Bishop Joasaph (Antoniuk)

Bishop Joasaph (Antoniuk) of Edmonton (1897-1978)

Joasaph is the English spelling of the Russian name “Ioasaph”, which may be spelt Ioasaf.

Antoniuk may be spelt Antonyuk, Antonuk.

Early life of Stephan Maksimovich Antoniuk

Stephan Maksimovich Antoniuk was born on 16 December (OS), 1897, in the Rybna Village of the Kobrin County, in Grodno Province in the Russian Empire (currently in Byelorussia). There were 8 children, and the family was very devotedly pious. They were all raised as Orthodox Christians in the bosom of the Russian Orthodox Church.

At his baptism, Stephan was named for Saint Stephen of Sourozh, since he was born near the annual commemoration of that saint. Because one son was born at about the time of the glorification of Saint Seraphim of Sarov, he was named "Seraphim".

When Stephan was yet a child, he was walking home from school, and he had a vision of 2 clergymen driving in a carriage. They asked about the service that day, and he responded that it was beautiful. The vision disappeared. The parish priest suggested that he was being prepared to serve the Church later in 2 ways. Also, when games were played, the children consistently nominated him to be the priest in their game.

Stephan completed his primary education in his home village.

Higher education

After finishing his secondary education in the high school ("gymnasium") in Brest-Litovsk, he entered the Pædagogical College in Kyiv (then in the Russian Empire, now in Ukraine). He graduated from the College during World War I.

Even as a student, young Stephan felt a strong attraction to the Holy Church, and he began to take an enthusiastic part in her life. At that time, he had a dream in which his patron Saint, Saint Stephan, Archbishop of Sourozh, was beckoning him with one hand and pointing to a church with the other. Stephan told his dream to a priest, who interpreted it as a call to serve God and His Holy Church. During his studies and his early life, he had learnt the German, English, Greek and Latin languages, which were all very useful for him later in life.

War, 1914-1918, Bolshevik Revolution, 1917 ; teaching

During World War I, after the Bolshevik Revolution of October, 1917, Stephan was evacuated to Chelyabinsk, in the Orenburg Province in Siberia.

There, on 1 September, 1917, he received a position at the Tuman Primary School of the Chelyabinsk District (about 400 km/249 mi northeast of Chelyabinsk). On 17 October, 1918, he passed the examination at Chelyabinsk Real School to qualify as a primary school teacher. He was able to teach only for a brief time.

Russian Civil War service, 1919-1920

Then, in May, 1919, during the post-revolution Russian Civil War (1918-1923), Stephan was drafted into the White Movement Army of Admiral Kolchak. He served as a clerk in the Separate Volga Battery until the defeat of the Kolchak-led army and the execution of Admiral Kolchak. The remnants of the defeated army which could escape retreated to China.

After the military defeat, Stephan (who had been captured) was sent to a detention/punishment camp on the Lena River. When he was able to escape with others, he and they walked the rest of the way along the Trans-Siberian Railway to Harbin in Manchuria.

In December, 1920, he arrived in the displacement zone (city of Harbin).

Meanwhile, his family members had already moved on eastwards with other refugees into Manchuria in China.

Marriage, 1921

In this region, he was married to his wife Elikonida Vyacheslavovna (born 1902), who had arrived there from her native city of Samara, a city beside the Volga River. Elikonida Vyacheslavovna was a competent opera-singer. Because of her profession, she required and received the blessing of the bishops in the places where she lived.

In Harbin, young Stephan’s priestly vocation made itself felt with full force. With the strong support of his wife, he entered the seminary there.

From 1 January, 1921, to 27 February, 1922, he served as a helper at the Harbin Annunciation Temple of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in China.

Annunciation Temple, Harbin

He also read and sang at the services in the Sobor of Saint Nicholas in Harbin, and he helped wherever he was needed.

He was tonsured to be a reader. Like his wife, he was an able singer.

Saint Nicholas Sobor, Harbin

Diaconal ordination, 1922

On 21 May, 1922, Stephan Antoniuk was ordained to the Holy Diaconate by Bishop Meletiy (Zaborovskiy) of Trans-Baikal and Nerchinsk in Harbin, Manchuria, China, where by that time, there lived very many refugee Russian-speakers, and where the bishop himself was in exile.

Diaconal service

Deacon Stephan Antoniuk was assigned by Bishop Melety (Zaborovsky) of the Trans-Baikal Diocese to serve in the Saints Peter and Paul Temple in Uzhur, Krasnoyarsk. This region was still under the influence of the White Movement, and he and his wife moved there.

Saints Peter and Paul Temple

Presbyteral ordination, 1923

Then, on 7 April, 1923 (the Feast of the Annunciation, Old Style), he was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by Bishop Sophroniy (Starkov) of Selenginsk, Vicar-Bishop of the Trans-Baikal Diocese.

Pastoral service

Priest Stephan Antoniuk was assigned to serve in the Church of Our Saviour ("Spasski") in the Peschansk village, a part of the city of Chita in the Trans-Baikal Diocese, as a missionary. After the Temple was closed by the authorities in May, 1923, he was transferred back to Harbin, where he served as he was required.

The next 7 years, which Father Stephan spent with his family in China (in the Diocese of Harbin and Manchuria under the omophor of Bishop Mefodiy (Gerasimov)), were marked by his inspired service to God and His people. One of his specialities was serving as a marriage-counsellor.

Transfer to USA, 1930

In early August, 1930, Father Stephan Antoniuk and his family arrived in the USA from China. They had been brought over on the initiative of the Saint Nicholas Orthodox Community in Stratford, Connecticut. He had been chosen by the parish committee and the local bishops from amongst 100 candidates.

Stratford, Connecticut, 1939

On 19 August, 1930 (Feast of the Transfiguration, Old Style), Father Stephan served the first Divine Liturgy in the Saint Nicholas parish in Stratford. Soon afterwards, the family grew in 1931, with the birth of a daughter, who was baptised Olga.

Already after their emigration, members of their family at home asked them not to correspond with them any more, since receiving such letters brought attacks upon them from the communists. This caused, of course, great pain. Despite the Bolshevik oppression, one of Father Stephan's brothers had been ordained to the Holy Priesthood. One of Matushka Elikonida's sisters had been tonsured to be a nun (she had accompanied the family to the USA).

The first years after the founding of the Church of Saint Nicholas in Stratford were very difficult for Father Stephan and his family. Services were held in a house that was adapted and set up as a church. Father Stephan’s family had one room on the second floor, and the other 2 rooms were rented out for income by the mission-parish. It proved to be helpful to the development of the parish that one of the parishioners was Igor Sikorsky, the inventor of the helicopter. There were several other families associated with him who also were parishioners, and whose contributions helped to maintain the parish through the Great Depression. On the main floor of the house, the dining-room became the Altar of the church, a storage-room the sacristy. The choir sang from the kitchen, and the bell was hung from one of the eaves, and it was rung from an open window.

This parish lacked resources for some time, but the flock that Father Stephan tended recognised in him a good shepherd, and they were grateful.

Construction of the Temple in Stratford, 1942

Despite all these difficulties, services were held in this “house church” regularly up until 1942 when the newly-built Temple was sanctified by Metropolitan Theophilus (Pashkovsky). The new Temple was grand and beautiful, and it beautified Stratford. Father Stephan travelled to many cities throughout the USA, and he managed, over several years, to gather a substantial sum of money to cover construction expenses.

Saint Nicholas Church, Stratford

Meanwhile, Matushka Elikonida gave many vocal concerts for the benefit of the parish.

Father Stephan treated everyone equally, and he loved everyone. He would visit people at any time, day or night, when they asked. His wife was very much the same. Their home was "open house every day". In addition, Olga later said that when she was hurt by someone and she asked her parents what to do, her father and mother replied that if she would be hurt by someone, then she should pray for that person, but she should not hurt anyone herself. She said that her father constantly prayed, and that his love for Jesus Christ took precedence before everything else, and influenced everything else. They prayed everyday as a family, and this helped to sustain them all. Sometimes, through his prayers, ill people became well.

Father Stephan corrected anyone only with gentleness. He and his wife both taught their daughter (and others) to fear nothing, since we are all accompanied always by the Saviour and by the Mother of God.

For his zealous, long years of pastoral service, Father Stephan was raised to the dignity of archpriest.

Archpriest Stephen Antoniuk

Dean of Connecticut

Over the years, he was given all the priestly awards, including the mitre. He was also assigned to be the Dean of Connecticut.

Olga grew up, and since she had musical talent, she studied at the New England Conservatory of Music. She always sang in the choir. Eventually, when the long-time choir director became ill, Olga was asked to succeed him. She went on to serve thus for over 30 years.

With regard to the "Metropolia" (Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church in North America/ROGCCNA) to which he belonged, and the matter of the use of the English language, it was clear that the whole family were glad of both. They were glad to participate in that part of the Orthodox Church which was concerned about spreading the Orthodox Faith on the North American continent. They were grateful to be in their new home, and they understood the need for the English language. Not the least of these needs arose from the many "mixed marriages" (that is, marriage of an Orthodox Christian with a non-Orthodox Christian).

Our Orthodox Christian Faith cannot be shared without using the local language. In Stratford, there are many different parishes of many different origins. They use both English and their own languages in their Temples. When they sing together in a combined choir (such as on the Sunday of Orthodoxy), they sing all together in English.

Then Matuskha Elikonida began a long illness, during which she was regularly cared for by her family and parishioners. She fell into unconsciousness ; but on the Feast of the Annunciation, she returned to consciousness.

Bereavement, 1963

In 1963, to Father Stephan's great sorrow, Matushka Elikonida, reposed in the Lord. She reposed in the midst of a snowstorm, and a previously-planned pastoral visit by Metropolitan Ireney (Bekish) thus included in addition his serving for her funeral service.

Metropolitan Ireney (Bekish) presided with Father Stephan at the Funeral Service for the Burial of a Lay-person at the Temple of Saint Nicholas in Stratford, Connecticut.

After the completion of the funeral services, the coffin of Matushka Elikonida Antoniuk was interred in Saint Joseph's Polish National Cemetery (which by that time belonged to the parish) in Stratford.

Monastic tonsure

After the repose of his wife, Father Stephan accepted monastic tonsure. He was tonsured to be a monk by Metropolitan Ireney (Bekish), and he was given the name Joasaph in honour of the Holy Russian Hierarch, Joasaph of Belgorod.

He was soon elevated to the dignity of archimandrite.

Father Joasaph (Antoniuk) continued to serve the Church of Saint Nicholas until 1968, when, by the decision of the Great Council of Bishops of the North American “Metropolia” (after 1970 – The Orthodox Church in America), he was called to hierarchical service as a bishop.

He had served the parish of Saint Nicholas in Stratford for 38 years.

Episcopal ordination, 1968

On 7 April, 1968, on the Feast of the Annunciation (Old Style), he was ordained to the Holy Episcopate at the Holy Virgin Protection Cathedral in New York City by Metropolitan Ireney (Bekish), Archbishop Sylvester (Haruns) and Archbishop Nikon (de Grève).

Vladyka Joasaph had been ordained to the Holy Priesthood in Manchuria on this same Feast of the Annunciation to the Theotokos.

Bishop Joasaph (Antoniuk)

Episcopal service

He was given the title “Bishop of Edmonton”, with the assignment to be the Vicar-Bishop to Archbishop Sylvester (Haruns) and the Diocese of Canada.

Assignment in Canada, 1968

Edmonton and western Canadian parishes

After the ordination, the new bishop travelled to his first place of residence in Canada – Edmonton, Alberta. In Edmonton, he lived in a small apartment, and from there he served the nearby All Saints' Church and several rural parishes. During the first year of his service in the West, Archbishop Sylvester of Montréal convened an archdiocesan assembly at the Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos in Shandro, Alberta. At this assembly, both Metropolitan Ireney (Bekish) of New York, and the Archpriest Alexander Schmemann, the dean of Saint Vladimir's Seminary in New York were present.

During his first winter in Alberta, the weather was especially cold, and his fingers became frost-bitten as he handled the Holy Discos and Chalice in one of the rural Temples. This left some lasting effects, and for a time he was quite ill. In those days, heating and insulation were not what they are now. In parishes everywhere in Canada, economising on winter heating expenses has always been a factor. Therefore, furnaces would be started or fires in the heaters lit at the latest possible moment before a service. Thus, the liturgical vessels would still be extremely cold when it was time to handle them.

Vladyka Joasaph and clergy

Over the next 2 years, Bishop Joasaph gave spiritual sustenance to the many Orthodox parishes in Alberta (he found the people to be devoutly pious Orthodox Christians). He made up for the shortage of priests by himself travelling to many parishes in order to provide the Holy Mysteries for them at the same time as he was serving as Rector of the Holy Dormition Church in Shandro. A church school with very many children was established at Shandro. He was gentle and kind, and the people responded in the same manner. He was loved because of his modesty, humility and graciousness.

Serving at All Saints in Edmonton

Autocephaly given to “The Orthodox Church in America”

In April, 1970, the documents which had been signed in Moscow on 31 March, 1970, were publicly proclaimed. After serious conversations, the Moscow Patriarchate gave “The Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church in North America” autocephaly (independence and complete self-governing status). It was accepted by the Church of Russia that the former “daughter Church” was now a “sister Church”, now known as “The Orthodox Church in America”. The granting of autocephaly overcame the long break in Eucharistic Communion between the Churches which had occurred in the context of atheistic communist government pressures on the Church of Russia at the time (and which had not yet ended).

Vancouver, British Columbia, 1970

In 1970, Vladyka Joasaph (Antoniuk) became the Rector of Holy Resurrection Church in Vancouver, British Columbia. He remained at the same time the Vicar-Bishop for Western Canada, on behalf of Archbishop Sylvester (Haruns). He regularly travelled (mostly by bus) to the Alberta and Saskatchewan parishes, to serve and to visit (much as did Archbishop Victorin (Ursache), although they did not likely meet). He would sometimes meet and serve together with Archbishop Sylvester, and they both attended the regular semi-annual Holy Synod of Bishops meetings.

In Vancouver, he lived in the nearby rectory, a small house, which he occupied with 1 or 2 monks at different times. He lived there in sparse conditions. He prayed for all with sincerity and purity of heart ; he was attentive to the needs of individuals ; he comforted the sick and the suffering. All this he did freely, not demanding any payment for his services. He avoided mixing money with the sacred. His nurturing paternal love covered all. His loving simplicity covered all. His visible purity covered all. He loved all ; he cared for all around him ; he did this without distinction or partiality. His life shows the application of the exhortation of the Apostle Peter : "Above all things have fervent love for one another, for 'love will cover a multitude of sins' (Proverbs 10:13)" (1 Peter 4:8).

Pilgrimage to Alaska, glorification of Saint Herman, 1970

In that same year, 1970, he and his daughter both participated in the special pilgrimage to Kodiak, Alaska, and the services of the Glorification of Saint Herman of Alaska there in Kodiak. On their approach by air, the fog seemed to block their arrival, but people asked Vladyka Joasaph to pray, and the fog cleared.

Mission in Victoria

In this Holy Resurrection parish, there were some people who had already come to the Orthodox Christian Faith from outside the Church, and many others were attracted through the Christ-like love lived by Bishop Joasaph. Not long after his arrival in Vancouver, a new mission opened in Victoria, British Columbia. He continued to travel long distances in order to meet the needs of the people. He loved them. Like some other Christ-loving people, Vladyka Joasaph would by reflex make the sign of the Cross whenever he heard or saw a fire-truck or ambulance, and he would pray "Lord, have mercy" for whomever they were attending, and he blessed the vehicles with his hands.

By the tone of his voice, it was obvious that this prayer was deep, sincere, and straight from his heart. Vladyka Joasaph made no demonstration of his humility. In fact, because of this humility, he was invisible to many, despite the very many blessings accompanied him. He was loved and respected, but he was "just there". This being "just there" in Christ is more important than any great reputation, since it allowed people to see Christ in him.

Echoes of Manchuria

When Vladyka Joasaph arrived in Vancouver, he found himself amongst many Russian families that had, as he, passed through Manchuria, China (mostly in the city of Harbin) before arriving in North America. Some had arrived in Canada not long after the 1917 Russian Revolution, and others had arrived either before or after World War II, and the Chinese Communist Revolution of 1949.

Vladyka Joasaph would always be full of gratitude for everything, and he would always bless all who helped him. During a hospital visit, he would not only bless the parishioners he visited, but he would also bless everyone he met. This was the case in grocery stores, and anywhere he went. Full of loving gratitude, he brought the blessing of Christ everywhere, as a bishop is ordained to do. He cared about and served everyone near him, whether or not he knew them. Those who know about Saint John (Maximovitch) of Shanghai and San Francisco may understand that Vladyka Joasaph cared for people in hospitals and on their sick-beds in a very similar manner, and that his gratitude and joy were also similar.

Not everyone comprehended his humility and his simplicity, and he would sometimes be mocked and joked about behind his back. It is unlikely that he was unaware of this, but he never gave an indication of the awareness of it, nor of any resentment. No-one ever spoke of his showing any sign of anger. These characteristics help us to understand that he lived in continuous forgiveness towards everyone he encountered. One could understand from his example that in the context of this sort of love, one would participate in both the joy and peace of Christ, and also in His suffering. Vladyka Joasaph never paid back in kind any bad thing done to him. Rather, he repaid good with good, and evil with good.

Vladyka Joasaph's open heart drew various persons into the Orthodox Faith (either immediately, or later on as a consequence of contact with him). One notable family was that of Dr. Edward Paul Hartley and Vivian Maria Hartley |Dr. Edward and Vivian Hartley]], who themselves became local missionaries. They later established an English-language mission in the region, and they encouraged many others to do likewise. Vladyka Joasaph welcomed with joy visitors from a local Anglican theological college as well, and some of them made many repeat visits.

Vladyka Joasaph, Father Peter Kurzemnek, Dr. Hartley, Eugene Fetissov, visiting students in January

His daughter Olga regularly visited him in the summer time, and during this time she helped the local choirs with practices and instruction. She deeply appreciated the love and hospitality of the people.

Bishop Joasaph served at Holy Resurrection Church for 8½ years, during which he enjoyed great spiritual authority amongst all the parishioners. He was not concerned with himself, but rather, he loved the flock he served. The bishop was to everyone without partiality a genuine pastor and spiritual father, and the parishioners responded to him with the same love. He never condemned anyone. His daughter reported that a parishioner in Vancouver had had a stroke and he was unable to speak for a very long time. After some pastoral visiting, Vladyka found it possible finally to bring him Holy Communion. Afterwards, the man was again able to speak.

Bishop Joasaph served at the Altar of God until the end of his earthly life.

Blessing local iconography in Vancouver

While he was in Vancouver, Vladyka Joasaph, overcome with tears, told his daughter that he had had a vision of the Mother of God in his room in the Holy Resurrection rectory. During these years also, Olga had suffered a fracture in her neck which would require surgery, and there was a strong risk of paralysis. Although he was in Vancouver at the time, before the surgery, Vladyka appeared to Olga in her room in Stratford, and she then became well. She herself reported being saved from an imminent automobile catastrophe on ice when she saw a bright light in the sky.

Vladyka Joasaph always said that love never dies. Love radiated from him, and people often said that when he prayed, it was easy to pray with him.

Bishop Joasaph

Repose, 1978

Before the fall session of the Synod of Bishops in October, 1978, Vladyka visited his daughter briefly, and they visited the grave of Matushka Elikonida. When he was picked up for the meetings, Olga asked him to bless her, and he also asked her to bless him. During the meetings, Vladyka began to feel ill and he left the sessions in an attempt to reach his daughter in Stratford, Connecticut (she lived in the home of the Repass family, whose son became a monk at Saint Tikhon's Monastery).

On the train, his illness increased and he was taken to hospital. There, Bishop Joasaph reposed from heart-failure on 18 October, 1978. He had been reading a book about saints at the time.

The Funeral Service for the Burial of a Hierarch at the Church of Saint Nicholas in Stratford was celebrated by Bishop Herman (Swaiko), joined by Bishop Gregory (Afonsky) of Sitka and Alaska, as well as by many priests from the eastern USA. Some persons also travelled from Vancouver and other places.

After the completion of the funeral services, the body of Bishop Joasaph (Antoniuk) was interred in Saint Joseph's Cemetery which belongs to the Church of Saint Nicholas, which he had built. The parishioners had already donated 3 plots in the cemetery for this family, the first of which had been occupied by Matushka Elikonida Antoniuk in 1963.

— Bishop of Edmonton 1968-1978. Succeeded by : Bishop Seraphim (Storheim).

— Vicar-Bishop for Archbishop Sylvester (Haruns) in Western Canada 1968-1978.

Reflections

After his repose, the Sobor of the Holy Resurrection in Vancouver, British Columbia, prepared a metal plaque to memorialise the pastoral service of Vladyka Joasaph (Antoniuk) in Vancouver. It was affixed to the exterior entrance wall of the Temple.

In Stratford, Connecticut, a golden metal Holy Table was acquired in memory of Vladyka Joasaph.

Bishop Joasaph (Antoniuk) was an extraordinary personal example of long-suffering love as may be seen from the events and the course of his life. He was a model for us about concern and care for others, of hospitality, piety and paternal love. Those who met him were touched by the depth of his simple and direct speaking, which showed the depth of his love for Christ. Being with him, one felt. to some extent, that one had been adopted into his family (his family being "in Christ"). He ate very simply, but in very open-hearted hospitality, he shared with others whatever he had. Everything about him was an open-hearted and loving embrace. One archimandrite in Canada repeated several times that "when I grow up I want to be like him".

Outstanding about Vladyka Joasaph is the fact that he would, right until the end, be referred to by the affectionate Russian term "batiushka" (dear father), even though he was a bishop. This term is not used for every cleric by the faithful people, but only for those whom they perceive clearly to be loving and nurturing fathers.

It was his custom that when children would come to him for a blessing, Vladyka would give the blessing and then kiss the top of their head.

At the Sunday of Orthodoxy, Vladyka Joasaph would of course be the presiding cleric. Many pious Greeks who attended would go up several times for a blessing at the conclusion. They saw in him a man of God "who both looked like a priest ought to look, and who behaved as a priest ought to behave !"

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), p. 226. ASIN : B000ZLZAUE.

Holy Resurrection Sobor biography

Russian Wikipedia biography

Brief biography in "Russian Religious Leaders Abroad"

Drevo encyclopaedia biography

Additional information

Alexandrov E A, "Russians in North America" (Hamden (USA)-San Francisco (USA)-St. Petersburg (Russia), 2005), p. 227.

Korostelov V A, Karaulov A K ; Kosi, O V, ed., "Orthodoxy in Manchuria : 1898-1956" (Moscow : Orthodox St. Tikhon University of Humanities (Essays of History), 2019), pp. 587, 867-888. ISBN 978-5-7429-1307-8.

"Russians in America : Full Russian-American Directory" (Publishers N Martyanov and L Kamyshnikov, 1931).

"Stratford, Connecticut : Bishop Nicholas led the Holy Feast of St. Nicholas Temple, Eastern American Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad" (19 December, 2018).

"A Commemorative List of the Departed Servants of Orthodoxy in North America ('Diptychs')" (Syosset : Department of History and Archives, California, USA, 1992).

The Sign of the Theotokos Orthodox Church (Montreal, Quebec, Canada : Sign of the Theotokos Church, 1988), p. 20.

'Orthodox Christianity in North America' in "The Orthodox Church", no. 3 (1993), p.4.

"Olga Antonuk: An Oral history with Dianne J. Storheim" (10 April, 1984)

Orthodoxwiki article about The Orthodox Church in America

The Orthodox Church in America web-site

Wikipedia article about Stratford, Connecticut

Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, Stratford, web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about the Archdiocese of Canada

The Archdiocese of Canada web-site

Russian Wikipedia article about the Orenburg Provence (Governorate)

Spartacus educational : Russian Civil War

"The Liquidation of Kolchak and His Followers September 1919-1922"