Ottawa ON Saint Stefan the Archdeacon Serbian Orthodox Church 1976

Ottawa, Ontario, Saint Stefan the Archdeacon Serbian Orthodox Church, 1976

Stefan may also be spelt Stephan, Stephen, Steven.

Prehistory of the parish

In 1975, Nikola Bogdanović came from Yugoslavia to Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, in order to work as a translator for the federal government of Canada.

With the intention to start a Serbian Orthodox Christian parish in Ottawa, he got in contact with several people. During 1975 also, the Priest Bogdan Zjalić came to Ottawa as a missionary in order to gather the Serbian people together. In October, 1975, Mr. Bogdanović met with Mr. Pero Senković, who called his friends for a first meeting in his house. Those who attended became, in effect, the founders of the parish. They include :

Pero and Vida Senković ; Nikola Bogdanović ; the families of Milan Budimirović ; Sava Budimirović ; 
Pera Petrović ; Kole Porubić ; and Miša Tričković.

At this first meeting it was decided to talk to as many people as possible in order to found a Serbian parish in Ottawa. Until then, no meeting had taken place which would gather all the Serbs in Ottawa together, so there did not exist any list of people with names and telephone numbers. Therefore, it was decided first to call friends, and after that to go through the telephone book in search of Serbian names, any names ending with "-ić", or any names that seemed to be Serbian. Of course, not every such name was actually a Serbian name, but most were correct. Such meetings continued, and it was agreed to create a Serbian cultural group under the protection of the church. However, this group was not big enough and strong enough financially to start to build the Temple itself. It was also not big enough to ask Vladika Georgije (Djokic) for a full-time priest who would live and serve in Ottawa.

Founding the parish, 1976

The beginning of the parish of Saint Stefan was on 9 January, 1976, on the Feast-day of Saint Stefan. The blessing for this beginning was by Bishop Sava (Vuković) of the Diocese of Eastern America.

On 9 January, 1976, there was a meeting to constitute the parish in Ottawa. As is usual for Serbian communities, the term used for a parish is “church-school congregation”. Nikola Bogdanović was elected to be the president. Duško Savić, Ranko Ignjatić, and Radoš Trišić were members of the first parish council. Sava and Vida Budimirović attended the first meeting as amongst the co-founders. The priest in charge was the Priest Krsto Rikić from Montréal, Québec. He travelled occasionally to Ottawa to serve Sunday evening Vespers and other services. Also in 1976, the Feast-day of Saint Sava was observed by the children who gave a performance, which was followed by a party. All the necessities, including food and drinks and all expenses were donated by a few families who had organised the celebration. A big help in preparing the celebration was Miloš Porubović, who was the manager of a restaurant in Perth, Ontario. In May, 1976, a choir and folk-dance festival was organised, in which groups from Niagara Falls and Montréal participated.

In 1976, Nikola Bogdanović began to produce a Serbian TV programme. It appeared once a week on the community channel, and it lasted for 1 hour.

In February, 1977, a performance by a theatre group from Hamilton, Ontario, was organised. They produced the play “Hajduk Stanko” (“Stanko the Thief”). After the play, there was a party and dancing which had been organised for the people. All this was organised again by Mr. Porubović who had very good organisational ability.

A pause in activity ; renewal

The number of Serbs in the 1970s in Ottawa was not large. Therefore, after some of the organisers left Ottawa in 1978, the Serbian parish in effect stopped functioning temporarily.

In 1988, on the initiative of the Canadian Bishop Georgije (Djokić), the Serbian parish in Ottawa was renewed. On 20 February, 1988, a group of Serbs in Ottawa met with Vladika Georgije as a parish assembly. On 6 March, 1988, a new parish council was elected. These were :

 Sava Budimirović, president ; Stevan Tomić, vice-president ; Gligorije Milanović, secretary ; 
 Radmila Parojčić, book-keeper ; Anna Van Dusen, treasurer ; Radoš Trišić ; Dane Dozet ; Josif Divić, 
 auditors.

In April, 1988, the Priestmonk Nikodim (Pribojan) was assigned to be the priest in charge. When he was tonsured to another grade of monasticism, his name was changed to Nazarije.

From that time, church services began to be offered in the Holy Trinity Bukowinian Orthodox Church on Somerset Street. At that time, the Archpriest Oleg Kirilov was the rector of that Temple.

Re-organisation, 1989

Then the parish re-organised itself, and parish life began in earnest in January, 1989. In the spring of 1989, work was begun on a chapel at 361, Dominion Avenue. It was intended that the chapel would both gather the parishioners and provide living-quarters for the priest. In March of 1989, a parish assembly was convened, and it re-instated the parish council of the previous year. In addition, Vlada Novakov was elected to be the second vice-president. The new auditing committee which was elected consisted of Dane Dozet, Konstantin Predojević and Spasa Marošan.

The chapel on Dominion Avenue was completed in April, 1990. The first Divine Liturgy in the chapel was served on 29 April. In June, 1990, a new pastor was assigned to serve in Ottawa, the Priest Vasa Pejović. Since the renewal of the parish in 1988, the parish has functioned continuously ever since, including the folk-dancing group. The parish council has organised a number of celebrations, parties and picnics.

In 1991, Father Vasa Pejović was moved to Kitchener, Ontario. He was replaced by Father Milutin Veljko, who arrived in December, 1991.

Circle of Serbian Sisters

In 1993, the Feast-day of Saint Petka (Paraskeva) was added to the regular celebrations. She is the protectress of the Circle of Serbian Sisters in the parish.

Another difficulty ; temporary quarters

In about 1992, the chapel on Dominion Avenue was closed because of city zoning restrictions. After this, for about 2 years there was no official church, but the people gathered in different places, in particular at All Saints Anglican Church at 347, Richmond Road.

Major step forward

In 1995, the Protopresbyter Žarko Mirković was assigned to the parish. At this time, a building was purchased at 3662, Albion Road. From that time, the church building was also used as a community centre (with the blessing of Bishop Georgije (Ðjokić)). This was done by enclosing the Altar behind a movable wall. Father Žarko led the renovation of the building with the help of parishioners. The building itself was given the appearance of a Temple. Work was done on the building, on the iconostas inside the Temple and on the Altar. Father Mirković served the parish until 19 November, 2001, when he went into well-deserved retirement.

He was replaced by the Priest Radmilo Gardović, who served until 2005. Father Gardović was then appointed to the parish in Kitchener, Ontario.

In 2005, Father Radmilo was replaced by the Priest Alexandar Gujaničić, who was born in Pančevo in Voivodina, Serbia.

Foundation for the future

In about 2008, there were 2 properties purchased on Prince of Wales Drive. They adjoin each other, at #1989 and #1993.

In 2011, the cultural centre began to be built, and the land was prepared for the Temple.

The building of the Temple began in 2012, and in 2013 the congregation moved from Albion Road and the former building was sold. They retained the priest’s house on Albion Road for some time, and then it, too, was sold.

Blessing the foundation of the new Temple, 2012

On Sunday, 27 October, 2012, on the feast-day of Saint Petka, the foundations of the new Temple and parish centre in Ottawa were blessed. Bishop Georgije (Djokić) of Canada led the services of blessing. Serving with him were the Priest Aleksandar Gujaničić and the Deacon Stefan Ikonomovski (who has since then left the canonical Church). The managing board was present, along with many faithful believers. The services of blessing commenced with the Divine Liturgy in the old Temple, and they continued with the blessing of the foundations of the new Temple and the parish centre, starting at 1 p.m. at the new property on Prince of Wales Road. After the blessing, a celebration was held on the premises of the old church.

The Temple plan

Construction details

The following 4 paragraphs are details provided by the architect and builder, "N45 Architecture, Inc.".

Saint Stefan Serbian Orthodox Church in Ottawa is designed in accordance with one of the widespread
traditional architectural styles of the Serbian Orthodox Church. It is developed through fusing
Byzantine architecture and the
Raška architectural school of 14th century Serbia. Two domes are applied to a cruciform plan.
The central dome is the highest, and the central area covered by the dome is included in a considerably
larger square, of which the 4 divisions — to the east, west, north and south — were carried up higher in the
vaulting and roof system than the 4 corners, forming a nave and transepts. The central space is square, and
the nave and transepts are narrower in proportion.

Traditionally, because of its complex geometrical forms, these structures were constructed in concrete. In
order to do that, intricate formwork had to be constructed, driving the cost of base structure beyond the
allowable budget. At that time, the design team began exploring other materials or combination of materials
that would satisfy the architectural expression as well as the budget.

Structural steel was selected as the obvious choice for framing the building structure — cost-effectively
achieving the shape and form that the architect wanted, and keeping the interior of the church open. The
primary structural form comprised curved HSS trusses forming the barrelled roof, supported on HSS columns.
The lateral stability of the building was achieved using a combination of conventional braced frames and rigid
frames supported on vertical trusses around the nave and sanctuary.

Other advantages of the structural steel skeleton were that much of it could be assembled during cold weather,
pre-fabricated on the ground before lifting into place, and that the lightweight, flexible structure offered
foundation savings over heavier building systems, particularly with the sensitive clay sub-grade.

The copper roofing was installed by specialist roofers from Serbia. The stone masonry was completed by the brothers Lakić. The doors were made and installed by Alaska Wood, which is owned by Georgije Ignjatić.

Photos of the construction of the Temple :

Other news

At the 2015 Bishops’ "Sabor" (annual assembly) in Belgrade, Serbia, Bishop Georgije (Ðjokić) was retired, and Patriarch Irinej (Gavrilović) then became the locum tenens of the diocese.

At the 2016 Bishops’ "Sabor" in Belgrade, Bishop Mitrofan (Kodić) was assigned to become the Bishop of the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Canada.

Bishop Mitrofan (Kodić)

By 2016, the parish numbered about 2,000 homes in the Ottawa-Gatineau region and in the nearby regions. Many of these families have been identified through the activities of the parish priest. The average attendance at worship-services was about 80 believers.

By 2018, the Temple was in regular use (after having had an initial service of blessing), although there remained a great deal of work to be done in order to make the Temple complete. This process would take time, since repaying the mortgage was the priority at the moment. The formal sanctification would come later.

Interior, iconostas of the Temple

Patriarch Porfirije (Perić) visited the USA, 2023

On 26 January, 2023, Patriarch Porfirije (Perić) arrived in New York City, where he began a visit to the USA. His visits included Chicago, and Libertyville, Illinois, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was accompanied by Bishop Mitrofan (Kodić) of Canada, and Bishop Longin (Krčo) of New Gračanica. This archpastoral visit continued until 5 February. During this time, he visited the Saint Sava Cathedral in New York City, New York ; Holy Resurrection Cathedral in Chicago, Illinois ; Saint Sava Cathedral in Milwaukee, Wisconsin ; the Saint Sava Monastery in Libertyville, Illinois ; the New Gračanica Monastery in Third Lake, Illinois ; the Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Seminary in Libertyville, Illinois. During these days, he also chaired many meetings.

Patriarch Pofirije, Bishop Mitrofan, Bishop Longin at the arrival in New York; at Saint Sava Cathedral New York ; at the arrival in Chicago ; at Libertyville for meetings

Parish organisations, events

Sub-organisations within the church-school congregation include the “Sveta Petka” Circle of Serbian Sisters, the Serbian school, and 2 folk-dance groups.

The Serbian Sisters operate the Community Centre, in which there is a shop where one can purchase Serbian food. They oversee the rental of the building for various functions. They also support various fundraising activities for support of the parish and for the repayment of the mortgage. Because of the commitment of the parishioners (and one in particular), their mortgage was at a very favourable rate.

Community Centre

The Saint Stefan Banquet and Reception Hall was constructed in order to be an attractive and accommodating space in which to celebrate a wedding, hold a reception or a conference. Its unique setting on the west bank of the Rideau River lends itself to a wide variety of gatherings and meetings. It was designed in order to serve various community and corporate groups and all residents of the greater Ottawa/Gatineau area. The elegant main banquet hall is able to accommodate large receptions, weddings, conferences, exhibitions, shows, plays and events requiring a kitchen, bar or catering service. The modern main hall and 2 smaller meeting rooms are designed for more intimate and private group gatherings. Catering services may be provided by the sisterhood or by other catering service providers.

The Temple and Community Centre

The Community Centre from the southeast

Serbian Festival

The annual Serbian Festival had its beginning in 2006, and it continues now to be celebrated at the Serbian Centre on Prince of Wales Drive. The goal of the Ottawa Serbian Festival is to promote the Serbian culture and heritage as part of enhancing the multicultural tradition in Canada. It takes place on the 3 days of the Labour Day weekend.

Annual golf tournament

Every year, the Serbian Centre presents the “Serbian Open” golf tournament. The Golf Club Centre has its own Facebook page. This tournament takes place also on the Labour Day weekend annually.

Folk dance groups

There are 2 Serbian folk dance groups associated with this community. In Ottawa there is the “Kolo” group ; and in Gatineau, there is the “Légende” group. Each group performs at the Serbian Festival. At this festival, many other dance groups from other cities are invited to participate as well.

Dancers at the Serbian Festival

"Kolo" folkore group visiting Montréal

"Légende" folklore group in Gatineau

Montréal folklore group

Annual Saint Peter's day picnic

Every year, the Circle of Serbian Sisters organises a general parish picnic at or after the conclusion of the Apostles' Fast and the Feast-day of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul.

The Temple from the north

Particular parish information

The aim of the community is to help the Faithful to help each other, by encouraging the work of salvation through participation in the sacraments, through missionary work, through the exemplary Christian life and good works of the Christian.

In the Church of Saint Stefan in Ottawa, there is one parish which unites the Orthodox Serbs. The parish serves the city of Ottawa and the surrounding places, such as Gatineau, Kanata, Orléans, Hawkesbury and other smaller towns near Ottawa.

This parish is a part of the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Canada of the Serbian Orthodox Church. The bishop is Bishop Mitrofan (Kodić).

This parish follows the Old (Julian) Calendar.

The Slava (Altar Feast-day) of this parish is the Feast of the Protomartyr Stephen the Archdeacon, 27 December/9 January.

In 2023, the rector of the parish is the Priest Aleksandar Gujaničić.

The Temple from the east

Address :

Saint Stefan the Archdeacon Serbian Orthodox Church

1989, Prince of Wales Drive

Ottawa, Ontario

K2C 3J7

Telephone : (613) 738-8045

Web-site : http://svetistefan.ca/

E-mail : svestenik@svetistefan.ca ; agujanicic@gmail.com

Facebook

Saint Stefan Banquet and Reception Hall web-site

Directions :

Saint Stefan Serbian Orthodox Church is situated on the east side of Prince of Wales Drive just at its intersection with Colonnade Road South (there are traffic-lights).

By car :

From the south, drive on Prince of Wales Drive northwards from Hunt Club Road. The Temple and the cultural centre are on the east side, just north of the railway overpass, and just at the corner of Colonnade Road South, where there is a traffic light. Turn right at the light.

From the north, drive southwards on Prince of Wales Drive from Heron/Baseline Road until Colonnade Road South. The Temple is on the east side at the traffic light. A left turn at the light is forbidden. Therefore, turn right onto Colonnade Road, find a place to turn around, and approach the traffic light by keeping to the right lane (the 2 left lanes are for left turns only). Drive straight across the intersection into the driveway to the parking lot (behind the Community Centre).

From the west, from Merivale Road, turn eastwards at Colonnade Road (north of Hunt Club Road). Drive eastwards until it arrives at an intersection with another portion of Colonnade Road. Turn left towards Prince of Wales Drive, and keep to the right lane (the 2 left lanes are for left turns only). Drive straight across the intersection into the driveway to the parking lot (behind the Community Centre).

There are 58 parking spaces available on the property.

By bus :

Consult OCTranspo.

There is bus service on Prince of Wales Drive and on Colonnade Road.

Priest Aleksandar Gujaničić

Telephone : 613-355-2273

E-mail : agujanicic@gmail.com

References

“Schematism of the Canadian Serbian Diocese 1983-1993" (Etobicoke, Ontario : Istochnik Press, 1993). (Serbian with English)

Additional information

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.

Tomović, Vladislav A, “Canadian Serbs: A History of Their Social and Cultural Traditions (1856-2002)” (Fonthill, ON : Batlik Publishing, 2002). ISBN 10 : 0920642403 ISBN 13 : 978-0920642405.

(Vasiljevic), Bishop Maxim, ed., “The Serbian Christian Heritage of America : The Historical, Spiritual and Cultural Presence of the Serbian Diaspora in North America (1815-2019)” (Alhambra, CA : Sebastian Press, 2019). ISBN : 978-0-9719505-0-4. (in English)

(Vuković), Sava (Bishop of Šumadija), “History of the Serbian Orthodox Church in North America and Canada, 1891-1941”, trans by Karin Pieck-Radovanovic (Kalenić, Serbia, 1998).

Canadian Serbian Orthodox Diocese parish listing

Saint Stefan the Archdeacon Serbian Orthodox Church, Ottawa web-site

Wikipedia article about the Saint Stefan Serbian Orthodox Church in Ottawa

Diocese of Canada of the Serbian Orthodox Church web-site

Wikipedia article about the Serbian Orthodox Eparchy of Canada

Serbian Orthodox Church in North, Central and South America web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about the Serbian Orthodox Church in North and South America

Orthodox Church of Serbia web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about the Church of Serbia

Saint Nikolaj (Velimirović)

Saint Mardarije (Uskoković)

Saint Sebastian (Dabovich)