Victoria BC Saint Sophia Russian Orthodox Church 1989
Victoria, British Columbia : Saint Sophia Russian Orthodox Church, 1989
Sophia may be spelt Sofia.
Prehistory
The official history regarding the development of the Russian Orthodox Christian community in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, may be found here.
In the late 1970s, as there was as yet no permanent Orthodox parish in Victoria. However, Orthodox Christians who lived in and near Victoria would travel occasionally by ferry in order to attend Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church in Vancouver, British Columbia.
During these travels, many met and became acquainted with Prince Nikita Galitzine and his English wife, Princess Eve Galitzine (born Pryor), who themselves made the voyage from Victoria to Vancouver, in order to attend this parish of the Canadian diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR). The priest of that parish in those days was the Archpriest Vladimir Chekanovsky, and he gave a warm welcome to the growing Victoria contingent on behalf of what had become their “home parish”.
Archpriest Vladimir Chekanovsky, 1986
Prince Nikita, Princess Eve Galitzine
For interest, Prince Nikita Sergeievich Galitzine was born 15 February, 1912, in Doljik, Kharkov Governorate, Russian Empire. This village is now in the Podgorensky County of the Voronezh Province of the Russian Federation. He was the son of Duke Sergei Dmitrievitch Galitzine and Countess Zoya Nikolayevna Galitzine (born Comper). The Galitzine family name has many spellings. Galitzine is French ; but there is also Golitsyn, Golitzin, Galitzin, Galitsin, or instance. Prince Nikita considered that he was #500 in the line of nobility since Prince Andrey Andreyevich Golitsyn (d. 1638), in Moscow. However, the family's origins extended to Prince Gediminas (d. 1341). Prince Nikita Galitzine reposed in the Lord on 24 August, 2003.
Princess Eve Galitzine was born Blanche Evalyn (Eve) Marion Pryor, in 1908, in Loughton, Essex, England. She was the daughter of the Honourable John Arthur Pryor (MP) and Blanche Marion Burrell Pryor. Eve reposed in Christ on the Feast of the Transfiguration, 19 August, 1993.
Since the church services were in Church Slavonic, both the Canadian non-Orthodox visitors naturally gravitated to Prince Nikita, or to Princess Eve (herself a British convert) to the Faith, of whom they would ask questions regarding the services, and about the Orthodox Christian Faith. This was necessary, because at that time there was very limited material available to be read in English.
When they were able, the Faithful would travel to Vancouver on Sundays and on Feast Days. Eventually, in 1986, Father Vladimir gave them the blessing to gather at certain homes, and to offer Reader’s Services, when people were unable to go to Vancouver. During the next 4 years, many Victorians were baptised and/or married in the Orthodox Church at Holy Trinity Church in Vancouver.
In 1985, during an archpastoral visit to Holy Trinity Church in Vancouver, Archbishop Vitaly (Ustinov) of Canada personally chose a parishioner from the Victoria congregation, John Adams, to begin the training of becoming our priest.
During these years, Princess Eve, a gifted and experienced church iconographer herself, began teaching a few Victoria parishioners (including John Adams) the Byzantine art of painting icons. In time, this project flourished, and it resulted in the adorning of the present Temple as seen now, with icons and mosaics.
Metropolitan Vitaly with Princess Eve
Formal establishment of the Saint Sophia parish, 1986, 1989
As has happened with many communities, the missionary group continued its regular life of worship, prayer, and service for a long time before it was ready to become visibly, formally, and legally established. In the case of this parish, in 1986, it was legally incorporated (as most parishes do, through the Provincial Societies Act as not-for-profit entity), and had adopted a set of by-laws that were acceptable both to the Diocese of Montréal and Canada (Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia).
Then the official registration as a Crown charity with the Canada Revenue Agency was accomplished.
In the earlier days, the parish (along with other Western Canada parishes) was cared for pastorally by the ROCOR Diocese of San Francisco and Western America.
Parish name of dedication
This particular parish is dedicated, in fact, to Divine Wisdom (in Greek, "Sophia"). This means that the dedication of the parish is to Jesus Christ the Lord Himself. Parishes dedicated to Christ celebrate on various feast-days of the Saviour throughout the year. In this parish, it is the third Feast of Christ in August, the Feast of the Icon of the Saviour not Made by Hands.
Icon of Christ Not Made By Hands
English language services
Metropolitan Vitaly (Ustinov) and Archpriest Vladimir Chekanovsky insisted all the Divine Services to be in the native English language English language] of Canada. He stated that this was the methodology of the Holy Apostles : to establish churches in the language of the people's country. Therefore, Canada needed an English-language Orthodox parish.
Upon hearing the Divine Liturgy for the first time in English, Prince Nikita Galitzine (formerly of Russia) joyfully commented on how amazed he was actually to be able to follow and to understand the whole Divine Liturgy, word-for-word.
Thus, this parish became the first of all the parishes in the Diocese of Montreal and Canada of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia to offer services in the English language.
First pastor
The first and founding pastor of the parish of Saint Sophia was Archpriest John Adams. After many years of training and serving in Vancouver, on 2 September, 1991, the Deacon John Adams was ordained to the Holy Priesthood, and he was assigned to serve the parish of Saint Sophia in Victoria.
Metropolitan Vitaly, Archpriest Vladimir, Father John
During the next 10 years, Father John and his wife, Matushka Alexandra, opened their own home to serve as a mission church for the services, and on all the Feast days.
In addition to his responsibilities, during his 33 years of pastoral service, he personally beautified the Temple of Saint Sophia with many icons made by the mosaic method.
Father John in the lower chapel
Current Temple
In 1999, the founders of the parish, Prince and Princess Galitzine, secured the purchase of a former Protestant building (constructed in 1912) for permanent use as an Orthodox Christian Temple in which to worship the Lord in the Orthodox manner. The existing ramp was already in existence at the time of purchase. It gives access to the main door of the Temple straight from May Street.
It is situated at the junction of Joseph and May Streets, and there is on-street parking available.
The location of the Temple makes it easy to find.
The Temple at Joseph and May Streets
For almost 7 years after the purchase, various renovations were required, particularly to the upper level, in order to bring the building up to the strict city building codes. Therefore, the weekly and festal services were held in the basement chapel of the church building during this time. The renovation was enabled by numerous fundraisers organised by parishioners.
In late 2006, it was with great joy that the parish officially moved upstairs into the renovated Temple. Since that time, further adornment has continued to beautify the Lord's House in a manner befitting the glory of God.
Afterwards, the little basement chapel became the parish mosaics studio.
Father John, blessing
Other activities
In addition to regular worship, the parish offers an abundance of educational resources for the young, for long-term Orthodox Christians, for newly-arrived Orthodox Christians, and for enquirers. The primary concern is the healthy spiritual development of everyone.
The parish has a sisterhood which supports the parish family in various ways, and which gives support to the needy.
The parish offers a monthly, digital newsletter, “Sophia”.
The Temple interior at Pascha
Reconciliation of the ROCOR and the Moscow Patriarchate, 2007
On the Feast of the Ascension of Christ (17 May, 2007), Metropolitan Laurus (Škurla), along with many of the clergy of the ROCOR, participated in the signing of the “Act of Canonical Communion” in Moscow, Russia. Together with this signing, Metropolitan Laurus (Škurla) participated in serving the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy with the Patriarch of Moscow, Aleksey II (Ridiger), at Christ the Saviour Cathedral in Moscow.
Metropolitan Laurus and Patriarch Aleksey sign the Act of Reconciliation
Metropolitan Laurus, Patriarch Aleksey
60 years : 2014 ; Archpastoral visitation by Archbishop Gabriel (Chemodakov)
By May, 2014, 60 years had passed since the establishment of the Holy Trinity Parish of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR) in Vancouver, British Columbia. This anniversary was marked by the Holy Trinity parish on the day of the Holy Trinity, the Feast of Pentecost (the Feast of the Descent of the Holy Spirit), which is the patronal feast-day of the Temple. For this event, the patronal feast and parish anniversary, the ruling bishop of the Diocese of Canada, Archbishop Gabriel (Chemodakov) of Montréal and Canada visited Vancouver.
On the eve and on the day of the Holy Day of Pentecost, Archbishop Gabriel presided at the celebration of all the services. On the day of the Holy Trinity, 8 June, Vladyka celebrated the Divine Liturgy, followed by Great Vespers for the Day of the Holy Spirit, and he lead the Cross-procession around the Temple. At the Lesser Entrance of the Divine Liturgy, by decree of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia the archbishop awarded Archpriest Serge Overt, the right to wear a pectoral Cross with jewels. Father Overt had already been the rector of many years, and Dean of the parishes of the western part of the Diocese of Canada. At the end of the service, Archbishop Gabriel read the Gramota of Blessing (an honourary certificate) that was bestowed to the entire parish by the Synod of Bishops to commemorate the 60 years of its existence.
Temple interior, 2024
Mosaic, entrance to the Temple
Mosaic dome, Temple interior
Election of a new First Hierarch, 2022
On 13 September, 2022, at the Meeting of the Holy Synod of Bishops in New York, Bishop Nicholas (Olhovsky) was elected to be First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia. He was to be elevated to the dignity of Metropolitan, and to be the ruling bishop of the Diocese of Eastern America and New York.
On 14 September, 2022, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church approved his election.
On 17 September, 2022, he was elevated to the dignity of metropolitan in the New York Synodal Cathedral of the Sign of the Theotokos.
On 18 September, 2022, Metropolitan Nicholas (Olhovsky) was assigned by the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church to be First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia.
He was later elected to serve as a Member “ex officio” of the Presidium of the Inter-Council Presence of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Enthronement
On Sunday, 18 September, 2022, Metropolitan Nicholas (Olhovsky) was enthroned by the bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR) as Archbishop and Metropolitan of New York and the Diocese of Eastern America, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia. The enthronement took place during the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy in the Sign of the Theotokos Cathedral in New York City, New York. A video of the enthronement service may be found here.
Bereavement, 2024
On Monday, 12 August, 2024, Archpriest John Adams fell asleep in the Lord in hospital in Victoria. He was prepared spiritually for his departure to the Lord by Priest Philosoph Uhlman. Besides administering sacramental support, Father Philosoph also led other prayers in the hospital room, including the Prayers at the Departure of the Soul.
On Thursday, 15 August, 2024, at 6:00 p.m., a panikhida (Memorial Service) was offered by Priest Philosoph Uhlman at Saint Sophia's Russian Orthodox Church.
On Friday, 16 August, 2024, the Memorial Divine Liturgy was served at Saint Sophia's Russian Orthodox Church. After a pause, the Funeral Service for the Burial of a Priest was served for Father John Adams.
Following the funeral obsequies, the body of Archpriest John Adams was interred at the Royal Oak Burial Park (Section T).
Royal Oak Burial Park
The Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia has been based on the mission of preserving the loyalty of the Russian Orthodox Christians in exile, the Russian Orthodox Church, and the Russian Orthodox spiritual culture. This mission has been carried out and executed in daily life in Temples, schools, and homes, and in the concern about preserving the Russian spiritual life as far as possible in a non-Russian environment.
The missionary expression of this intention may be found in this parish. The ecclesiastical life of the parish is based on the services and the sacraments which help them to grow spiritually. The parishioners are Canadians. It is true that they are blessed with the richness of including some multi-cultural ethnicities, but they understand that they are truly and simply Orthodox Christians.
Particular parish information
This parish is part of the Diocese of Montréal and Canada of the Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR). The bishop is Archbishop Gabriel (Chemodakov).
This parish follows the Old (Julian) Calendar.
The Altar Feast-day of the parish is the Feast of the Icon of Christ Not Made by Hands, 16/29 August. However, should this date fall on a week-day, it is transferred to the nearest Sunday. This is not an unusual practice, since in many cases, the Divine Liturgy may be served on the actual day, but an extra observation is made on a Sunday.
In 2025, the rector is Priest Philosoph Uhlman.
The deacons are : Protodeacon Gordian Bruce ; Deacon Olexandr Savytskyi.
Regular services (in English) :
Saturday, 5:00 p.m., Vigil
Sunday, 10:00 a.m., Divine Liturgy
195, Joseph Street
Victoria
British Columbia
V8S 3H6
Telephone : 250-580-1057
Web-site : https://saintsophia.ca/
E-mail : stsophiaparish@gmail.com
Directions :
Victoria, British Columbia, is situated on Vancouver Island.
It is approached by air at Victoria International Aeroport.
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.
Saint Sophia Church is situated at the corner of Joseph and May Streets in Victoria.
Priest Philosoph Uhlman, Rector
Telephone : 250-580-1057
Priest Philosoph Uhlman
Parish sign
References
Additional information :
Archdiocese of Montréal and Canada web-site (in Russian)
Archdiocese of Montréal and Canada web-site (in English)
The Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia web-site
Orthodoxwiki article about the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia
Wikipedia article about the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia
Orthodox Church of Russia web-site
Orthodoxwiki article about the Russian Orthodox Church
Patriarch Aleksey II (Ridiger)
Metropolitan Antony (Khrapovitsky)
Metropolitan Anastasy (Gribanovsky)
Metropolitan Philaret (Voznesensky)
Metropolitan Hilarion (Kapral)
Metropolitan Nicholas (Olhovsky)
Archbishop Gabriel (Chemodakov)
An accurate biography of Prince Nikita Golitzine may be found in the book "The Silver Prince" by Alexey Tolstoy and Nikita S Galitzine] (Trafford Publishing, 2007) ISBN : 9781412090841.
Holy Resurrection Russian Orthodox Sobor, Vancouver, British Columbia
Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church (ROCOR) in Vancouver, British Columbia
Saint Nicholas the Wonder-worker Russian Orthodox Church, Vancouver, British Columbia
Russkymir article about the Russian diaspora in Venezuela
Wikipedia article about the Russian Diaspora
Canadian Encyclopaedia article about Russian Canadians
Wikipedia article about Russian Canadians
Mapquest reference for Saint Sophia Orthodox Church
Saint Sophia Orthodox Church Newsletter
Orthodoxwiki list of Orthodox parishes in British Columbia
Act of Reconciliation of the ROCOR and the Moscow Patriarchate (2007)
90th Anniversary of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad (2010)
Robert Amos : 'Bringing high art to a house of worship' in "Times Colonist" (8 December, 2016).
‘The Sisterhood and other Parish News’ in “Sophia Newsletter”, issue no. 115 (November, 2021), p. 5.
Election of Metropolitan Nicholas (Olhovsky) new First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (18 September, 2022)
‘History of the Parish’ in “Sophia Newsletter”, issue no. 135 (September, 2023), p. 3.