Parksville BC Saint Mary Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox Church 1954

Parksville, British Columbia, Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Saint Mary Protectress, 1954

Establishment of a mission ; organisation, 1954

The parish community of Saint Mary Protectress (Protection of the Theotokos, or Protection of the Mother of God) in Parksville, British Columbia, Canada, was re-established in its new location in 1954.

However, for a long time, this community was served from Port Alberni, on the eastern side of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, where the parish was first established. Its address was : "Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Saint Mary the Protectress, 4521, Dogwood Street, Port Alberni, British Columbia". The Temple faced 8th Avenue, at 4403, 8 Avenue, Port Alberni. At the time of the move, it seems that the original Temple remained in Port Alberni, with its parish hall, and events continued to occur on this site.

Views of the Temple in Port Alberni

Port Alberni is situated at the eastern end of the Alberni Inlet, which stretches to the west, and opens into the Pacific Ocean at Barkley Sound. Parksville is situated about 50 kilometres (31 mi) east of Port Alberni.

Re-naming of the UGOCC, 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.

The UOCC entered into Eucharistic union with 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.

Purchase of the Temple, 2009

On 28 June, 2009, the parishioners purchased what was previously the First Christian Science church in Parksville, and they immediately began renovations to the interior to make the building into an Orthodox Temple.

On 18 October, 2009, the first Divine Liturgy was served in the parish’s new spiritual home, and there has been positive progress since then.

The new Temple at the time of purchase

A few years after this significant beginning, the spiritual family of Saint Mary the Protectress parish began to take on many different fundraising efforts. One of the main fundraising efforts was preparing and selling frozen pyrohy (perogies) and pies, and the monthly pyrohy dinners, which began to grow in attendance every month.

Until 2017, this parish was served by the Priest Chad Pawlyshyn, who divided his time between the 2 principal communities of Saint Mary in Parksville and Saint George in Victoria.

Father Chad Pawlyshyn was transferred in 2017 to the parish of Saint Peter and Paul in Kelowna, British Columbia.

Deacon Chris Parker, also present in the parish, leads the service of the Typika on the Sundays when there is no Divine Liturgy.

Other communities supported

Within the parish district, this parish cares for Faithful in the following communities : Qualicum Beach, Nanaimo, Port Alberni, Comox Valley, Ladysmith, and Duncan.

Archpastoral visitation, 2012

Sanctification of the Temple

In 2012, the wife of Father Peter Haugen, Dobrodyka Erin Haugen, wrote the following article about the Sanctification of the Temple of Saint Mary the Protectress, Parksville, British Columbia.

Roughly three years ago the members of what was formerly a parish in Port Alberni, due to declining
membership, sold their property and moved to the more central and accessible city of Parksville.
On June 28th of 2009 they purchased a building, a church of First Christian Science, and began the
process of converting it into the Orthodox Church of St. Mary the Protectress.

On October 18th of 2009, with the blessing of His Grace Bishop Ilarion,
Fr. Peter Haugen blessed the nearly completed church so that we could begin to hold services at our new
home. Over the past three years as the process of moving and renovating took place, the members of
St. Mary the Protectress had been holding services at Yates Funeral Chapel, also in Parksville. How
wonderful it was to finally have a Church of our own!

Finally, on June 6th of this year, His Grace Bishop Ilarion was able to come to Parksville to see for
himself the fruits of our labor and in a very special and unique service, consecrate our Temple; his
first consecration in Canada. The weekend began with fellowship on Saturday evening where parishioners
were able to come to the Church and meet His Grace in a casual setting, also giving His Grace a chance to
view the Church and plan the service with Fr. Peter for the following day. The consecration was actually
meant to take place on Saturday evening, but in a humorous twist, His Grace Bishop Ilarion’s luggage
containing his vestments was delayed – No one is immune from the trials of flying !

The service on Sunday morning was truly special. It meant so much for the parishioners of St. Mary the Protectress
to see their work finally pay off. The church was bursting at the seams with our own church
family and many other visitors both from other parts of the island, and as far away as Saskatchewan. The
consecration service was followed by a Divine Liturgy served by His Grace Bishop Ilarion, Rev. Fr. Peter
Haugen, and Very Rev. Fr. Michael Sokyrka. Following the service those in attendance had a chance to reflect
and rejoice during a wonderful banquet.

Now that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St. Mary the Protectress has been consecrated, the parishioners
are able to focus on the next chapter – The growth and expansion of their church family. We are grateful
to His Grace Bishop Ilarion for his visit and for helping to see our vision realized, and we thank all
those who have helped us come this far. Glory Be to Jesus Christ!

The Temple, with sign

Parishioners

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.

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

The 24th Sobor of the Ukrainian Orthodox of Canada was convened in Edmonton, Alberta, at Saint John's Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, 15-19 June, 2022.

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 was a consideration of 2 candidates, Archbishop Job (Getcha) and Bishop Ilarion (Rudnyk). The final result was the choice came of Bishop Ilarion (Rudnyk).

The election by the Sobor (Assembly) of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada then had to be confirmed by the Holy Synod of Constantinople. Once they had received the nomination from the Sobor of the UOCC, they elected Vladyka Ilarion (Rudnyk). This election confirmed Vladyka Ilarion in his new responsibility and title. Thus, Bishop Ilarion (Rudnyk) became Archbishop of Winnipeg and Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Canada.

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.

However, a previously-existing group of persons (who seem to have been resisting episcopal authority in favour of so-called democracy) began to encourage resistance to this change. 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. He called the resisters to repentance.

Some former pastors :

Priest Gregory Kryshtanowych

Priest Myroslav Podolsky

Priest Orest Iwaniuk

Priest John Danyliuk

Archpriest Michael Sokyrka

Priest Peter Haugen

Parish particular information

This parish, which is a part of the Vancouver Island Parish District of the UOCC Western Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada. The bishop of the eparchy is Metropolitan Ilarion II (Rudnyk).

This parish follows the Old (Julian) Calendar.

The Altar Feast-day of the parish is the Feast of the Protection of the Mother of God, 1/14 October.

In 2024, the pastorate was vacant, and the community was served by visiting clergy. The deacon is Deacon Chris Parker.

Address :

Saint Mary Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox Church

594, Karls Way

Parksville, British Columbia

V9P 1Y8

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Directions :

Parksville is 150 km (93 mi) north of Victoria, and 38 km (23 mi) north of Nanaimo.

From the Island Highway (#19A), exit at Columbia Drive, and follow Columbia Drive eastwards towards the town. Turn first left on Sharon Place and drive to Karls Way. Turn right. The Temple is on the left.

From Admiral Tryon Boulevard, drive westwards on Columbia Drive. Turn right on Dalmatian Drive. Turn left on Karls Way. The Temple is on the right.

References

A Brief History of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada

“Collection of Material Relating to the 50th Anniversary of the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada, 1918-1968” (Winnipeg : Consistory of the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada, 1968).

Ukrainian Encyclopaedia article about British Columbia

Additional information :

Huculak, M, “Ukrainians in British Columbia and their Contribution to the Cultural Life of the Province”, trans. M Olynyk (1984)

Martynowych, Orest T. “Ukrainians in Canada : The Formative Period, 1891-1924” (Edmonton : Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies, University of Alberta, 1991. ISBN10 : 0920862764 ; ISBN13 : 978-0920862766.

Sametz, William, “My father the priest : the life and times of the Very Reverend Dr. Peter Sametz : founding missionary priest of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada" (Toronto : Hypertex Plus, 2008). ISBN : 9780969670056.

Yereniuk, Prof. Roman, “A Short Historical Outline of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada (UOCC)”

Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Saint Mary the Protectress, Parksville, British Columbia parish listing

Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada web-site

Wikipedia article about the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada

UOCC Western Diocese web-site

Wikipedia article about the Western Eparchy of the UOCC

Orthodox Church of Constantinople web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about the Church of Constantinople

Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis)

Metropolitan John (Theodorovych)

Metropolitan Ilarion I (Ohienko)