Charlottetown PEI Saints Peter and Paul Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church 1994

Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island : Saints Peter and Paul Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church, 1994

Prehistory

Beginning in the late 19th century, some Orthodox Christians in emigration from the Middle East began to arrive in Prince Edward Island, Canada, during the first wave of immigration.

The Orthodox Christians arrived from the areas that are now known as Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, and Israel (and other countries as well). It is useful to understand that not everyone who speaks Arabic is necessarily an ethnic Arab. For instance, Syrians are not precisely Arabs.

After having arrived at first in Montréal, Québec, some families subsequently moved towards the Maritime Provinces. They seem to have settled primarily in Nova Scotia and in Prince Edward Island.

Those Orthodox Christian families that settled in Prince Edward Island were there alone, and without the blessing and benefit of the visible presence of the Orthodox Church. Some participated in other sorts of Christian gatherings from time to time, (such as the Anglican Church) ; but for any sacramental sustenance, it meant travel to an Antiochian Orthodox parish in Montréal, Québec , or eventually to Halifax, Nova Scotia, or perhaps to the Greek Orthodox parish in Saint John, New Brunswick. This “frontier” status persisted for a century at least.

The Orthodox Faithful persisted in the living and practicing of their Orthodox Christian Faith at home, and also on various festal occasions when they might meet together. Eventually, there were enough personal and practical resources to allow for the establishment of an actual worshipping, local community.

Establishment of a Mission Community, 1994

In June, 1994, Metropolitan Philip (Saliba) of New York directed Priest Ronald Parsons (a priest of Saint Antonios Orthodox Church, Halifax, Nova Scotia) to visit Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, in order to ascertain the interest and means available to initiate an Orthodox Mission there. Father Ron’s visit proved to be successful. For the first time, the Faithful were brought together in a collective voice that affirmed an interest in establishing a Church Mission.

By July, 1994, despite the heavy demands of serving as rector of Saint Antonios Antiochian Orthodox Church of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Priest Maximos Saikali commenced also making regular visits to the Island, and organising services. Acting as the community’s temporary spiritual father, he energised and guided the Faithful in those first days.

Naming of the mission

As well, by the end of July, 1994, Metropolitan Philip (Saliba) gave the blessing that the mission be named Saints Peter and Paul Antiochian Orthodox Mission.

The 2 priests continued to care for the development of the mission. Father Parsons proved to be an active supporter of this mission, which became a parish in due time.

First resident priest, 1995

In April, 1995, the Island Mission was blessed with the arrival of Priest Boulos Khayat, who had been appointed by Metropolitan Philp as the Mission’s first Pastor. Father Boulos wasted no time in establishing a temporary place of worship, located in an upper room of the Queen’s Arms Motel.

Queen's Arms Hotel

Father Boulos’s presence brought the community closer together, and the Faithful began to attend weekly Sunday Divine Liturgies.

First Archpastoral Visit, 1995

In October, 1995, Saints Peter and Paul Mission received a visit from Bishop Antoun (Khouri). He had been sent by Metropolitan Philip, and he blessed the site where the Island’s future House of Worship would be constructed. The property had been donated by faithful parishioners, George and Abla Bassett, and family.

Blessing ground, construction of the Temple ; ordinations

After Bishop Antoun had placed a Cross in the ground and blessed the land, he turned to the people, and he said, “There will be a Church built there by the end of the year”.

Thanks to generosity of the Faithful, the Island Orthodox community celebrated the Holy Feast of the Nativity of our Lord in a newly-constructed House of Worship that very December. The new Temple included a lower hall for social and educational purposes.

Moreover, during this visit, Bishop Antoun ordained Alban Westin to the Holy Diaconate, and then to the Holy Priesthood. Father Alban had had a long-standing relationship with the Orthodox community while he had served at Saint Peter’s Anglican Cathedral, which many of the Faithful attended until the establishment of this Mission.

At the same time, Stephen Allen was ordained to the Holy Subdiaconate (and then in July, 1997, to the Holy Diaconate). Both Father Alban and Deacon Stephen were assigned to serve as the assistant clergy of the Saints Peter and Paul Mission, now a Parish Church.

During the next few years, the parish continued to prosper.

In the Autumn of 1999, Priest Boulos Khayat was transferred away to Saint George Antiochian Orthodox Church in Montréal, Québec.

Priest Paul Kara, 1999

The parish of Saints Peter and Paul was blessed with its new Pastor, Priest Paul Kara. Father Kara’s dynamic personality and energetic spirit invigorated the whole community. His direction as spiritual father to the parish guided the flock, and nourished the development of the parish family.

Sanctification of the Temple, 2000

On 24 September, 2000, Bishop Antoun made another archpastoral visit. On this day, he sanctified the Holy House of Worship of the Parish of Saints Peter and Paul, and he served the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy which followed.

Iconostas

Halifax ordination, 2002

On 22 December, 2002, some of the parishioners travelled to Halifax, Nova Scotia, and to Saint Antonios Antiochian Church there, for the ordination of Deacon Stephen Allen to the Holy Priesthood by Bishop Antoun (Khouri).

Repose of Father Parsons, 2005

In 2005, Father Ronald Parsons fell asleep in the Lord in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

First bishop in Canada, 2005

In 2005, Bishop Alexander (Mufarrij) was enthroned as the first bishop of the newly-created Diocese of Ottawa, Eastern Canada, and Upstate New York, at the Cathedral of Saint Elias in Ottawa, Ontario.

Repose of Father Westin, 2008

In March, 2008, beloved Archpriest Alban Westin fell asleep in the Lord. May his memory be eternal.

Priest Stephen Allen and children at Nativity

Priest Elian Al-Hakeem, 2019

In November, 2019, Metropolitan Joseph (Al-Zehlaoui) of New York and All North America, asked his brother, Metropolitan George (Abou Zakhem) of Homs and its Dependencies in Syria to ordain Loay Al-Hakeem to the Holy Priesthood. He was ordained to the Holy Diaconate on 26 December, 2019, in Homs, Syria, and then to the Holy Priesthood on 2 January, 2020, under the name of Saint Elian of Homs. Then Metropolitan Joseph sent Father Elian Al-Hakeem to be trained and formed under the supervision of Priest Stephen Allen at Saints Peter and Paul Church in Charlottetown.

Fathers Stephen Allen and Elian Al-Hakeem

2020 Covid-19 closures

As was the case throughout the country, closures were imposed on parishes during the time of the Covid-19 Pandemic. From March, 2020, complete closures were imposed by the Federal Government of Canada. It was not until later in 2021 that parishes could begin to resume their usual rhythm of worship, although there were some periods of relaxation of the strictness. As in other communities, sharing services in an improvised manner over the internet softened the impact of this very sharp test for believers.

Priest Elian Al-Hakeem Rector, 2021

In October, 2021, Metropolitan Joseph (Al-Zahlaoui) assigned Father Elian Al-Hakeem as the new pastor of Saints Peter and Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island (PEI).

Temple interior

Parish particular information

This parish is part of the Diocese of Ottawa and Upstate New York of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of North America, a part of the Patriarchate of Antioch. The bishop is Bishop Alexander (Mufarrij).

This parish follows the New (Revised Julian) Calendar.

The Altar Feast-day of the parish is the Feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, 29 June.

In 2023, the pastor of the parish is Priest Elian Al-Hakeem.

Saints Peter and Paul Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church

26, Lower Malpeque Road

Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

C1E 1R4

Telephone : (902) 892-6914

E-mail : antiochianorthopei@gmail.com

Web-site : https://antiochianorthopei.ca/

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Directions :

Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, is approachable by road, by sea, and by air.

By road :

Since 1997, the Confederation Bridge has provided a "land-link" between Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick.

From Moncton, New Brunswick :

Follow NB-#15E to Port Elgin, and exit to NB-#16E towards Prince Edward Island and the Confederation Bridge. Continue on the Trans-Canada Highway to Charlottetown.

From Nova Scotia :

Follow NS-#102N to Truro and NS-#104W towards Amherst, Nova Scotia. Highway NS-#104W will become NB-#2W upon crossing into New Brunswick. Continue on NB-#2W, and exit onto NB-#16E towards Port Elgin/Prince Edward Island and the Confederation Bridge. Continue on the Trans-Canada Highway to Charlottetown.

From Québec (in Canada only) :

Drive to Rivière du Loup on the Trans-Canada Highway (A #20 E). Then take Highway A #85 E (Trans-Canada) towards New Brunswick. There, the highway becomes NB #2. Continue on this highway through Edmundston and Fredericton to Moncton. Then follow NB-#15E to Port Elgin, and exit to NB-#16E towards Prince Edward Island and the Confederation Bridge. Continue on the Trans-Canada Highway to Charlottetown.

In Charlottetown :

On arriving from the south on Highway #1 (Trans-Canada), the route becomes Capital Drive. Continue northwards until Highway #236 (Elmer's Creek and North River Road are on the right). At the intersection, turn left onto Highway #236 (Lower Malpeque Road). After the first road to the left (Kirkdale Road), turn right at the access drive for #26, Lower Malpeque Road.

By bus :

There is bus service throughout the Maritime Provinces by MaritimeBus, which carries passengers to Charlottetown.

By sea :

Northumberland Ferries offers service between Caribou (Pictou), Nova Scotia, and Wood Island, Prince Edward Island. Then follow the Trans-Canada Highway to Charlottetown. Turn left onto Highway #1 (which follows the coast-line). Follow this highway into and around the city until after Highway #2. After Highway #2, turn left at Lower Malpeque Road. After passing Gates Road on the left, turn left at the access to #26, Lower Malpeque Road. (The Temple is situated at some distance from the road, along its own driveway, upon a hill.)

By air :

Air access to Charlottetown, PEI, is available at the Charlottetown Aeroport (an international aeroport).

Priest Elian Al-Hakeem