Calgary AB Nativity of the Ever-Virgin Mary (Saint Mary) Romanian Orthodox Church 1969

Calgary, Alberta, Nativity of the Ever-Virgin Mary (Saint Mary) Romanian Orthodox Church, 1969

Prehistory

Romanian Orthodox Christians began to settle in Calgary, Alberta, Canada at a later time than in the many rural establishments, and especially those in Saskatchewan. When they did arrive, it was well after World War II. Besides attending one of the already existing Orthodox Churches in the city, these first Romanians in Calgary (after they began to find one another) began to gather together to pray in their homes, using their own language.

At the beginning, in 1964, the Priest Dumitru Diaconescu began to care for the Romanians in Calgary on a regular basis by serving the Divine Liturgy in the Greek Temple of Saint Demetrios. In fact, Father Diaconescu served this community on an occasional basis from 1959 to 1972.

Foundation of the parish, 1969

Eventually, the founders of this community were able to gather the resources to establish Saint Mary’s Church in 1969. Once there was a more visible community, and once there was a more permanent priest, other Romanians who were arriving were able to find the community and to become a part of it. However, because the community used both English and Romanian languages almost from the beginning, some persons were uncomfortable about not using either language completely.

In July, 1969, there was a meeting at the home of Bill (Vasile) and Joyce Lipon, and those present decided to organise the parish on a formal basis. Bill was elected to be the president ; Dan Costea was elected to be the vice-president ; Sophie Tonita was elected to be the treasurer ; Virginia Prepchuk was elected to be the secretary. However, the official foundation date of the parish is on 26 November, 1969. During this same year, a The Association of Romanian Ladies’Auxiliaries of North America women’s auxiliary group was organised in the parish. The parish was affiliated with the parish of Saint George in Regina, Saskatchewan.

Early parishioners

On 10 January, 1970, the regional dean, Archimandrite Martinian (Ivanovici) (✝1994) travelled with 2 car-loads of people from Regina, in order to serve the first Divine Liturgy for the new parish of Saint Mary in Calgary. This was offered in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Dumitru Chita. First, the house was blessed, then the Divine Liturgy was served. Then, after a memorial meal, there were 40 persons present for a brief meeting, in which it was decided to begin monthly Divine Liturgies. These were offered in various homes, basements, halls and borrowed churches until such a time as a permanent place might be found. During the ensuing years, these services were provided by visiting priests.

Priest Daniel Nenson

In 1973, the Priest Daniel Nenson (✝2016, one of the few Canadian-born priests) was transferred from The Descent of the Holy Spirit parish in Assiniboia, Saskatchewan, and he was assigned to Saint Mary’s in Calgary. From this time on, regular and frequent services were offered in Calgary.

In 1979, Father Nenson was transferred from Calgary to Regina, after which there was a period with no resident priest. In the summer of this year, an octet of male seminarians from Saint Vladimir's Orthodox Seminary in New York came to visit the parish.

Priest Danuţ Suciu

In 1985, the Priest Danuţ Suciu was assigned to serve Saint Mary’s parish. During the time of his pastoral service, a house was purchased, renovated, and transformed into a Temple.

First Temple, 1987

In May, 1987, Bishop Nathaniel (Popp) sanctified the new structure.

At the Sanctification of the Temple

Archimandrite Martinian (Ivanovici) ; Deacon Michael Lupu ; Bishop Nathaniel (Popp)

In 1988, the Women’s Auxiliary of the parish was formally organised.

On 15 May, 1988, the recently-ordained Priest Michael Lupu was assigned to serve Saint Mary’s parish. He arrived with Preoteasa Lillian and their family.

The year of their arrival is significant peripherally because it was the year of the Olympic Games (winter and summer) which took place in Calgary. This is noted by those who care both for the Lupus, and for sports.

During the following decades, the community came to be comprised of people who represent a mixture of the original families with people who stem from the usual indigenous ethnicities of the Orthodox family, as well as Hungarians, Egyptian and many others besides, who have chosen to join the Orthodox Church. This community is open to any and all people who seek to embrace the Orthodox Faith and to enter what has been called the “Ark of Salvation” : the Holy Orthodox Church.

Second Temple

Because the community continued to grow, it became necessary to find a larger building. Once a satisfactory one was found, it was purchased, renovated, and it was then sanctified.

Interior, view from the loft

Archbishop Nathaniel during an archpastoral visitation

40 years

In 2009, the 40th anniversary of the parish was celebrated during an hierarchical visitation by Archbishop Nathaniel (Popp).

On 18-19 July, 2010, Archbishop Nathaniel (Popp) visited as usual, but after major renovations had been undertaken. These transformed the appearance of the Temple.

Further renovations took place in 2012-2013 with the addition of wall-and-ceiling iconography.

After the 2013 renovations

Archbishop Nathaniel, Archpriest Michael Lupu

Archpriest Michael Lupu

Archbishop Nathaniel (Popp) and Archpriest Michael Lupu worked together in the Romanian Episcopate for many decades.

In 2017, Archpriest Michael Lupu was given retirement because of ill health. He continued to serve as possible within the parish and elsewhere (but without the responsibility of pastoral administration).

Priest Lucian Constantin, 2017

In 2017, Priest Lucian Constantin was assigned by Archbishop Nathaniel (Popp) to serve the parish. He was at that time a priest from Romania, who was not yet fully integrated into the clergy of the Romanian Episcopate and of The Orthodox Church in America.

Priest Lucian Constantin

Father Lucian serving ; view of the iconostas

Father Lucian and children

50 years, 2019

From 11-23 July, 2019, Archbishop Nathaniel (Popp) made an archpastoral visit to the Parish of the Nativity of the Theotokos in Calgary, Alberta, in the context of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the parish, which was being marked at that time.

2020-2021 Coronavirus-19 virus restrictions on parishes

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.

Particular parish information

The principal liturgical languages are English and Romanian.

This parish is a part of the Western Deanery of the Vicariate of Canada of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America. The vicar is the Priest Dan Hoarste. The dean is the Priest Nicolae Lapuste. The bishop is Archbishop Nathaniel (Popp).

This community follows the New (Revised Julian) Calendar.

The Altar Feast-Day of this parish is the Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos, 8 September.

In 2022, the pastor of the parish is the Priest Lucian Constantin. The retired Archpriest Michael Lupu is attached.

Address :

Saint Mary's Romanian Orthodox Church

3511-3rd Avenue SW

Calgary, Alberta

T3C 0A7

Parish telephone : (403) 288-4699

Web-site : http://www.saintmaryscalgary.org/

Facebook

Directions :

Saint Mary’s is to be found in central southwest Calgary, south of the Bow River, between the Crowchild and Sarcee Trails, and north of the Bow River Trail SW.

From the west (Banff and "the mountains") :

Travel on Highway #1 (16th Avenue) east (away from the mountains) up to the Crowchild Trail.

Drive on the Crowchild Trail south to the Bow Trail/12th Avenue SW. Turn west and drive on the Bow Trail. Pass the Shaganappi Golf Course (on the right). At Spruce Drive SW, turn right (north). Drive on Spruce Drive to 3rd Avenue. Turn left on 3rd Avenue (west). After 1 block, the Temple is on the left corner.

From the east (and the airport) :

Travel on Highway #1 (16th Avenue) west (towards the mountains) until you reach the Crowchild Trail.

Drive on the Crowchild Trail south to the Bow Trail/12th Avenue SW. Turn west and drive on the Bow Trail. Pass the Shaganappi Golf Course (on the right). At Spruce Drive SW, turn right (north). Drive on Spruce Drive to 3rd Avenue. Turn left on 3rd Avenue (west). After 1 block, the Temple is on the left corner.

Calgary is accessible by road, principally Highway #1 (east-west), and Highway #2 (north-south).

It is accessible by various airlines through the Calgary International Aeroport.

It is accessible by interurban bus through various Alberta companies (Red Arrow ; Ebus ; Rider Express ; Poparide ; Cold Shot ; abestx.com, and others).

Priest Lucian Constantin

6, Somervale Park SW

Calgary, Alberta

T2Y 3J4

Home telephone : 587-973-6777

E-mail : lcv2017@hotmail.com

Saint Mary's in Winter

Mission Statement of the parish

 The mission of Saint Mary's is to commend one another and ourselves to Christ Our God.  We accomplish this by 
 serving the spiritual needs of Orthodox Christians, converts, those of interfaith marriages and the unchurched 
 living in the Calgary area. Our liturgical services are a warm, intimate, and meaningful experience of the 
 Orthodox Faith celebrated in English and Romanian as a tribute to the founding ancestry of Saint Mary's.  We 
 also attempt to serve in the 'language of the people', so if you have a preferred language for weddings, 
 baptisms and memorial services please contact Father Lucian in advance to prepare in time…all this and with 
 congregational participation as well.

References

Bugea, Eleanor, “Romanians in Canada” (Michigan : Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America, 2009). ISBN : 978-1-929200-14-6.

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

Additional information

Bobango, Gerald J, “The Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America : The first half Century, 1929-1979” (Jackson, MI : Romanian-American Heritage Center, 1979). ASIN : B0000EBRQ6.

A Chronological History of the Archdiocese of Canada, Part 1

Patterson, G J, ‘Romanians’, in “Encyclopedia of Canada's Peoples”, Magocsi, P R (ed.) (Toronto : University of Toronto Press, 1999).

Romanian Orthodox Episcopate web-site

Saint Mary's Romanian Orthodox Church web-site

Romanian Episcopate listing

OCA listing

Orthodoxwiki article about The Orthodox Church in America (OCA)

Wikipedia article about the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America

Orthodoxwiki article about the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America (OCA)

The Romanian Orthodox Vicariate of Canada (ROEA)