgy.

The Memorial Divine Liturgy with a final, brief Memorial Service was offered at the Annunciation to the Theotokos-Saint Nicholas Cathedral was offered on Wednesday, 18 February, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. The service was led by Archbishop Irénée (Rochon) of Ottawa and Canada ; he was assisted the Dean, Archpriest James Griggs, and Deacon Denis Letunovsky. Priest Aleksandar Gujaničić of Saint Stefan Serbian Orthodox Church was present.

Father Luke before the Memorial Liturgy (veil at the head, shroud at the feet)

At the final Litiya (Trisagion, Memorial Service)

Whelan Funeral Home of Ottawa was entrusted with arrangements.

Interment was to follow in the spring of 2026 at the Saint James Anglican Cemetery at Maitland, Ontario. Graves for 3 monks had been purchased there many years earlier, before the closure of Saint Silouan’s Monastery at Johnstown, Ontario.

Saint James Cemetery sign

Reflections

Archimandrite Luke was a beloved, and compassionate pastor, and he held very definite and strong opinions.

Many people took inspiration from his energy, his teaching, and his perseverance. He had a lively sense of humour, which is exemplified by the following caricature of him (created by a friend), which he liked very much.

Caricature

In his life (possibly related to the difficulties he faced in his early days, including those in emigration), there were sometimes various complications. Despite these, he forged on in serving the Lord with hope.

This is confirmed by a longtime Cathedral parishioner who wrote " Everywhere, he was loved and radiated love".