Regina SK Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church 1912

Regina, Saskatchewan, Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church, 1912

Prehistory

The first Serbs who made the beginning of this “colony” arrived in Canada in 1901. These newcomers were mostly from Banat, a region of southwest Romania, which presently encompasses parts of 3 counties there, as well as some parts of eastern Serbia and a small portion of southeastern Hungary. At the time of the first immigration the Banat belonged to the Kingdom of Hungary.

The Banat is a region that includes various peoples, including Romanians, many of whom settled also in the southern parts of Saskatchewan. They stayed on the prairies because its topography reminded them of their homeland. With time, many Serbs arrived in the area near Regina, but not all of them stayed. One group of Serbs started farming. However, some Serbs were not familiar with farming, and some could not tolerate the winters. They therefore moved to different places, where they sought work that was familiar and weather that was tolerable.

Founding the church-school congregation, 1912

In 1912, those who remained in the Regina region decided to establish a church-school congregation. The Serbians generally use the term "church-school congregation" everywhere in the emigration where others might use "parish". The word "parish" has historical associations with Western ecclesiastical government, and the Serbs prefer to guard the Orthodox mentality. At the first organisational meeting there were 48 persons present. They immediately began the process to build a Temple. Stevan and Sava Djurišić donated a lot on which to build the future Temple. It should be noted, however, that the other families contributed as well for this big undertaking. Those families were : Inić, Jakovlejev, Skerletov, Maksimović, Knežović, Petrov, Velemirov, Trifunov, Milanov, Matić, Stojadinov, Erdeljan, and others. They began the construction in 1915, and it was completed in 1916. The new Temple was built in the 17th block of McAra Street in the eastern part of the city.

Sanctification of the Temple, 1916

In 1916, after the construction, the Temple was sanctified and dedicated to the honour of the Most Holy Trinity. This was, in fact, the first Serbian Temple to be established and built in Canada. As usual, all the Serbs gathered around "Mother Church", and they did not forget their Orthodox Faith, their language, their culture, and their good Serbian customs.

After the construction of the Temple, this congregation was under the jurisdiction of the “Russian Mission’s” Diocese of Canada (which in the same year received its first bishop, Bishop Alexander (Nemolovsky)). It was a part of the “Russian Mission” which had been established in 1794 in North America.

However, for various reasons, this Temple was many times without a priest, sometimes for long periods. Therefore, it did not grow well at that time. Two such reasons include the great distance between Serbs in Regina and the developing Serbian communities in Eastern Canada and those in the USA, and also the ecclesiastical disturbances that arose after 1917.

These disturbances were the result of the Bolshevik Revolution which overthrew the Russian Empire in that year, the catastrophic disruption of communication between the Russian Orthodox Church and her foreign dioceses and missions, and the immense migration to other countries of refugees from this revolution.

In time, many families assimilated into general Canadian life. In many cases (as with settlers from other Orthodox nations), this meant that some of the people left the Orthodox Faith in favour of something else. In the 21st century, one can meet descendants of the original settlers who know that their origin is Serbian, but nothing more than that.

In the early days, the Serbs also formed a Serbian soccer club, “White Eagles”, who supported the congregation/parish materially. They also formed another soccer club called “Jastreb”. Soon after, there was an argument between the clubs, and they separated. A newly-formed club completely separated itself from church life.

A new site ; a move, 1933

In 1933, the Serbian Club “White Eagles” donated another lot to the church-school congregation, onto which the Temple was moved. This was approximately 18 blocks to the west from its original site. The new site is at the corner of 11th Avenue and Winnipeg Street.

To move the Temple, they used horses (in 1990, some Serbs could still remember this event).

Parish hall, 1935

Two years after the move, in 1935, a parish hall was built beside the Temple, which was later used also as the Serbian Club. This club became a source of income to maintain church life.

The parish hall

Integration into the Serbian dioceses in North America, 1947

From 1947, Serbian priests began to serve, since the Serbian diocese in the USA had developed sufficiently to provide the needed Serbian-speaking clergy. Bishop Dionisije (Milivojević), who had become bishop after the holy Bishop Mardarije (Uskoković), was the bishop in Chicago at the time.

Priests who served in the parish included :

 Hieromonk Nikonor Palić ; Hieromonk Mitrofan Kresojević ; Igumen Sava Gnjatović ; 
 Priest Stoilo Ilić ; Archpriest Svetozar Šećerov.

Holy Trinity Temple in 1954

After Father Svetozar left to serve elsewhere, from 1964 until 1985 the parish in Regina had no resident priest.

For the Temple’s Altar-feast (Slava) and other holy days, other priests from Canada and the USA travelled there to serve.

Refreshment of parish life, 1983

Then in 1985, the church-school congregation asked the newly-arrived Vladika Georgije (Djokić) for a resident priest. Vladika Georgije had just established the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Canada during the previous year.

Vladika Georgije assigned the Priest Mirko Malinović in June, 1985. He served until after 1993. In May, 1985, Radoje Milić was appointed to be the manager of the Serbian Club. Church life began to develop and blossom, and a new, young generation of Serbian families began to arrive. This was just before and during the time of the Yugoslav Wars which began in 1991.

This new influx removed the fear which had developed that the Serbian Church might be closed and the bells not be heard to call people to prayer. Father Mirko started a church school, which taught the Orthodox Christian Faith and the Serbian language. Even though there was a small number of children of different ages, they formed a folk-dance group, and Natalka Palapenko from Winnipeg, Manitoba, was teaching the dances to the children.

Major renovations, 1988

In the meantime, the foundation of the Temple, because of age, needed serious repairs. In 1987, this work was completed, and Vladika Georgije blessed the foundation on 8 November, 1987.

In 1988, members of the church-school congregation came to agree on a project to build a new Serbian club, and use the old building beside the Temple for only parish needs. In the new building, the ground floor would be used for the needs of the club, and the second floor would include 2 apartments : one for the priest, and another for an episcopal residence. On this occasion, which was the annual parish assembly, Vladika Georgije was present, and also the president of the Canadian Circles of Serbian Sisters, Milka Milunović. It was decided to request the blessing from the Diocese of Canada to build a Serbian club. Upon receiving the blessing from the bishop, construction began in 1989, and it was completed in the same year. It was blessed by Bishop Georgije 29 October, 1989, after which it was occupied.

In 1989 the Serbian Orthodox Cultural Club (whose sole purpose is to support the Serbian Orthodox Community in Regina) relocated to its new building at 1876, Wallace Street. At this time, the building next to the Holy Trinity Temple became the parish hall for regular parish use.

The Wallace Street Serbian Centre

In 1990, the seventh diocesan assembly was held in Regina.

75 years : 1991

On 3-4 August, 1991, the 75th anniversary of the Temple’s construction and blessing was celebrated. Participating were 6 bishops from the “diaspora”. These included : the Metropolitan Christopher (Kovačević) of Midwest America ; Bishop Hrizostom (Stolić) of Western America ; Bishop Mitrofan (Kodić) of Eastern America ; Bishop Longin (Krčo) of Australia and New Zealand ; Bishop Dositej (Motika) of Britain and Scandinavia ; Bishop Georgije (Djokić) of Canada. Many priests also served.

On this special occasion, the guests included Prince Aleksadar Karadjordjević and his wife Princess Katarina. For this celebration, faithful parishioners from all parts of the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Canada were present.

More major renovations, 1992

The complete renovation of the Temple was an idea of some of the members of the congregation before this anniversary. However, it was the idea of another group of people that the Temple should remain untouched until after the anniversary. This idea prevailed.

In 1992, the general renovation of the Temple began. During the winter months, renovation of the interior was completed : the Altar, the iconostas and the nave. When they moved the Holy Table, it was discovered that this Holy Table had no relics. Vladika Georgije was informed about this. The interior of the Temple was returned to its normal and original condition, with the tables, and the episcopal throne having been renovated. The pews were removed. During the spring, the work continued on the exterior of the building. The roofing was replaced by zinc-plated metal. Brick siding was applied. New windows, new stairs, and a new railing beside the stairs were also supplied.

Upon completion of the renovation, Bishop Georgije was invited to sanctify the renovated Temple. In doing so, he was assisted by Archpriest Mirko Malinović, Priest Vitomir Kostić, Deacon Branko Topalović. They completed the Great Sanctification of the Temple and the sanctification of the Holy Table by inserting the Holy Relics of the Great-martyr Tsar Lazar (Hrebeljanović) into the prescribed place within the Holy Table.

Upon learning about the desire of Bishop Georgije that, at the time of the renovation, the interior of the Temple be decorated with iconographic frescoes, it was determined by the leadership of the congregation that this could not happen immediately because of a lack of money. Nevertheless, the president of the church-school congregation, Boško Salamić and the vice-president, Radoje Milić, travelled to see the Temple in Hamilton, Ontario, which had already been decorated with frescoes. There, they met the fresco artist Dragan Maronić, and they asked him to do the same work in Regina. Dragan gladly accepted the invitation and from 17 February to 3 April, 1993, he completed the frescoing of the Temple. He also painted icons for the iconostas. A new carved iconostas was ordered from Preljine in Čačak in Serbia.

Iconostas

From 1985 to 1993, very many things were completed, considering the small number of parishioners. It was good that the appearance of the Temple was restored, as it deserves. Conditions were set for supporting the spiritual development and the future growth of the church-school congregation.

More immigration, 1992

At the meeting of 15 September, 1992, a motion was made by Radoje Milić to sponsor 6 Serbian families affected by the Yugoslav War. The motion was accepted unanimously. These families arrived, and as well 5 families sponsored by the Canadian government. After their arrival, they all became active parish members. The families affected by the war, as well as 5 children lacking one or both parents, were being supported by the church-school congregation. In addition, the congregation provided a scholarship for 1 student to study at the Libertyville Seminary near Chicago, Illinois. For all its humanitarian work, on the recommendation of Bishop Georgije, the church-school congregation in Regina was awarded the Order of Saint Sava, Second Degree.

The parishioners were grateful to the Most Holy Trinity and to Vladika Georgije (Ðjokić) who guided them all the way. At the same time, it is important to mention that Radoje Milić, who himself did so much to build up this church-school congregation, was awarded by Bishop Georgije with 2 gramotas (certificates of blessing). Upon Vladika Georgije’s recommendation, the Holy Synod of the Church of Serbia awarded Radoje Milić the Order of Saint Sava, Third Degree.

In 1993, the church-school congregation had 25 active members, although many more consider the Temple of the Holy Trinity to be their spiritual home.

Temple interior

100 years : 2012

In 2012, the 100th anniversary of the founding of this parish, there were 2 significant events.

To celebrate this historic anniversary, there was a celebration of the Divine Liturgy, with a procession around the Temple. The Divine Liturgy was concelebrated by 5 priests. In addition, there were special festivities with food and entertainment to mark the occasion. This was the first Serbian Orthodox Christian Temple to be established in Canada. In order to mark this occasion, people came from across the whole country in order to participate in this significant moment for the whole diocese. All the local parishioners were very grateful for this support.

Centennial Divine Liturgy

Historical marker

Congregation

Singing group

Dancers

Missionary support of the establishment of the Saints Peter and Paul Russian Orthodox Temple, 2012

Also in 2012, as a Providentially-provided centennial project, Holy Trinity Church “gave birth” to another congregation in the city. This is the Russian Orthodox Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul. It was formed by a group of Russian-speaking recent immigrants who had participated in the spiritual and practical life of the church-school congregation of Holy Trinity for some years. Under the leadership and with the support of the rector of Holy Trinity, the Protopresbyter Stavrofor Radovan Marić, this Russian-speaking congregation was able to establish itself in a new building only 5 blocks away, and it was integrated into the administration of the Moscow Patriarchate Parishes in Canada.

The most recent rector of Holy Trinity Church, the Protopresbyter Stavrofor Radovan Marić, serves also in Saskatoon at the developing Sveta Petka mission, of which he is the administrator.

Move of the Serbian Orthodox Cultural Club, 2017

In November, 2017, the Serbian Orthodox Cultural Club moved from its address on Wallace Avenue to a new and larger location at 2775, Avonhurst Drive. In the context of its purpose, this move enabled the club the better to provide for the support of the Serbian Orthodox Faithful in Regina, and to accomplish other beneficial works and activities as well.

Serbian Club, Avonhurst Drive (left) ; Serbian Club, Avonhurst Drive, aerial view (right)

2020-2021 Coronavirus-19 virus restrictions on parishes

In early 2020, the Covid-19 virus made its appearance in Canada, and it quickly became a world-wide pandemic. Because of the rules governing gatherings that were laid down by the provincial and city governments, the parish stopped any further services after 8 March, 2020. In addition to the rules regarding social distancing, the decreasing numbers permitted for any gathering, and the considerations regarding the health of all concerned, this and other parishes were required to close for a time.

Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Temple and hall

Particular parish information

This parish (Church-school congregation) is a part of the Serbian Orthodox Christian Diocese of Canada, of the Patriarchate of Serbia. The bishop is Bishop Mitrofan (Kodic).

This parish follows the Old (Julian) Calendar.

The Altar Feast-day of the community is the Feast of Pentecost (Descent of the Holy Spirit, the Most Holy Trinity).

In 2023, the pastor of this community is the Protopresbyter Stavrofor Radovan Marić.

Address :

Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church

928, 11th Avenue

Regina, Saskatchewan

S4N 0K7

Telephone : (306) 352-6276

Fax : (306) 352-6276

Web-site :

Facebook

E-mails : serbianchurchboard@myaccess.ca

Serbian Club Telephone : 306-352-3360

Directions :

Regina is located 259 km (161 mi) southeast of Saskatoon, 76 km (47 mi) east of Moose Jaw, and 187 km (116 mi) southwest of Yorkton.

By car :

The Temple is south of the Canadian Pacific Railway yard. It is 2-3 blocks north of Victoria Avenue, at 11th Avenue and Winnipeg Street.

The Temple may also be approached from the east by driving from Victoria Avenue on Arcola Avenue, and turning left on 11th Avenue. The Temple is 4 blocks to the east.

By bus :

Consult Regina Transit.

Protopresbyter Stavrofor Radovan Marić

1959, Wallace Street

Regina, Saskatchewan

S4N 4A1

Telephone : 306-545-0456

E-mail : maric@accesscomm.ca

References

Merick, Father Rade, “The Serbian Orthodox Church in the United States and Canada: 25 Years of Maturing” (1988).

“The Russian Mission in North America”

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

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, “https://searchworks.stanford.edu/view/5708606 Canadian Serbs : A History of Their Social and Cultural Traditions (1856-2002)]” (Fonthill, ON : Batlik Publishing, 2002). ISBN 10 : 0920642403 ISBN 13 : 978-0920642405.

(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).

Additional information :

Parish information

Orthodox-World listing

Wikipedia article about the Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church, Regina, Saskatchewan

Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Canada 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

Wikipedia article about the Church of Serbia

Saint Tikhon (Belavin)

Saint Sebastian (Dabovich)