Winnipeg MB Saint Demetrios the Myrrh-streamer Romanian Orthodox Church 1968

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Saint Demetrios the Myrrh-streamer Romanian Orthodox Church, 1968

Demetrios may be spelt Demetrius, Dimitrius, Dimitrie, Dmitry.

Prehistory of the community

The direct ancestry of this community is found within the first Romanian Orthodox Community in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, the Romanian Orthodox Church of Saint George, founded in 1963.

The main impetus in the establishment of that parish came from the large number of Romanian Orthodox Christians of the early immigrations who had moved from various rural parishes, mostly in Manitoba (principally the parish of Saint Elijah at Lennard, Manitoba), into the city of Winnipeg.

Establishment of the community, 1968

The establishment of the community of Saint Demetrios the Myrrh-streamer as a distinct entity came about with the arrival of newcomers from Romania, and a renewed interest in maintaining direct contacts with the Orthodox Church in Romania. There were concerns amongst the original founders regarding the Communist Government in power at that time in Romania, and the persecution of the Romanian Orthodox Church which had been in progress already for some time. These sensitivities resulted in a distinction between the 2 parts of the Romanian Orthodox community in Winnipeg.

Although the people remained cordial with one another, it was decided in 1968 that the part of the community which was of Saint George would belong to the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America (The Orthodox Church in America), and that the part which became that of Saint Demetrios would belong to the North American Diocese of the Romanian Orthodox Church.

This community was founded principally by members of the Holunga and Onofriechuck families.

In the 1968 “Credinta” (Faith) publication, Archimandrite Paulin (Popescu), was reported to have served the mission. His address was shown as Windsor, Ontario, as he was the administrator of the Canadian Deanery of the diocese.

In 1972 the mission was served by Priest Dumitru Diaconescu.

Prehistory of the parish building

Founded in 1913, the building was originally constructed for the All Souls Unitarian Church. It was designed by the well-known architect John Danley Atchison.

In 1958, the building was purchased by Saint Demetrios Orthodox Greek Orthodox Church.

Then, in 1973, the Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox community constructed a large, new Temple on Grant Avenue in Winnipeg.

Purchase of the Temple

In 1973, newly-founded Romanian Orthodox Community moved into the historic building.

Upon purchasing the property, the newly-founded Romanian Orthodox parish adjusted the original name and title to “Saint Demetrios the Myrrh-streamer Romanian Orthodox Church” (since the Greek Orthodox parish had built a new Temple, and had retained the same dedication).

It took some time for the community to gather resources to prepare the Temple for worship.

The Temple came to be well-known for its beautiful hand-carved Icon-screen (Altar-front) that was carved by 2 Romanian monks (Mihai (Morosan) and Gavriil (Morosan)) who had been flown into Canada at that time in order to hand-make the iconostas and icons for the Temple.

Sanctification of the Temple

In April, 1974, during Holy Week and Pascha, Archbishop Victorin (Ursache) was the first to serve in this Temple, which he also sanctified.

Archbishop Victorin and parishioners

The iconostas of the Temple

During 1974, the position of parish priest was listed as vacant. However, the 1974 and 1976 “Credinta” (Faith) reported that Priest Vasile Ignatescu served in Saint Dumitrios parish in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He would have been the priest present in the sanctification photograph, and active in the early development of the life of the parish.

An important detail of his years of service is that Father Vasile and Preateasa Georgette Ignatescu were involved with hosting pan-Orthodox parishioners from the Orthodox Christian fellowship during this decade. Later, they were transferred to Los Angeles, California, USA.

The 1975, “Credinta” (Faith) publication pictured the “Bucovina” dance group.

On 12 August, 1976, the “Winnipeg Free Press” published an article about the new iconostas which had been completed and blessed in the Temple of Saint Demetrios. The iconostas was carved in Romania and transported to Winnipeg, and the structure contains 60 hand-painted icons. These icons (and others in the Temple) were prepared locally in Winnipeg over the course of 6 months by 2 brothers, also monks, Fathers Mihai (Morosan), and Gavriil (Morosan).

Copy of the Winnipeg Free Press article photo

In 1977, Archimandrite Justinian (Dalea) was serving the parish.

In 1985, during Great Lent, Archbishop Victorin (Ursache) made a pastoral visit to the parish.

In 1986, the parish priest was Archpriest Victor Malanca.

At that time, the parish council president was N W Holunga, and the cantor was Terry Holunga.

On 31 October, 1993, Archbishop Victorin (Ursache) officiated the “Hram” (Altar-feast day) service. He was assisted by Archpriest Victor Malanca.

50 years

On Saturday, 2 November, 2025, Bishop Ioan-Casian (Tunaru), together with Father Victor Malanca, parish priest, on Saturday of the Souls, performed the service of commemoration for those who fell asleep in the Lord. All the reposed founders and benefactors were mentioned.

On Sunday, 2 November, 2025, Bishop Ioan-Casian (Tunaru) served the Divine Liturgy in the presence of Father Victor Malanca and the Faithful who came to pray and rejoice spiritually at this festive moment. The responses from the kliros were given by cantors Terry Holunga, and Dan Tuduriu.

Bishop Ioan-Casian, Father Victor, parishioners with festal certificates

Priests who have served in this parish

 Priest Vasile Ignătescu [Bujea, Eleanor, “Romanians in Canada”, p. 61]  
 Archimandrite Iustinian (Dalea) (1977) [Bujea, p. 54]  
 Priest Dumitru Bodale  
 Priest Johnny Tocari [Bujea, p. 85]  
 Priest Mircea Panciuk [Bujea, p. 75]  
 Priest Dumitru Diaconescu (1972) [Bujea, p. 75]  
 Archimandrite Jerome (Newville) 
 Priest Vasile Vasilachi [Bujea, p. 90] 
 Archpriest Victor Malanca was the parish priest from 1986-2026 [Bujea, p. 68]

Particular parish information

This parish is part of the Western Deanery of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada, of the Romanian Archdiocese of America and Canada. The Bishop is Bishop Ioan-Casian (Tunaru).

This parish follows the New (Revised Julian) Calendar.

The Altar Feast-day of this parish is the Feast of Saint Demetrios, the Myrrh-streamer, of Thessalonika, 27 October.

In 2026, the pastor of the parish was Archpriest Victor Malanka.

Address :

Saint Demetrios the Myrrh-streamer Romanian Orthodox Church

103, Furby Street

Winnipeg, Manitoba

R3C 2A4

Telephone : 204-775-6472

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Directions :

By air :

Winnipeg is accessible by various air lines via the Richardson Winnipeg International Airport.

By rail :

Winnipeg is accessible by rail through "Via Rail" at Union Station in Winnipeg.

By bus :

In Winnipeg, Saint Demetrios Romanian Orthodox Church is accessible by bus, through Winnipeg Transit, along Westminster Avenue, along Broadway Avenue, along Sherbrook Street, or along Maryland Street.

By car :

Winnipeg is accessible by road through Trans-Canada Highway #1 from the East or West ; by the Yellowhead Highway #16 from the West ; by Highway #6 from the North in Manitoba ; by Highway #75 or Highway #12 from the south (with connexions to the USA).

From the west, drive eastwards along Portage Avenue to the junction with Broadway Avenue ; veer to the right, and continue on Broadway Avenue until Furby Street. Turn right, and drive southwards for 2 blocks. The Temple is on the left at the corner of Furby Street and Westminster Avenue.

From the east, drive westwards along Highway #1 ; cross the Red Riveronto Main Street northwards ; at Broadway Avenue (Union Station on the right), turn left onto Broadway Avenue ; drive westwards on Broadway Avenue until Furby Street. Turn left, and drive south for 2 blocks. The Temple is on the left at the corner of Furby Street and Westminster Avenue.

From the north, drive southwards on Main Street ; pass the intersection with Portage Avenue ; at the corner with Broadway Avenue (Union Station on the left), turn right onto Broadway Avenue. Drive westwards on Broadway Avenue until Furby Street ; turn left, and drive south for 2 blocks. The Temple is on the left at the corner of Furby Street and Westminster Avenue.

From the south, drive northwards along Highway #75 and the Pembina Highway, until the junction with Highway #125. Continue straight on the Pembina Highway ; after Harrow Street, take the left turn on Stafford Street ; drive northwards on Stafford Street until Academy Road ; turn right onto Academy Road, and continue driving as it curves towards the northeast and crosses the Assiniboine River. Then, at Westminster Avenue, turn right onto Westminster Avenue. Drive to the east until Furby Street. The Temple is on the corner at the left.

Archpriest Victor Malanca

Telephone : 204-256-8288

E-mail : malancav@mts.net