Smoky Lake AB Holy Ascension Ukrainian Orthodox Church 1927

Smoky Lake, Alberta, Holy Ascension Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 1927

Toporivtsi may be spelt Toporauţi, Toporoutz.

Prehistory

Most of the settlers of the Smoky Lake area of Alberta, Canada, had originated in villages near the city of Cernăuţi (Chernivtsi) in the Chernivtsi province of Ukraine, which is historically northern Bucovina.

This part of Bucovina-Moldavia was of mixed Romanian, Russian, and Ukrainian speakers, and it was this part that was severed as one result of the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact between Mr. J Stalin and the western powers before World War II. The early emigrants had left their homelands which at the end of the 19th century were within the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

In this region, there had been a constant oppression of the Orthodox Christian Faith for several hundred years. At this particular time, the Canadian Government had sent its agents as sales-promoters to attract would-be future farmers in Western Canada. The principal of such agents was Dr. Josef Oleskow.

In the 1890s, Slavic immigrants began arriving in Canada from Bucovina and Galicia. The first pioneer to arrive in the Smoky Lake area was Stefan Franko Dwernychuk (†1957) from the village of Toporivtsi (Toporauţi), Sadagora (Sadhora), Bucovina. Toporivtsi is about 24 km (15 mi) north of the city of Chernivtsi (Cernăuţi) in Bucovina. In 1899, he arrived in 1899 with his parents, Tanasko and Domka Dwernychuk and other relatives. In 1903, Stefan married Maria Starchuk. He opened a store, and he operated the post office.

In the years between 1900 and 1910, many families from the village of Toporoutz (Toporivtsi) arrived and settled in the Smoky Lake area. Families came from other villages, such as Volocha, Ostricha (Ostritza, Ostriţa vel Cliscăuţi), Molodiia (Mologhia vel Plaiul Cosminului) near Chernivtsi, and Rarancha (Rarancze, Rarancea) in Sadagora, as well as from villages in Halychyna (Galicia).

Early missionary activity

The Holy Trinity Russo Orthodox Church had therefore been established north of the present town-site of Smoky Lake in 1900. This foundation was in the context of the missionary work of the “Russian Orthodox Mission in North America”. This missionary venture had been established first in Alaska (when it was part of the Russian Empire) in order to care for the workers of the “Russian American Company”, and for the indigenous peoples of that region who embraced the Orthodox Christian Faith. The Mission developed its work through caring for immigrants, first to the USA, and then to Canada. The first missionaries were sent by Bishop Nicholas (Ziorov) from San Francisco, California, USA, to the area around Smoky Lake, and to many other parts of Western Canada and Eastern Canada.

Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada

However, some changes in attitude and sense of purpose began to develop in the region after the establishment of the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada (1918). A wave of Ukrainian nationalism had developed in Ukraine during the previous 2 decades, but this was stifled by political events there. A form of this nationalism found an outlet in Western Canada, as immigrants discovered that they had the freedom to form organisations and to determine the direction of their cultural expression. The complaint was that the culture and church of the Ukrainian people had been “russified” by the leadership in Moscow (referring to the Russian Empire). Those who accepted this wanted to have a distinctive Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and this led to the emergence of the Ukrainian Orthodox Brotherhood in Canada. From this lay organisation developed the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. This movement had a great deal to do with the use of the Ukrainian language in worship (instead of Church Slavonic), and also with the development of a more “egalitarian” (democratic) form of parish and church government than the people had previously experienced.

Establishment of the Ukrainian Orthodox parish, 1928

In the mid-1920s, several Ukrainian Orthodox communities were established (such as Saint John’s in Edmonton, Alberta, Saint Vladimir’s in Calgary, Alberta, and Holy Trinity in Calmar), Alberta.

Then, in 1928, those in Smoky Lake who had decided to participate in the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church formed their own parish, distinct from the Holy Trinity Church in Smoky Lake. They organised themselves, purchased property in the town, and then they constructed their own Temple.

Influence of rural depopulation

During the ensuing decades, the phenomenon of rural depopulation (caused mostly by the consolidation of small farms into larger operations) contributed to some increase in the population of Smoky Lake itself, and hence this parish. However, the majority of those who left their life of farming went to the larger urban centres, such as Edmonton, and others.

Millennium celebration, 1988

In 1988, celebrations of the Baptism of Rus' in Kyiv were held in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. It was at this time that the statue of Saint-Prince Volodymyr (Vladimir) was blessed. It was prominently displayed on the north side of the Holy Trinity Cathedral Temple.

Re-naming of the UGOCC, 1990

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

The UOCC entered into Eucharistic union with the Patriarchate of Constantinople, 1990

In 1990, the 18th Sobor of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada in Winnipeg, Manitoba, 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.

Holy Ascension Temple from the south

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. 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. 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.

Holy Ascension Ukrainian Orthodox Cemetery, 1930

After the establishment of the parish, the cemetery property was purchased south of the town.

The Holy Ascension Church Cemetery is located on SE 16-59-17-W4. The cemetery entrance is 1.85 km (1.2 mi) south of the 4-way stop in Smoky Lake along Secondary Road #855, and 250 m (273 yd) west on Township Road #592.

The cemetery contains more than 150 graves, and the headstones face eastwards. The earliest interments occurred in 1931.

Telephone : 780-367-3669

Cemetery entrance

Memorial stone at the cemetery

Particular parish information

This parish is a part of the Western Eparchy of the UOCC, in the Smoky Lake-Willingdon District. The bishop of the eparchy is Metropolitan Ilarion II (Rudnyk).

This parish follows the Old (Julian) Calendar.

The Altar Feast-day of this parish is the Feast of the Ascension of Christ (40 days after the Feast of Pascha).

In 2024, the pastor of the parish is the Priest Benny Ambrosie.

In 2024, the local contact person for the parish is John Roshko, at telephone 780-656-3665.

Address :

Holy Ascension Ukrainian Orthodox Church

3, White Earth Street

Smoky Lake, Alberta

T0A 3C0

(It is just north of the 4-way stop along Secondary Road #855 (50 Street).)

Directions :

The Temple is located at #3, White Earth Street, at the junction of White Earth Street and 50 Street in the Town of Smoky Lake.

From Edmonton :

The shortest distance from Edmonton is 113 km (70 mi), and the driving time is about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Drive northeast on the Fort Road and Manning Drive. Turn left (north) at Highway #28A. Drive north past Gibbons, now on Highway #28, to Redwater and continue to Smoky Lake. Turn right on 44 Avenue and drive to 50 Street. Turn left and drive 1 block to White Earth Street.

An alternative, somewhat longer route is to drive east from Edmonton on Highway #16 (Yellowhead) as far as Mundare. Turn left (north) on Highway #855, and drive to Andrew. At Highway #45, turn left (west) and drive to Highway #855. Turn right (north), and drive to Smoky Lake. The Temple is on the right after 44 Avenue.

Mailing address :

Holy Ascension Ukrainian Orthodox Church

P O Box 490

Smoky Lake

Alberta

T0A 3C0

Priest Benny Ambrosie

Telephone : (780) 476-7014

Fax : (780) 476-3666

Mobile : (780) 719-9619

E-mail : bambrosie@shaw.ca

Holy Ascension Temple

Winter sunrise

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 :

A Chronological History of the Archdiocese of Canada, Part I

“Collection of Material Relating to the 50th Anniversary of the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada, 1918-1968” (Winnipeg : Consistory of the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada, 1968).

“Our Legacy : History of Smoky Lake and area” by : (Smoky Lake, AB : Smoky Lake and District Cultural and Heritage Society, first edition, 1983) ASIN : B00442HI6O, 973 pp. (Available at Toronto Public Library & Marshall Wells, as DVD only.)

Russian Mission in North America

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.

Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Holy Ascension, Smoky Lake, Alberta parish listing

Orthodox World listing

Local directory of Smoky Lake churches

Holy Trinity Russo Orthodox Church and Cemetery, Smoky Lake, Alberta

Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada web-site

Western Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada

Wikipedia article about the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada

Orthodoxwiki article about the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada

Church of Constantinople web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about the Church of Constantinople