Rawdon QC Saint Seraphim Skete 1978

Rawdon, Québec, Saint Seraphim Skete, 1978

Gregory may be spelt Grégoire, Gregor, Grigor, Gregorios, Gregorius, Grigoriy, Gligor, Greger, Reijo, Gregg, Grigg.

Gratitude is expressed to Dr. Paul Ladouceur and to Archimandrite Georges (Leroy) for their research and for their writings in Pages Orthodoxes la Transfiguration.

Founding of the skete

In 1977-1978, Hieromonk Gregory (Papazian), moved from another place of solitude in Québec, Canada, to Rawdon, Québec. There, with the blessing of Archbishop Sylvester (Haruns), he established the Skete of the Holy Transfiguration, which would become known later as the Saint Seraphim Skete.

Father Gregory (Papazian)

Father Gregory (Papazian) began his life at Heliopolis (now part of Cairo), Egypt, where he was born as Burdz Papazian of Armenian parents. He was raised in the bosom of the Armenian Orthodox Church there.

His father was at one time a shoemaker. Once, a lady of the Royal Family came to him, and she wished to commission many pairs of handmade shoes. Mr. Papazian told her humbly that he didn't have enough leather on hand for such a large order. In response, the princess advanced him funds to procure the leather. As well, Mr. Papazian became a professional jeweller (a gold- and silver- smith). Father Gregory’s aunt was a professional photographer there.

In his childhood, Burdz was educated by the “Frères Chrétiens” (Christian Brotherhood or Brothers ) (Collège-des-Frères Bab el-Louk).

While he was young (at about age 10), his family had to leave Egypt because of the particular political policies (1956-1957) of President Gamal Abdel Nasser. The family managed to get first to Lebanon, and then they made their way in stages through France to Canada. This whole process was fraught with hardships and dangers. Thus, with his family, he arrived in Canada as a refugee.

In Montréal, Québec, Burdz completed his regular primary and secondary education. It was there that he became a friend of the now Archpriest Alexis Vinogradov while they studied in the same faculty in university, and they became lifelong friends. Alexis graduated as an architect, and Burdz graduated as an architectural draftsman. However, this profession did not satisfy his heart and soul.

Through the friendship with Alexis Vinogradov, Burdz had become acquainted with the Russian Orthodox Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral in Montréal, with Archbishop Sylvester (Haruns), and with other parishioners. It was at about that time that Burdz was received into the cathedral parish of Saints Peter and Paul, of the Archdiocese of Canada, The Orthodox Church in America. It was at this time that Burdz became known as Luke.

By this time, he was able to speak in Armenian, Arabic, French and English.

Monastic call and formation

During the course of his search to be a monk, Luke spent time living in the community (Communauté de l'Arche) founded by Lanza del Vasto. He was influenced by the governing principles of that community. The influence was fundamentally an emphasis on integrity and being real/true in all that you do, even when being funny (and his sense of humour was lively).

However, later, he joined the community of Père Placide (Deseilles) when the community was still Byzantine-rite Eastern Catholic. This was in Aubazine in Corrèze, France. Father Placide and the community soon afterwards entered the Orthodox Christian Church through the auspices of the Simonopetra Monastery at Mount Athos (which was led by Archimandrite Aimilianos (Vafeidis)) .

Luke returned to Canada, and he began (with a blessing to do so) to live a life of solitude in the Eastern Townships of Quebec so that he could pursue seriously the way of life of a monk. In this place, he constructed a small, log hermitage that included (of course), a portion which served as a chapel/oratory. It was after he had spent some time there that, under the blessing of Archbishop Sylvester (Haruns), he dismantled this dwelling, and he moved everything to Rawdon.

In about 1977, Archbishop Sylvester had ordained Luke to the Holy Diaconate. On 13 October, 1977, he also tonsured Deacon Luke as a monk, with the name Gregory. Yet later, he ordained Hierodeacon Luke to the Holy Priesthood.

Construction of the Skete in Rawdon

There, he began to construct a new hermitage (but popularly called a “skete”) on the cemetery property (with the agreement of parish council of the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul). The site for this new construction was near the Summer Temple of Saint Seraphim of Sarov, adjacent to the Saint Seraphim Cemetery (all of which belonged to Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral parish in Montréal).

Across 15th Avenue from the cemetery, the Temple of Saint Seraphim and the Holy Transfiguration Skete was the summer residence ("datcha") of Archbishop Sylvester (Haruns). He was a regular participant in services in both the Temple and the Skete during the summer months. Father Gregory undertook to do this construction manually. Together with Brother Michael (Vereshack), he prepared a foundation for the original building ; and adjoining it, he utilised 6" x 6" cedar wood in order to construct a 2-storey structure with a metal spiral staircase between the levels, which became known as “the skete” (a name for a small monastic community).

Under this structure, he prepared a concrete foundation which provided space for working and for a “root-cellar”. Access to this was through a trap-door in the kitchen floor. There was also a space there which would accommodate candle-making (which would be the main product of the hermitage in its several sites).

On the main floor, there was a sitting-dining area, a kitchen area (it was in the niche right above the trap door that led with a ladder-stairs to the basement where the candles were made), and the foyer. On this floor, adjoining the dining area was a room with the library. Upstairs, on the first floor, were the 3 small cells, where there was also a small lavatory.

When the construction of the skete was completed, it was named for the Holy Transfiguration. This dedication of the original hermitage was the dedication of every hermitage in which Father Gregory lived thereafter.

Father Gregory, and his disciple, Brother Michael (Vereschack), remained in this site for several years. With the establishment of the skete, Father Gregory with Brother Michael developed also the daily cycle of services of the hermitage. Early services began at about 2:00 a.m. and they continued through daybreak. There was the Divine Liturgy on some weekdays, and on Sundays. In the evenings, there was Vespers and the one meal (vegetarian) per day, which was followed by an early bed-time.

However, as Father Gregory and the skete became better known, there were steadily more people attending the services. Thus, there were steadily more demands on him personally (especially in the winter-time), and Father Gregory was required to serve pastorally as though he were a parish priest. The monastic routine and eremitical life became eroded. (This sort of development amongst monastic communities is not uncommon, because of the spiritual needs of the people.) Father Gregory's priority was and is (as with all monks) the worship of the Lord, and both the attainment and perpetuating of unceasing prayer (see 1 Thessalonians 5:17) and communication in love with the Lord.

It was for such reasons that Father Gregory felt that he was obliged to leave Rawdon, and to search for a new monastic site. This same situation occurred many times in his life, just as has been the case with many other monks historically.

It may be helpful to understand that there are some Holy Relics of Saint Seraphim of Sarov associated with the Chapel and Skete of Saint Seraphim in Rawdon. These belonged to Archbishop Sylvester (Haruns), who had received them from a noble person who had been given them at the time of the Glorification of Saint Seraphim in 1903 in Nizhni-Novgorod, Russia.

n 2024, these Holy Relics remain in the custody of the Saint Seraphim Skete. In this year, the skete building stands in the same place and manner in which it was built (although slightly modified in the interior), nearby the Saint Seraphim of Sarov cemetery chapel.

Entrance to the skete

Return of Mitred Archpriest Oleg Boldireff

In the 1960s, Mitred Archpriest Oleg Boldireff (who was the founder of the original Saint Seraphim Chapel and of the Russian Orthodox Cemetery) had been assigned away to serve parishes in Vancouver, British Columbia, Detroit, Michigan (USA), and Ottawa, Ontario. In retirement, Father Oleg and Matushka Natalia returned to Rawdon in 1987. They lived in their previously-established home there.

Two years later, it was clear to Father Gregory that a change was necessary for the sake of continuing a true monastic life and rhythm. Therefore, he sought and received the blessing of Archbishop Sylvester (Haruns) to leave the existing skete (which was necessarily the property of Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral), and to move elsewhere. With the blessing, he built a new skete high on a mountain near Fitch Bay in Stanstead Township, which is near and Magog, in the Eastern Townships of Québec. This was on a portion of the farm of his brother.

Mother Nila (Maikapar) ; name-change of the skete

In 1989, Mother Nila (Maikapar) began to live in the skete. By this time, the skete had been re-dedicated to Saint Seraphim of Sarov, in harmony with the nearby chapel and with the cemetery (although that dedication of the cemetery is unofficial).

Born in 1927 in Riga, Latvia, Mother Nila (birth name Irene Lebedeff) had arrived as a youth from Riga, Latvia, via Europe to Montréal after World War II. There, she had had a family and a career. During this career (as a radiologist), she spent some time working in Peru. After moving to Rawdon, she met Father Gregory. Also, she was helping to take care of Mrs. Elena Slivitsky. Irene lived in Elena’s house (which was to the west across the street from Archbishop Sylvester's home) during the winter while Mrs Slivitsky was living in Montréal. Father Gregory stayed in that same home while the Skete was still under construction. She really helped keep up the monks’ spirits. One time, she went out into the woods with them to collect mushrooms, and then she made for them a mushroom spaghetti supper with wine.

It was following this that she had visited France for a time (at the Dormition Monastery at Bussey-en-Othe), and then been tonsured a nun with the name Nila (she preferred to be called simply “Nil”, after Saint Nil of Sora). Through Montréal, and through Bussey-en-Othe, Mother Nila had a deep friendship with Mother Dorofea (Mirochnitchenko) of Ottawa, Ontario.

When Mother Nila took up residence in the skete, she also took up the care of the organising the cemetery’s maintenance, and the interments ; and she walked about the cemetery daily, as she changed the candles that burn on the graves of the Faithful resting there. She continued this service for 10 years. In 1999, she moved to live in a rented house elsewhere in Rawdon, and in greater solitude. There, she lived until the end of her days in 2017.

Mother Nila (Maikapar)

Saint Seraphim of Sarov Missionary Monastic Community, 1991

Meanwhile, in 1991, Bishop Seraphim (Storheim) of Ottawa and the Archdiocese of Canada (The Orthodox Church in America ) founded the Saint Seraphim of Sarov Missionary Community/Communauté Missionaire de Saint-Séraphim-de-Sarov (which became a monastic community in 1999). This community was intended to bring together spiritually the French-speaking monks who were under his omophor. Hieromonk Irénée (Rochon) was assigned to serve as Igumen of this community ; and in March, 1998, he settled in Rawdon. Bishop Seraphim entrusted the responsibility for the administration of the cemetery, as well as liturgical services at the chapel of Saint Seraphim of Sarov, to the monastic community. This administration was, nevertheless, on behalf of Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral in Montréal.

When Mother Nila (Maikapar) moved away from the skete in 1999, Hieromonks Raphael (Vereschack), Georges (Leroy), and Daniel (Baeyens), consecutively, lived in the skete. While they were there, they cared likewise for the cemetery in the manner of Mother Nila. The priests served the Faithful of Rawdon with Divine Services in addition to their own regular monastic services.

Bishop Irénée (Rochon), 2009

Once Igumen Irénée (Rochon) had been ordained to the Holy Episcopate, he settled near Rawdon ; and he continued to nurture and encourage the monastic presence in Rawdon, in association with the skete.

The monastic presence in Rawdon, however humble it may be, attracted some Quebecers who converted to the Orthodox Christian Faith, as well as a family from France, and more recent newcomers to Canada.

This chapel is used all year round for the celebration of daily offices and in winter for the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. The Church of Saint Seraphim of Sarov, not being insulated, is not used in winter.

Particular skete information

This skete is situated on the territory of the Saint Seraphim Russian Orthodox Cemetery, which is the property of Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral in Montréal, Québec. It is part of the cathedral property. The skete is part of the Québec Deanery of the Archdiocese of Canada in The Orthodox Church in America. The dean is Mitred Archpriest Anatoliy Melnyk. The bishop is Archbishop Irénée (Rochon.

This skete follow the Old (Julian) calendar.

The Altar Feast-day of the Saint Seraphim Skete is the Feast of the of Saint Seraphim of Sarov Glorification of Saint Seraphim of Sarov, 19 July/1 August.

In 2025, the Priest-in-charge of the skete is Hieromonk Seraphim (Tregubov).

Address :

Saint Seraphim Skete

3495, 15e Avenue

Rawdon, Quebec

J0K 1S0

Directions :

By bus :

Travel to Rawdon by Autobus "Gaudreault Inc." from Station de Metro Radisson in Montréal (7155 and 7250, Sherbrooke Street East, Montréal, Québec, H1N 1E3).

By car :

From downtown Montréal, drive westwards on Autoroute Ville Marie (Route #136). Follow the signs leading to Highway #15 North (Décarie Expressway). After passing Rue Jean-Talon Ouest, keep right and follow the signs to Autoroute #40 Est and Autoroute #15 Nord. Very soon, follow the signs for the exit for Autoroute #15 Nord. Follow Autoroute #15 Nord. After passing Boulevard Saint-Martin Ouest (in Laval), keep to the right, and take the exit for Autoroute #440. This becomes Autoroute #25 Nord. Continue on Autoroute #25 Nord. At Saint-Esprit, follow the signs for Route #125 Nord. This is a left turn. Follow Route #125 Nord as far as Rawdon. Take the exit to the right for 6e Avenue. Drive on 6e Avenue until the intersection with Rue Queen. Turn left onto Rue Queen, and drive until 15e Avenue. Turn right on 15th Avenue, and pass through the intersection with Rue Woodland. The cemetery is on the right. Continue until Rue Ashland. The Skete is on the right, just after the Temple of Saint Seraphim.

Hieromonk Seraphim (Tregubov)

References

Les communautés orthodoxes de l’Abitibi et de Rawdon (Québec)

Article about Holy Transfiguration Monastery in British Columbia

“Our Church, Our Community, Saint Séraphim of Sarov Church, Rawdon, Québec, 1956-2006” (trilingual publication : Russian-French-English).

Religious Heritage Buildings of Québec : Church of Saint Seraphim of Sarov, Rawdon, Québec (Translation of : RÉCIT DE LIEU L'église Saint-Séraphim-de-Sarov)

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.

Saint Seraphim of Sarov Orthodox Church, Rawdon, Québec

Saint Seraphim Russian Orthodox Cemetery and Chapel, Rawdon, Québec

Saints Peter and Paul Russian Orthodox Sobor, Montréal, Québec

Office of the Archdiocese of Canada, Rawdon, Québec

Archdiocese of Canada web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about the Archdiocese of Canada

Orthodox Church in America (OCA) listing

Orthodox Church in America web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about The Orthodox Church in America

Metropolitan Ireney (Bekish)

Metropolitan Theodosius (Lazor)

Metropolitan Herman (Swaiko)