Archimandrite David (Edwards)

Archimandrite David (Edwards) (1940-2025)

Anthony may be spelt Antony, Antoine, Antonios, Antoun, Anton.

Early life of Anthony Edwards

On 18 June, 1940, Anthony David Edwards was born to William and Louisa Edwards in Southampton, England, United Kingdom (U.K.), and he was the eldest of their 3 sons and 1 daughter.

Anthony was born during the midst of World War II, and he had vivid and horrifying memories of hiding with his mother during attacks of the Blitzkrieg by the Nazi German Luftwaffe (air-force). He was particularly traumatised by the death of a cousin who was killed when her school was bombed.

Throughout his life, he made a point to remind us that the correct pronunciation of Anthony, despite the English spelling, was “Antony”.

William Edwards served in the Royal (British) Army, and he was seldom home during the war years.

His family endured the bombing of Southampton, after which they relocated to the peaceful countryside of Dorset near Dorchester in 1945.

Move to Canada

After his return, William was sent to Canada, shortly after Word War II, in 1954.

The family embarked on a new chapter, as they sailed across the Atlantic Ocean during a fierce hurricane.

William began his service with the Royal Canadian Army at its base in Petawawa, Ontario (17 km/10.5 mi west of Pembroke, Ontario).

As is usual with military postings, there followed many moves.

During this time, Anthony received his primary and secondary education.

The family was Christian, and the children were raised in the Church of England, and the Anglican Church of Canada.

Eventually, Anthony arrived in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

It may be said that his subsequent educational and professional background reflected his deep curiosity about the world, and his commitment to service.

After he had completed his first 12 years of study, he worked for a time at the Toronto-Dominion Bank.

Higher education

In 1962, Anthony pursued a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree at Saint John's College at the University of Manitoba. He graduated with a B.A. in 1965.

In 1962, while he was studying theology at Saint John’s College, he met Robert Kennaugh during a course in philosophy. Through their conversations, they became life-long friends.

Saint John's College, University of Manitoba (second site)

Return to the U.K.

After he completed this degree, he returned to the United Kingdom in order to pursue higher theological studies at Saint Chad's College at Durham University, Durham, England, he received the (Bachelor of Sacred Theology) STB degree ( post-graduate degree), in 1967.

Saint Chad's College, Durham

After this, Anthony returned again to Canada.

Return to Canada, Anglican ordinations

Soon, Anthony Edwards was ordained as a deacon and priest in the Diocese of Brandon of the Anglican Church of Canada.

First pastoral service

Father Anthony Edwards served first as a curate at the Cathedral of Saint Matthew in Brandon.

Saint Matthew Cathedral

Later he served as vicar of Fairford (an indigenous reserve) in Interlake Manitoba.

Return again to the U.K., further education

Soon, Father Antony’s pursuit of learning led him to return to the United Kingdom. He began work towards a third degree, this time in teaching and drama, at Leeds University. He graduated in 1971.

First teaching service, chaplaincy

Subsequently, Father Anthony dedicated several years to education, while teaching drama at Newport High School in Newport, South Wales. At the same time, he served as a chaplain in the Royal Air Force, and he served as a pastor in an Anglican Church in Wales parish in Wales.

During his career as a teacher (which persisted for many years thereafter), he found that his favourite level of students was Grade 8 (or the equivalent in the UK).

Return to Canada ; entering the Orthodox Christian Church

By 1979, Father Anthony had returned to Canada. Both during his time in the U.K., and upon his return, he had come to perceive that, because of many changes which were occurring, he could no longer remain in the Anglican Church. This was both a difficult, and decisive moment in his spiritual journey. He took some time to consider prayerfully, and carefully what he would do.

In 1981, he was received as a layman into the Roman Catholic Church in Montréal, Québec.

Entry into the Orthodox Christian Church, 1982

In 1982, however, along with others, he was received into the Orthodox Christian Church in Winnipeg, Manitoba, by Archpriest Paul Schneirla of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (under the blessing of Metropolitan Philip (Saliba) of New York, the primate.

Father Scheirla was at the head of the Western-rite Vicariate of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America.

1983 marked the beginning of Anthony’s distinguished 42-year Orthodox Christian pastoral service. Because the previous rector had gone elsewhere, and the need was pressing, he was ordained by Metropolitan Vladimir (Nagosky) at the request of Metropolitan Philip (Saliba). This took place at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Winnipeg.

Holy Trinity Cathedral

He was then assigned to serve as Rector of Saint Mary the Virgin Western Rite Orthodox parish in Winnipeg. Metropolitan Vladimir, living in retirement, was serving as Rector of Holy Trinity Cathedral of the Archdiocese of Canada of The Orthodox Church in America. He and Father Anthony became good friends during the following years.

Upon his return to Canada, and to Winnipeg, Father Anthony had been teaching in the Winnipeg Public School system, usually at his favourite grade 8 level. It was through teaching that he sustained himself, and through his pastoral service that he provided spiritual sustenance to the rational sheep of Christ.

Ordinations

As previously noted, it was on behalf of Metropolitan Philip that Metropolitan Vladimir (Nagosky) of The Orthodox Church in America ordained him to the subdiaconate, the Holy Diaconate, and to the Holy Priesthood.

Metropolitan Vladimir was at that time serving in retirement as rector of Holy Trinity Sobor (OCA) in Winnipeg. (In due time, Father Anthony became its rector.)

It was through his petition that Robert S Kennaugh (his longtime friend) was ordained to the Holy Diaconate for this parish, also by Metropolitan Vladimir (Nagosky).

When, for various reasons, this parish was closed, Father Anthony and Father Robert were both received into The Orthodox Church in America, and into the Archdiocese of Canada.

Father Anthony continued for a long time to teach as before, and to serve where he was needed. This service included several prolonged visits to Saint John’s, Newfoundland, where he nurtured the early days of the current Parish of Our Lady of Vladimir in Saint John’s.

This period of service included also an interim pastorate at Holy Trinity Sobor in Winnipeg, and serving at Saint Herman’s Sobor in Edmonton, Alberta.

Monastic tonsure

Eventually, Father Anthony was tonsured to be a stavrophore monk, and he was given the name “David”, after Saint David of Wales. The tonsure took place at Holy Trinity Sobor in Winnipeg. Thus, he embraced the ascetic life that would define his spiritual leadership.

As part of his service, he tried with some success to raise awareness about the Celtic saints of Great Britain, Ireland, and Western Europe, who are early in history to have been part of the Orthodox Christian Church in general.

On 1 March, 1996, Hieromonk David (Edwards), remaining a member of the Missionary Brotherhood of Saint Silouan the Athonite, was assigned to be Second Priest at Holy Trinity Sobor in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Soon afterwards, he was elevated to the dignity of Igumen (as titular abbot).

Transfer to Edmonton, Alberta

In 1999, Igumen David (Edwards), having retired from teaching and having moved to Saint Albert, Alberta (just north of Edmonton), began to be present at Saint Herman of Alaska’s Sobor in Edmonton. He began to serve both there, and in the region as a supply-priest.

Father David was present at the Sanctification of the new Temple of Saint Herman of Alaska in this same year.

Saint Herman of Alaska Sobor

Father John Scratch, Father David (Edwards), Father Philip Speranza during Pascha

Metropolitan Theodosius at the Sanctification of Saint Herman of Alaska’s Sobor, Edmonton

In addition, for 2 summers, he served in the incipient mission in Saint John's, Newfoundland. During the winter months, he was helping at Saint Herman of Alaska’s Sobor, although he also visited the mission in Saint John’s for brief periods at other times.

Our Lady of Vladimir Church, Saint John's

On 19 April, 2009, Igumen David (Edwards) was assigned to serve as Second Priest at the Sobor of Saint Herman.

On 15 November, 2009, Igumen David (Edwards) was released from his responsibilities at the Sobor, and he was assigned to serve as a Deanery Supply Priest. Mostly, he served in various rural parishes.

Saint Silouan’s Monastery

Father David retired from active service to the Monastery of Saint Silouan near Johnstown, Ontario. This had been his “monastic home” from the time of his tonsure. There, he eventually became abbot, and he was elevated to the dignity of archimandrite.

Saint Silouan Monastery

Archimandrite David

Saint Olympia Mission, Potsdam, New York

During this time, he was one of the clergy from there who established the Mission of Saint Olympia in Potsdam, New York, USA (a distance of about an hour’s drive from the monastery in Canada). In fact, he was the first priest to serve in this mission.

Saint Olympia Orthodox Church, Norwood/Potsdam, New York

Retirement

When the Monastery of Saint Silouan was closed in 2016, Father David moved to Ottawa, Ontario, where he resided for a time, and where he attended Annunciation to the Theotokos-Saint Nicholas Cathedral.

Annunciation-Saint Nicholas Cathedral

Service in Halifax

Then, when the need arose, Father David was sent to the small parish of Saint Vladimir in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on 1 November, 2019. This was a small Orthodox Christian community that had been established a quarter-century earlier.

Archbishop Irénée (Rochon) travelled to Halifax, and installed him as priest-in-charge of the parish.

In October 2020, he was officially assigned to serve as Rector of Saint Vladimir Prince of Kiev Orthodox Church.

Saint Vladimir’s Church, Halifax

After getting accustomed to this new environment of Nova Scotia, and to the parish and parishioners, good things began to happen. Slowly but surely, parishioners responded to his loving and warm manner of caring for the parish. Attendance began to increase ; catechumens appeared ; then they were baptised, and joined the Church. His unconditional love, and his attention to every person he encountered drew together a vibrant international community of faithful and inquirers.

Father David

All who knew Father David would attest to his extraordinary gift for making each person feel valued and loved, regardless of their background or circumstances. This continued and increased until there was not enough room in the existing Temple of Saint Vladimir.

In this environment, the indomitable (he would say incorrigible) Father David visited various places where Orthodox Christians were living in the wider region.

Saint Seraphim Mission, Glace Bay, 2023

Ultimately, his enthusiastic initiative gave rise to the active and lively community of the Mission of Saint Seraphim of Sarov named for Saint Seraphim of Sarov was established on Cape Breton Island (a 4-hour drive from Halifax).

This mission was established in 2023, in the community of Glace Bay.

Archimandrite David

In time, there were 2 other priests who were serving with Father David in the Halifax community on a part-time basis.

In the parish bulletin just before his unexpected repose, he wrote that he intended on the day of his birthday to go to the church itself in order to

 give thanks to God that He sees fit that I should be strong enough to remain 
 the Rector of this beautiful parish.

He truly loved his parishioners with all his being. He intended to

 come to the church and with difficulty, prostrate myself before the altar and 
 thank God for all His blessings.  No!  I’m not publishing the time.

These words reveal the essence of Father David’s character – his humility, his recognition that his ministry was a divine gift rather than a personal achievement, and his deep appreciation for the privilege of serving God’s people in His Holy Church. Even as his earthly strength waned, Father David’s unwavering commitment and spiritual vision remained clear. He truly saw his parishioners not as an organisation to be managed, but as beautiful children entrusted to his loving care by Christ Himself.

Father David often spoke with profound gratitude of this assignment, and he described the parishioners as “the most incredible people” and “the most beautiful people I have ever met”.

Under Father David’s spiritual guidance, Saint Vladimir’s parish experienced remarkable growth and maturation. His unconditional love and attention to every person he encountered drew together a vibrant international community of both faithful and inquirers. All who knew Father David would attest to his extraordinary gift for making each person feel valued and loved, regardless of their background or circumstances. He showed in his example that true spiritual leadership requires pastoral tenderness, monastic discipline, and missionary zeal. His impact on the Nova Scotia Orthodox community and beyond is profound. We will all be changed by what he taught us. Father David's ministry demonstrated that the Gospel message transcends cultural and linguistic barriers, uniting all people in the common pursuit of holiness and truth (“I am the way, the truth and the life”, John 14:6).

Archimandrite David at Saint Vladimir's

A reminiscence by Father David at Christmas-tide after the pandemic

The following reminiscence was published in the Saint Vladimir parish bulletin (in which Father David remembers his childhood in England, long before he became Orthodox in 1982) :

I’m sitting here on December 25th, Christmas Day for most of the world and I am thinking back
to the Christmases I knew as a boy. I was fortunate in that after the war, my father was posted to
a military base in rural Dorset. We lived on the edge of moorland and a forest. We were about a
kilometer and a half from where T. E. Lawrence (of Arabia) lived and was killed. We were
fortunate to live there because everything about Christmas was real ; the fir trees were covered in
Ivy and the Holly bushes had real red berries. Christmas trees were growing in the woods and
were not given to the garbage collectors on Boxing Day. Real socks were hung at the end of the
bed to be replaced by Father Christmas with a pillow case full of wonders. Christmas lights didn’t
work if one of the bulbs burned out and the tinsel was made of real metal. Postmen actually
delivered cards and presents from distant relatives and the smell of the roasting goose or turkey
prepared one for the sumptuous dinner that was to follow. While mother was preparing that, we
boys went up the hill, through the woods to the church. On the way we played in the woods but
arrived in time since we were part of the choir. Perhaps cutting it fine, one of the older girls, and I
remember her well, scrambled to find each of us a cassock, ruff, and surplice ; then the procession
around the wooden church to the main door of the nave for the procession, singing one of the
beautiful Christmas Carols ; probably "Once in Royal David’s City".

We ran home anticipating the feast, and we would not be disappointed. There might be chicken,
or goose, or turkey with lots of gravy. There would always be Brussels Sprouts, Mashed Potatoes,
Stuffing, Roast Potatoes, Carrots, Parsnips, and Swede ; a feast indeed. But that was not all.

There was the Christmas Pudding, the Mince Pies, the Custard. I remember all this because it
was all homemade ; it was real. There was nothing artificial about it at all. The meat came from
the butcher shop, the vegetables from the greengrocers, and the various fruits, and fats from the
grocers where you were served by someone wearing an apron. Stuff was weighed and wrapped in
paper. We hadn’t even heard of plastic bags in those days. Stuff was carried in shopping baskets
made of woven branches or grasses, or cloth. It was real.

At tea time there was usually Bread and Butter, and Trifle, and more mince pies. One had to eat
the bread and butter before one was allowed to eat anything sweet. In those days, children did
not have a choice, you did what you were told, or else ; some of us well remember those days and
the “or elses”.

Then there was the King’s Christmas Message, later of course, the Queen’s Message. The evening
was quieter and children were sent early to bed on Christmas Day ; not unreasonable since we
had awakened early, anticipating the wonderful things left by Father Christmas.

Then Boxing Day. This was children’s day ; the only day we were allowed to stay up until we
wanted to go to bed, and there was no restriction on the number of sweets and goodies we could
eat. That is where we learned to be careful with the amount of chocolate one should eat at one
time. Well, some of us learned.

But you see, it was all real. I look around now, and I see that the world has made Christmas
plastic, artificial, and fake. Christmas Carols are used now to encourage us to buy stuff, animals
are fed to make them fat, eggs are produced in goodness only knows what kind of conditions.

Can we have Christmases like that again ? I don’t know. It will be up to the children of today who
will have to examine the world they will live in and ask themselves : “Is it satisfactory ?” My
answer at the moment would be a definite “No !” The world I live in at the moment is selfish and
deceitful.

The question again is : Will it continue to be ? And for how long ? How long before the Lord
decides to wrap it all up ?

I don’t despair though, and I have hope. I look at the beautiful children who bless this parish of
St. Vladimir Prince of Kiev in Halifax, and there are those of us who remember and who hold on to
the Truths. Christmas is a marvellous feast. We shall each fill it with what it is meant to be, the
Birth of the Son of God, Real not plastic or fake - His taking Flesh of the Most Holy Theotokos,
becoming Man, just like us. He knows what we are about. Don’t get tied up with “Season’s
Greetings”. It’s “Merry Christmas” – the Birth of Christ – “Christ is Born !” So Let us Glorify Him.
May God Bless each and every one of us. Merry Christmas ! From Father David, Father
Alexander, the choir and Altar servers.

Repose

However, on the late evening of Friday, 13 June, 2025, Archimandrite David (Edwards) reposed in Christ from a ruptured cerebral aneurism before retiring to sleep (the specific cause was determined through an autopsy).

On Friday, 20 June, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., the Memorial Divine Liturgy was served at Saint Vladimir Orthodox Church. This took place in the presence of the body of Father David. After the service, a potluck meal was served.

On Friday, 20 June, 2025, at 5:00 p.m., the Funeral Service for the Burial of a Presbyter was served at Saint George Greek Orthodox Church. A reception followed at Saint George’s Church.

Afterwards, the body of Father David was returned to Saint Vladimir’s Church.

On Saturday, 21 June, 2025, the body of Archimandrite David (Edwards) was transported to the Hermitage of the Annunciation at New Germany, Nova Scotia.

At 11:00 a.m., with the serving of a Panikhida, the body of Archimandrite David (Edwards) was interred in the cemetery at the Hermitage of the Annunciation, near New Germany, Nova Scotia. His interment was the second in that new cemetery.

Interment at the monastery

O Christ, save Your servant ! Memory eternal !

Within his personal family, Archimandrite David was survived by his siblings Garth Edwards (Barb) ; Marty Edwards (Jude) ; Robin Edwards (Dave) ; and his nieces Ann (Alfred) and Louisa (Namit), nephew Alex, and grand-niece Viola.

40th Day Prayers

On Wednesday, 23 July, 2025, a Memorial Service (Panikhida) was served in the morning at the Monastery of the Holy Annunciation at Watford, Nova Scotia ; and in the evening, the same service was offered in Halifax at the Parish of Saint Vladimir, Prince of Kiev.

Annunciation Hermitage

Reflections

Father David has accurately been described as being very kind, loving, and personable. Generally, his personality might be called “effervescent”. He had a very active sense of humour, and a boldness in the Lord. As a preacher, he would often not simply preach a homily, but he would also use some objects as “visual aids” during the preaching. One specific example was his homily on Saint John, Abbot of Sinai, and the Ladder of Ascent. For the purpose, had had a tall ladder brought to the front ; to the amazement of the parishioners, he slowly ascended the steps as he spoke about the Ladder. Thirty years later, parishioners still talk about not only the event, but more importantly, the content of the homily.

Archimandrite David will be remembered as a faithful servant of God, a devoted spiritual father, and a deeply loving brother and uncle whose life bore witness to the transforming power of the Orthodox Christian Faith. His circuitous earthly journey from wartime England to the shores of Nova Scotia served as material for the building of the Kingdom of God. His final act of thanksgiving, planned for his birthday at the altar at which he served so faithfully, stands as a testament to a life lived in love, gratitude, and surrender to the divine will.

Later, one of Father David's brothers sent a letter to the parishioners, which is reproduced here :

My brother, Father David, The Bear.

My brother Bear was a thoughtful, caring and giving man. In his youth, life was not particularly
easy for him and he carried a great weight in the family. Even so, through his example, he
managed to bring out humanity and decency in me, his younger brother.

One of my first memories of him are when we both sang in the church choir in Bovington,
England. I would have been about 6 years old. After the evening service, it would be dark and we
would walk home through some pretty scary woods. On one occasion I asked him what would
happen if we came upon the holy ghost. He kind of smiled knowingly and said, ‘the holy ghost is
not that kind of ghost’. Later in life, I followed in his footsteps and attended St John’s college for
an undergraduate degree. The path for me was made easier because he had been there, and
people knew him and, hence, me. Later in life, at Christmastime, it became a tradition for us to
watch ‘A Christmas Carol’ when we were together. It served to remind us of the goodness to be
discovered, or re-discovered, in each of us. There are so many more good memories with him.

When I think about it now, my whole life was made easier because I had Bear as an older brother,
leading the way, symbolically clearing the path and breaking the waves. He still leads me even
now.

I know that my brother’s last few years as Rector of St. Vladimir Orthodox Church in Halifax were
the happiest and most fulfilling in his life. This he told me often and in different ways over the
past few years. I know, too, that he so loved the beautiful people in his parish.

I am still grappling with losing my brother, as I know many of you are. Perhaps the loss of this
marvellous man will help us be stronger in our resolve to further such love and goodness in our
own lives.

Dear parish of St. Vladimir – please accept our family’s love and gratitude for the honour you
bestowed on Father David to be your spiritual guide, and by tending to him during his life with
you and after his passing.

Warmest wishes,

Garth Edwards

In addition, Presbytera Constantina Palmer of Our Lady of Vladimir Church in Saint John's, Newfoundland, prepared and presented an icon of Saint David of Wales to the parish of Saint Vladimir Prince of Kyiv in Halifax, in memory of Father David.