Halifax NS Saint Vladimir Prince of Kyiv Orthodox Church 1999

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Church of Saint Vladimir, Prince of Kyiv, 1999

Vladimir may be spelt Valdemar, Waldemar, Volodymyr.

Kyiv may be spelt Kiev.

Background and prehistory

The Church of Saint Vladimir, Prince of Kyiv (popularly called Saint Vladimir’s), in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, was founded by a small group of English- and Russian-speaking persons who wanted a parish which would be ethnically non-specific and open to all. The group finally decided that the Archdiocese of Canada in the The Orthodox Church in America (OCA) was the most suitable jurisdiction for them.

The OCA grew out of the Patriarchal Russian Orthodox Church, within the "Russian Mission", and it was originally granted a necessary and temporary independence by Patriarch Tikhon of Moscow at the time of the Bolshevik Revolution. For some decades, there was uncertainty about the canonical status of the OCA, but its autocephaly was finally established once and for all in 1970. At that time, Patriarch Alexei I (Simansky) completed a long process of negotiation by signing the Tomos of Autocephaly. Since that time, the OCA has continued its inherited tradition and a wide variety of customs. The founders of the hundreds of Orthodox Christian communities in North America came from very many traditionally Orthodox countries in Europe, the Middle-East, and other places in the world. Although English and Church Slavonic were mainly used in services, various indigenous Alaskan and other languages including French, Spanish, Romanian, Arabic and Greek have been used. In the context of the presence of all these communities in North America, they cannot but be in some ways a missionary presence on the continent.

First attempt

The first attempt at a missionary outreach in Halifax came during the mid-1970s, when Nikita and Mary Ann Lopoukhine moved from central Canada to Halifax to work. During the several years of their sojourn in Halifax, Priest John Tkachuk and Hierodeacon Luke (Papazian) would travel monthly from Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral (under the blessing of Archbishop Sylvester (Haruns)) to serve the Divine Liturgy and other services for the small group that was developing there.

However, after some years of these attempts, the Lopoukhine family moved to Ottawa, Ontario, and others moved away, and the missionary outreach was paused until an opportune time.

Towards the foundation of the parish : 1996, 1999

From 1996 onwards, Saint Vladimir’s Mission met in the Liturgical Centre of Saint Mary’s University, and later in the domestic chapel in the home of Father Vladimir Tobin in Halifax.

At this time, the mission and its priest were part of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of North America, and the parish of Saint Antonios in Halifax, whose pastor was Priest Maximos Saikali.

In 1999, the community dissolved itself as an Antiochian entity.

Formal beginning of the Saint Vladimir Prince of Kyiv Mission, 1999

In the context of the steady development of the local community in Halifax (after the dissolution as Antiochian, and a later petition to the Archdiocese of Canada (Orthodox Church in America), and after the necessary foundational steps of organisation had been fulfilled), it became possible that this local community be recognised formally.

Therefore, in August, 1999, the bishop of the Archdiocese of Canada gave the blessing that the community be known as the Saint Vladimir Prince of Kyiv Mission in Halifax, Nova Scotia within the archdiocese.

Later, in late August, 1999, Priest Vincent Vladimir Tobin was received from the Antiochian Archdiocese into the Archdiocese of Canada. He was assigned to be the pastor of the Saint Vladimir Mission.

Nearby, a small monastic community developed from the parish. Later, the community moved to the chapel of the Monastic Community of Saint Sergius of Radonezh.

During these years, Father Vladimir (Tobin) was tonsured to be a stavrophor monk while he was visiting in Moscow, Russia. He was later elevated to the dignity of igumen. The monastic community relocated to a rural setting near Bridgewater, and it became officially known as the Hermitage of the Holy Annunciation, formally blessed in 2003.

Services in the parish hall of Saint George's Anglican Church in central Halifax

Meanwhile, the growing community moved to 5429, Cornwallis Street, into a ground-level portion of the church hall of Saint George’s Anglican “Round Church”. This historical building was constructed in 1812. The nearby parish hall is almost as old.

In 2004, the mission was blessed by the bishop to be a parish church, with the name "Church of Saint Vladimir, Prince of Kyiv".

After 8 years, the landlords (Saint George's parish) asked the parish to vacate the hall, because extensive building renovations were about to begin on the very old and historical structure. There followed a search over several months for new accommodations.

Saint George Anglican Church and hall, Halifax

The Temple on Purcell's Cove Road, 2013

After a short time, there appeared a blessed opportunity to move into a former Anglican church, Saint Phillip’s stone church on Purcell’s Cove Road. This move presented many challenges. Once very extended conversations had been completed, it became possible to begin the necessary renovations, and worship began. The first Divine Liturgy was served in the renovated building on 17 February, 2013. Since then, the congregation has continued to grow and develop.

Temple interior, 2016

On 19 January, 2014, Bishop Irénée (Rochon) came to visit the parish. At that time, he ordained Hierodeacon Cassian (Marek) to the Holy Priesthood, and Dr. Alexander Treiger to the Holy Diaconate.

On 17 January, 2016, Archbishop Irénée (Rochon) made another archpastoral visitation to the parish. During this visit, on the Feast of Theophany (OS), 19 January, he ordained Pavlo Slavinskyi a Subdeacon ; and Deacon Alexander Treiger to the Holy Priesthood. On 20 January, 2016, at the Hermitage of the Annunciation, the archbishop tonsured Igumen Roman (Bonnel) to the Great Schema, and gave him the name Luc (Luke).

In May, 2016, Saint Vladimir's parish received an iconostas from the old Saint Antonios Antiochian Orthodox Temple in Halifax, along with many other liturgical implements and pieces of liturgical furniture. These were quickly installed at the Temple of Saint Vladimir, and they add greatly to the appearance and the functionality of the interior of the building.

Father Vladimir was assisted in his service to the parish by Father Alexander Treiger. His assistance was greatly appreciated by all.

In January, 2017, Deacon Dr. Kurt E Jordan was transferred to Saint Aidan's Orthodox Church in Cranbrook, British Columbia. He had been attached at Saint Vladimir's Church for several years while he was completing his medical studies in Moncton, New Brunswick. In January, he joined a medical practice in Creston, British Columbia.

New iconostas and interior, 2017

Retirement of Igumen Vladimir (Tobin)

In 2019, Igumen Vladimir (Tobin), the founding priest of the parish came to the time of his retirement. For some time, he had already found it difficult (because of his health and a surgery) to manage the long drive from his home in New Germany to Halifax. Furthermore, it had become very difficult to find enough reliable transportation for him to be driven to and from Halifax on a regular and predictable basis.

On 25 August, 2019, some of the parishioners who were able (this was both summer-time) gathered to fete him after the Sunday Divine Liturgy. After this, Father Vladimir settled into his retirement at his home at New Germany.

Some parishioners at the 2019 retirement of Father Vladimir

Archpastoral visit, September, 2019

On 1 September, 2019, Archbishop Irénée (Rochon) visited the parish. He spent a long time talking with the parishioners about the state of the mission and their hopes for the future. Meanwhile, Father Alexander Treiger cared for the parish (while continuing his professorial work).

On 1 November, 2019, Archbishop Irénée (Rochon) visited the parish again, and he introduced Archimandrite David (Edwards) to the parishioners as a candidate for their future pastor.

During the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy on that day, Archbishop Irénée tonsured Ryan Dubowezky to be a reader, and he ordained David Decaire to be a subdeacon. He also blessed the marriage of a couple who lived New Brunswick.

Lesser Entrance, Great Entrance, Blessing Marriage

Parishioners with Vladyka Irénée (Rochon), 1 November, 2019

With the agreement of the parishioners, on 1 November, 2019, Archbishop Irénée (Rochon) assigned Archimandrite David (Edwards) to serve the parish as priest-in-charge. Father David therefore officially moved to Halifax from Ontario, where he had been living previously.

2020 : a new rector ; pandemic challenges

Because Father David was resident in Halifax, more regular services and activities had become possible, and fruit began to come from the refreshed pastoral activities. Archimandrite David and Father Alexander worked together in harmony in strengthening and expanding the spiritual foundations of the parish, and the words of the Apostle Paul were evident :

 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.  So then neither he who plants is anything, 
 nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.  Now he who plants and he who waters are one, 
 and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labour.  For we are God’s fellow workers ; 
 you are God’s field, you are God’s building (1 Corinthians 3:6-9).

In early 2020, the spread of the "covid-19" virus began to affect everyone around the world, including the parishes in Canada.

During the greater part of 2020 (despite the fact that Nova Scotia was minimally affected by the virus), governmental regulations had enacted in order to minimise the spread of the virus and its inevitable stress on the health-care system. Worship services were required to observe "social distancing", and the numbers who could attend were reduced. Sometimes, no services were permitted. Regardless, priest and parishioners persevered as well as they might, and new parishioners continued to be sent by the Lord.

On 1 November, 2020, Archimandrite David (Edwards) was confirmed to be the rector of the parish.

On 19 January, 2021, after having served the Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Theophany (old-style), Archimandrite David, Father Alexander and some of the parishioners made their way to the Atlantic Ocean coast at Purcell's Cove. There, the Great Theophany Blessing of Water was served, and the ocean was blessed.

Great Blessing of Waters at Purcell's Cove, Theophany, 2021

Pascha, 2022, photos

Pascha, 2022

Parishioners, Pentecost, 2022

Archpriest Stelian Liabotis

In 2024, Archpriest Stelian Liabotis was transferred from the Annunciation to the Theotokos-Saint Nicholas Cathedral in Ottawa, Ontario, and he was assigned to serve as third priest at Saint Vladimir's Church.

Father Stelian and Matushka Lena Liabotis joined some of their children who had already moved to Halifax. Father Stelian began to help with the many pastoral needs in Halifax, and he began to help care for the missionary outreach of Saint Seraphim of Sarov on Cape Breton Island.

Archpastoral visit, Theophany, 2025

On Saturday, 18 January, 2025, the parish of Saint Vladimir in Halifax was blessed to have Archbishop Irénée (Rochon) visit on the eve of the Feast of Theophany.

On Saturday, 18 January, Vladyka Irénée presided at the Divine Liturgy and the service of the Great Blessing of Water in the Temple. Then he went on to serve at the Monastery of the Annunciation.

The blessing of the water

On Sunday, after the Festal Divine Liturgy, the clergy and Faithful of the parish went to the Atlantic ocean, and blessed the waters there.

The blessing of the ocean is particularly relevant to the parish as there are parishioners who earn their living at sea, including catechumens in the Royal Navy.

After blessing the ocean

Bereavement

On 22 April, 2025, the founding priest of the parish, Igumen Vladimir (Tobin) fell asleep in the Lord in the South Shore Hospital at 90, Glen Allan Drive, Bridgewater, Nova Scotia.

On Tuesday, 29 April, 2025, at 5:00 p.m., at Saint George's Greek Orthodox Church, 1146 Purcell’s Cove Road, Halifax, the Funeral Service for the Burial of a Priest was offered by clergy of the Archdiocese of Canada, of The Orthodox Church in America (OCA), and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada. A reception followed.

On Wednesday, 30 April, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., at Saint George's Greek Orthodox Church, the Memorial Divine Liturgy was offered by the clergy of The Orthodox Church in America and of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada.

Following the completion of the funeral obsequies, the body of Igumen Vladimir (Tobin) was transported to the Pinehurst Cemetery, 3448 Highway #10, New Germany (near his residence in retirement) where it was interred at 2:30 p.m.

Archdiocesan Council Meets in Halifax, Nova Scotia

On 29-30 April, 2025, Archbishop Irénée (Rochon), the regional deans, and other members of the archdiocesan council met in Halifax. The Parish of Saint Vladimir hosted the meetings, and provided hospitality to all the delegates.

Archdiocesan Council Members

Bereavement

On Saturday, 14 June, 2025, Archimandrite David (Edwards) fell asleep in the Lord. His repose was sudden and unexpected.

On Friday, 20 June, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., the Memorial Divine Liturgy was served at Saint Vladimir Orthodox Church. This took place in the presence of the body of Father David. After the service, a potluck meal was served.

On Friday, 20 June, 2025, at 5:00 p.m., the Funeral Service for the Burial of a Presbyter was offered at Saint George Greek Orthodox Church. A reception followed at Saint George’s Church.

Afterwards, the body of Father David was returned to Saint Vladimir’s Church.

On Saturday, 21 June, 2025, the body of Archimandrite David (Edwards) was transported to the Hermitage of the Annunciation at New Germany, Nova Scotia.

At 11:00 a.m., with the serving of a Panikhida, the body of Archimandrite David (Edwards) was interred in the cemetery at the Hermitage of the Annunciation.

New deanery

In October, 2025, the Archdiocesan Council met in Montréal, Québec, in association with the 100th anniversary of the current Temple of Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral there, and also with the Sanctification (Consecration) of the Holy Virgin of Diveyevo Church in Rawdon, Québec.

During this meeting, it was decided to divide the Québec and Atlantic Provinces Deanery into 2 parts. Québec was distinguished as its own deanery, and the Atlantic Canada Deanery was established as a distinct deanery. In this case, Archpriest Stelian Liabotis, now the rector of Saint Vladimir of Kyiv Church in Halifax, was assigned by Archbishop Irénée (Rochon) to serve also as the dean of the new deanery. This deanery includes parishes and communities in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland.

Particular parish information

This parish is a part of the Atlantic Canada Deanery, of the Archdiocese of Canada, of The Orthodox Church in America. The dean is the Archpriest Stelian (Liabotis. The bishop is Irénée (Rochon).

This parish follows the Old (Julian) Calendar.

The Altar Feast-day of this parish is the Feast of Saint Prince Vladimir, 15/28 July.

In 2025, the rector of the parish is Archpriest Stelian Liabotis.

The assistant priest is Priest Alexander Treiger.

The deacon is Deacon Michael Cherry

Address :

Saint Vladimir Prince of Kiev Orthodox Church

3163, Purcell’s Cove Road

Halifax, Nova Scotia

B3P 2G4

E-mail : contact@halifaxorthodox.org

Web-site : http://halifaxorthodox.org

Facebook

Directions :

By car :

It takes about 7 minutes to drive to Saint Vladimir Prince of Kiev Church from the Rotary, also known as the Armdale Traffic Circle. The Rotary is near Melville Cove on the Northwest Arm, and near to Saint George's Greek Orthodox Church. Quinpool Road, Chebucto Road, Joseph Howe Road, Saint Margaret's Bay Road, and Purcell's Cove Road enter this Rotary.

In addition to the parking lot by the church, there is some street parking available on Purcell’s Cove Road (Highway #253) and Ferguson’s Cove Road, just across from the Temple.

By bus (only on week-days) :

Consult Halifax Transit. There is bus service : bus routes #25 and #415, along Purcell's Cove Road. They stop near the Temple, opposite Ferguson's Cove Road.

Archpriest Stelian Liabotis

Telephone : 613-223-3732

E-mail : stelio.liabotis@gmail.com

Priest Alexander Treiger

Telephone : 902-453-2514

E-mail : fralexandert@gmail.com

Deacon Michael J Cherry

E-mail : cherry.jmichael@gmail.com

Saint Vladimir's Temple in winter