Archimandrite Martinian (Ivanovici)

Archimandrite Martinian (Ivanovici) (1909-1994)

— edited from an article in “SOLIA” 1994 by Archbishop Nathaniel (Popp)

Mihai may be spelt Mihail, Michael.

Ivanovici may be spelt Ivanovich, Ivanovitch.

Archimandrite may be spelt Arhimandrit.

Early years of Mihai Ivanovici

On 16 November, 1909, Mihai Ivanovici was born, the fifth child of Onofrei and Minodora Ivanovici, in Valeaseaca, Miron, Câmpulung, Bucovina in Romania. His other siblings were : George, Constantine, Gabriel, Rarita, Elena.

While he was being raised in a faithful Orthodox Christian family within the bosom of the Romanian Orthodox Church, at the early age of 12, Mihai felt a strong call to serve God. He was in the habit of walking 10 km to the Slatina Monastery, where his zeal and devotion were immediately recognised by the monks and priests.

One spring, after the Resurrection Service (the Feast of Pascha), he determined to embrace the monastic life. Knowing the monastic way of life, his father was distraught, and he was paternally concerned for the future of his young son (he was 12 years old). However, his mother felt in her heart that this child was very special, and she encouraged him to become a priest.

Theological education

In the course of his monastic formation, he received a theological education first at the Neamț Monastery's Seminary, and then at the Cernica Monastery.

Monastic tonsure, 1912

In 1932, Mihai was tonsured to be a monk in the Saint Nicholas Monastery at Cernica, Ilfov County, and he was given the name Martinian.

Cernica Monastery is not far from Bucharest.

Diaconal ordination, 1935

On 29 August, 1935, in the Cetăţuia Monastery in Iaşi (Jassy) County, the Monk Martinian (Ivanovici) was ordained to the Holy Diaconate by Bishop Gregory (Leu), Vicar-Bishop to the Metropolitan of Moldavia.

Presbyteral ordination, 1938

On 6 August, 1938, the Hierodeacon Martinian (Ivanovici) was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by Metropolitan Nicodim (Munteanu) of Moldavia in the Holy Transfiguration Temple of the Slatina Monastery (Baja County).

Pastoral monastic obediences

In December, 1938, the young Hieromonk Martinian (Ivanovici) was elevated to the dignity of "protosinghel" (first “synkellos”) at the Metropolia of Iaşi (Jassy). This position traditionally means that he became the chief spiritual advisor of the bishop, perhaps the closest official advisor of the bishop.

On 10 November, 1939, the Hieromonk Martinian (Ivanovici) was blessed to be a spiritual father. This means that he was given the blessing to hear the confessions of the people.

In 1939, Father Martinian was assigned to serve as the "staretz" (elder) of the Slatina Monastery in the Metropolia of Moldavia. To be "staretz", in this case, means that he became the abbot of the community, but it does not exclude spiritual eldership. In this case, "elder/staretz" indicates the level of practical, administrative responsibility, but not necessarily the spiritual responsibility. Very often, besides the abbot, there is a "duhovnik", or "spiritual father" who carries the responsibility for the inner life of the community. Nevertheless, a "staretz" can be both the administrative and spiritual leader if he is seen to have been given these gifts from the Lord.

On 20 December, 1942, at the Metropolia of Cernăuţi in Cernăuţi County, Hieromonk Martinian (Ivanovici) was elevated to the dignity of archimandrite by Metropolitan Titus (Simdedrea). From 1942 to 1945, he served as Spiritual Father and Director at the Metropolitan Chapel in Cernăuţi. In 1942, he was also appointed to be the Director of the Theological Institute at Suçeava.

Events such as these in the life of a monk are indications that those in authority regarded him as a possible candidate for the episcopate in the future, as he was "tested" in the various responsibilities.

Higher Education

Archimandrite Martinian (Ivanovici) certainly had the blessing to pursue higher studies, particularly in theology, although where and when this took place is not concretely known.

In 1944, Archimandrite Martinian (Ivanovici) received the Doctor of Theology Degree.

During the following 2 years, he served as director of the Theological Institute at Suceava in Bucovina.

Then, in 1945, significant changes began in the lives of all Romanians when the communist revolution began, followed by the induced abdication of King Michael in 1946. These changes affected everyone in Romania, and the Romanians abroad as well. In emigration, both political and spiritual divisions became evident, and many long-lasting tensions developed, some of which last until the present.

In 1946, Archimandrite Martinian (Ivanovici) was assigned by Metropolitan Nicodim (Munteanu) of Bucharest to be the rector of the Romanian Church of Saints Michael and Gabriel in Paris, France.

While he was in Paris, Father Martinian reorganised the Romanian Community life there. He also established a “canteen” for refugees. There were already many such refugees in Paris, who were escaping the onslaught of communism in Romania, and there was a great need for both food and clothing in order to live through the winters.

Transfer to Canada, 1952

On 23 April, 1952, Archimandrite Martinian was transferred to Canada. He settled in Windsor, Ontario, where he was assigned to serve as the assistant priest at the Church of Saint George.

Saint George Cathedral, Windsor

On 26 April, 1955, Archimandrite Martinian was received into the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America (ROEA), and he was assigned to the Church of Saint Elias (Elijah) in Lennard, Manitoba.

From the time he stepped off the train in Roblin, until 1966, he served this parish ; and along with it, he also served Saint John in Shell Valley, Manitoba, Holy Trinity in MacNutt, Saskatchewan, and Saints Peter and Paul in Canora, Saskatchewan.

Saint Elias ; Saint John

Holy Trinity ; Saints Peter and Paul

On 30 September, 1959, Archimandrite Martinian became a Canadian citizen. He had come to feel "at home" in rural Manitoba and Saskatchewan, and he remained with the Romanian faithful there until his repose.

During the time when Archimandrite Martinian was the pastor of the Church of Saint Elias (1955-1966), the parish increased in numbers substantially. Records show 18 members who began the building project in 1952. This number had grown to 52 by 1961, and the trend continued until Father Martinian was moved. His loving pastorate had a similar effect on the other parishes as well. In addition, if there were Faithful who felt that they lacked a Temple in which to worship, he would encourage them to build one.

It may be helpful to recall that during these times, Father Martinian served in remote places with no other presbyters living nearby. Even those few who did live in the region belonged to the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada, which at that time was not in communion with the canonical Orthodox Churches. Near neighbours were at a distance of almost a day's drive by car (on roads that were gravelled, not paved). The quickest communication with the bishop was by telephone (if the bishop were at the Episcopate Centre at the time). Clergy such as Father Martinian were, therefore, generally resourceful "self-starters". Father Martinian's previous life-experience had also prepared him to be active. The events which follow serve as expressions of his resourceful self-sufficiency and determination.

Vicar of Canada

On 15 September, 1960, Archimandrite Martinian (Ivanovici) was assigned to be Vicar of Archbishop Valerian (Trifa) in Canada. This vicarial responsibility was like that of a "protosinghel". As with everything else, he took up this responsibility seriously. This responsibility was different from that of a dean. Indeed, he served as Dean of the Canadian Deanery as well. The territory of his responsibility was immense.

In 1961, Archimandrite Martinian established the first Orthodox Christian spiritual camp primarily for the youth, which was located in western Canada, in Shell Valley. Shell Valley was in the midst of many Romanian settlements, and it was not difficult to approach from Regina, Saskatchewan, and from Winnipeg, Manitoba.

In 1967, Archimandrite Martinian was assigned to be the rector of the Church of Saint George in Regina, Saskatchewan. From here, Father Martinian continued to travel regularly and frequently, and he kept “fanning the fires of Orthodoxy” in western Canada amongst the Romanian faithful there. There were positive results.

Saint George's Cathedral, Regina

Camp for youth

Father Martinian had a particular gift for getting people to help him with fulfilling his dream for the Church, that is, to educate children of Orthodox Christians in the Faith through praising God and doing good works. It was for this that the camp at Shell Valley was established.

In 1971, a property was found which seemed to have better conditions than those in Shell Valley (especially a predictable supply of water), and the camp was moved to the present site, just outside Fort Qu’Appelle, Saskatchewan. The purchase and development of this property became possible because Father Martinian came into some money (as reported by his niece), and he applied it all to this project (which was dear to his heart). This project, which was completed in 1972, became the site of the "Orthodox Christian Centre" at Fort Qu'Appelle. There, the camp-building can accommodate more than 80 people. An inherited inconvenience, however, is the need for those using this building to walk down the hill to find the toilets and lavatories. A winterised residence was also constructed on the same property. Later, in 2009, a disused Ukrainian-Catholic church-building was moved to the site. It was repaired, and it became an Orthodox Temple which is now used from time to time.

Temple of the Protection of the Mother of God, at the camp

In 1982, Archimandrite Martinian (Ivanovici) retired officially, but he continued to work hard in the establishing of the Orthodox Christian Centre in Fort Qu’Appelle, where he resided, and from where he continued to work in the field of Christ.

For many years, Father Martinian collaborated in editing the newspaper "SOLIA" ("The Herald"), the monthly bilingual publication of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese at the "Vatra" in Michigan. "Vatra" is a Romanian word meaning "hearth", and this is the nick-name of the Romanian Episcopate's headquarters in Grass Lake, Michigan.

Archimandrite Martinian in later years

The last few months of his life were spent at the Lakeside Home in Wolseley, Saskatchewan.

Repose, 1994

Archimandrite Martinian (Ivanovici) reposed in the Lord on 20 January, 1994.

On Tuesday, 25 January, 1994, at 7:00 p.m., a memorial prayer-service was offered at Saint George's Cathedral, at 2005, Edgar Street, Regina.

On Wednesday, 26 January, 1994, at 10:00 a.m., the Funeral Services for the Burial of a Presbyter were offered at the Cathedral of Saint George in Regina, Saskatchewan. Bishop Nathaniel (Popp) presided at the services, and he was assisted by Archimandrite Roman (Braga), Archpriest Svetislav Balevich, and Priests Nicolae Marioncu, Mirone Klysh, Michael Lupu, Mirko Malinović, Joseph MacLellan, Daniel Nenson, Panteleimon Stanciu, George Treff, and Constantin Turcoane.

His body was interred in the Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery in Regina, Saskatchewan. The funeral arrangements were managed by the Helmsing Funeral Chapel.

Reflections

The following 2 comments convey the fruits of the labours of this Christ-loving Archimandrite :

 He was a son, a brother, an uncle, a godfather, a spiritual father, a Vicar, a Dean, a parish 
 priest, a monk, a friend, a father confessor.  He was all that, and to many of us even more.  
 Hardly a day goes by that I or someone in my family doesn’t think of something Father Martinian 
 said or did and comment on it.  His teachings, his humour, his wit, his unconditional love, his 
 counsel, are etched in our memories and will be there for our lifetime.  Father Martinian’s only 
 purpose in life, as he saw it, was to serve God.  He did this with resolute strength and a 
 consuming need to do God’s will, without thought of himself or his person.  He was relentless in 
 striving to achieve the goals he had set for himself.  His consuming passion was to teach the 
 young, and spread Orthodoxy across Canada.  He worked tirelessly to accomplish this.  
 Alice Nenson

 Father Archimandrite Martinian Ivanovici was a servant of Christ by word and deed.  We say deed, 
 because his piety led to Orthodoxy spreading across western Canada, where the first Romanian 
 migrants settled.  This spreading included his work as the Dean, the Vicar, the Orthodox Clergy 
 President in Regina, and the founder of the Orthodox Christian Centre at Fort Qu’Appelle.  We say 
 word, thinking of his work as spiritual father of the laity wherever they may be found, young 
 priests, religious camps for children.  Not the least, he was a writer of the blessed titles 
 'Spiritual Pearls, Garden of Hermits', and his work in publishing 'SOLIA' ('The Herald') of the 
 Vatra of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate.  His word, his creations, his words of guidance and 
 comfort over the years remained in the hearts of those who have had the pleasure to have his 
 spiritual direction, or even to know of him through the descriptions of others and through his 
 writings.  
 Alexandru Tomescu

These few words express on behalf of many others the love and esteem felt by the many people whose lives had been touched by Christ’s love as it was revealed in the life and work of Archimandrite Martinian.

References

Bugea, Eleanor, “Romanians in Canada” (Michigan : Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America, 2009). ISBN : 978-1-929200-14-6.

Sandulescu, Archpriest George, ‘Saskatchewan's Romanian Orthodox Communities Including Dysart, Wood Mountain, Kayville, Assiniboia, Pierceland, Regina’ in "SGS (Saskatchewan Genealogical Society) Bulletin”, vol. 19, no. 1 (1988), p. 81.

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.

Biography of Archimandrite Martinian in “Romanians in Canada”

Additional information :

"Solia" articles about Father Martinian

Romanian Orthodox Deanery Centre of Canada, Fort Qu'Appelle , Saskatchewan

Cemetery information

The obituary of Archimandrite Martinian (Ivanovici) appeared in the "Regina Leader-Post" newspaper on 22 January 1994, p. 49

Saint Elijah, Lennard, Manitoba

Saint George, Blue Wing

Brief History of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate in America and Canada

Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America (OCA) web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America

Wikipedia article about the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America