Kamloops BC Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church 1994, 2016

Kamloops, British Columbia, Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church, 2016

Prehistory

About the city of Kamloops, and the region round about

Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada, is located in the south-central part of the province, at the confluence of the North Thompson River and the South Thompson River, which form the Thompson River. This river flows westwards into the south-bound Fraser River, which empties eventually into the Pacific Ocean on the southern side the city of Vancouver.

Moreover, Kamloops is situated 355 km (221 mi) northeast of Vancouver ; 619 km (385 mi) west of Calgary, Alberta ; and 806 km (501 mi) southwest from Edmonton, Alberta.

The original inhabitants of the region were the “Secwépemc” People (in English, “Shuswap”). This people encountered the first arriving “Europeans” who arrived as traders with various companies after 1811. The “gold rush” of the 1860s increased the population, and the arrival of the “Canadian Pacific Railway” (CPR) in 1885 added to the increase. Kamloops was incorporated as a city in 1893.

The early missionaries who brought Christianity were chiefly the Oblate Fathers of the Roman Catholic Church, after 1843. Later, Anglican missionaries arrived in conjunction with their giving pastoral care to some of the newcomers. Although the missionaries learnt the local languages, the government authorities did not do so, and the establishment of reservations for the indigenous brought tensions.

Kamloops is the trade and distribution centre for the southern British Columbia interior. It is serviced by the Canadian National and Canadian Pacific railways, several airlines, and 3 major highways. Initially, agriculture dominated the economy, but by the 1960s, forestry, and mining had also become important. A large pulp mill is still a major employer, and the city is home to many companies and services related to forestry. In addition, the New Afton mine, located 10 km west of Kamloops, produces copper and gold. The Highland Valley mine, located 50 km southwest of the city, produces copper and molybdenum.

About the preparation for the mission itself

The early history of the Saint Nicholas Orthodox Mission in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada, is directly related with the last period of the life and witness of Igumen Simeon (Weare).

Igumen Simeon (Weare)

In the early 1990s, Father Simeon (Weare) moved in semi-retirement into Kamloops, where he took up residence in an apartment, and from where he served the Mission of Saint Nicholas, which he founded in 1994 (to serve those who wished to worship in the English language). He opened his apartment to anyone who needed a period of spiritual quiet and refreshment. He counselled “street-people”. Later, when the mission had become too much for him to continue and it was declared to be dormant, he began to help the priest of All Saints Ukrainian Orthodox Church as much as he was able.

All Saints Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Kamloops

Official retirement of Father Simeon, 2001

On 1 September, 2001, Father Simeon (Weare) was given the blessing to retire from his active pastoral responsibilities because of his declining health (he was suffering from cancer). Nevertheless, he continued to be active in caring for other people, insofar as his health would permit. This included counselling cancer victims, “AA” (Alcoholics Anonymous) members, and hospice residents. He continued also to conduct monthly quiet-day retreats for Christian spiritual reflection. Although the amount of such activity had to diminish as his health continued to decline, his love for the Lord impelled him to continue caring for others. It was later said of him that he would be remembered for his generosity and open arms to everyone.

Finally, nearing his last days, Father Simeon entered the Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Memorial Hospice Home.

Repose of Father Simeon (Weare), 2011

In 2011, Igumen Simeon (Weare) reposed in Christ in Kamloops.

Continuing to gather

All along, there had remained a small group of English-speaking Orthodox Christian believers who had been gathering together, in association with Father Simeon (Weare). During those years, Gareth Howell, son of a leading family of the mission, was tonsured to be a reader at Saint John of Shanghai Church in Vancouver, British Columbia. He was tonsured in order to serve the Saint Nicholas Mission.

During this time also, the Howell family and Vance Weare became members of the All Saints parish. In this context, Father Roman Tsaplan and Father Simeon (Weare) blessed the marriage of Gareth and Arlee Howell. This couple returned to Kamloops in 2008, and the small group remained active in the All Saints parish until 2016.

By that time, those who remained in Kamloops understood that it was time to re-establish a distinct group as a visible mission. They decided to gather together, and to pray and worship on a regular basis. They did this for the love of the Lord, and for their Orthodox Christian Faith.

Holy Bishop Nicholas of Myra

Founding the mission, 2016

In 2016, Garry and Tonia Howell, Allan and Soula Pasichnyk, and others, received the blessing from Archbishop Irénée (Rochon) of Ottawa and Canada to re-establish the English-speaking Mission of Saint Nicholas officially.

At that time, the Divine Liturgy could be served only when a priest was available to travel to Kamloops from the “Lower Mainland” area of British Columbia. Meanwhile, the group followed the example of Alaskan Orthodox Christian villages, and they gathered weekly regardless. When a priest was not available to serve, then together, they offered the Hours and the Typical Psalms (“Obednitsa”) at the customary time for serving the Divine Liturgy, and they met together afterwards.

For a good amount of time, they met in a space at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Roman Catholic Church Parish Centre in Kamloops.

They were served by several clergy over the years, beginning with Archpriest Michael Fourik. Next, they were served by Priest Aleksey Isakov, and then they were served by Archpriest Richard René.

During this time, the mission met for the most part at the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Roman Catholic Church Parish Centre (a separate building), at 635, Tranquille Road in North Kamloops.

“OLPH” parish centre

All along, Reader Gareth Howell has been the chief leader of the services when no priest is available.

Archpriest Richard René

Born in the Seychelles Islands, Father Richard René is a convert to the Orthodox Christian Faith, and he is a priest of the Archdiocese of Canada, The Orthodox Church in America. He lives in Chilliwack, British Columbia, with his wife Jaime and their 3 children. He has worked as a prison chaplain for more than 5 five years, and he is the director of Saint Silas Orthodox Prison Ministry Society in Canada. He became also a doctoral student at the University of Toronto School of Theology (within the Orthodox School of Theology at Trinity College).

For a couple of years, on occasions when Father Richard René was unavailable, a Greek Orthodox priest from Kelowna, Priest Cosmin Sicoe, had the blessing from the bishop to serve at this mission in his stead.

His predecessor in this mission community had been Priest Aleksey Isakov, who was serving as Deanery Supply Priest attached to Holy Resurrection Sobor in Vancouver. At that time, he travelled to Kamloops when it was possible, and also when it was necessary. In 2020, he was widowed suddenly when Matushka Laura Isakov fell asleep in the Lord. They had lived with their children only for a brief time on a farm at Fraser Lake (678 km/421 mi to the northwest of Kamloops) before this occurred.

Father Aleksey had followed after Archpriest Michael Fourik, Rector of Holy Resurrection Sobor in Vancouver, and Dean of the British Columbia-Yukon Deanery. Archpriest Michael Fourik has been constant in his support for missionary ventures in various places in the British Columbia.

Holy Week, Pascha, 2022

In Holy Week, 2022, the Feast of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem was celebrated, and it was accompanied by the reception of 2 persons into the Church by Holy Chrismation.

Palm Sunday

Centenarian Trudy Ross chrismated (her sponsor/Godmother stands near)

Then, during the Triduum of Great and Holy Friday to Pascha, Archpriest Richard René received 2 persons into the Church by Holy Baptism. The baptisms occurred on Great and Holy Saturday at the Thompson River, after the usual blessing of the water.

Holy, Great Friday

One person baptised (her sponsor/Godmother stands near)

Second meeting place

Later, a former Anglican church became available, and the mission parishioners moved to the site of the former Saint George Anglican Church in North Kamloops. That the entrance to the building is on the side (rather than at the west end) is a rather frequent characteristic of older church buildings in England. The address was : 308, Royal Avenue, Kamloops.

Former Saint George Church

Priest Symeon Price

By this time, the parish was being served on a more regular basis. In accordance with his assignment, Priest Symeon Price had begun to travel to Kamloops monthly, and then every 2 weeks in order to serve the Divine Liturgy.

Father Symeon Price was ordained by Archbishop Irénée (Rochon) to the Holy Priesthood on 27 March, 2020, at Holy Resurrection Sobor in Vancouver, where Mitred Archpriest Michael Fourik (Dean of the British Columbia Deanery) is the rector. He was assigned to serve as second priest at Saint Herman of Alaska Church in Langley (his home parish) as well as to function as a supply priest for the British Columbia Deanery. Later, he was given the blessing to provide monthly Divine Liturgies in Kamloops.

Yet later, he was assigned to serve as the Priest-in-charge of the Saint Nicholas Mission in Kamloops. Father Symeon works at the Ministry of Children and Family Development in Surrey, where he helps families in distress. He lives in Abbotsford with his wife Christa and their 4 children.

As is almost universally the case in Orthodox Christian missionary ventures in Canada, even when there is a resident priest, the development takes a considerable amount of time. A great amount of patience and prayer is required of the Faithful in the course of this process of development.

The beginning of predictably regular services is an important step in the further development of the mission. When a community has been able to find a stable and visible place in which services and other activities are held, this makes it easier for visitors, seekers, and others to find the mission.

Nevertheless, a resident priest is an important element whenever it is possible. However, the usual obstacle to this anywhere is that there is no appropriate long-time secular work available locally to the priest, by which he could sustain his family. Usually, the missionary priest requires many years for the nurturing of a missionary community.

Third meeting place, other events, 2024

On 8 June, 2024, the parish moved to yet another site, on the north side of the river. This was the building of Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church.

Saint Nicholas Church at Holy Trinity UCC

Deacon G John Howell

On Saturday, 19 October, 2024, during the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at Saint John of Shanghai Orthodox Church in North Vancouver, British Columbia, Subdeacon Gareth John Howell was ordained to the Holy Diaconate by Archbishop Irénée (Rochon).

Deacon G John Howell was assigned to serve at Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church in Kamloops.

Ordination of Deacon John Howell

Saint Silas Orthodox Prison Fellowship Society

In association with the pastorate of Father Richard Rene, the Saint Silas Orthodox Prison Fellowship Society was established, and this service became part of the service offered by some parishioners.

Description of purpose

This small mission is a dedicated Orthodox Christian community of the Archdiocese of Canada (OCA), who use English as the primary language in worship. All who are Orthodox Christians, and those interested in the Orthodox Christian Faith are invited to join them for Sunday services, which begin at 10:00 a.m.

Particular parish information

The Mission of Saint Nicholas is a part of the British Columbia and Yukon Deanery of the Archdiocese of Canada of The Orthodox Church in America. The Dean of the region is Mitred Archpriest Michael Fourik. The bishop is Archbishop Irénée (Rochon).

This parish follows the New (Revised Julian) Calendar.

The Altar Feast-day of this parish is the Feast of Saint Nicholas of Myra, 6 December.

In 2025, the pastor of the parish is Priest Symeon Price.

The Deacon is Deacon G John Howell.

Place of worship address :

Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church

at

Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church

109, Tranquille Road

Kamloops, British Columbia

V2B 3E8

Telephone : 250-320-3719

E-mail : saintnicholaskamloops@gmail.com

Parish web-site : https://orthodoxkamloops.ca/

Mailing address :

Saint Nicholas Orthodox Mission

c/o 930, Stagecoach Drive, #7

Kamloops, British Columbia,

V2B 0A9

Aerial view of the site of the Temple

Directions :

The Mission of Saint Nicholas in Kamloops, British Columbia, is situated in the City of Kamloops, on the north side of the Thompson River, and west of the junction of the North Thompson River with the South Thompson River.

By car :

From central Kamloops :

Drive northwards to Landsdowne Street. Turn left onto Landsdowne Street. Then. follow Victoria Street West past the junction with Seymour Street. Take the first turn to the left towards the Overlanders Bridge and North Kamloops. Cross the river onto Fortune Drive, and take the first exit to the right for Tranquille Road. The Temple is on the left, at the corner of Don Street.

From other parts of British Columbia :

Kamloops is approachable by Highway #1 ; Highway #5 ; Highway #97.

From Highway #1 from the east, take exit #375 for City Centre. Continue on .Battle Street. Then continue straight on, on Victoria Street, Lansdowne Street, and Victoria Street West, past the junction with Seymour Street. Take the first turn to the left towards the Overlanders Bridge and North Kamloops. Cross the river onto Fortune Drive, and take the first exit to the right for Tranquille Road. The Temple is on the left, at the corner of Don Street.

From Highway #1 from the west :

Continue driving westwards past the junction with Highway #5, and then Highway #5A. Then follow the exit to the right, towards Columbia Street and City Centre. Drive northwards on Columbia Street, and follow this street until 3rd Avenue. At 3rd Avenue, turn left (north), and drive until Landsdowne Street. Turn left onto Landsdowne Street ; and then, follow Victoria Street West past the junction with Seymour Street. Take the first turn to the left towards the Overlanders Bridge and North Kamloops. Cross the river onto Fortune Drive, and take the first exit to the right for Tranquille Road. The Temple is on the left, at the corner of Don Street.

From Highway #5 north :

Drive southwards until the junction with Highway #1. Before this junction, take the first exit to the right, towards Victoria Street. Continue westwards on Victoria Street through the city-centre, past the junction with Seymour Street. Take the first turn to the left towards the Overlanders Bridge and North Kamloops. Cross the river onto Fortune Drive, and take the first exit to the right for Tranquille Road. The Temple is on the left, at the corner of Don Street.

From Highway #5 south :

Drive northwards until the junction with Highway #1 (Transcanada). Merge onto Highway #1. Continue driving westwards past the junction with Highway #5A. Then follow the exit to the right, towards Columbia Street and City Centre. Drive northwards on Columbia Street, and follow this street until 3rd Avenue. At 3rd Avenue, turn left (north), and drive until Landsdowne Street. Turn left onto Landsdowne Street ; and then, follow Victoria Street West past the junction with Seymour Street. Take the first turn to the left towards the Overlanders Bridge and North Kamloops. Cross the river onto Fortune Drive, and take the first exit to the right for Tranquille Road. The Temple is on the left, at the corner of Don Street.

From Highway #5A south :

Drive northwards until the junction with Highway #1 (Transcanada). Take the first exit for Highway #1 east, towards Kamloops. At the next interchange, follow the exit to the right, towards Columbia Street. Drive northwards on Columbia Street, and follow this street until 3rd Avenue. At 3rd Avenue, turn left (north), and drive until Landsdowne Street. Turn left onto Landsdowne Street ; and then, follow Victoria Street West past the junction with Seymour Street. Take the first turn to the left towards the Overlanders Bridge and North Kamloops. Cross the river onto Fortune Drive, and take the first exit to the right for Tranquille Road. The Temple is on the left, at the corner of Don Street.

From Highway #97 :

Drive northwards until the junction with Highway #1 (Transcanada), at Monte Creek. Follow the exit towards Highway #1 westwards. Take exit #375 for City Centre. Continue on Battle Street. Then continue straight on, on Victoria Street, Lansdowne Street, and Victoria Street West, past the junction with Seymour Street. Take the first turn to the left towards the Overlanders Bridge and North Kamloops. Cross the river onto Fortune Drive, and take the first exit to the right for Tranquille Road. The Temple is on the left, at the corner of Don Street.

Priest Symeon Price

E-mail : fathersymeonprice@gmail.com

Deacon G John Howell

E-mail : scrblefrabnos@gmail.com