Victoria BC Saint Alexander Nevsky Orthodox Mission 2019

Victoria, British Columbia : Saint Alexander Nevsky Orthodox Mission, 2019

Alexander may be spelt Aleksander, Aleksandr, Alexandre, Alexandros.

Evgeniy may be spelt Eugene, Evgueniy, Evgeny.

Foundation of the mission, 2019

Before 2019, there had arrived in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, a substantial number of Russian-speaking Orthodox Christians in immigration.

Although there were already several Orthodox Christian parishes active in and around Victoria, the newcomers (just as in most cases) felt a longing to be able to pray in the language in which they had lived their lives hitherto, in their homelands.

In 2019, a group of Russian Orthodox Faithful managed to organise themselves into a committee which founded and established the Saint Alexander Nevsky Orthodox Mission. Then, through the Dean of British Columbia, Mitred Archpriest Michael Fourik in Vancouver, British Columbia, they petitioned Archbishop Irénée (Rochon), Archbishop of Ottawa and Canada (The Orthodox Church in America) to bless the establishment of this mission.

Blessing of the mission ; assigning of the priest

Archbishop Irénée blessed the establishment of the mission. Then, on 25 August, 2020, Priest Evgeny Prokhin was released from Holy Martyr Peter the Aleut Church, Calgary, Alberta, and he was assigned as Priest-in-Charge of the new Saint Alexander Nevsky Mission in Victoria.

From that time, Father Evgeniy Prokhin and Matushka Natalia Prokhin began to live in Victoria and to serve the mission as they nurtured its development in Christ.

A suitable place of worship was found in the Roman Catholic Francophone Parish of Saint-Jean-Baptiste (Roman Catholic Diocese of Victoria). It is situated in the Gonzales neighbourhood, near Gonzales Beach and the Juan de Fuca Strait.

The first place of worship

Archpastoral visit, 2024

On Saturday, 22 June, 2024, Archbishop Irénée (Rochon) began a round of visits in the British Columbia Deanery with his archpastoral visit to the parish of All Saints of Alaska in Victoria.

From there, Vladyka Irénée went on to visit the Saint Alexander Nevsky Mission, Victoria (Fr Evgeniy Prokhin) ; Holy Apostle Barnabas Church, Comox (Fr Alexis Nikkel) ; Holy Transfiguration Monastery (Fr Gregory, Fr Samuel, and Monk Moses) in Lone Butte ; and then he served the Divine Liturgy for Holy Ascension at Holy Apostles Church, Chilliwack (Fr Matthew Francis).

Tonsure of a reader, 2025

In Edmonton, Alberta, on 9 November, 2025, a reader was tonsured for the community by Vladyka Irénée. This occurred at the 70th anniversary celebration of Holy Trinity Church in Edmonton.

Particular parish information

This Mission is part of the Deanery of British Columbia & Yukon of the Archdiocese of Canada, of The Orthodox Church in America. The Dean is Mitred Archpriest Michael Fourik. The bishop is Archbishop Irénée (Rochon).

This parish follows the Old (Julian) Calendar.

The Altar Feast-day of the parish is the Feast of Saint Alexander Nevsky, 23 November/6 December.

The services are offered in the Church Slavonic language.

In 2025, the Priest-in-Charge of the Mission is Priest Evgeniy Prokhin.

Please call the priest for specific information.

Place of Worship

St-Jean-Baptiste Paroisse Francaise

307, Richmond Avenue

Victoria, BC

V8S 3Y2

Mailing Address

Saint Alexander Nevsky Orthodox Mission

2888, Leigh Road

Victoria, British Columbia

V9B 4G3

E-mail : e.prokhin@gmail.com

Telephone 250-508-6828

Directions :

Victoria, British Columbia, is situated on Vancouver Island.

It is approached by air at Victoria International Airport.

It is approached by sea with BCFerries from Vancouver ; with FRS Clipper from Seattle, Washington, USA ; or with Black Ball Ferry from Port Angeles, Washington.

From northeasterly parts of Vancouver Island, Victoria is approached by road with the BC/Transcanada Highway #1 (between Nanaimo and Victoria) and BC Highway #19 (North of Nanaimo).

From westerly parts of Vancouver Island, Victoria is approached by the West Island (Sooke) Highway #14.

Nearby main roads include Fairfield Road, Foul Bay Road, and Crescent Road (an eastward extension of Dallas Road).

The Temple is located about 1 block north of Gonzales Bay, at the corner of Richmond Avenue and Lillian Road. .

By car :

From central Victoria : From Douglas Street (Highway #1) and Burdett Avenue, drive westerly on Burdett Avenue. At the junction of Burdett Avenue and Penwell Street, drive straight on, on Fairfield Road, past the Ross Bay Cemetery, until Richmond Avenue. Turn right on Richmond Avenue. The Temple is on the left, at Lillian Road.

From other parts of Vancouver Island, approach the city with Highway #1, and follow the previous directions.

From Sidney and BCFerries, approach Victoria by Highway #17 (Patricia Bay Highway), merge with Highway #1, and follow the previous directions.

By city bus :

Please consult BCTransit.

There is bus service along Fairfield Road and Crescent Road.

Priest Evgeniy Prokhin

E-mail : e.prokhin@gmail.com

Telephone : 250-508-6828