Saint Walburg SK Saints Peter and Paul Russo Greek Orthodox Church and Cemetery 1925

Saint Walburg, Saskatchewan, Saints Peter and Paul Russo Greek Orthodox Church and Cemetery, 1925

Saint Walburg may be spelt Saint Walbourg.

Prehistory

The town and the surrounding area of Saint Walburg, Saskatchewan, Canada, were originally settled mostly by German settlers (hence the name). Saint Walpurga (or Walburga, †779) was an Anglo-Saxon missionary from Britain to the Frankish Kingdom. She was a niece of Saint Boniface (†754), and the sister of Saints Willibald (†787) and Winibald (†768). Further, there is a village named "Waldburg" in south Germany. The Germans arrived between the 1910s and the 1930s, and a few Polish, Ukrainian and French settlers arrived later.

Old Saint Walburg was located on Section 22-53-22, W3rd, or about 5 km (3 mi) south and 3.3 km (2 mi) east of the current town. This community began with the arrival from Minnesota, USA, of Rudolph and Walburga Musch in the autumn of 1907. In 1908, they opened a general store which quickly became the focus of the surrounding area. Homesteaders could go there to buy supplies, and to visit. However, it was the arrival of the Canadian Northern Railway which determined the final location of the town.

The Canadian Northern Railway (CNoR) added to the extension of its northwest branch line from North Battleford. It reached Saint Walburg in 1919, and caused the moving of the townsite. This arrival promoted an economic flourish in the area, and it was then that many Slavs began to arrive. In 1919, the Canadian Bank of Commerce opened a branch in the town, at first in a tent. Farmers were now able to deliver their harvested grain to the grain elevators at Saint Walburg. This railway line served Hamlin, Prince, Meota, Cavalier, Vawn, Edam, Mervin, Turtleford, Cleeves, Spruce Lake and Saint Walburg. There was a spur-line to Paradise Hill and Frenchman Butte. However, because of the poor economy at the time, further construction could not happen, and Saint Walburg became the end of the line. Eventually, Saskatchewan Highway #6 and the railway ran beside each other from Prince to Saint Walburg.

Founding the parish, 1925

In 1925, the parish of Saints Peter and Paul in Saint Walburg, Saskatchewan, was founded not long after the beginning of the Ukrainian and Polish settlement of the region.

Construction, sanctification of the Temple, 1930

The Temple could not be constructed until 1930. The Temple is within the town, on a large lot, but the cemetery is at a distance, still within the town.

Sanctification of the Temple by Vladyka Arseny (Chahovtsov), 1930

After the construction was completed, Bishop Arseny (Chahovtsov) arrived in order to sanctify the new Temple of Saints Peter and Paul.

For the most part, although the Temple was within the town, the parishioners were farmers in the early days.

Rural depopulation

As have all other rural parishes across Western Canada, this parish community suffered from rural depopulation, which began in the 1930s. This accelerated after World War II with the increase in mechanisation and the consolidation of small farms into larger ones. The consequence of this was the move of many people into various urban areas.

By the 1990s, the number of farms had decreased even more greatly because a great many had been bought by larger and larger farming operations.

Pastoral care by Archpriests Vasyl Ostashek and Orest Olekshy

For a great many years, the parish was served by priests who travelled from the Andrew region of Alberta (the Saint Michael, Sachava parish), and the services were not very frequent. One of the priests to do so for the longest time was the Archpriest Vasyl Ostashek. During the following years, after the repose of Father Vasyl, and thanks to the pastoral care of the Archpriest Orest Olekshy in Saskatoon, the parish was lovingly cared for during many years. An attempt was made during those years to establish a priest in the vicinity, but it was ultimately unsuccessful. Afterwards, services were provided by clergy from Edmonton, Alberta, and particularly by the Archimandrite Alexander (Pihach). The most regular and predictable of these services would be on the annual Altar Feast-day of the parish, on 12 July. The majority of parishioners are descended from immigrants from around Byelorus (Belarus).

During these years, there was an attempt to establish a monastic hermitage in the vicinity of the Temple. However, because of difficult circumstances, the attempt was abandoned.

Blessing of the new Cemetery Cross, 2006

On 11-12 July, 2006, the Archpriest Orest Olekshy, the Subdeacon James Nicholas Davis, his wife Karen, and Yvonne Romano travelled from Saskatoon to Saint Walburg for the parish's Altar Feast-day of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul. After the serving of the Divine Liturgy, Father Orest blessed a new golden memorial Cross in the cemetery. It replaced the previous concrete Cross which had fallen into disrepair. This new Cross of tubular steel had been donated by Joseph Weremchuk in memory of his grandparents and parents. His grandfather, Karp Weremchuk, had served as foreman when the Temple was originally constructed.

As was reported by Subdeacon James Nicholas Davis on this occasion, Valentina Hritzuk, the parish president, had already been leading the parish for a long time. She and her husband John have cared for other parishioners (particularly by visiting the elderly and shut-ins) for a long time. This care for others was also expressed through generous hospitality. Their sons assist during church services, and they have helped to maintain the property around the Temple, as well as the cemetery.

Archpastoral visit, 2008

Because of its remoteness from other parishes in the Archdiocese of Canada, the parish of Saints Peter and Paul in Saint Walburg has received few visits from the bishops. The first visit from a bishop was from Bishop Arseny (Chahovtsov) in about 1930, when he arrived to sanctify the newly-constructed Temple. The second visit was by Bishop Sylvester (Haruns) in 1964 (soon after his arrival in Canada).

The third archpastoral visit took place on 4-5 July, 2008. On this occasion, Archbishop Seraphim (Storheim) arrived from Edmonton, Alberta, with the diocesan chancellor, Archpriest Dennis Pihach, and Archpriest Cyprian Hutcheon arrived from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, along with Subdeacon James Nicholas Davis. At that time, Father Cyprian Hutcheon was the priest-in-charge of this community.

John and Valentina Hritzuk gave hospitality to the visitors, and Vladyka Seraphim looked at the metrical books and parish records (a usual feature in parish visitations). Valentina Hritzuk had already been serving as parish president for quite a long time, as had her father in earlier times.

Great Vespers was served in the evening of Friday, 4 July, in the Temple. On Saturday, 5 July, the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was served by Archbishop Seraphim, together with Archpriest Dennis Pihach ; Archpriest Cyprian Hutcheon ; Priest Oleg Razumov (who had arrived from Winnipeg, Manitoba) ; Subdeacon J N Davis ; Seminarian James Worthington (from Saint Tikhon's Orthodox Seminary). The Temple was filled with present and past parishioners (some of whom came from a great distance), and visitors from the parish of All Saints in Meadow Lake (about an hour's drive to the northeast).

After the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, those present processed together to the nearby cemetery. There, before the new Memorial Cross, a panikhida was served, and then Vladyka Seraphim blessed the graves.

After the conclusion of the prayers, the Faithful shared a meal in common.

Repose of John Hritzuk, 2010

On Monday, 6 September, 2010 John Hritzuk fell asleep in the Lord in Saint Walburg. He had just passed his 100th birthday.

On Friday, 10 September, 2020, at 2:00 p.m., the Orthodox Funeral Service for the Burial of a Lay-person was conducted by Father Vincent Lehr of Edmonton, Alberta. He was assisted by Sub-deacon James Nicholas Davis of Saskatoon and by Monk Tikhon (Green) of Edmonton. The service was offered in the Roman Catholic Church of the Assumption in Saint Walburg, because the parish Temple was too small. After the conclusion of the funeral services, the body of John Hritzuk was interred in the Russo Orthodox Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery in Saint Walburg.

Service by Priest R T Bishop from Meadow Lake, 2018

In late 2018, the Priest Ryan T Bishop began to serve in Meadow Lake at All Saints Church, on a full-time basis. From there, Saint Walburg began to be served as well.

Priest Ryan Tikhon Bishop

Repose of Valentina Hritzuk, 2020

On 5 November, 2020, Valentina Hritzuk fell asleep in the Lord in Saint Walburg.

On 10 November, 2020, at 11:00 a.m., the Funeral Service for the Burial of a Lay-person was offered by Priest Ryan Tikhon Bishop at the chapel of Marshall's Funeral Home (because winter had begun, and because of the Covid-19 epidemic restrictions). In the context of the epidemic's limitations on gatherings, the funeral was available on the Facebook site of the funeral home.

After the funeral services, the body of Valentina Hritzuk was laid to rest beside that of her husband John in the Russo Orthodox Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery in Saint Walburg.

Grave-marker for John and Valentina Hritzuk

Saints Peter & Paul Cemetery, 1925

The cemetery is not on the same property as the Temple, but it is also not far away from the Temple.

It is located at the land description site SE 5-54–22 W3 in the Rural Municipality (RM) of Frenchman Butte #501. (Frenchman Butte includes the National Historic Site of the 1985 Battle of Frenchman's Butte.)

GPS : 53.631986 degrees N ; 109.202096 degrees W

The earliest listed interment in the cemetery took place in 1931.

In 2023, there were 83 marked graves in the cemetery.

Cemetery sign and cemetery

The Temple

Particular parish information

This parish is a part of the Deanery of Saskatchewan-Manitoba-Nunavut, of the Archdiocese of Canada, of The Orthodox Church in America. The dean is the Archpriest Gregory Scratch. The bishop is Archbishop Irénée (Rochon).

This parish follows the New (Revised Julian) Calendar.

The Altar Feast-day of the Temple is the Feast of the Apostles Peter and Paul on 29 June/12 July (from when the parish was following the Old Calendar).

In 2023, the pastor of the parish is the Priest Ryan Tikhon Bishop.

Address :

Saints Peter and Paul Russo Greek Orthodox Church

At the corner of 2nd Avenue and 2nd Street East

Saint Walburg, Saskatchewan

S0M 2T0

Directions :

Saint Walbourg is located about 98 km (61 mi) southwest of Meadow Lake. It is about 123 km (77 mi) northwest of North Battleford. It is about 87 km (54 mi) northeast of Lloydminster (Saskatchewan and Alberta). It is about 262 km (163 mi) northwest of Saskatoon. It is about 520 km (323 mi) northwest of Regina. It is about 592 km (368 mi) northwest of Yorkton. It is about 337 km (209 mi) east of Edmonton, Alberta.

From Lloydminster and farther west :

From Lloydiminster, drive eastwards on Highway #16. At the junction with Highway #303, turn left onto Highway #303. At the junction with Highway #21, turn left (north). Continue driving until the junction with Highway #3. Turn right (east). At the junction with Highway #26, turn left (north). The driving distance is approximately 90 km (66 mi) from Lloydminster. (The driving distance from Edmonton is approximately 330 km/205 mi). Arriving in Saint Walburg from the south, turn left at 2nd Avenue. The Temple is on the right. The cemetery is to the left.

From Saskatoon (and after arriving from Regina or Yorkton) :

Drive westwards on Highway #16 until North Battleford. Continue straight on Railway Avenue (do not take the Highway #40 bypass). In North Battleford, at 11th Avenue, continue to drive straight north on 100 Street/Highway #4 (do not turn left). At the junction with Highway #26, turn left, and continue driving on Highway #26 all the way to Saint Walburg. Driving distance from Saskatoon is approximately 261 km (162 mi). Driving from Regina through Saskatoon to Saint Walburg, the distance is 518 km (322 mi). Arriving in Saint Walburg from the south, turn left at 2nd Avenue. The Temple is on the right. The cemetery is to the left.

Mailing address:

Saint Peter and Paul Russo Greek Orthodox Church

Box 356

Saint Walburg, Saskatchewan

S0M 2T0

Ryan Tikhon Bishop

302-2nd Street East

Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan

S9X 1G5

E-mail : fr.ryan.bishop@gmail.com

References

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

A Chronological History of the Archdiocese of Canada, Part I

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 :

Archdiocese listing

Archdiocese of Canada web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about the Archdiocese of Canada

OCA listing

OCA web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about The Orthodox Church of America

Bishop Arseny (Chahovtsov)

Archbishop Evdokim (Meschersky)

Metropolitan Platon (Rozhdestvensky)

Metropolitan Theophilus (Pashkovsky)

Metropolitan Leonty (Turkevich)