Archpriest Svetislav and Matushka Eva Balevich

Archpriest Svetislav Balevich (1934-2003)

and

Matushka Eva Balevich (born Lazorack) (1936-____)

— Edited from the 2002 and 2004 articles by Kathy Szalasznyj in “The Canadian Orthodox Messenger”.

Svetislav may be spelt Sviatoslav.

Early life of Svetislav Balevich

On 31 May, 1934, Svetislav Balevich was born in Belgrade, Kingdom of Yugoslavia. He was the youngest child of Alexander and Maria Balevich, whose first child, Nina, had died in prenatal life as they fled from Russia as a consequence of the Bolshevik Revolution of October, 1917.

After having fled from the revolution, this cultured Russian emigré family settled in Yugoslavia, (a major destination for “white refugees” (often only called “White Émigrés”). Alexander and Maria Balevich raised the 5 sons and 2 daughers that God gave them in the context of both the Serbian Orthodox Church and of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (effectively the Russian Orthodox Church in exile). In this context, the children grew up and became faithful Orthodox Christians.

From his birthplace in Belgrade, they fled to Austria when the Nazis blitzed across Eastern Europe and these governments crumbled. From Austria, they again fled to Venezuela, where both Russian-speaking and Ukrainian-speaking people had been seeking refuge (both after the Bolshevik Revolution and after World War II).

The surviving Balevich children included Rastislav, Nicholas, Leonila and Svetislav. There had been 2 other sons and a daughter.

Exile

In Venezuela, they settled in Valencia, where the young Svetislav served as an acolyte (Altar-boy), and received his first experience of liturgical service in the Temple of the Mother of God of the Sign within the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR). There, he met Vasyl Szalasznyj who, with his parents, would later settle in Saskatchewan.

In Venezuela, he completed his high school education at Liceo Pedro Gual in Valencia.

Immigration to Canada

Just at the time he had begun university studies (he spent exactly one day at the Universidad Central of Caracas), the family was given permission to emigrate to Canada, and to Toronto, Ontario, with their children Svetislav and Leonilla.

In the city of Toronto, Svetislav obtained work in the Photogrammetry Division of the Ontario Department of Highways, he remained at work there until he left Ontario. Being a dedicated Church supporter and worker, Svetislav was encouraged by the pastor of Christ the Saviour Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Toronto, the Mitred Archpriest John Diachina, to attend Saint Tikhon’s Seminary in South Canaan, Pennsylvania (a seminary of the Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church in North America, later known as The Orthodox Church in America (OCA). This he did.

Father John Diachina, an exemplary pastor himself, had seen in this multi-lingual young man a potential for pastoral service. Father John knew what was required to prepare for this study, and he eased the path for Svetislav's entry into seminary life.

Higher Education

Svetislav Balevich enrolled in Saint Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, South Canaan, Pennsylvania. He later often recalled very fondly his days at Saint Tikhon’s. Soon after he arrived at the seminary, he met his future wife, Eva Lazorack. He graduated from the seminary in 1966.

After his graduation, he was employed again for a time at the Photogrammetry Division of the Ontario Highway Department.

Svetislav Balevich, student at Saint Tikhon's

Early life of Eva Lazorack

Eva Lazorack was born on 3 April, 1936, at South Canaan, Wayne County, Pennsylvania, daughter of Peter (born in “Austria”, meaning Carpatho-Rus’) and Katherine Lazorack (born in Pennsylvania), their 5th child.

The Lazorack family lived 2 km (1 mi) up East Hill and down the dirt road from Saint Tikhon’s Monastery, and this family attended services in the monastery’s Temple on a regular basis. The family continues to live in this area.

Eva had graduated from the Lake Ariel High School, and from the Kutztown State College. After this, she entered the Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut, from which she graduated with a Master of Arts degree.

Then Eva taught as an Assistant Professor of Mathematics at the Kutztown State College.

Marriage, 1967

In June, 1967, Svetislav was married to Eva Lazorack in the main Temple at Saint Tikhon’s Monastery. The marriage was blessed by the Priest Joseph Swaiko. The sponsors of the marriage were Sophia Mickey (born Lazorack) and Nicholas Bakiewicz.

Ordinations, 1967

Not long after their marriage, Svetislav and Eva travelled to Montréal, Québec. There, during the time of “Expo ‘67”, Svetislav was ordained to the Holy Diaconate by Archbishop Sylvester (Haruns) of Montréal and Canada of the Archdiocese of Canada, in the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul.

Soon afterwards, on 19 August, 1967, at Christ the Saviour Cathedral in Toronto, Ontario, Deacon Svetislav was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by Archbishop Sylvester (Haruns).

Pastoral service

Holy Trinity Church, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, with Holy Trinity Church, Kayville, Saskatchewan, 1967

After his ordination to the Holy Priesthood, the Priest Svetislav and Matushka Eva Balevich were assigned to Holy Trinity Church in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.

They arrived in late August of 1967, and there, Father Svetislav and his bride, Matushka Eva, faithfully served until Father Svetislav’s retirement in 2002. He also served during all those years in Holy Trinity Church, Kayville. The drive to Kayville is about 110 km (about 70 mi). At that time, the roads were all gravelled highways, and driving in a Volkswagen Camper would not make the ride much less bumpy.

The year 1967 had been busy indeed. They were married in June ; Father Svetislav was ordained to the diaconate in Montréal, to the priesthood in Toronto, and assigned to the parish named in honour of the Holy Trinity in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, all by the end of August. This is not to forget that the railway journey from Toronto to Moose Jaw in those days took a longer time than now, because of the many stops along the way. The Baleviches would remain at this parish of their first assignment, right to the end.

In Moose Jaw, they raised their 2 sons : Nicholas (Nick), who became a city planner who subsequently lived in Sanford, Florida, and Igor, an actuary who subsequently lived in Stamford, Connecticut.

Parish life kept the Baleviches busy. In addition, in order to supplement the family economy, Matushka Eva worked as a teacher.

Near the beginning of his pastorate in southwest Saskatchewan, Father Svetislav had to drive to Maple Creek, about 315 km (196 mi) to the west, during a midwinter blizzard in order to serve the funeral of the last resident priest at Holy Ascension Parish there. This community was informally added to his responsibilities. He later drove to Maple Creek whenever there was a pastoral need. Indeed, his parish responsibilities effectively involved all southwest Saskatchewan, all the way to both the Alberta and USA borders. He was a diligent visitor to the families, wherever they were, and his support for them even included translating letters from Europe.

Over the years, as a team, they continually nurtured the parishioners. Later, as the youth began to move away from the city because of work, they cared for their ageing flock with much love and practical consideration. All the while, together, they took care of everyone together. They grew most of their own vegetables and herbs and they shared with any in need. It was not unknown that they would take a person into their home in order to help that person recover a stable and healthy rhythm of life.

Father John Diachina (centre lower) with Fathers E Moseychuk, M Andruchow, S Balevich in Sandy Lake, Manitoba, 1977

“Father Svet” (or as some parishioners would later call him, “Father Sam”) was always full of interesting anecdotes. He sometimes surprised people with his ability to address them in ways that revealed his deep awareness of the Holy Scriptures. He gave them hope and encouragement. As with the parishioners, Father Svetislav and Matushka Eva were very hospitable in the characteristic manner of Christians. Father Svetislav was very knowledgeable about the beneficial use of herbs (they grew many of their own), and Matushka Eva was a trained reflexologist. They visited the parishioners as a team, with genuine love. It can be said that besides the spiritual care, they genuinely gave them "holistic" care. Father Svetislav was also a very ardent pacifist.

Metropolitan Theodosius : Archdiocese of Canada Assembly, 1980, with Fathers J Tkachuk, N Boldireff, E Lowig, S Balevich, J Matusiak, O Kriilov

There is the word “svet” (which means “light”) in the name Svetislav. It is very fitting that someone who was so transparent, who brought so much joy to many would have borne such a name. His buoyant ways and light, natural humour truly fitted with his name. How was it that the Lord placed him in the midst of Canada, in southern Saskatchewan, hailing as he did from so great a distance across the world ? These questions can only be rhetorical, but all who knew him are grateful that it was so.

Protodeacon Taras Papish of Holy Resurrection Sobor, Saskatoon, recalls the practical lesson about traditional Orthodox etiquette which he learnt from Father Svetislav. It was simply that a serious invitation to a function or event ought to be conveyed not only by writing, but also in person, even by telephone. This simple act of personal communication brought Father Svetislav and Matushka Eva to his diaconal ordination in Saskatoon.

Despite the isolation of Moose Jaw at that time (with regard to parishes of the Archdiocese of Canada), Father Svetislav maintained an active fraternal relationship with the Ukrainian Orthodox clergy in Moose Jaw, such as the Priest Oleh Krawchenko, who arrived in 1972, and the new priest John Stinka who arrived in 1974. Father Svetislav benefitted particularly from his contacts with Father Orest and Oksana Olekshy in Saskatoon, after their arrival there in 1975. There was further benefit to Father Svetislav since he was able to attend the talks of some speakers who came to Saskatoon in the 1980s and thereafter at Father Orest's invitation. There were also the Romanian and Greek Orthodox clergy in Regina with whom Father Svetislav came into regular contact.

25th and 30th anniversaries

On 19 August, 1992, Father Svetislav Balevich marked the first 25 years of his service to the Lord as a priest. This was the anniversary of his ordination to the Holy Priesthood.

On 19 August, 1997, Father Svetislav Balevich marked the 30th anniversary of his service to the Lord as a priest in the Archdiocese of Canada. This year also marked the 30th anniversary of his and Matushka Eva's arrival in Moose Jaw to serve as the pastor of the Holy Trinity parish there. He had invited the Priest Nicolae Marioncu to serve together with him, since they were both ordained on the same day (different years and different places). Because Father Svetislav did not wish to attract attention to himself, it was necessary that this celebration be a surprise for him.

A celebration of the Divine Liturgy on the anniversary was no surprise, since this happened annually (on the Julian Calendar, Old-style, this is the Feast of the Transfiguration of Christ). The surprise came in the celebratory dinner that followed, and the large number of people who participated. The celebration was even extended and amplified after the following Sunday Divine Liturgy.

Retirement, 2002

After nearly 35 years, and because of weakening health, it came to the time when Father Svetislav petitioned Bishop Seraphim (Storheim) for the blessing to retire from active service. On 31 December, 2001, the blessing was given, and the Archpriest Svetislav Balevich was granted retirement. At the same time, he was given the blessing to remain attached to the Temple of the Holy Trinity, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.

In his letter of commendation on Father Svetislav and Matushka Eva at the time of retirement, the bishop commented that they had followed the ancient Orthodox practice of remaining and serving in the parish of first assignment, rare in this age. He also recollected that there was a long period of time when “Father Svet held the fort” as the only OCA priest serving all of Saskatchewan. There had been a period of time in which Father Svetislav served in (Kayville, Stenen, Maple Creek, Saint Walburg, and even Sandy Lake, Manitoba). Otherwise, he was primarily caring for the parishes in Moose Jaw, Kayville and Maple Creek.

Retirement Divine Liturgy with guests

Front row, left to right : Reader Jordan Eriksson ; Matushka Eva Balevich ; Archpriest Svetislav Balevich ; Archpriest Orest Olekshy. Second row, left to right : Michael Luciuk ; Matushka Denise Luciuk ; Matushka Barbara Eriksson ; Monk Tikhon (Green). Third row, left to right : Priest Rodion Luciuk ; Priest Phillip Eriksson ; Protodeacon Taras Papish.

When the time came for retirement, there was a general celebration to mark the occasion, and others came to help. This occurred on the First Sunday after the Feast of the Nativity, 2002, in Moose Jaw. Fêting Father Svetislav and Matushka Eva Balevich were Father Orest Olekshy, Father Rodion Luciuk (assistant dean of Manitoba and Saskatchewan), Matushka Denise Luciuk, Father Phillip Eriksson, Matushka Barbara Eriksson, Deacon Taras Papish, Reader Jordan Eriksson, altar-server Michael Luciuk, and the Monk Innocent (Green), together with other visitors and the parishioners, totalled about 130 in number. At the end of the Divine Liturgy, “God grant them many years ” resounded gloriously through the Temple of the Holy Trinity, as those gathered prayed for peaceful life, health, salvation and all good things for the servants of God, Father Svetislav and Matushka Eva Balevich.

Amidst many tears and best wishes, with the bright winter sun pouring through the Altar windows, Father Svetislav celebrated his retirement liturgy and Matushka Eva assisted the choir, as usual. Sister communities in Saskatchewan were fully represented at the retirement festivity, including Saskatoon, Yorkton, Kayville, Assiniboia, Avonlea and Regina.

Father Svetislav’s homily was on the Gospel reading, Luke 18:18-27, on leaving all and following the Lord. In a sober look at loving the Lord and loving our neighbour, he contrasted human nature, and its emphasis on self-preservation, with the Divine nature, expressed so fully in Christ’s words “forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). Father Svetislav raised the question of just how do we go about “breaking out of our bag” in order to do God’s will and not our own. How do we turn from — even discard — our own will in order to follow Christ ?

A delicious parish feast was followed by greetings, fond remembrances, and presentation of tokens of appreciation from the parish itself, the Deanery, Kayville and Saskatoon, and again, there was the blessing of “Many Years”. Reminiscences by many gave a heartfelt sketch of the Baleviches’ dedication and work of humble love over all these years towards young and old alike. It was a uniquely vibrant picture, since anyone who knows the Baleviches (with their deep interest in herbs, health and massage) is aware that they care not only for the souls of parishioners, but also for their physical conditions.

Tears joined chuckles as the years of working together to keep the parish running smoothly were remembered. In this reminiscence, the work of the parish Sisterhood was likewise remembered. This recollection ended with the animated comment, “Somehow, we all got old at the same time !” John Bistretzan of Kayville told of a time of prayer in the emergency wing of the hospital in Regina, and its successful answer. Sophie (Hasapis) Yannitzos brought greetings from the Greek Orthodox community of then-Moose Jaw/now-Regina (Saint Paul's Greek Orthoox Church, Regina)—fondly recalling the parish picnics, the Baleviches’ van transporting them to Sunday School, and drama debuts on the parish stage. “We counted on the Baleviches in whatever problem we had. And when we had problems with algebra, we’d run to Presvytera Eva !” In conclusion, Father Svetislav lightly and poignantly touched on the joys and riches of parish life.

Matushka Eva reminisced about her earliest days there. She was grateful especially for all the help and assurance that parish members gave her, and she concluded with an expression of her great confidence “in the God whom we trust with our eternal salvation to guide us into and through retirement”.

During this time of reminiscence, a daughter of a Greek parishioner who had been involved with the parish for much of her life, recalled her days in Sunday School. She said that in their earlier days, Father Svetislav and Matushka Eva would drive around in their van and collect children early on Sunday. While Father Svetislav would serve the proskomedia before the Divine Liturgy, Matushka Eva would teach the children. Many children of Greek families could not arrive until they had helped with preparations for the day in the family restaurants. She said that Father Svetislav was like an uncle for the children, and Matushka Eva an aunt.

As the Baleviches assured everyone, Saskatchewan was in their blood. After the retirement, they continued to be found at their home in Moose Jaw, or in their huge vegetable garden at Riverhurst down the road, busily caring for their “back 40” gardens of considerable size, where they grew many organic vegetables to share with others. Upon request, Father Svetislav occasionally went to Saskatoon to take services for Father Bernard Funk of the Antiochian Archdiocese. On those occasions, many would attend in order to hear his practical words of encouragement, and his dear habit of addressing the one before him according to their Christian names. His “Good Morning, King David. Hello, Saint Catherine” so typically “Father Svetislavian,” brought many chuckles and smiles.

Father Svetislav's successor ; Father Svetislav's poor health

After Father Svetislav's retirement, the Priest Stacey Richter and his family arrived in Moose Jaw in 2002, in order to serve the parish. They received the benefit of learning first-hand about both the life and witness of the previous pastor and his wife, and the nature of the community they were beginning to serve.

Father Svetislav's health was waning. It was harder to serve, but still he did serve, by God’s Grace and strength. He seemed to enjoy talking quite a lot about the past, and he prepared a box of archival material, which he diligently took to Saskatoon for eventual deposit at the Archbishop Arseny Archives of the Archdiocese of Canada.

Then Father Svetislav fell ill in late November, 2003, and he was cared for in the intensive care unit of the Union Hospital in Moose Jaw for more than a week. His care was directed by Drs. Fauzi Ramadan and Brian Sanderson.

Repose of Father Svetislav, 2003

Father Svetislav Balevich fell asleep in the Lord at the Union Hospital in Moose Jaw on 28 November, 2003.

He had, in fact, remained in the parish of his first assignment until the very end.

The funeral services were offered on 2-3 December, 2003, with great peace.

On Tuesday, 2 December, 2003, the first part of the Funeral Services for the Burial of a Presbyter was served at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Moose Jaw, at 7:00 p.m. After the conclusion, there followed the reading of the Holy Gospels throughout the night.

On Wednesday, 3 December, 2003, the second part of the funeral services began at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church at 10:00 a.m. The Memorial Divine Liturgy and the Memorial Service which followed were led by the retired Archbishop Lazar (Puhalo) of British Columbia, and the Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Canada, the Archpriest Dennis Pihach. The Funeral Office of a Departed Priest was served also by the Priests Stacey Richter, Bernard Funk, John Mancantelli, Brent Kuzyk, Constantine Turcoane, Anatoliy Melnyk, Robert Kennaugh, Daniel Nenson, Rodion Luciuk, Spyridon Vandoras and Mirko Malinovic. The cantor was the Monk Tikhon (Green), who led the singing, and the reader was Michael Luciuk. Father Orest Olekshy did not serve, but he, Deacon Taras Papish and Subdeacon James Nicholas Davis of Saskatoon all helped with the singing.

Besides the many loving clergy, the family, the parishioners and friends all participated in the services, and they filled the Moose Jaw Temple to overflowing.

After the funeral services, Father Svetislav’s body was transferred to Saint Tikhon’s Monastery in South Canaan, Pennsylvania, where it was interred at Saint Tikhon’s Monastery Cemetery.

The epitaph on the gravestone reads : “He gave of himself and gave and gave”.

After the repose of her husband, Matushka Eva Balevich remained for a time in Moose Jaw. However, in part because her sons were both living in the USA, and because she had many family members still living in her home region (where she was born), she decided to relocate to South Canaan, Pennsylvania. Of course, it was also because when her time came, she would be interred beside her husband at the Saint Tikhon's Monastery Cemetery.

Repose of Matushka Eva

On 13 July, 2025, Matushka Eva Balevich fell asleep in the Lord peacefully in the early morning hours, in her childhood home in South Canaan, Pennsylvania.

Matushka Eva

Matushka Eva was born 3 April, 1936, in South Canaan, Pennsylvania, the fifth child of Peter and Katherine (Jubinsky) Lazorack. The Lazorack family lived just down the dirt road from Saint Tikhon’s Monastery, and they attended services there together and regularly. This fostered in Eva a lifelong dedication to her Orthodox Christian Faith, and to Saint Tikhon’s.

Eva graduated from Lake Ariel High School, and from Kutztown State College. Later, she received a Master of Arts degree from Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut. Following her graduate studies, Eva served as Assistant Professor of Mathematics at Kutztown State College.

Eva Lazorack met Svetislav while he was studying at Saint Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in South Canaan. They were married in June, 1967 ; and soon afterwards, they moved to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, where Father Svetislav was assigned to the Holy Trinity Church.

Together, they faithfully served the church community until his retirement in 2002. Moose Jaw was also where Father Svetislav and Matushka raised their 2 sons, Nick, and Igor, and where Matushka worked as a schoolteacher, and shared her enthusiasm for teaching, and mathematics. Although the family lived in Canada for over 30 years, Matushka Eva maintained strong ties with her family in Pennsylvania, and she brought her sons to visit the family home every summer.

Shortly after Archpriest Balevich’s repose in 2003, Matushka Eva returned to her family home in South Canaan. There, she spent the next 22 years surrounded by her family. She also devoted herself to tending her garden, and once again attending services at Saint Tikhon’s Monastery, just as she had in her youth. In later years, she cherished visits from her granddaughters, Natalie, and Ella, and she showed them the garden, introduced them to her chickens, and prepared meals made with fresh food grown on the farm.

Matushka Eva will be remembered for her gift of conversation, her love of storytelling, and her joy in sharing favourite passages from the Bible. She had a way of making everyone feel welcome. She filled the family home with warmth, laughter, and faith. Her deep commitment to her family, and her unwavering devotion to God were at the heart of everything she did.

In addition to her sons, Nicholas Balevich (Brenda) of Lake Mary, Florida, and Igor Balevich (Emily) of Darien, Connecticut, Matushka Eva was survived by her beloved brother Metro Lazorack (Marilyn) of Harrisonburg, Virginia, and South Canaan, Pennsylvania, and by her beloved sister Sophia Burkhardt, who lived with Eva in the family home during the last few years of Eva’s life. She was also survived by her granddaughters Natalie and Ella Balevich of Darien, Connecticut, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, Peter and Katherine Lazorack ; by her brother, John Lazorack ; by her sister, Anne Chernushin ; and by her nephew, Peter Lazorack.

On Thursday, 17 July, 2025, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Saint Tikhon’s Monastery Church, there was a time for visitation, and the serving of a Panikhida (Memorial Service).

On Friday, 18 July, 2025, at 10:30 a.m., the Funeral Service for the Burial of a Lay-person was served at Saint Tikhon’s Monastery Church.

Following the funeral obsequies, her body was interred at Saint Tikhon’s Monastery Cemetery, beside that of her husband.

Reflections

Father Stacey Richter and his family were able to remain in the parish in Moose Jaw for another year after Father Svetislav's repose. As a result, support was available for Matushka Eva, and also for the parishioners during this period of grieving.

For some time afterwards, Matushka Eva Balevich remained in Moose Jaw. She carefully considered what to do as she sorted out the details of her life. Ultimately, she felt that she would be better situated amongst her welcoming relatives in Pennsylvania in the place of her birth, since both her sons now lived in the USA. Thus, she eventually sold their home and garden-properties, and she returned to Pennsylvania. There, she resumed her old custom of being found in the Temple of the Monastery of Saint Tikhon in South Canaan.

Moose Jaw attracts many nowadays with its mineral water spa and its historic tourist attractions. However, for many Orthodox Christians, Moose Jaw will always be first and foremost the location of organic, from-the-roots-up Christian caring as exemplified by the servants of Christ, Father Svetislav and Matushka Eva Balevich.

Very many heartfelt events occurred over the 3½ decades. One that comes to mind is the time the youth of Holy Resurrection Sobor in Saskatoon took a bus to Moose Jaw, attended Vespers on Saturday, camped in the hall overnight and then continued with worship and feasting the next day. Father Balevich thoroughly enjoyed it (and Matushka taught the children folk dancing). As they all got into the bus to return, Father went in, too. He took a seat and looked at them all, and he said, “Oh, don’t go ! Can’t you all just stay here ?” and he looked at all the children with such affection.

Both sons of Father Svetislav and Matushka Eva Balevich graduated from university, and they became established in productive careers in the USA. While he was studying Urban Planning at the University of Alberta, Nicholas, on vacation with a friend in 1991, rescued a man from a burning car in British Columbia. In 1993, the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta presented him the award "Honourary Testimonial of the Royal Canadian Humane Association" for his bravery. During the time of his studies, Igor had become an award-winning (many times over) speed-skater.