Mundare AB Apostle Jakob (James) Russo-Greek Orthodox Church and Cemetery 1901

Mundare, Alberta, Russo-Greek Orthodox Church of the Apostle Jakob (James), 1901

Jakob may be spelt Jacob, James.

Prehistory

The parish of the Apostle Jakob (James) near Mundare, Alberta, Canada, was organised by Kondrat Sheremeta, the Priest Jakob Korchinsky and the 17 families that had emigrated from the provinces of Galicia and Bucovina (then a Romanian province of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, today in Western Ukraine) in the late 1890s, and arrived in Canada.

Founding the community, 1901

The organisation of the parish was started on 21 March, 1901 at the home of Kondrat Sheremeta when 17 families left the Uniat Church and joined the Holy Orthodox Church. Forty-two children were baptised by Father Jakob Korchinsky.

The founding families include :

 John and Xenia Bidyk ; Andrew and Palagia Chmilar ; Theodore and Mary Chmilar ; 
 Alexi and Feodosia Dolinski ; Simeon and Mary Lysyk ; Jacob and Theresa Maiko ; 
 Michael and Tatiana Olecho ; Peter and Agaphia Olecho ; Dimitri and Agaphia Rudyk ; 
 Michael and Evdokia Rudyk ; Jacob and Tatiana Sadoway ; John Sheremata ; 
 Kondrat and Mary Sheremeta ; Stephen and Anna Shewchuk ; Wasyl and Evdokia Ulan ; 
 Yakim and Paraskevia Wilinsky.

The architect and carpenter of the Temple was Kondrat Sheremeta. The construction of the Temple was completed in 1904. On 6/19 August, it was officially sanctified by Bishop Tikhon (Belavin) of the Russian Orthodox Diocese of the Aleutians and North America. At that time, it was also called the “Russian Mission”. Bishop Tikhon later became Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia from 1917-1925. At the time of his visitation and of the sanctification, Bishop Tikhon presented a “gramota” (certificate of gratitude and blessing) to Kondrat Sheremeta in recognition of his labours. In accordance with the incorporation formula that Bishop Tikhon established, the parish was officially named “Saint Jakob’s Russо-Greek Orthodox Church of Mundare, Alberta”.

The first parishioners of this Temple worked hard to establish their homes and to develop their farms. They also made the time (with God's help) to gather their resources in order to build this Temple in which to worship regularly and frequently as they had always done. The worship and service of the Lord was their loving priority in life, just as it was for the founding families of the many Orthodox Christian Temples throughout Central Alberta.

Renovations, 1942

In 1942, the original Temple was moved to its present location, where it was renovated and placed on a concrete foundation. Although it is relatively small, it is an appealing and attractive Temple with a central dome and a belfry over the entrance being distinguishing exterior features. The renovations of the interior continued, and came to include pews, a carpeted central aisle and Altar area, and the presence of electricity and forced-air heating. The Holy Table has a large "artophor" (the place for keeping the Reserved Gifts for the communion of the sick), which is characteristic of Western Ukraine and the influence of the Unia. This is the case in many older Temples.

On 29 June, 1980, the 83rd anniversary of the Orthodox Faith in Canada was celebrated in this Temple, together with the 79th anniversary of the establishment of the parish. More than 300 persons attended the services which were led by Bishop Ireney (Seredniy).

In 1998, the new iconostas was completed. New royal doors were built and donated by Bob Koroluk and family.

Iconostas of the Temple

In 2002, a new Holy Table was built by Bob Koroluk, and it was sanctified by Archbishop Mark (Petrovtsiy), the Archpriest John Shandra and the Archpriest Igor Kisil on 9 March, 2002.

A well-kept parish hall is often used for various parish functions.

This Temple is one of the oldest sanctuaries in Lamont County.

100 years, celebrated in 2004

In 2004, this parish celebrated its 100th anniversary.

View from the north of the Temple and buildings

110 years, 2014

On 2 November, 2014, the parish of Saint Jakob (James) celebrated its 110th anniversary. On this occasion, Bishop Job (Smakouz), Administrator of the Moscow Patriarchate Parishes in Canada, presented the following greeting to the parishioners :

Dear, in the Lord, Reverend Fathers, beloved Brothers and Sisters, dear Mr. President and the
members of the Church Board, dear Parishioners and Guests !

With all my heart I congratulate you on the occasion of the Feast of this church and with the
110th anniversary of its foundation and consecration ! This bright candle was lit on the spiritual
sky of Canada, due to the works of the first Orthodox priest and a missionary in Canada, Reverend
Father Jacob Korchinsky and Saint Tikhon (Bellavin), Bishop of the Aleutians and North America, the
future Patriarch of All Russia. But in order to bring this church into being, beside the efforts of
Russian clergy, there were the efforts of other people as well. The living faith and will of your
ancestors, who were truly longing to have a real Orthodox temple here was the cause why this church
came into existence : your ancestors did not want to be lost spiritually in this huge, boundless,
ocean-like Canadian prairies. Perhaps, this temple reminded them that ship, on which they once
sailed from Eastern Europe to distant Canada. But the ultimate goal of the path of your
grandfathers and great grandfathers was not only to reach Canada. They firmly believed in God and
believed in all His words : therefore, they were striving in their lives – first and foremost – to
get into the Кingdom of God. But the Heavenly Kingdom is to be reached only through the help of
the Orthodox Church. In this regard, the church might be even compared to a space shuttle. And
there is no doubt that this church, as a rocket, lifted up all of its founders and builders, as
well as those, who once were praying in it, straight to the Spiritual Heaven. Today they all,
together with Patriarch Tikhon, who consecrated this temple Himself, are looking down at you from
the Heaven – not just witnessing our Worship Service, but invisibly participating in it. I think
that they rejoice now and thank you all for the fact that this ancient temple is still living and
acting, is full of life and filled with God’s Grace ! Let our church always be beautiful and young,
filled with the Holy Spirit and believers in God ! Let the Blessing of God, and prayers of
Holy Apostle James and Saint Tikhon help us keep this temple and our holy Orthodox faith forever
and ever ! Amen.
Iov, Bishop of Kashira,
Administrator of the Parishes in Canada
November 2nd, 2014.

A photocopy was made available of the original gramota given by Saint Tikhon (Belavin) :

Gramota by Saint Tikhon

(Gramota (Certificate) by Saint Tikhon (Bellavin), by the Grace of God Bishop of Aleutian Islands and North America, the future Patriarch of All Russia, to Kodrat Sheremeta, the founder of Saint Jakob (James) Russo Greek Orthodox Church, Mundare, 6 August, 1904.)

Cemetery of Saint Jakob, Mundare, 1901

The Cemetery of Saint Jakob parish at Mundare, Alberta, was established at the same time as was the parish. The cemetery is situated on the same portion of land on which the Temple is constructed.

Land description site SE 01 54 17 W4

Junction of Range Road #170 and Township Road #540

Lamont County, Alberta

Main view of the cemetery

Side view of the cemetery

A Memorial Garden was also constructed near the cemetery.

Memorial Garden

Priests who have served in this parish include (in order of serving) :

 Priest Jakob Korchinsky
 Priest Panteleimon Bozyk 
 Priest (unknown) Milanych
 Priest John Zazuliak
 Archpriest Andrew Kokolsky
 Priest John Khrustavka
 Archpriest Thaddeus Ewachniuk
 Archpriest Peter Vdovochenko
 Priest Anony Radchuk
 Priest Evgenii Olendy
 Priest George Marinetz
 Archpriest Dmitry Denisiuk
 Archpriest John Kowalchuk
 Igumen Germogen (Cherkashin)
 Archpriest Evgeniy Bartchewsky
 Archimandrite Dimitriy (Shchur)
 Archpriest Boris Grigory
 Priest Vladimir Zaiets
 Priest Anatoliy Harkusha
 Archpriest Nikanor Shymko
 Archpriest Feodor Kobyliatski
 Archpriest Michael Fourik
 Archpriest John Shandra
 Priest Alexey Surayev

View of the Temple from the east

Particular parish information

This parish is a part of the Parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in Canada. The bishop is Bishop Matthew (Andreev).

This parish follows the Julian (Old) Calendar.

The Altar Feast-day of this parish is the Feast of the Apostle Jakob (James), 23 October/6 November.

In 2022, the parish is served by Priest Alexey Surayev

Address :

The Orthodox Parish of Saint Jakob

Land description site SE 01 54 17 W4

Lamont County, Alberta

Facebook page

Directions :

From Edmonton, Mundare is located 84 km (52 mi) east of Edmonton (about an hour of driving). From the city, drive east on Highway #16 (Yellowhead) until Mundare.

Drive 3 km (2 mi) north of Mundare on Highway #855. Turn left and drive 1.6 km (1 mi) west. Turn right and drive .5 km (¼ mi) north. The Temple is on the left side, at the junction of Range Road #170 and Township Road #540.

Priest Alexey Surayev, Pastor of the parish

5003-46 Street, PO Box 483

Lamont, Alberta

T0B 2R0

Telephone : (780) 895-2149

Mobile : (780) 991-4981

E-mail : aleksurus@gmail.comv

Bishop Matthew (Andreev) of Sourozh,

Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada

Addresses :

10812-108 Street

Edmonton, Alberta

Canada

Telephone : (780) 420-9945

OR :

67, Ennismore Gardens

London, SW7 1NH

United Kingdom

Telephone : 011-44-207-584-0096

E-mail : sourozhdiocese@me.com

References

Archdiocese of Canada – Orthodox Church in America, “The Orthodox Church in Canada : A Chronology” (Ottawa : Archdiocese of Canada, 1988).

“100th Anniversary St. Demetrius Russo-Greek Orthodox Church of Mundare 1905-2005” (Mundare : Saint Demetrius Church, 2005). [Anniversary folder]

“Patriarchal Parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in Canada, 100 Years of Orthodoxy in Canada 1897-1997 : Pictorial Memories” (Edmonton : Patriarchal Parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in Canada, 1997).

Russian Orthodox Church History Book Committee, “Patriarchal Parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in Canada, Millennium of the Baptism of Rus’” (Edmonton : Russian Orthodox Church History Book Committee, 1988). ISBN: 0-88925-830-9.

“The Russian Mission in North America”

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 :

Original article

Moscow Patriarchate Parishes in Canada web-site

Moscow Patriarchate Parishes in Canada

Russian Mission in North America

Diocese of the Aleutian Islands and North America

Saint Tikhon (Belavin)

(Saint) Arseny (Chahovtsov)

(Saint) Archpriest Jacob Korchinsky

Archbishop Alexander (Nemolovsky)

Archbishop Evdokim (Meschersky)

Metropolitan Platon (Rozhdestvensky)