Calgary AB Saint Andrew Romanian Orthodox Church 2002

Calgary, Alberta, Romanian Orthodox Church of Saint Andrew, 2002

Ioan-Casian may be spelt John-Cassian.

Formation of the parish, 2001

Newcomers to Canada, who had emigrated from Romania, and who settled in Canada, desired to form a community of Romanian Orthodox Christians which would be directly connected to the Patriarchate of Romania. They had belonged to the patriarchate all their lives, and they wished to continue this relationship in the land of their new home. It is not an unusual desire for those newly-arrived in Canada. Immigrants from many countries have wished to do just this with regard to their own land and Church of origin. In Calgary, Alberta, Canada, a group of such Romanian Orthodox Christians began to discuss the possibility, and they began to come to an agreement and to a plan for which they asked God's blessing.

The preparation for the establishment in Calgary, Alberta, of a mission of the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese of the Americas (now called a metropolis) began in 2001.

After some deliberations, the governing principles for establishing Saint Andrew Romanian Orthodox Church in Calgary, Canada were arrived at and promulgated in November, 2001.

A committee of 5 persons took the initiative to establish the “Saint Andrew Romanian Orthodox Church” in Calgary, Alberta. This initiative, completely based on volunteer work, was led by :

 Vasile Bobotan, Adrian Cervatiuc, Dan Ciocan, Gheorghe Eftimie and Bogdan Lupu.

The Holy Apostle Andrew has always been a special apostle for Romanians. Because of his early missionary activity on the territory where Romanians have always lived, he was chosen to be the patron. The committee responsible for incorporating the parish as a legal entity acted in accordance with the following governing principles :

1. The jurisdiction of “Saint Andrew’s Romanian Orthodox Church” is “The Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese in America and Canada”. No member of the committee will either change or attempt to change this affiliation. “The Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese in America and Canada” carries the ecumenical designation, officially recognised by all the patriarchs of the Orthodox Church.

2. This parish will pay attention to the needs of the new immigrants. It will also encourage cultural and social activities that are meant to enrich the spirituality of those who keep an active connection with the home country. One of the pillars of creating this parish is the fulfilment of spiritual and identity needs, in the context of our diverse Canadian society. The parish will also seek to provide a helping hand to the Romanian seniors, by offering them a spiritual meeting place with their Orthodox traditions and values, as they have been transmitted through generations. We believe that most of our parents and grandparents have a real need for maintaining their own identity.

3. The new parish establishment and activity are to be taken with faith and care to co-exist in peace and friendship with all other existent parishes, regardless of affiliation or ethnic denomination. The members of this committee believe that building one more house of God will only make the Orthodox community stronger. It is up to everyone to choose a prayerful environment that suits his or her needs. Therefore, the means of attracting new members is through the parish's own merits, in both the Orthodox life and other activities.

4. The members of this committee, who are in charge of incorporating the legal entity of Saint Andrew’s Orthodox Church, are not automatically the founders of the parish.

5. The first General Assembly Meeting will be held on or before the first yearly anniversary of this parish. A parish council of 12 members will be elected at that time, from the parish members. The 5-member committee that undertakes this initiative will assume the executive board role, and will be replaced by the first parish council. The election that will be held at that time gives the parish members full authority to decide the structure of the parish council.

Official blessing, acceptance and inclusion into the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese, 2002

In January, 2002, the petition addressed to the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese in America and Canada was signed by 72 persons, who requested to be accepted under the archdiocese’s canonical jurisdiction. Therefore, the signatories become the “de facto” founders of the parish. The names of the founders are :

 Marin Bordeianu ; Alina Bordeianu ; Paris Brad ; Elena Maria Brad ; Dan Brailescu ; 
 Magdalena Branescu ; Ioana Caftaliu ; Viorica Carpen ; Paul Carpen ; Lucia Castaian ; 
 Gheorghe Castaian ; Andrea Cervatiuc ; Adrian Cervatiuc ; Dan Ciocan ; Sorin Dinescu ; 
 Rodica Dinescu ; George Dragomir ; Adrian Dumbrava ; Luminita Dumbrava ; 
 Gheorghe Eftimie ; Marian Eftimie ; Lenuta Farkas ; Anda Frusescu ; Virgil Frusescu ; 
 Iulia Gogalniceanu ; Mircea Ionel ; Aurora Ionescu ; Sorin Joitescu ; Maria Lascu ; 
 Marcel Loas ; Bogdan Lupu ; Georgeta Lupu ; Liviu Mackay ; Cristina Mackay ; 
 Marcel Medrut ; Alexandru Mic ; Maria Moldovan ; Nicolae Moldovan ; Ana Monahu ; 
 Mona Nastase ; Adi  Nastase ; Dan Negut ; Iulian Nestea ; Elena Nistor ; Ioan Nistor ; 
 Alexandru Ioan Nistor ; Iuliana Obrejanu ; Marcel Obrejanu ; Alin Pantazi ; 
 Cristina Pantazi ; Catalin Petcu ; Irina Petcu ; Rodica Phillip ; Dean Phillip ; 
 Felicia Popa ; Alexandru Popa ; Crisitian Popa ; Doru Dragutin Rain ; Ofelia Rain ; 
 Marcel Rosca ; Florin Serban ; Silviu Stefan ; Silvia Stefan ; Monica Teleptean ; 
 Maria Teleptean ; Daniel Tilimpea ; Fabiana Tilimpea ; Romeo Trastanetz ; 
 Daniela Trastanetz ; Radu Velicu ; Silviu Vlasie ; Nora Zaharia.

The Archdiocesan Council of the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese in America and Canada, at its meeting held at Holy Trinity Romanian Orthodox Church in Troy, Michigan, USA, on Friday, 8 March, 2002, voted to approve the establishment of the Saint Andrew Romanian Orthodox Church for the city of Calgary, Alberta and the surrounding region. It was also voted that the Protopop (Archpriest) Mircea Panciuk (the archdiocesan dean for Western Canada) would have primary administrative responsibility for this newly-created community until the appointment of a permanent parish priest.

The first location in which the parish gathered for worship was at the North Glenmore Community Hall (2231, Longridge Drive SW).

This site (which required the assembly and disassembly of the worship-space each time) served the parishioners for nearly 20 years.

First and formative site of worship

After many years of testing and formation, the community arrived at a state in which there were enough committed parishioners and sufficient fiscal resources to contemplate acquiring a permanent and dedicated site for Saint Andrew's parish. After a search, a property was found : a pre-existing structure which had been used as a business, and which would require considerable work in order to make it suitable for Orthodox Christian worship. The Covid-19 Pandemic of 2020-2021 was one of the factors which enabled this facility to become available.

Covid Pandemic, 2020-2021 ; change in location, 2021

The extraordinary Annual General Meeting vote of 5 May, 2021, decided that the location at 10401 Braeside Drive SW in the Riverglen neighbourhood of Calgary (a former fitness centre), should become the new home and Temple of the Parish of Saint Andrew. Also at this address would be established and operate the Romanian Cultural Centre of Saint Andrew's Church, a multicultural centre for Romanians in Calgary.

There was general gratitude to the Lord who gave the parishioners the desire and the commitment to fulfil this great step to establish a permanent site and presence for the Temple of Saint Andrew. There was likewise gratitude for the readiness of the Faithful to undertake this labour of love. One of the main motivations for the parishioners was the desire to have the Temple of the parish available for worship on any day of the week when it would be needed.

From 10 June, 2021, the Divine Liturgy and other Divine Services began to be offered at the new address. Because of this situation, We were the only Orthodox Church we held the Lord Resurection service and Liturgy during pandemic and offer Blessed Pascha and Holy Light to everybody, following the restrictions by the book, under the direct police eye. We had Calgary Police helicopter above us and an SUV across the street, watching the service and how the restrictions are followed.

It is noteworthy that this community was the only Orthodox Church to offer the weekly Divine Liturgy during pandemic, to serve openly for the Resurrection of Christ on Pascha, and to share the Holy Light with to everyone. They did this, following the legal restrictions by the book, under the direct supervision of the police. The Calgary Police helicopter overed above the Temple ; and from a Police SUV, parked across the street, officers observed everything, watched the service, and how the restrictions were followed.

From that time also, the work of improving the interior of the new space began in earnest. Most particularly, there was the concern to establish an adequate and appropriate iconostas in order to distinguish the Altar of the Temple (with its Holy Table) from the nave of the Temple. This work included, of course, the construction of a permanent Holy Table and Proskomedia Table.

The first contribution was the Icon-group of the Crucifixion of Christ, the site in the Temple for memorial services.

20th Anniversary : Archpastoral visitation, 2022

On 19 May, 2022, Bishop Ioan-Casian (Tunaru), Bishop of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese (Eparchy) of Canada, made an archpastoral visitation to the Parish of Saint Andrew in Calgary. Bishop Ioan-Casian was accompanied by the Protopop (Dean) of Western Canada, Archpriest Mircea Panciuk, and by the Administrative Vicar, Archpriest George Bazgan.

Upon his arrival at the Temple, Bishop Ioan-Casian was greeted at the entrance by the pastor, Priest Vasile Ioan Moisi, who carried the Holy Gospel and the Holy Cross for veneration. A group of about 20 worshippers were also present.

After blessing everyone, and having venerated the Holy Icons and the Holy Altar, Bishop Ioan-Casian was vested in his high-priestly vestments, and he led the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy in the Temple, along with the clergy and the Faithful.

In his homily, he emphasised the sacrifice of the parishioners and the patience they had throughout the 20 years since the founding of the parish until the realisation of having this place of worship. He recalled and drew attention to the care that parishioners must take for their pastor (he referred to the ordeal that Father Vasile Moisi had endured at the end of the previous year).

At the end, there was general gratitude expressed on the part of each to each and all.

Father Vasile made a presentation about the building itself. He began with the project of the iconostas and of the future Altar. The bishop gave the blessing for this project, and he urged all towards the fruitful work in its realisation.

A small agape meal followed the service itself. Bishop Ioan-Casian again expressed his gratitude, and he asked that as he blessed all those present that they share this blessing and his care for them with those who (because this service was served on Thursday, a working-day) were unable to be present despite their desire to do so. He further specifically thanked the parish council for their diligent work.

Bishop Ioan-Casian and some parishioners

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

This parish is a part of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada (itself part of the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese of the Americas). The bishop is Bishop Ioan-Casian (Tunaru). The parish priest is Priest Vasile Moisi.

This parish follows the New (Revised Julian) Calendar.

The Altar Feast-day of this parish is the Feast of the Apostle Andrew the First-called, on 30 November.

In 2026, the pastor of the parish was Priest Vasile Moisi.

Address :

Saint Andrew Romanian Orthodox Church

10401 Braeside Drive SW

Calgary, Alberta

T2W 1B5

Telephone : 514-527-3314 (Diocese)

Telephone : 403-560-8660

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

Facebook page

Directions :

Calgary 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).

For public transport within Calgary, consult Calgary Transit.

By car :

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

From the west (e.g. Banff), or from the east, (e.g. Regina), approach Calgary by Highway #1 (Trans-Canada).

From the Trans-Canada Highway #1 (16th Avenue), drive south on the Crowchild Trail to Glenmore Trail SW (Highway #8) and continue straight on until 14th Street SW. Turn right on 14th Street SW. Drive southwards until Southland Drive SW. Turn right on Southland Drive SW, and drive westwards until Braeside Drive SW (opposite Palliser Drive SW). Turn left onto Braeside Drive SW, and drive southwards until the fourth turning. Turn right on Brae Glen Court. The Temple is on the right. There is a shopping-mall nearby.

From Highway #2 (Queen Elizabeth II Highway) or Highway #201 (Stoney Trail), take the exit for Glenmore Trail (Highway #8 Highway #8) and drive westwards. Take the exit for Elbow Drive SW southwards. Drive southwards on Elbow Drive SW until Southland Drive SW. Turn right on Southland Drive SW. Drive westwards until Braeside Drive SW (opposite Palliser Drive SW). Turn left onto Braeside Drive SW, and drive southwards until the fourth turning. Turn right on Brae Glen Court. The Temple is on the right. There is a shopping-mall nearby.

Please call the priest for more specific information.

Priest Vasile Moisi

62, Autumn Grove SE

Calgary, Alberta

T3M 0H1

Telephone : 403-560-8660

E-mail : frmoisi@hotmail.com

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.

Parish web-site

Additional information :

Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese (Metropolia) of the Americas web-site

Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada

Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada Directory

Diocese listing

Archdiocese listing

Orthodoxwiki article about the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese of the Americas

Wikipedia article about the Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of the Americas

Romanian Patriarchate article about the Romanian Orthodox Metropolitan Church of the Americas

Romanian Orthodox Metropolia of the Americas biography of Archbishop Nicolae (Condrea) (see especially the episcopal ordination in Montréal, Québec, 2002)

Patriarch Teoctist (Arăpașu)