Saskatoon SK All Saints Ukrainian Orthodox Church 1967

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, All Saints Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 1967

Prehistory

The prehistory of the Ukrainian Orthodox Parish of All Saints in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, may be stated in short to be that of Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Saskatoon, although it was not developed directly from it. The cathedral was, nevertheless, the long-standing Orthodox Christian parish presence in the city, and it was nearing its 50th anniversary in the 1960s.

In the 1960s, the number of Ukrainian Orthodox people in Saskatoon had increased noticeably. This was primarily because of the general phenomenon of rural depopulation as a consequence of the development of new farming machinery, together with the development of “agri-business” instead family farming. Another factor would be the retirement of ageing farmers and their moving into the city (they retired to other cities as well).

In addition, the prehistory involves the presence and activity of the Petro Mohyla Institute in Saskatoon. It had served since 1916 as a residence for university students who needed affordable accommodations, and it had been providing chaplaincy service to the students as well. It was from this institution that the parish of All Saints was, in fact, developed. Two chaplains of the Mohyla Institute were the first pastors of this parish.

Founding the new parish, 1967

Father Oleg Krawchenko

In 1967, before he was yet 10 years a priest, Father Oleg Krawchenko was transferred with his family to Saskatoon, where he served both as rector and chaplain of the Mohyla Institute. Because there was interest amongst some of the Faithful in Saskatoon (and also some students), he received the blessing to establish a mission which was named for All Saints. Regular Divine services took place at the chapel of the institute (because it was conveniently available), and conversations began about how and where to establish this mission as a second parish in the city. Meanwhile, Father Oleg began to teach Slavic Studies at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. Progress was made in determining a future site. In 1971, however, he went to Regina, Saskatchewan, to teach. By this time, the mission's sisterhood had been formed.

Father Orest Olekshy

The second pastor of the developing parish was Priest Orest Olekshy who had been transferred with his family to Saskatoon from Alberta in 1971. He pursued the development of the community in some ways similar to that of Father Oleg before him.

In 1972, All Saints Mission was included in conversations which established and led to the construction of the Ilarion Retirement Residence.

Because of availability of properties, All Saints Church and Ilarion Residence came to be situated very near to each other on Louise Street.

In the context of the internal and spiritual development of the parish, differences developed between Father Orest and the main lay leadership of the parish (and the higher authorities). Father Orest had seen in his association with the students that there was an urgent need for pastoral attention. During the course of conversations, the students had said to him that they found that the Orthodox Faith was irrelevant to their lives, and that they were ready to leave the Church. Father Orest and his wife set about teaching and demonstrating to them what they were missing in their perception of the Orthodox Christian Faith. However, one of the major obstacles was that the young were often not very fluent in Ukrainian, and they did not understand the services, Scriptures, and homilies. Father Orest began to press for the use of more English, but this was resisted at that time by the authorities. Further, Father Orest had become acquainted with the charismatic Greek Orthodox Priest Eusebius Stephanou in the USA, and he wished to introduce some of the elements of that evangelical practice in this new community. Largely because of these 2 factors, Father Orest was dismissed before the construction of the new Temple was completed.

Father Vasyl Makarenko

It was then that Father Vasyl (William) Makarenko became the pastor of the parish, and it was under his rectorship that the construction of the Temple was completed.

Since the Ilarion Residence opened its first phase in 1978, it was after this that All Saints Parish became effectively a parish home for many residents, because of the proximity.

Interior of All Saints Church

Re-naming of the UOGC ; entrance into Eucharistic Union with the Patriarch of Constantinople, 1990

In 1990, the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada was officially renamed “The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada” (UOCC) by an Act of Parliament.

In 1990, the 18th Sobor of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada in Winnipeg decided to enter into Eucharistic Union with the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople (Istanbul). This decision also changed the relationship with the other Orthodox dioceses and parishes in Canada in a positive way.

Centennial of the UOCC, 2018

In 2018, the 100th anniversary of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada and also of Holy Trinity Cathedral were marked at an extraordinary sobor (assembly) at the cathedral in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

The purpose of the sobor was to celebrate 100 years of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada. The celebrations were attended by Ukrainian Orthodox faithful from across Canada and beyond.

The Sobor began on Thursday, 9 August, 2018, with a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy in the Chapel of Saint Petro Mohyla Institute, presided by Bishop Andriy (Peshko) of the Eastern Eparchy, with the responses sung by the Clergy led by Father Michael Lomaszkiewicz. This was followed by an All-Canada Clergy Conference.

Centennial Clergy Conference

All gathered for Vespers at the Mohyla Institute Chapel and this was followed by a wine and cheese reception as the delegates and guests registered for the Extraordinary National Council.

The celebrations continued for a year.

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. Including 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.

As elsewhere, there was some controversy about the legal requirements.

Election of Metropolitan Ilarion (Rudnyk), 2022

Election of a nominee by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada

On 15-19 June, 2022, the 24th Sobor of the Ukrainian Orthodox of Canada was convened "on-line". This conference-meeting was convened thus instead of convening physically (as customarily) in Winnipeg, Manitoba. There were 6 cathedrals in Canada where this meeting took place simultaneously through a computer-network : in Winnipeg, Manitoba (Holy Trinity Metropolitan Cathedral) ; Vancouver, British Columbia (Holy Trinity Cathedral) ; in Edmonton, Alberta (Saint John's Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral) ; in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (Holy Trinity Cathedral) ; in Toronto, Ontario (Saints Vladimir and Olga Cathedral) ; in Montréal, Québec (Saint Sophie Cathedral).

There was a total of 205 delegates, which was near the average attendance for such sobors.

In the course of the work of the Sobor, there was the necessary election in order to nominate to the Holy Synod of the Church of Constantinople a candidate for election as Archbishop of Winnipeg and Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, who would succeed the Retired Metropolitan Yurij (Kalistchuk).

There were 3 candidates who were considered : Archbishop Job (Getcha), Bishop Ilarion (Rudnyk), and Bishop Andriy (Peshko). The final choice of the members of the sobor was Archbishop Job (Getcha). He had received more than the minimum required 51% of the votes, and there was no subsequent voting required.

The election by the Sobor (Assembly) of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada then had to be confirmed by the Holy Synod of Bishops of Constantinople (as is described in the Consistory By-laws).

Upon having received the nomination (with accompanying documents) from the Sobor of the UOCC, the Holy Synod of the Church of Constantinople elected Vladyka Ilarion (Rudnyk) to become Archbishop of Winnipeg and Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Canada.

The Holy Synod of the Church of Constantinople elected Archbishop Job (Getcha) to become Metropolitan of Pisidia, in west-central Türkiye (Turkey), north of Lycia, and east of Ephesus.

Confirmation of election in Constantinople/Istanbul, 2022

On 29 August, 2022, Vladyka Ilarion (Rudnyk) was at the Phanar in Constantinople for the purpose of the first confirmation of the election in June, 2022. He co-served the Divine Liturgy with Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis) in the Cathedral of Saint George at the Phanar.

Enthronement as Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, 2022

On Saturday, 19 November, 2022, at 9:30 a.m., in Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the Enthronement Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was served. Metropolitan Ilarion (Rudnyk) presided at the Divine Liturgy. He was assisted by Bishop Andriy (Peshko), many priests, several deacons, subdeacons and Altar-servers. Present also were Metropolitan Archbishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas), Exarch of Canada for the Patriarchate of Constantinople, and Retired Metropolitan Yurij (Kalistchuk), Former Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada.

Metropolitan Ilarion (Rudnyk) at the Phanar, Istanbul, 2023

On Sunday, 2 July, 2023, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis) was present and praying during the Divine Liturgy at Saint George's Cathedral in the Patriarchate compound. He gave the blessing that Metropolitan Ilarion (Rudnyk) preside ("horostasia") over the Divine Liturgy. Metropolitan Job (Getcha) of Pisidia, Bishop Athenagoras (Ziliaskopoulos) of Nazianzos, and the Honourable Roman Nedilskyi, General Consul of Ukraine in Constantinople were also present and praying with the congregation of the Faithful.

Change of calendar for the UOCC, 2023

On 1 December, 2023, in accordance with the resolutions of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, Metropolitan Ilarion II (Rudnyk) announced that, effective that day, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada moved to use the New (Revised Julian) Calendar. He allowed that for a brief period of time, a parish might remain on the Old (Julian) Calendar.

It seems that subsequently, John's Cathedral in Edmonton, Alberta, was the first to adopt the New (Revised Julian) Calendar.

However, a previously-existing group of persons began to encourage resistance to the immediacy of this change. It was their understanding that the process would be determined ultimately and finally at the next general sobor of the UOCC. Therefore, on 16 December, 2023, Metropolitan Ilarion issued a formal letter concerning the situation, together with a letter of support sent to him by his predecessor (Retired Metropolitan Yurij (Kalistchuk)). He called the resisters to repentance.

Particular parish information

This parish is part of the Saskatoon Vicariate, Saskatoon Region, of the Central Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada. The bishop is Metropolitan Ilarion (Rudnyk). The priests of the parish are Archpriest Peter Wasylenko, and Archpriest Bohdan Demczuk.

This parish follows the Old (Julian) Calendar.

The Altar-feast Day of this parish is the Feast of All Saints (first Sunday after Pentecost).

Address :

All Saints Ukrainian Orthodox Church

2616, Louise Street

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

S7J 0P3

Telephone : (306) 374-6181

Facebook

E-mail : allsaintsuoc.saskatoon@gmail.com

Directions :

All Saints Ukrainian Orthodox Church is situated in southeast Saskatoon, near the junction of Circle Drive (Highway #16) and Circle Drive East (Highway #11).

From central Saskatoon, by car :

Follow Idlwyld Drive southwards to the junction with Circle Drive (Highway #16). Continue on Circle Drive eastwards as far as the exit for Preston Avenue South. Take the exit ramp, and turn north on Preston Avenue South. Drive north until Louise Street. Turn right (eastwards) on Louise Street. The Temple is on the right, after 2 blocks.

From western Saskatoon and other points west, by car :

Follow Highway #16 (Circle Drive) southwards and eastwards, past the junction with Idlwyld Drive, as far as the exit for Preston Avenue South. Take the exit ramp, and turn north on Preston Avenue South. Drive north until Louise Street. Turn right (eastwards) on Louise Avenue. The Temple is on the right, after 2 blocks.

From the south, approach Saskatoon by Highway #11 past the junction with Circle Drive. Take the ramp exit at Taylor Street East. Turn left, and drive to Arlington Avenue. Turn left (south) on Arlington Avenue and drive until Louise Avenue. Turn right on Louise Street. The Temple is on the left, after East Centre.

By bus : Consult Saskatoon Transit.

Saskatoon may be accessed by various airlines through the John G Diefenbaker Saskatoon International Aeroport.

Saskatoon may be accessed by railway through VIARail.

There is interurban bus service available within Saskatchewan, and with service to Edmonton, Alberta.

Archpriest Peter Wasylenko

Telephone : (306) 242-2742

E-mail : wasylenko.revp@shaw.ca

Archpriest Bohdan Demczuk

Telephones : (306) 373-8920 ; (306) 221-4275

Mobile : (306) 373-2950

References

A Brief History of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada

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 :

Martynowych, Orest T. “Ukrainians in Canada : The Formative Period, 1891-1924” (Edmonton : Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies, University of Alberta, 1991. ISBN 10 : 0920862764 ; ISBN 13 : 978-0920862766.

Sametz, William, “My father the priest : the life and times of the Very Reverend Dr. Peter Sametz : founding missionary priest of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada” (Toronto : Hypertex Plus, 2008). ISBN : 9780969670056.

Yereniuk, Professor Roman, “Short Historical Outline of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada” (UOCC)

Ukrainian Orthodox Church of All Saints, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan parish listing

Orthodox World listing

Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada web-site

Wikipedia article about the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada

Orthodoxwiki article about the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada

Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Saint Petro Mohyla Institute, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Ilarion Retirement Residence, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Central Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada

Church of Constantinople web-site