Bishop Varlaam (Novakshonoff)

Bishop Varlaam (Novakshonoff) (1935-2020)

Varlaam may be spelt Barlaam.

Basil may be spelt Vasily, Vasiliy, Vasili, Vasilii, William.

Novakshonoff may be spelt Novakshonov.

Early life of Basil Novakshonoff

Basil (Vasili) Novakshonoff was born in 1935, near Buchanan, in east-central Saskatchewan, Canada. As is usual in Canada for his given name, he was called “William” in English. His parents were Russians of the "Old Believers" and "Doukhobor" ancestry, members of families that had immigrated from the Caucasus region in south Russia to the region of Verigin, Saskatchewan in 1899.

In the context of that history, Basil was raised as an Orthodox Christian, in the Orthodox Christian Faith in Saskatchewan.

Higher Education

Following his early education in Saskatchewan, Basil studied Slavic languages and culture at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta, where he also taught the Russian language for some time.

Monastic beginnings, 1968

In 1968, after having visited the Mount Athos monasteries of Mount Athos, Greece, Basil joined Lev Puhalo in the founding of the Monastery of All Saints of North America in the Province of British Columbia, Canada. The initial site of the monastery was east of Rosedale, British Columbia (which is near Chilliwack). The original facilities were very primitive. In this monastic venture, he became known as Vasili.

During the early days of the yet germinal monastery, Vasili continued working in the Fraser Valley Regional Library system in British Columbia in order to finance both the monastery and its missionary work. As part of their missionary endeavours, Vasili translated several Russian spiritual and theological works into English. He also conducted symposiums and spiritual talks for both the English- and Russian-speaking communities. Amongst his early translations were the "Life of Saint Theophil the Fool for Christ of the Kiev Caves", and the "Life of St. Xenia of St. Petersburg", and they were published by Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, New York. He also translated various works of Metropolitan Antony (Khrapovitsky) into English. These were published by his own monastery in British Columbia.

The publishing of books, booklets and pamphlets required the acquisition of printing machines, and they found the means to acquire what was necessary. With these machines, the two were truly able to publish their own works. They developed what became known as "Synaxis Press", the purpose of which was to provide quality Orthodox educational material both for domestic monastic use, and for missionary purposes.

In 1973, the monastery moved to better facilities in Chilliwack, British Columbia.

Monastic tonsure, 1981

In 1981, Vasili Novakshonoff was tonsured to be a monk, and given the name Varlaam by the Hieromonk Lazar (Puhalo).

Earlier in that year, Lev Puhalo had been ordained to the Holy Priesthood and tonsured to be a monk with the name Lazar.

Ordinations, 1983

In 1983, Metropolitan Irinej (Kovačević) of the New Gracanica Metropolitanate ordained the monk Varlaam to the Holy Diaconate, and then to the Holy Priesthood in order to serve the monastery and its associated parish.

Monastic-pastoral service

In 1985, the Hieromonk Varlaam (Novakshonoff) answered an appeal from the new English-language parish of Saint Nicholas in Langley, British Columbia, to serve as their priest. Father Varlaam also started a small candle factory to make beeswax candles that were difficult to find in their area. Finding affordable beeswax locally was very difficult, and it had to be brought in from a distance.

Move to Dewdney, 1991

In late 1991, the fathers moved the monastery to a new property in Dewdney, British Columbia, which was east of the town of Mission. The new property had a large main building. However, when the monks took possession, this building needed considerable repairs because of the neglect of the previous owners, and because there had also been a fire. The monastery continued the name of the “Orthodox Monastery of All Saints of North America”, but it was also affectionately referred to as “New Ostrog” (after the Ostrog Monastery in Montenegro). The monastery in Dewdney was, at that time, under the jurisdiction of a branch of the Authentic Orthodox Church of Greece (Old Calendarist).

All Saints of North America Monastery (with renovations completed)

Episcopal ordination, 1994

In 1994, the Hieromonk Varlaam (Novakshonoff) was ordained to the Holy Episcopate, and he was given the title Bishop of Vancouver. The ordination took place at the Church of Saint Nicholas in Langley, British Columbia.

Episcopal service

From the time of the episcopal ordination, Vladyka Varlaam continued his activities within the monastery. However, he also served in one or another parish in accordance with the need and the blessing. Characteristically, he has constantly been loved and respected.

Retirement ; transfer to The Orthodox Church in America, 2003

In 2003, the monastery and its clergy were received into the jurisdiction of The Orthodox Church in America. This reception included Bishop Varlaam as a retired bishop, and he was given the title “Former Bishop of Vancouver”.

Vladyka Varlaam (l) with Vladika Lazar (r), Procession of the Icon of the Theotokos "Joy of Canada"

Retirement from parish duties, 2007

In 2007, Bishop Varlaam retired from his pastoral duties at Saint Nicholas’ Church, Langley, British Columbia, which he had been caring for until then. This reduction in activity was required because of his weakening health. He began serving only at the Monastery of All Saints of North America in Dewdney, British Columbia.

Bishop Varlaam was known for his linguistic competence and for his pastoral work, which includes caring for recent immigrants from Russia, Ukraine and Moldova. Because of these particular personal gifts of Bishop Varlaam, the monastery was able to offer services in English from the beginning, and at the same time to serve various immigrants from Slavic-speaking and Romanian-speaking countries who had recently made Canada their home. They had been seeking to recover the Faith of their fathers and mothers, and they had thus come to a richer understanding of their ancestral Faith through his pastoral service. Many of these new Canadians in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia (raised during the Soviet period in Soviet territories) have been baptised and entered into the life of the Orthodox Christian Church with joy.

Along with his translations of the theological works of Metropolitan Antony (Khrapovitsky) from Russian, Bishop Varlaam prepared a series of children’s books for catechetical purposes. Bishop Varlaam and Archbishop Lazar both used their particular gifts in order to prepare elegant translations of many liturgical texts into English.

Vladika Lazar (l) and Vladyka Varlaam (r) with Archbishop Irénée (Rochon) (with mitre, holding Cross) at the 2018 ordination of Deacon Markel Tihon

Vladyka Varlaam (as did Vladika Lazar) began in the decade following 2010 to suffer from cancer. He was given various treatments, and he was feeling stronger again for a substantial amount of time.

However, in 2019 in particular, his health began to weaken, and it was made clear to him that his situation would be terminal. Although he continued to attend services in the monastery as usual, he was sometimes unable to be present because of pain. There were also treatments which he received, and which sometimes limited him.

In February, 2020, Vladika Varlaam encountered a crisis, and after being taken to hospital, he was admitted to palliative care in Abbotsford. Father Moses and others shared news of him through the internet, since visiting was now quite restricted.

Repose, 2020

On 13 February, 2020, Bishop Varlaam (Novakshonoff) fell asleep in the Lord.

Panikhida (memorial) services then began to be served in the monastery for the newly-departed Bishop Varlaam.

On Friday, 21 February, 2020, the body of Vladyka Varlaam was brought to the monastery at 4:00 p.m. At that time, a vigil began and continued on throughout the evening and night, until Saturday morning. The Psalms and the Gospels were read continually, in a variety of languages, until 11:00 a.m. on Saturday.

On Saturday, 22 February, 2020, the Funeral Service for the Burial of a Hierarch commenced 11:00 a.m. in the Monastery of All Saints of North America, in Dewdney, British Columbia (37323, Hawkins Pickle Road, Dewdney, BC V0M 1H0). During the services, Archbishop Irénée (Rochon) and Archbishop Lazar (Puhalo) participated from the Altar, but they did not serve for health reasons. The Mitred Archpriest Michael Fourik, Dean of British Columbia and Yukon, presided at the services. Assisting him were : Archpriest Phillip Eriksson (Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Canada) ; Archimandrite Shio (from Georgia) ; Priest Matthew Francis ; Priest Aleksiy Isakov ; Priest Markell Tihon (newly-ordained for the Monastery of All Saints and originally from Romania) ; Priest Victori Gavgash ; Hieromonk Moses (Armstrong) (a member of the monastery of All Saints) ; Deacon Michael Ivanov (of Holy Resurrection Sobor, Vancouver) ; Priest Pavel (from Moldova).

After the funeral services, the body of Vladyka Varlaam was transported in a funeral procession to the Orthodox Cemetery of Vancouver at Heritage Gardens Cemetery, in Surrey, British Columbia (19082-16th Avenue, Surrey, British Columbia).

The Interment Service was served at the cemetery.

A memorial meal was served at the monastery afterwards.

Funeral of Vladyka Varlaam (Novakshonoff) at the monastery

— Bishop of Vancouver 1994-2003. Preceded by : Archbishop Lazar (Puhalo). Succeeded by : ___.

— Former Bishop of Vancouver 2003-2020.

Reflections

Vladyka lived a difficult but joyful life in Christ : he constantly demonstrated joy.

The Lord allowed Vladyka Varlaam to bring us comfort in life situations. He prayed firmly for us. He instructed and strengthened us in the Faith during confession, in sermons, and in person.

Through the personal charm of Vladyka, his extraordinary smile, his simple words – we felt unity with the Almighty.

Earthly life is short. Our common memory of the Bishop Varlaam will outlive us all.

In a memorial web-site, Elizabeth Marcellus wrote : "I remember with such fondness, buying the glorious hand-dipped beeswax candles from the Bishop. I had wonderful conversations with him when I would visit the monastery. Such a great person with beautiful spirit !"

These words describe Vladyka Varlaam's disposition very well. Anyone who has been associated with the preparation of hand-dipped beeswax candles will understand that this is not at all light work. Vladyka Varlaam was able to allow the joy of Christ shine from him even when he was weary.

Writings :

• “The Creation of the World”, for young people

• “The Kiev-Caves Patericon”

• “God's Fools”

• “Out of Body Experiences and Orthodox Christian Teaching”

• “Great Fathers of the Church (Menaion for Young People)" (illustrated by Bishop Varlaam)

• "On the Law of God" by Metropolitan Philaret (Voskresensky), translated by Hieromonk Varlaam (Novakshonoff)

• “Christian Service in War” by Metropolitan Philaret (Voskresensky), translated by Hieromonk Varlaam (Novakshonoff)

• “The Moral Idea of the Main Dogmas of the Faith” by Metropolitan Antony (Khrapovitsky), translated by Hieromonk Varlaam (Novakshonoff)