Bellis AB All Saints Ukrainian Orthodox Church and Cemetery 1934
Bellis, Alberta, All Saints Ukrainian Orthodox Church and Cemetery, 1934
Although it is not written, it is possible that the place-name “Bellis” is derived from Ukrainian words which may mean “White Bush”.
Prehistory
The origins of the Bellis Orthodox community pre-date the 1918 founding of the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada. They can be traced to the establishment of a cemetery during the pioneer era on the North Bellis farm of Andrew Klymchuk, who subsequently became a founding member of the future All Saints congregation.
Bellis, Alberta, Canada, is situated northeast of Smoky Lake, Alberta, and the region was first settled after 1898. Bellis itself, a settlement which provides services to the farms nearby, has never been larger than a hamlet.
The arrival of settlers from Ukraine in the early 20th century was accompanied everywhere in Western Canada by the establishment of worshipping communities, both formal and informal. Formal communities were those which could be served by a "circuit priest". Informal communities were those who were too distant at first to receive any regular visits by the limited number of priests. At that time, these communities were served by missionary priests of the “Russian Mission”. Orthodox Christians in these more remote communities tended to pray daily in their homes (as they had always done). They would gather as possible on Sundays and Holy Days in order to worship the Lord together, and to give thanks to Him together.
Establishment of the cemetery, 1927
On 25 November, 1927, the cemetery was legally incorporated as the property of Saint John's Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church. This indicates that a more formal congregation had come into existence by this time. Its official dedication was to Saint John the New of Suchava (Suceava), Bukovina (Romania).
Its members were served on an occasional basis by Priest Timotei Horbay from 1926 to 1932.
Worship services during these years were held in the newly-built hall of the "Ivan Franko Educational Society of Bellis" (erected in 1926). This local “Prosvita” or “enlightenment” association had been founded in 1921. It provided an important focus for the development of Ukrainian cultural, political, and spiritual life in the district.
Prior to 1926, some Divine Liturgies may also have been celebrated in the homes of area residents, since it is known that that Priest Ivan Kusy visited Bellis as early as 1923.
There is also a report that residents of the Bellis area travelled to the Wahstao area to attend a Divine Liturgy celebrated by Priest L. Gherman of the UGOC in early 1921. Several of them made their confession for the first time in many years.
Establishment of the community, 1931
The first documented election of a president for the Bellis congregation occurred at a meeting following a church service on 25 January, 1931, when Anani Kovaluk seems to have defeated 2 other nominees for the post. However, correspondence with the consistory in March of the same year indicated that Krizon Chornovliuk (Choronoluk) was the head of an executive comprised of entirely different members. Regardless, from that point on the Bellis congregation was in communication with the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church (UGOC) administration in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Further, it may be said that from this time, the community was truly a part of the UGOC.
Construction of the Temple, 1932
On 5 January, 1932, the members of the Bellis "hromada" (community) purchased land from the CNR (Canadian National Railway) for the purpose of constructing a Temple. The $100 they paid for the property left them with only 5 cents in their bank account. Regardless, they proceeded boldly with the construction of the Temple, despite the very difficult economic circumstances that had accompanied the onset of the Great Depression. Such construction was possible both because of using locally-grown trees for timber, and because of various personal gifts.
The structure was sanctified on 5 May, 1933, by Priest Ivan Mayba (with the blessing of the bishop), who had succeeded Father Timotei Horbay as the Bellis community pastor. The historical date was inscribed on a Cross that still stands in front of the eastern wall of the Temple.
At the time of its sanctification. the Temple was dedicated to Saint John the New of Suchava (Suceava. He was a popular Bukovynian saint whose feast day is annually commemorated on 15/24 June. The popularity of Saint John of Suchava has to do with the fact that at the time when immigration to the Bellis area began, many of the newcomers had emigrated from the Duchy of Bucovina, part of the Principality of Moldavia, and of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Great depression ; depopulation
The Depression years were hard on the Bellis congregation. They suspended holding services briefly at the beginning of 1936, because members could not afford to pay the priest's expenses to come to serve them. The situation was exacerbated by troubles with the harvest later in the same year. On 12 September, 1936, a heavy snow fell while most of the crop was still on the ground (the harvest was incomplete).
Nevertheless, 2 weeks after the snowfall, a joyous event took place in the community. On 27 September, 1936, Hryhory Wasyliw was ordained to the Holy Diaconate in the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church. Two weeks later, at Holy Ascension Church in Smoky Lake Deacon Hryhory Wasyliw was ordained to the Holy Priesthood. Afterwards, he was assigned to serve in the Smoky Lake District, and he carried out his pastoral service for nearly 10 years.
All Saints Iconostasis
Change of name
Sometime in the late 1940s Saint Demetrius was adopted as the patron saint and protector of the Temple. However, contradictory records exist concerning the official dedication during the first decades of the congregation's existence.
Final name-change, 1956
There may have been some sort of controversy with regard to the 2 name-dedications of the parish. On 25 January, 1956, the Bellis Ukrainian Orthodox Church (which correspondence frequently indicated as its name) requested the blessing that the Temple and parish henceforth be known as All Saints Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Bellis. Subsequently, the blessing for this change was given by the Primate of the UGOC, Metropolitan Ilarion I (Ohienko).
Amongst the joys of the Bellis congregation is the fact that the parish produced a priest for the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada. In 1969, Ihor Kutash, son of Bukovynian immigrants Yuri and Anna Kutash (who settled in the Bellis area in 1924), was ordained to the Holy Diaconate and then to the Holy Priesthood. He served in the UGOC for many decades thereafter.
The Bell-house ; the Temple with the Bell-house
The Temple from the northwest ; the Temple from the southeast
'
Aerial views of the Temple and the Church-yard from the south and the east
Change in status of the UGOCC, 1990
In 1990, the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada was officially renamed “The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada” (UOCC) by an Act of the Parliament of Canada.
In 1990, the 18th Sobor of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada in Winnipeg, Manitoba, decided to enter into Eucharistic Union with the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople (Istanbul). This decision also changed the relationship with the other Orthodox dioceses and parishes in Canada in a positive way.
The Temple of All Saints has been published to be an historic site.
To the west of the Temple a bell-house was constructed.
Temple with the bell-house
Centennial of the UOCC, 2018
In 2018, the 100th anniversary of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada and also of Holy Trinity Cathedral were marked at an extraordinary sobor (assembly) at the cathedral in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
The purpose of the sobor was to celebrate 100 years of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada. The celebrations were attended by Ukrainian Orthodox faithful from across Canada and beyond.
The Sobor began on Thursday, 9 August, 2018, with a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy in the Chapel of Saint Petro Mohyla Institute, presided by Bishop Andriy (Peshko) of the Eastern Eparchy, with the responses sung by the Clergy led by Father Michael Lomaszkiewicz. This was followed by an All-Canada Clergy Conference.
Centennial Clergy Conference
All gathered for Vespers at the Mohyla Institute Chapel and this was followed by a wine and cheese reception as the delegates and guests registered for the Extraordinary National Council.
The celebrations continued for a year.
In early 2020, the Covid-19 virus made its appearance in Canada, and it quickly became a world-wide pandemic. Because of the rules governing gatherings that were laid down by the provincial and city governments, the parish stopped any further services after 8 March, 2020. Including the rules regarding social distancing, the decreasing numbers permitted for any gathering, and the considerations regarding the health of all concerned, this and other parishes were required to close for a time.
As elsewhere, there was some controversy about the legal requirements.
Election of Metropolitan Ilarion (Rudnyk), 2022
Election of a nominee by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada
On 15-19 June, 2022, the 24th Sobor of the Ukrainian Orthodox of Canada was convened "on-line". This conference-meeting was convened thus instead of convening physically (as customarily) in Winnipeg, Manitoba. There were 6 cathedrals in Canada where this meeting took place simultaneously through a computer-network : in Winnipeg, Manitoba (Holy Trinity Metropolitan Cathedral) ; Vancouver, British Columbia (Holy Trinity Cathedral) ; in Edmonton, Alberta (Saint John's Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral) ; in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (Holy Trinity Cathedral) ; in Toronto, Ontario (Saints Vladimir and Olga Cathedral) ; in Montréal, Québec (Saint Sophie Cathedral).
There was a total of 205 delegates, which was near the average attendance for such sobors.
In the course of the work of the Sobor, there was the necessary election in order to nominate to the Holy Synod of the Church of Constantinople a candidate for election as Archbishop of Winnipeg and Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, who would succeed the Retired Metropolitan Yurij (Kalistchuk).
There were 3 candidates who were considered : Archbishop Job (Getcha), Bishop Ilarion (Rudnyk), and Bishop Andriy (Peshko). The final choice of the members of the sobor was Archbishop Job (Getcha). He had received more than the minimum required 51% of the votes, and there was no subsequent voting required.
The election by the Sobor (Assembly) of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada then had to be confirmed by the Holy Synod of Bishops of Constantinople (as is described in the Consistory By-laws).
Upon having received the nomination (with accompanying documents) from the Sobor of the UOCC, the Holy Synod of the Church of Constantinople elected Vladyka Ilarion (Rudnyk) to become Archbishop of Winnipeg and Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Canada.
The Holy Synod of the Church of Constantinople elected Archbishop Job (Getcha) to become Metropolitan of Pisidia, in west-central Türkiye (Turkey), north of Lycia, and east of Ephesus.
Confirmation of election in Constantinople/Istanbul, 2022
On 29 August, 2022, Vladyka Ilarion (Rudnyk) was at the Phanar in Constantinople for the purpose of the first confirmation of the election in June, 2022. He co-served the Divine Liturgy with Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis) in the Cathedral of Saint George at the Phanar.
Enthronement as Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, 2022
On Saturday, 19 November, 2022, at 9:30 a.m., in Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the Enthronement Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was served. Metropolitan Ilarion (Rudnyk) presided at the Divine Liturgy. He was assisted by Bishop Andriy (Peshko), many priests, several deacons, subdeacons and Altar-servers. Present also were Metropolitan Archbishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas), Exarch of Canada for the Patriarchate of Constantinople, and Retired Metropolitan Yurij (Kalistchuk), Former Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada.
Metropolitan Ilarion (Rudnyk) at the Phanar, Istanbul, 2023
On Sunday, 2 July, 2023, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis) was present and praying during the Divine Liturgy at Saint George's Cathedral in the Patriarchate compound. He gave the blessing that Metropolitan Ilarion (Rudnyk) preside ("horostasia") over the Divine Liturgy. Metropolitan Job (Getcha) of Pisidia, Bishop Athenagoras (Ziliaskopoulos) of Nazianzos, and the Honourable Roman Nedilskyi, General Consul of Ukraine in Constantinople were also present and praying with the congregation of the Faithful.
Change of calendar for the UOCC, 2023
On 1 December, 2023, in accordance with the resolutions of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, Metropolitan Ilarion II (Rudnyk) announced that, effective that day, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada moved to use the New (Revised Julian) Calendar. He allowed that for a brief period of time, a parish might remain on the Old (Julian) Calendar.
It seems that subsequently, John's Cathedral in Edmonton, Alberta, was the first to adopt the New (Revised Julian) Calendar.
However, a previously-existing group of persons began to encourage resistance to the immediacy of this change. It was their understanding that the process would be determined ultimately and finally at the next general sobor of the UOCC. Therefore, on 16 December, 2023, Metropolitan Ilarion issued a formal letter concerning the situation, together with a letter of support sent to him by his predecessor (Retired Metropolitan Yurij (Kalistchuk)). He called the resisters to repentance
Catastrophe, 2025
On Sunday, 21 September, 2025, the Temple of All Saints was broken into by thieves, robbed, and then set ablaze. As a consequence the building was reduced to ashes. The perpetrators also burnt down the bell-house. What remains is a charred foundation, chipped bricks and a mound of black ash.
The parishioners were shocked, devastated, and in mourning. Although their number had become relatively few, they have been faithful, Christ-loving participants in the worship whenever it was offered in the Temple. Although they doubt that there could be resources found to reconstruct the Temple, they hoped that they could find a suitable place in which to worship on a makeshift basis should the bishop bless this alternative.
Nevertheless, suspects were apprehended. Following are published excerpts from the police report :
Smoky Lake RCMP said before the fire broke out, it received calls regarding 1 attempted and 1 successful vehicle theft on that day. The suspects left the area together in two separate vehicles, as the RCMP said. Additional officers responded, found the vehicles driving erratically, and attempted a traffic stop. The vehicles fled so a spike belt was deployed on one of the suspect vehicles. The RCMP officials said that vehicle then steered towards a police car and rammed it, with a suspect deploying bear spray in an attempt to escape. The stolen vehicle managed to flee the scene while the other suspect vehicle eventually stopped, and the suspects inside ran away on foot. Police dogs and drones were deployed and eventually, 3 suspects were arrested. It was during that time that RCMP started receiving reports of a fire in Bellis that ultimately destroyed the local church. “We are saddened to see a nearly century-old building destroyed in such a manner,” said Sgt. Anita Doktor, detachment commander with the Smoky Lake RCMP.
In addition, the RCMP reported that when they investigated the vehicles, they found items from the Temple in a vehicle. Further, they reported that it was clear that an "accelerant" had been used to speed the destruction.
The parishioners were aware that they were not alone in such suffering of loss in that region, but they could not fathom why anyone would do this. Their hope, nevertheless, is in the Lord.
Charred remains of the Temple, 2025
The Cemeteries
Established on the North Bellis farm of pioneer homesteader Andrew Klymchuk at NE 9-60-15 W4 (Decimal Degrees : 54.15150, -112.15239), the first cemetery of the parish was legally registered on 25 November, 1927, as belonging to Saint John's Ukrainian Orthodox Church, on the same property.
According to records of the Alberta Genealogical Society, a second cemetery was apparently established by the congregation at SE 3-60-15 W4, and is registered as belonging to All Saints Ukrainian Orthodox Church. In 1992, it had 39 interments.
The earliest burials listed in the cemetery were in 1934. This cemetery is also known as one of the Waskatenau Old Timers cemeteries.
All Saints Cemetery
Cemetery sign
A third cemetery is listed as belonging to Saint John’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church at the same site as the second ; but the number of burials in 1992 is given as 81.
The original cemetery is situated near the junction of Range Road #153 and Township Road #602 (Decimal degrees : 54.143117, -112.148241).
Saint John's Cemetery Gate
The second/third cemetery is situated near the junction of Range Road #152 and Township Road #600 (Decimal Degrees : 54.155297 -112.157422).
All Saints Cemetery Gate
Particular parish information
This parish is part of the Western Eparchy (Smoky Lake-Willingdon District) of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Canada. The bishop of the eparchy is Metropolitan Ilarion II (Rudnyk).
This parish follows the Old (Julian) Calendar.
The Altar Feast-day of this parish and its cemetery is the Feast of All Saints, the first Sunday after Pentecost.
In 2025, the pastor of the parish is the Priest Benny Ambrosie.
Address :
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of All Saints
Range Road #192 (SE 60 15 W4 Range Road #192 ; Township 600 RR 151)
Smoky Lake County, Alberta
Directions :
Bellis, Alberta, Canada, is approximately 111 km (69 mi) northeast of Edmonton, in the County of Smoky Lake. This area was primarily settled by newcomers from parts of Western Ukraine after 1898.
From Edmonton, drive on Fort Road and Manning Drive to Fort Saskatchewan. Turn left (north) at Highway #28, and follow this highway to Smoky Lake. Continue on Highway #28 past Smoky Lake to Range Road #192.
Drive on Highway #28 to Waskatenau. Continue eastwards on Highway #28. Turn south on Range Road #192, about 2 km (1 mi) east of the village. Follow this road south past Township Road #592. The Temple and cemetery are on the west side just before Township Road #590.
GPS Co-ordinates : 54.143117, -112.148241
Cemetery GPS : 54.153133, -112.152434
Call the priest for specific information. His address serves as the mailing address of the Temple.
Telephone : (780) 476-7014 (home)
Fax : (780) 476-3666
Mobile : (780) 719-9619
E-mail : bambrosie@shaw.ca
Parish sign
References
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.
Yereniuk, Prof. Roman, “A Short Historical Outline of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada (UOCC)”.
Additional information :
A Brief History of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada
“Collection of Materials Relating to the "50th Anniversary of the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada, 1918-1968” (Winnipeg : Consistory of the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada, 1968).
Sametz, William, “My Father the Priest : The Life and Times of the Very Reverend Dr. Peter Sametz : Founding missionary Priest of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada” (Toronto : Hypertex Plus, 2008). ISBN : 9780969670056.
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of All Saints parish listing
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada web-site
Orthodoxwiki article about the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada
Western Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada web-site
Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople web-site
Wikipedia article about the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople
Orthodoxwiki article about the Patriarchate of Constantinople
Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis)
Metropolitan Ilarion (Ohienko)
Metropolitan Michael (Khoroshy)
Metropolitan Yurij (Kalistchuk)
Wikipedia article about Bellis, Alberta
Prairie Souls.com : All Saints Ukrainian Orthodox Cemetery information
Prairie Souls.com : All Saints Ukrainian Orthodox Cemetery names
Findagrave reference for All Saints Ukrainian Orthodox Cemetery, Bellis, Alberta
Encyclopaedia of Ukraine article about the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada
Canadian Encyclopaedia article about Ukrainian Canadians
Wikipedia article about Ukrainian Canadians
"Historical Overview" about immigration of Ukrainians to Alberta
Wikipedia article about the Ukrainian diaspora
Pioneer Churches on the Prairies web-site [with video]
Enthronement of Bishop Ilarion (Rudnyk) as Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada (19 November, 2022)
Metropolitan Ilarion (Rudnyk) announces Change of Calendar (1 December, 2023)
Historic Ukrainian Orthodox church in rural Alberta destroyed in arson Global News (25 September, 2025)
"Historic church in rural Alberta torched during crime spree : ‘Utter devastation’" by Karen Bartko (25 September, 2025)