Winkler MB Christ the Saviour Orthodox Mission Station 2016

Winkler, Manitoba, Mission Station of Christ the Saviour, 2016

Prehistory

In about 2010, a few persons of Mennonite descent and formation discovered the Orthodox Christian Faith, and they began to attend the parish of Saint Nicholas in Narol, Manitoba, Canada (a 2-hour drive each way).

Their numbers slowly increased, and the Archpriest Gregory Scratch began to visit them and to pray with them in Winkler, Manitoba. Winkler, in southern Manitoba, is a region which was settled by many people of Mennonite origin.

Mission Station, 2016

In 2016, under the blessing of Archbishop Irénée (Rochon), this city became the home of a new mission-station, under the protection of the Church of Saint Nicholas in Narol, Manitoba.

2017 Archpastoral visit

On 3 June, 2017, during an archpastoral visit to Manitoba, Archbishop Irénée (Rochon), accompanied by the Priest Matthew Beynon and Deacon Nicolas Svetlovsky, made his way to Winkler to attend Vespers at the Mission Station of Christ the Saviour. The Vespers was served by the Archpriest Gregory Scratch, the rector of the Parish of Saint Nicholas in Narol.

The community in Winkler has been growing steadily since it was blessed to hold monthly services. The small chapel was appropriately adorned for the Feast of Pentecost. Vladyka Irénée noted in his sermon that it was only by the work of the Holy Spirit that a community such as this could be established ; and for it to continue to grow, it needed the work of its members, making evident the gifts of Holy Spirit throughout their whole lives. After the service, a traditional Mennonite feast was prepared for Vladyka. He took this opportunity to speak about life in the archdiocese, and about the many mission communities that have started in the last few years.

Archpastoral visit, Vespers

Pan-Orthodox Vespers, 2018

In March, 2018, the Winnipeg Orthodox Clergy Association (WOCA) celebrated 2 services in the Manitoba parish communities of southern Manitoba.

For the Sunday of the Holy Cross, the Mission Station of Christ the Saviour in Winkler hosted the first non-Winnipeg based WOCA service, with many clergy and Faithful from Orthodox Churches in Winnipeg making the two-hour road trip down south. It was a blessed service that was followed by a meal in the home of one of the mission's members.

On the Sunday of Saint Mary of Egypt, and the Feast of the Annunciation, the English community of Holy Trinity Sobor hosted the last of the Lenten Vespers series as they welcomed members of other Orthodox communities to what was the first home of Orthodoxy in Winnipeg (founded in 1904).

Archpastoral visit, 2019

On 16-19 August, 2019, Archbishop Irénée (Rochon) made an archpastoral visit to Winnipeg and to Winkler.

The Mission Station of Christ the Saviour in Winkler had the blessing of having Archbishop Irénée serve with them on the feast of the Icon Not Made by Hands (the altar feast-day of the Mission).

Making the hour and a half drive south to the community of Winkler, Vladika, the Archdiocesan Chancellor Archpriest Phillip and Matushka Barbra Eriksson joined Archpriest Gregory Scratch to be with the mission community of Christ the Saviour for their feast day. Unfortunately the space the community rents for services was not available to them, so a moleben and the Akathist to the Sweetest Lord Jesus was served at the home of Wesley and Inga Giesbrecht. Following the service a beautiful traditional Mennonite meal was served. The service and meal felt like a family gathering around their father and archpastor Vladika Irénée.

Archpastoral visit, 2019

Permanent and dedicated meeting place, 2020

In October, 2020, an agreement was signed in Winkler, Manitoba, which provided the Christ the Saviour Mission Station with a permanent meeting-place in the town. After several years of having met in various rented spaces, and being subject to limited meeting times, and having to assemble and disassemble the worship space each time, this was a major step forward.

The new space that was secured was at Unit #6 – 390, 1st Street in Winkler. The first Divine Liturgy was held in the new chapel on 14 November, 2020, on the feast of Saint Gregory Palamas.

Archpastoral visit to Winkler, 2023

On Holy Spirit Monday, 5 June, 2023, Archbishop Irénée (Rochon), Archpriest Gregory Scratch (priest in charge of the mission), and Deacon Denis Letunovsky (Saint Seraphim of Sarov Church, Rawdon, Québec), made the 90-minute drive from Winnipeg to serve a Moleben of Thanksgiving with the Faithful of Christ the Saviour Mission in Winkler, Manitoba.

Surrounded by many of the families of the mission (and their many, many children) Vladyka Irénée spoke about his wonder at seeing how the mission had grown from serving in a tiny and spartan converted garage, to a larger and beautifully adorned chapel space, truly a manifestation of the guiding and saving presence of the Holy Spirit.

He encouraged the mission Faithful to continue in their work, and he promised to return again and serve a Liturgy with them in thanksgiving to the Lord for His work in Winkler and the Pembina valley.

Following the Moleben, a barbeque was served at a parishioner's home, where the archbishop got to meet and talk with many of its members.

Archpastoral visit, 2023

Altar Feast for Christ the Saviour in Winkler, Manitoba, 2023

Although the Mission Church of Christ the Saviour at Winkler, Manitoba, had been meeting at various locations for a few months (after they were deprived of access to their previous dedicated space) their desire to serve the Lord was not quenched. This desire was manifested in the celebration of the festal Vespers for their Altar feast (Icon of Christ Not Made by Hands). A local Protestant church was secured, in which a service could be held ; and clergy and Faithful from other Orthodox parishes joined them for the evening of thanksgiving. Attending the service were : Archpriest Gregory Scratch (priest in charge of the Mission) ; Archpriest Anthony Estabrooks (Holy Trinity Sobor, Winnipeg) ; Igumen Vladimir (Lysak) ; Priest William Rettig (Holy Resurrection-Saint Nicholas Church, Fargo, North Dakota, USA).

Father William and his family's participation in this feast was a particular blessing. Although Fargo, North Dakota, is only a little farther away from Winkler than is Winnipeg, it is significant that it is in a different country, a different diocese, with a different bishop. Thus, this family's presence manifested the unity of our Faith and Church that stretches across this continent. Their presence was an encouragement that could help a mission community understand that they are part of something beyond Manitoba, indeed part of the universal Orthodox Church. Father William gave a beautiful homily (while holding his young son) about the iconographic tradition of this feast, and its profound importance for our witness of Orthodoxy.

Father William Rettig homily

Following the service, a bountiful feast of traditional Mennonite food was shared.

Priest William Rettig ; Igumen Vladimir (Lysak) ; Archpriest Gregory Scratch

Like most missionary communities in Canada (or anywhere), there are many challenges and obstacles to be faced and overcome in the Lord in order to enable the Light of Christ to shine and be visible in the region.

Particular parish details

This mission parish is part of the Deanery of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and 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 community follows the New (Revised Julian) Calendar.

The Altar Feast-day of this mission is the Feast-day of the “Image Not Made By Hands” (Third Feast of the Saviour, in August), 16 August.

In 2025, the pastor of the community was the Archpriest Gregory Scratch.

Address :

Mission Station of Christ the Saviour

Unit #6 – 390, 1st Street

Winkler, Manitoba

R6W 2R6

Telephone : 204-362-1372

Web-site : http://orthodoxwinkler.com

Facebook page

E-mail : christthesaviourwinkler@gmail.com

Please call the priest for specific details.

Directions :

The place of worship is found near the intersection of 1st Street (Highway #32) and Railway Avenue South in Winkler, Manitoba.

From Provincial Trunk Highway #75, turn west at Provincial Trunk Highway #14.

From Provincial Trunk Highway #14 (Road #13 NW), turn south on Highway #32, past the railway. The meeting-place is on the right.

Mailing Address :

Mission Station of Christ the Saviour, Winkler

114, Noble Avenue

Winnipeg, Manitoba

R2L 0J6

Archpriest Gregory A Scratch

114, Noble Avenue

Winnipeg, Manitoba

R2L 0J6

Telephone (home) : 204-504-8792

Mobile : 204-890-8057

E-mail : priestgregoryscratch@gmail.com

Reflections

Winkler is a small city with a population of 10,670 (2011 federal census) located in southern Manitoba, in the Rural Municipality of Stanley. It is 100 km (62 mi) southwest of Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Winkler is the largest city in the Pembina Valley, and it serves as a regional hub for commerce, agriculture and industry. The city was established in 1874 by Mennonite immigrants.