Archimandrite Cyril (Bulashevitch)

Archimandrite Cyril (Bulashevitch) (1925-1998)

— edited from an article in the “Canadian Orthodox Messenger”

Konstantin may be spelt Constantine.

Cyril may be spelt Kirill, Kyrill, Kiryl. Bulashevitch may be spelt Bulashević, Bulashevich.

Tlingit may be spelt Tlinkit.

Early years of Konstantin Sergeievich Bulashevitch

Konstantin Sergeievich Bulashevitch was born on 3 June, 1925, in the city of Priepole (Prijepolje), Yugoslavia (now Serbia) to Sergei and Milena (born Besarevitch) Bulashevitch. His father, Sergei Bulashevitch, had been a Commander in the Russian Imperial Navy, and had served with the Baltic and the Black Sea Fleets. After the Bolshevik revolution, he had evacuated to the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, as did very many other refugees.

Soon after the birth of Konstantin, his family moved to Požarevac, Serbia, in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, where Konstantin received his primary and secondary education, and where he completed high school (“gymnasium”).

His parents also had another child, Konstantin’s sister Melica (Militsa).

Exile, 1945

At the end of World War II, Konstantin was sent to a camp for displaced persons near Munich, in Germany.

His mother and sister had been taken to Germany earlier to "work" (it was forced labour). His father vanished without a trace. His mother and sister returned to Yugoslavia, but Cyril remained at the camp, where he served in a church and where he was tonsured to be a reader.

Monastic tonsure, 1951

In 1951, Konstantin was tonsured to be a monk, and he was given the name Cyril (Kyrill) after Saint Cyril of Alexandria.

Diaconal ordination, 1951

He was then ordained to the Holy Diaconate by Archbishop Palladiy in Ulm, Germany.

Diaconal service

Emigration to the USA, 1952

In the context of the emigration of many displaced persons such as he, the Hierodeacon Cyril (Bulashevitch) decided to go to the [ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States USA].

In March, 1952, the “Metropolia” in North America (the Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church of North America) received Hierodeacon Cyril into the number of its clergy.

Education

In September, 1952, Hierodeacon Cyril (Bulashevitch) enrolled in Saint Tikhon’s Seminary in South Canaan, Pennsylvania.

In May, 1956, he graduated from this seminary.

Hierodeacon Cyril (Bulashevich)

Presbyteral ordination, 1956

On 3 June, 1956, in the Holy Virgin Protection Cathedral in New York City, the Hierodeacon Cyril (Bulashevitch) was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by Archbishop Dimitry (Magan).

Pastoral service

The Hieromonk (priest-monk) Cyril (Bulashevitch) was then assigned to the Diocese of Alaska, under Bishop Amvrosi (Merejko), where he spent the next 25 years serving in 3 parishes : in Sitka (1956-1966), Juneau (1966-1969) and Kenai (1969-1973).

Hieromonk Cyril with Bishop Amvrosi (Merezhko) in the Sitka cathedral

Original Saint Michael's Cathedral, Sitka

Saint Michael's Cathedral, Sitka, after the 1966 fire

Saint Nicholas' Church, Juneau

Holy Assumption (Dormition) Church, Kenai

Sitka, 1956

Beginning in 1956, Father Cyril served at Saint Michael’s Cathedral in Sitka. This responsibility (as in other places) involved a certain amount of travel to outlying villages and homes. In Sitka were (and are) many Orthodox Christian families who belong to the Tlinkit Peoples (both coastal and inland). Another group of the same indigenous people live in the region of Juneau.

It was in Sitka that Father Cyril first encountered the differences in customs which reflected the indigenisation of the Orthodox Christian Faith. At first, when he visited homes in which there were items of Tlinkit regalia hanging on the walls, and there would be prayers for the departed or some other prayers, he would make a point of asking the people to focus on the pectoral Cross he wore while they prayed. Eventually he was made to understand that these crests were not objects of worship for the Tlinkits, so he became comfortable in their presence (as had other clergy before him). The crests had to do with the family and clan history. There were many cultural similarities between the Orthodox way and the Tlinkit way, but they had to become mutually understood and interpreted. The Tlinkit are seriously faithful people, and the great majority of them in Sitka are Orthodox Christians.

In 1957, Father Cyril, while he was in the state capital, Juneau, Alaska, made a petition for naturalisation as a US citizen, and it was granted in 1962.

On 2 January, 1966, there was a disastrous fire which destroyed the Cathedral of Saint Michael in Sitka. This Temple had been built by Saint Innocent (Veniaminov) and completed in 1848. Archimandrite Cyril had been amongst the 100 persons who attempted to rescue what was possible to save from the conflagration. The people rescued 95% of the icons and historical items. He was amongst those who prepared for the rebuilding of the ruined Temple.

Juneau, 1966

In late 1966, Father Cyril was transferred to serve at the Church of Saint Nicholas in Juneau, Alaska.

Kenai, 1969

In 1969, Father Cyril was transferred and assigned to be the rector of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary Church (that is, the Dormition of the Theotokos) in Kenai, Prince William Sound, Alaska.

The Hieromonk Cyril (Bulashevitch) was elevated to the dignity of an igumen.

Juneau, 1973

At the end of 1973, Igumen Cyril (Bulashevitch) was transferred, and he was assigned again to be the rector of Saint Nicholas Church, Juneau.

Because the structure of the Church of Saint Nicholas had been placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974 under the pastorate of Father Cyril, it became eligible for matching federal funds.

In May, 1975, Father Cyril received Alexandr Solzhenitsyn and his wife in Juneau, and gave them a guided tour of the city and the region. It was reported by the media that this author was “trying to find Russia in the people and in the land”. However, neither Father Cyril nor the Solzhenitsyns gave interviews during this very private visit.

Transfer to Canada, 1976

Vancouver, British Columbia, 1976

In the spring of 1976, Igumen Cyril (Bulashevitch) was requested to move to Canada. Having received the blessing, he was transferred, and he was received into the Archdiocese of Canada. He was assigned to serve as the second priest at Holy Resurrection Church in Vancouver, British Columbia, under Bishop Joasaph (Antoniuk). From here, he also cared for families and communities along the upper Fraser River Valley as far as Hope, and in Victoria, British Columbia, where a mission had been established.

Upon the sudden and unexpected repose of Bishop Joasaph in October, 1978, Igumen Cyril (Bulashevitch) was assigned to be the rector of the Temple.

Transfer to Montréal, Québec

In 1984, Igumen Cyril (Bulashevitch) was transferred, and he was assigned to the Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral in Montréal, Québec. Here, he served as second priest under Archbishop Sylvester (Haruns). He took up residence in one of the small apartments in the adjoining cathedral precincts, and he served as the main pastor there under Vladyka Sylvester's guidance and supervision.

Vladyka Sylvester, Archimandrites Antoniy and Cyril, Sisterhood, 1980s

As with other clergy who served at the cathedral, Father Cyril travelled periodically to Quebec City, Quebec, where he served the Divine Liturgy for the Holy Trinity Orthodox Church there.

In 1991, Igumen Cyril (Bulashevitch) was elevated to the dignity of archimandrite.

Because of the fragility of the health of Archbishop Sylvester (Haruns), attempts were made to ease the burden of responsibility for him.

Montréal, Québec, 1992

On 15 December, 1992, Archimandrite Cyril (Bulashevitch) was assigned to serve as the Acting Rector of Saints Peter and Paul's Sobor in Montréal, Québec.

However, although the parishioners loved and respected Archimandrite Cyril, he and they both understood that the meekness of Archimandrite Cyril did not allow him to provide the sort of administrative leadership that was required (he was an excellent pastor and confessor). The parish councillors were also afraid to be without the authoritative leadership of the archbishop, and they strongly requested an adjustment.

Therefore, on 1 January 1993, the following adjustments were made in order to enable the parish to function peacefully : Archbishop Sylvester was given the blessing to supervise the pastoral and practical matters of Saints Peter and Paul’s Sobor in Montréal, Québec. Archimandrite Anthony (Abramovich) was recalled from retirement, to serve as Temporary Pastor of Saints Peter and Paul’s Sobor in Montréal, Québec. Archimandrite Cyril (Bulashevitch) was released as Acting Rector, and assigned to be Assistant Acting Rector of Saints Peter and Paul’s Sobor in Montréal, Québec.

In every place where he served, Father Cyril was known to be a shy, quiet, gentle, kind, self-effacing man. He had a genuine love and concern for his parishioners, and he was highly regarded as a confessor and a spiritual guide. He was well-read, and a collector of books (many of which eventually became part of the rich collection of the Pushkin Library at the Sobor of Saint Peter and Paul). He was also generously hospitable.

Retirement, 1995

In January, 1995, Archimandrite Cyril (Bulashevitch) retired from active service, because of his weakening health. Even so, he continued, as much as his health would permit, to serve in the Temple at any opportunity, and to be with his spiritual children.

40th anniversary of presbyteral ordination, 1996

On Monday, 3 June, 1996, on the Feast-day of the Holy Spirit (the day following Pentecost), Bishop Seraphim (Storheim) presided at the Divine Liturgy at Saints Peter and Paul's Cathedral in Montréal, Québec. On this feast-day this year, there was a celebration of the 40th anniversary of the ordination to the Holy Priesthood of Archimandrite Cyril (Bulashevitch). It was also his 71st birthday. Those who served on this day with the bishop and the archimandrite were the Archpriests Alexander Janovski (rector) and John Tkachuk (Dean of Québec), and Protodeacon Gregory Maksymiuk of the Cathedral, all of them clergy of the Archdiocese of Canada. At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, Father John Tkachuk conveyed to Archimandrite Cyril the congratulations of the Orthodox Clergy Association of Québec. The Sisterhood of the Cathedral provided a celebratory anniversary dinner in the lower hall of the cathedral afterwards.

Repose, 1998

On 4 December, 1998, Archimandrite Cyril (Bulashevitch) fell asleep in the Lord in Montréal after a lengthy illness.

On Sunday, 6 December, 1998, after the Divine Liturgy at Saints Peter and Paul's Cathedral, a panikhida was served for Archimandrite Cyril in the presence of many parishioners.

On Monday, 7 December, 1998, there was served a Memorial Divine Liturgy by Bishop Seraphim (Storheim), assisted by the Archpriests Alexander Janowski (rector) and John Tkachuk (chancellor), the priest Nicolai Nicolaev and the priest-monk Cyrille (Bradette), and by Protodeacon Gregory Maksymiuk. The Order of the Burial of a Priest followed the Divine Liturgy. A large choir sang beautifully and compunctionately under the leadership of Michael A Woinowsky-Krieger.

Afterwards, the body of Archimandrite Cyril was taken directly to Rawdon, Québec, and interred in the Saint Seraphim Cemetery.

May his memory be eternal. "Vetchnaya pamyat".

Grave Marker Rawdon

Reflections :

Many older parishioners at Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral continued to remember Father Cyril fondly. He was remembered as a man of restraint, focussed on prayer, on the inner prayer life. He led the life of a real monk. He did not enter into empty conversations. He did not communicate with anyone except for need, and he only went to the Temple for services.

After his repose, the cathedral parish continued to give financial support to Father Cyril's sister, Mila, who continued to live in Serbia. As usual, the parishioners prayerfully recall Father Cyril on the anniversaries of his repose.

References

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

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.

2013 "Tikhonaire" : graduation of Hierodeacon Cyril, 1956

Article about Archimandrite Cyril on "zarubezhje.narod.ru" (Russian Religious Workers Abroad)

“Canadian Orthodox Messenger”, Autumn 1996

“Canadian Orthodox Messenger”, Spring 1999

Social Security record

Obituary

Additional information :

Tlingit customs Kan, Sergei, “Memory Eternal : Tlingit Culture and Russian Orthodox Christianity through Two Centuries” (Washington, WA : University of Washington Press, 2014). ISBN-10 : 0295993863, ISBN-13 : 978-0295993867.

Stokoe, Mark and Kishkovsky, Leonid, “Orthodox Christians in North America”.

Alaska naturalisation records

Photo of Father Cyril in Saint Michael the Archangel Cathedral, Sitka.

Wikipedia article about Saint Michael's Cathedral, Sitka