Pakan AB Saint Elias Russo Orthodox Church and Cemetery 1902

Pakan, Alberta, Church and Cemetery of Saint Elias, 1902

Elias may be spelt Elia, Elijah, Ilia, Ilya.

Prehistory

Pakan is situated near the former Hudson's Bay Co. (HBC) post, Fort Victoria (opened in 1864) and the Victoria Trail and the Victoria Settlement, on the north side of the North Saskatchewan River in Central Alberta, Canada. That post served the local population, which grew slowly.

By 1887, a small town-site had begun to develop around the HBC post and McDougall's Methodist church. When a post office opened, the community was named Pakan after a local Cree chief (of the Whitefish Lake Band). Pakan served as a steamboat and ferry landing and as a stopping place on the Victoria Trail. Freight would arrive there from Edmonton, North-West Territories (now Alberta), and from other places.

The community received a new influx of settlers after 1900, when some Ukrainian families took up homesteads in the area.

Ukrainian and Romanian settlers first arrived in the Pakan District in 1898-1899. Most of them had originated in or near the Chernivtsi province of Ukraine, which is historically northern Bucovina. This part of Bucovina-Moldavia was of mixed Romanian and Russian-Ukrainian speakers, and it was this part that was severed as one result of the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact between J Stalin and western powers before World War II.

The early emigrants had left their homelands (which at the end of the 19th century were within the Austro-Hungarian Empire). There, there had been for several hundred years, a constant oppression of the Orthodox Christian Faith. At this particular time, the Canadian government had sent its agents as sales-promoters to attract would-be future farmers in Western Canada. The main such agent was Dr. Josef Oleskow.

In the 1890s, emigrants from Galicia also began to arrive in Western Canada.

The Pakan settlement itself began a long period of decline in 1918, when the Canadian Northern Railway went through the nearby community of Smoky Lake.

Shortly after they had arrived and settled on the lands allotted to them, the newcomers quickly recognised the clear and pressing need, and they chose a place for a Temple and cemetery at the land description site SE 1/4-25-58-17-W4.

Founding the parish, 1902

The building committee was led by Zaharia Mihalchan, a pious Orthodox Christian who could read, write and speak both Romanian and Ukrainian. The other members of the committee included :

 Dimitri Cebuliak ; Andrey Gidk ; Ivan Goryniuk ; Hrehory Kotyk ; Gora Nykolaychuk ; Dodda Ponich ; 
 Simeon Romanchuk ; Nykolai Rubuliak.

At about the same time as the pioneers began to build their homes, work on a log church building began in 1900 when logs were cut and hauled to the site.

Construction of the Temple, 1902

In 1902, construction began under the lead carpenter, Ivan Staharuk. When the building was partially constructed, it was understood that the site was wrong for a Temple. This occurred because everything was yet in flux, and the land was properly surveyed only after the beginning of work. It could by then be seen that the property was in the middle of a section of land, nearly 1 kilometre from any road, and that the Temple and cemetery would be on 2 different quarters of land. Construction stopped. Then 4.5 hectares (11 acres) of land were purchased from the Hudson's Bay Company (2.4 km/1.5 mi to the south-west of the original property).

After the property was properly surveyed, the materials were hauled to the new site, and Stefan Kolotyluk and Diordy Chahley led the fresh construction for $1.25 each per day. Gregory Bolichowski, a blacksmith, shaped the iron Crosses that were placed upon the domes.

The exterior of the Temple of Saint Elias was completed in 1904. The interior was finished and painted by Nickolai Woycenko in the late summer of 1905. A bell-house was built by Ivan Staharuk in 1906. Two bells were installed, which had been imported at a cost of $170.00. Various other parishioners donated banners, icons, Crosses, and other articles for the celebration of Orthodox Christian liturgical services. This was the first Russo-Greek Orthodox Temple in Alberta to be constructed on the north side of the North Saskatchewan River.

The early parishioners included the families of :

 Fred Andruchow ; Petro Andruchow ; Ivan Basaraba ; Nikolai Basaraba ; Elia Brusanowsky ;  Todor Cebuliak ; 
 Deordy Chetek ; Partemy Chizewsky ; Wasyl Demtruk ; Kondra Dubetz ; Tanasko Dwernychuk ; Wasyl Dwernychuk ; 
 Kozma Elkowich ; Ecthemy Esopenko ; Elia Esopenko ; Ivan Esopenko ; Nikolai Esopenko ; Deordy George ; Ivan Gorda ; 
 Jim Goryniuk ; Ivan Gurmaza ; Wasyl Hackman ; Karl Hurshowsky ; Aksenty Karpo ; Metro Karpo ; Nikolai Koshalek ; 
 Kosten Kotyk ;  Maftey Koutzun ; Gora Kozma ; Ivan Kozub ; Petro Kozub ; Ivan Krytor ; Ivan Kuziemsky ; 
 Ivan Makarenko ; Ivan Mihalchan ; Wasyl Morgoch ; Deordy Olynek ; Metro Olynek ; Stefan Pawliuk ; Wasyl Pongar ; 
 Alex Ponich ;  Stefan Ratsoy ; Ivan Rusnak ; Todor Sarfinchan ; Nikolai Semeniuk ; Tony Semeniuk ; Zahary Starchuk ; 
 Ivan Strezeboroda ; Mihaylo Suprovich ; Elia Thomas ; Gregory Viteychuk ; Andrey Wennek ; Nikolai Yakimchuk ; 
 Mihalyo Yaroslowski.

Many articles were purchased or hand-made for the Temple by parishioners. Some of the original articles were lost in a fire, but others became worn out. Some remain in use.

For example, Zahary Mihalchan donated the original Holy Shroud and 2 wooden hand-Crosses from 1898, which remain in use. Stefan Koltyluk and Andrey Wasylashko donated banners. Ivan Strezeboroda gave the Gospel Book. Ivan Gorda donated a tapestry. The original chandelier was donated by Echtemy and Nikolai Esopenko. There were many other such contributions.

Sanctification of the Temple, 1906

On 6 August, 1906, the Temple was sanctified and dedicated to the Prophet Elias.

It is the oral tradition of the parish that the Temple was sanctified by a bishop. There is documentation at Saint Tikhon's Monastery to indicate that this bishop was most probably Bishop Tikhon, which thus confirms the oral tradition. At that time, in fact, there was no other bishop who could have done this. Thus, the community became a part of the Diocese of North America and the Aleutians.

Nevertheless, Bishop Tikhon did assign the Hieromonk Visarion (Shestakov) (†1911), a missionary of the Russian Orthodox Church, to be its first priest. He served the parish for a time, and also the Holy Trinity Parish in Smoky Lake, but he then returned to New York City, where he fell asleep in the Lord in 1911.

First Temple (left) ; Bell-house (right)

Priest's house and barn constructed, 1908

In 1908, a parsonage and a barn were constructed, and a well for the home was dug.

Renovation of the Temple, 1947

In 1947-1948, the Temple was thoroughly renovated, both inside and out, by William Skladan of Andrew, Alberta. The exterior of the Temple had red brick siding added to it.

Parish life

It came to be that generally, the priests serving the parish travelled from Smoky Lake or other surrounding parishes. Between 1965 and 1973, these were short-term assignments, sometimes lasting 1 or 2 years. This is a reason why more than 25 priests have regularly served the parish of Saint Elias during its history.

The longest-serving priests were the Archpriest Mihaylo Cependa (1936-1949) and the Archpriest Ivan Wasel (1949-1965).

Fire, 1954 ; reconstruction, 1954

Then, on 7 January, 1954, during a Christmas Day service, the Temple caught fire. Nothing could be done to save the building, but most of its contents were saved. The cause of the fire was not clearly determined, although it was speculated that a beehive in a chimney could have been the cause.

Immediately following, funds were raised to build another Temple. Parishioners went carolling in order to begin the collection, and an annual raffle and bingo event became a consistent fundraiser. Work started on the construction straight away in the summer of 1954. John Mnohility was the lead carpenter. The iconostas was carved by Peter Chetek, a member of the parish.

Some of the articles which had been damaged by smoke were replaced. Many articles were contributed in the reconstruction. A new Holy Shroud, icons, banners, a chandelier, and Crosses were offered by parishioners.

A new belfry was constructed (now over the western entrance door), and the bells installed in it. The old bell-house was donated by Steve and Nick Cebuliak to the Shandro Museum (south-east of Pakan, and on the south side of the North Saskatchewan River).

The second Temple

Parish hall construction, 1961

In 1961, a parish hall was built at a short distance from the Temple in order to provide a place for church dinners, fellowship and meetings.

The parish hall, 1961

Sanctification of the second Temple, 1964

On 2 August, 1964 the Temple was sanctified by Bishop Sylvester (Haruns) of Montréal, Québec. He was assisted by the Archpriest Ivan Wasel (†1974) and the Archpriest Michael Andruchow (†1975).

Like other Orthodox Temples in the district, Saint Elias was initially a missionary parish served by the monks and priests of the Russian Orthodox Church in North America (also known as the “Metropolia”). It remained so until 1965.

Move to the Moscow Patriarchate Exarchate Diocese, 1965

For practical reasons, from 1965, the parish came to be served by the clergy of the Moscow Patriarchate Parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in Canada. The main reason for the move was the shortage of clergy at that time in the "Metropolia", and Edmonton had a resident Moscow Patriarchate bishop, Archbishop Panteleimon (Rudyk).

In 1979, a monument was placed beside the cemetery to commemorate the 75 years of history since the foundation of the parish by the founding pioneers. Electricity was able to be installed, and modern heating and maintenance methods became possible.

Return to the Archdiocese of Canada, 1993

In 1993, along with some other parishes in the area, the parishioners agreed to return from their affiliation with the Patriarchal Parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in Canada, to the Archdiocese of Canada (The Orthodox Church in America). Since then, the parish has been served by OCA clergy.

On 25 March, 1999, the Priest Vasyl Kolega was received from Ukraine into the Archdiocese of Canada, and he was assigned to serve the parish of Saint Elias, along with the other associated parishes.

The condition of rural parish life by 2000 A.D.

The Temple of the Holy Prophet Elias was built at a time when pioneer families were large and farms were small. Now, because of the rural depopulation which had been happening since the 1930s, families were small and the farms are several (or many) times larger. As a consequence, there was a scant rural population. However, the difficulties caused by a smaller membership have been eased since 1993, because of the formation of 2 “family” groupings of rural parishes for mutual spiritual and practical support (in the best rural fashion). This travelling congregation attends the services in other Orthodox Temples besides their own, in a true neighbourly manner.

The parish of Saint Elias is a small but active church community. The parishioners are actively involved in assisting the parish priest when he conducts services in the Smoky Lake Senior Lodge, and in the auxiliary hospital. The parish ladies provide dinners, and lunches after Sunday services and feast-days. Other volunteers look after the Temple and the parish cemetery. One on-going project over many years was the development of a prayer-garden.

Visit of archdiocesan assembly delegates, 2001

In 2001, at the conclusion of the Archdiocesan Assembly Meeting in Edmonton, Alberta, buses of representatives and clergy visited various historical rural parishes, including the Saint Elias Church at Pakan. The parishioners warmly greeted their guests. At each stop, the visitors learnt a considerable amount about the history of the Orthodox Church in Canada.

Centennial celebration ; re-sanctification, 2002

On 2 August, 2002, the parish celebrated its 100th Anniversary. The Temple was re-sanctified with a new Holy Table by Bishop Seraphim (Storheim). He was assisted by the Archpriest Dennis Pihach and the Priest Vasyl Kolega.

After the vesting before the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, there was a re-sanctification service : the sanctification of the Holy Table, the placing of Holy Relics, and the sanctification of the whole Temple.

After the Divine Liturgy, a monument in the form of an outdoor altar was placed beside the cemetery to commemorate the parish families. Here, panikhidas (memorial services) and other services are offered outdoors.

Exterior memorial table

Afterwards, a dinner was offered to all in the Warspite Community Hall (Highway #28 between Smoky Lake and Waskateneau).

Historical designation, 2002

In 2002, the Victoria District National Site of Canada was established. This district includes the Saint Elias Orthodox Church and Cemetery.

The designation recognises the history of the early Indigenous people of the region ; the work of the Methodist missionaries ; the settlement by the Ukrainian pioneers ; and the contribution each made to the development of the district.

Transfer of Archpriest Vasyl Kolega to Toronto ; arrival of Hieromonk Gerasim (Power) ; 2012

In 2012, the Archpriest Vasyl Kolega was released from his responsibilities in this parish, and he was transferred to the Christ the Saviour Sobor parish in Toronto, Ontario.

In 2012, the Hieromonk Gerasim (Power) was assigned to serve as the rector of this parish, together with the other associated parishes.

New entrance stairs and ramp, 2013

In 2013, the front steps of the Temple were replaced by both a ramp and new stairs, in order to make the building more assessable.

Archimandrite Gerasim (Power)

 Pascha 2016

Archpastoral visit by Bishop Irénée (Rochon) to part of the Alberta Deanery, 2014

From 7-10 June, 2014, Bishop Irénée (Rochon) made an archpastoral visitation to the Alberta Deanery of the Archdiocese of Canada (including the Saint Elias parish at Pakan).

On 7 June, 2014, on the Feast of Pentecost, Vladyka Irénée presided at the Vigil service for Pentecost at Saint Herman of Alaska's Sobor in Edmonton.

Serving together with Bishop Irénée at the vigil were were Archpriest Phillip Eriksson (Dean of Alberta) ; Archimandrite Alexander (Pihach) (OCA Representative to the Patriarch of Russia) ; Archimandrite Philip (Speranza) (Rector of Holy Trinity Church in Edmonton) ; Igumen Gerasim (Power) (Rector of Saint Elias Church at Pakan) ; Priest Vincent Lehr (Priest-in-Charge of Saint Herman of Alaska's Sobor) ; Priest Daniel Friesen (Priest-in-Charge of Saints Peter and Paul Church at Dickie Bush), along with other local and guest clergy from around the deanery.

At Saint Herman of Alaska's Sobor

At this time, Bishop Irénée (Rochon) presented several clerics with the Paschal awards of that year. Priest Vincent Lehr was awarded the Gold Cross ; Priest Michael Schaplowsky was awarded the Purple Kamilavka.

Awarding the Gold Cross

On 8 June, the Feast of Pentecost, Vladyka Irénée presided at the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at Holy Trinity Church in Edmonton.

On 9 June, Holy Spirit Day, Vladyka Irénée presided at the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at Saints Peter and Paul Church at Dickie Bush. Serving together with him were Archimandrite Alexander (Pihach) ; Archimandrite Philip (Speranza) ; Archimandrite Gerasim (Power) ; Archpriest Phillip Eriksson ; Priest Daniel Friesen ; Priest Alexy (Surayev) ; Protodeacon Jesse Isaac ; Subdeacon Andrey Boldireff ; Reader Tymofiy Hawrysh. During the Divine Liturgy, the Priest Daniel Friesen was awarded the Purple Kamilavka.

At Saints Peter and Paul, Dickie Bush (left) ; awarding the kamilavka (right)

On 10 June, Vladyka Irénée presided at a Moleben and Memorial Litiya at Saint Elias' Temple at Pakan. Following these services, there was a reception in the parish hall.

At Saint Elias, Pakan

Other activities

In 2015, with a generous donation, a well was dug beside the parish hall. This enabled the development of modern washrooms in the hall. Moreover, with a source of water, parishioners could now plant flowers to beautify the church-yard, and complete the prayer-garden.

Improvements to the parish hall, 2020

In 2020, thanks to a generous donation, the parish hall was improved with new doors and windows, and a spacious verandah was added to accommodate larger gatherings in the summer months.

Renovated parish hall, facilities and extensions

Return of the original bell-house, 2021

By 2021, the Shandro Village Museum had been disbanded. As a consequence, ownership of the original bell-house of the parish reverted to the parish which had donated it.

In November, 2021, the bell-house, built in 1906, was moved back to the Saint Elias church-yard. It was then restored over a period of 2 years.

The Temple and the Bell-house

Interior of the Temple, 2021

Transfer of Archimandrite Gerasim (Power), 2022

In 2022, after having served this parish (and the others in the parish grouping) for 10 years, Archimandrite Gerasim (Power) was transferred to Saskatchewan, where he was assigned to serve as the rector at Holy Trinity Church, Moose Jaw.

Saint Elias Prayer-Garden

The development of the Saint Elias Prayer-Garden was essentially completed in 2022, after many years of steady work by a few volunteer parishioners. Enhancement of the completed garden continues.

The garden is located in a grove of trees in the church-yard, where there are several walking paths, with 8 places to stop and sit. At each place there is an icon and individual parishioners have volunteered to enhance each site with plants, flowers, and benches, and other items. The goal of the garden was to provide a place to visit, to pray, and to enjoy a time for peace and quiet reflection.

As part of the garden, there is a large memorial rock around which are placed small decorated rocks with the names of parish family members. They commemorate early founding families as well as the current parishioners. People have also donated trees, shrubs, perennials and flowers to beautify the garden.

Such a garden reflects to some extent the aims and objectives of an international "Quiet Garden Movement", although it is not a formal participant.

Saint Elias Cemetery, 1902

In 2023, there are approximately 343 known graves in the parish cemetery. The first burial was that of a 17-year-old youth, Elia Kozma (son of Gora and Anna Kozma). Government records indicated that a large number of burials at Saint Elias Cemetery no longer have markers. Many of these were of children who died during the "Spanish Influenza" in 1918-1919. Many wooden Crosses, grave-markers, were destroyed by a grass fire of unknown cause at an unknown date.

Memorial to pioneers

Efforts to commemorate those interred in unmarked graves

In 1983, the parishioners placed concrete plaques on the grave-mounds which were inscribed “Rest in Peace” in order to commemorate the unknown persons resting there. Later, the concrete plaques were replaced by small, white, metal Crosses, so that flowers could be placed on them, to commemorate the unknown persons. In addition, the parish researched the Alberta Provincial Archives in order to create a list of names of those who were buried in the cemetery, but who lacked a grave-marker.

New monument to those who reposed at the time of the 1918-1922 Spanish 'Flu epidemic

Monument Cross donated by M. Brusonowskis (initially placed in front of First Temple 2021

Annual post-Pascha memorial services

There is an annual service of “provode” when memorial prayers are offered on all the graves in the cemetery. The traditional date is on Tuesday of the Second Week of Pascha (after Thomas Sunday, and called "Radonitsa"), but prairie weather frequently delays this service until later in the Paschal season.

Family roots help to maintain personal and spiritual ties between the present parishioners and other parishioners who live in other parts of Alberta and British Columbia.

Much of the information regarding the history is derived from articles written by Steve Cebuliak (1921-2002) for several historical books.

Saint Elias cemetery and Temple

The priests who have regularly served this parish include :

 Hieromonk Visarion (Shestakov) 	1906-1911
 Priest Anoneill 			1911-1912
 Hieromonk Irodion Marshalkovich 	1912-1913
 Priest Ivan Puchalsky 			1913-1918
 Priest Esaff 				1918
 Priest Gregory Soroka 			1919-1921
 Priest Ivan Chrustawka 		1921-1926
 Priest Andrew Kokolsky 		1926-1931
 Priest Wasyl Woytowich 		1931-1936
 Priest Mijaylo Cependa 		1937-1949
 Mitred Archpriest Ivan Wasil 		1949-1965
 Priest Vitaly Bahanovich 		1965-1966
 Mitred Archpriest Eugene Bartshewsky 	1966-1967
 Priest Dimitry Sagan 			1967-1968
 Mitred Archpriest Boris Grigory 	1968-1969
 Mitred Archpriest John Borcha 		1970-1976
 Priest Peter Kostiuk 			1977-1979
 Priest Arseniy Melnyk 			1979-1984
 Priest Elia Antoniuk 			1984-1986
 Priest Pavel Kramerenko 		1986-1987
 Priest John Voronko 			1987-1989
 Mitred Archpriest Dimitri Sadoviak 	1989-1993
 Priest Philip Speranza 		1993-1997
 Priest Nicholas Kondratyev 		1997-1998
 Priest Wasyl Kolega 			1999-2012
 Archimandrite Gerasim (Power) 	2012-2021 
 Priest Vitalie Manoly 			2021-____

Cantors in the parish have been :

 Rose Davidowich ; Lester Eldridge ; Ivan Ference , Harry Lesiniuk ; Marko Lotosky ; John Shandro ; 
 Vasyl Teslyk ; Michaylo Yaroslowsky.

Altar-servers have been :

 Andrey Gidek (1906-1943) ; Jim Goryniuk (1943-1947) ; Simeon Koshalek (1947-1956) ; Bill Goryniuk (1956-2010).

Saint Elias Cemetery, with the Temple of Saint Elias

Particular parish information

This parish is a part of the Deanery of Alberta & Northwest Territories of the Archdiocese of Canada, of The Orthodox Church in America. The dean is Archpriest Vincent Lehr. The bishop is Archbishop Irénée (Rochon).

This parish follows the Old (Julian) Calendar.

The Altar Feast-day of this parish is the Feast of the Prophet Elias, 20 July/2 August.

Services are in English, and they are scheduled about once per month.

In 2025, the parish is served by Archpriest Vitalie Manoli.

Address :

Saint Elias Russo Orthodox Church

Land description site SE1-58-17-W4

17153, Township Road #584

Pakan, Alberta

T0A 3C0

Directions :

Saint Elias Church is located south of the town of Smoky Lake, Alberta, and 115 km (72 mi) northeast of Edmonton.

From Edmonton :

Follow Highway #16 (Yellowhead) east to Highway #830 North (before reaching Elk Island Park). Turn left (north) and drive to Highway #45 East. Drive on AB-45 East to Highway #855 North. Turn left, and drive on Highway #855 to North Bank Road, Township Road #584. Turn right, and drive 3 km (2 mi) eastwards on Township Road #584. The Temple is on the right.

From Smoky Lake :

Drive 8 km (5 mi) south on Highway #855 to North Bank Road, Township Road #584. Turn left, and drive 3 km (2 mi) eastwards on Township Road #584. There is a sign on the right (south) side of the road.

From the south :

Drive north on Highway #855 to North Bank Road, Township Road #584. Turn right, and drive 3 km (2 mi) eastwards on Township Road #584. There is a sign on the right (south) side of the road.

Mailing address :

Saint Elias Russo Orthodox Church

c/o Mrs. S Chinery

11142-63 Street

Edmonton, Alberta

T5W 4E4

Archpriest Vincent Lehr (Dean)

E-mail : frvincent@sthermans.ca

Archpriest Vitalie Manoli

640, Allard Blvd SW

Edmonton, AB

T6W 2G3

E-mail : vitalie.manoli@gmail.com

Parish welcome sign (left) ; Large parish sign (right)

The sign in winter

Saint Elias Temple and Cemetery (photo by www.aerialphoto.ru)

Saint Elias Temple interior (photo by www.aerialphoto.ru)

References

Archdiocese of Canada – Orthodox Church in America, “The Orthodox Church in Canada : A Chronology” (Ottawa : Archdiocese of Canada, 1988).

“Our Legacy : History of Smoky Lake and Area” (Smoky Lake, AB : Smoky Lake and District Cultural and Heritage Society, 2002). ASIN : B00442HI6O

"Patriarchal Parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in Canada, 100 Years of Orthodoxy in Canada 1897-1997 : Pictorial Memories" (Edmonton : Patriarchal Parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in Canada, 1997).

Russian Orthodox Church History Book Committee, “Patriarchal Parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in Canada, Millennium of the Baptism of Rus’” (Edmonton : Russian Orthodox Church History Book Committee, 1988). ISBN : 0-88925-830-9.

“The Russian Mission in North America”

Saint Elias Orthodox Church Pakan, “Welcome to the 100th Anniversary of Saint Elias Orthodox Church Pakan 1902, 2002” (Pakan : Saint Elias Orthodox Church, 2002). Centennial anniversary booklet.

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.

Original article

Additional information :

Orthodox World listing

Archdiocese listing

Archdiocese of Canada web-site

The Orthodox Church in America (OCA) web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about The Orthodox Church in America

Moscow Patriarchate Parishes in Canada website

Wikipedia article about the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada

Saint Tikhon (Belavin)

Metropolitan Platon (Rozhdestvensky)

Metropolitan Theophilus (Pashkovsky)