View source for Archpriest Alexander, Matushka Antonina Miroshnichenko



[[File:Archpriest Alexandr Miroshnitchenko 1.png]]

'''Archpriest Alexander Miroshnichenko (1878-1964)'''

and

'''Matushka Antonina Miroshnichenko (18__-19__)'''


Alexander may be spelt Alexandre, Aleksandr. 

Miroshnichenko may be spelt Miroshnitchenko, Mirochnitchenko.



(Based on the article in the Parish Newsletter of the Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral in Montréal, Québec, 1964)

==Early life of Alexander Miroshnichenko==

On 6 August, 1878, Father Alexander was born into a religious and patriarchal family in Western [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crimea Crimea], which was at that time in the Russian Empire.  

His father was the manager (“[https://ru.wiktionary.org/wiki/%D1%85%D0%BE%D0%B7%D1%8F%D0%B8%D0%BD khozyain]”, manager with high authority) of an estate near [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yevpatoria Yevpatoria], an ancient Greek settlement (Eupatoria) at the north end of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalamita_Bay Kalamita Bay].  

Alexander was [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Baptism baptised] and [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Chrismation chrismated], and raised as an [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Introduction_to_Orthodox_Christianity Orthodox Christian] within the bosom of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Church_of_Russia Russian Orthodox Church].  He received his primary and secondary education in his home region.  

==Higher education==

After his graduation from high school, Alexander entered the Churuyevo Military School. 

==Military service==

Upon graduation, he became an officer in the rank of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Russian_military_ranks#1722%E2%80%931917:_Army second lieutenant] in the [https://historica.fandom.com/wiki/125th_Kursk_Infantry_Regiment 125th Kursk Infantry Regiment], stationed in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rivne  Rovno], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volhynia_Governorate Volyn Province]. 

==World War I, 1914==

In 1914, World War I began.  The [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Empire Russian Empire], a member of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allies_of_World_War_I Entente] was with the other members at war with the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Powers Central Powers] (the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_Empire German Empire], the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austria-Hungary Austro-Hungarian Empire], the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottoman_Empire Ottoman Empire], and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsardom_of_Bulgaria_(1908%E2%80%931946) Kingdom of Bulgaria].   

With the rank of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Russian_military_ranks#1722%E2%80%931917:_Army staff captain], Alexander went to war with the regiment.  For his distinction, he was promoted to the rank of captain (“[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sotnik sotnik]”), and he was awarded the [https://leibstandart.com/catalog/ordea/cross-of-the-order-of-st-vladimir-4th-de/ Cross of Saint Vladimir with Swords].  

In 1916, due to illness, Captain Alexander Miroshnichenko was transferred to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyiv Kiev], and to the Konstantinovsk Military Infantry School, as a company commander.

==Bolshevik Revolution, 1919==

In 1919, the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/February_Revolution February Revolution] brought about the fall of the monarchy in the Russian Empire.  The [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/October_Revolution  October Revolution] of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bolsheviks Bolsheviks] overthrew the empire, and introduced the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marxism%E2%80%93Leninism Marxist-Leninist Communist system] which was developed thereafter. 

Thus began the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Civil_War  Russian Civil War] between the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communist_Party_of_the_Soviet_Union Communists] and the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_movement White Movement].  Alexander Miroshinchenko participated in the White Army that attempted to restore the empire.  

'''Displacement'''

At the end of 1919, Alexander was in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rostov-on-Don Rostov-on-Don] in the [https://ru-m-wikipedia-org.translate.goog/wiki/%D0%9D%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%BE%D1%87%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%BA%D0%B0%D1%81%D1%81%D0%BA?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp Novocherkassk Governorate].  

There, he was appointed as an educator in the [https://history-milportal-ru.translate.goog/iz-istorii-vladikavkazskogo/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp Vladikavkaz Cadet Corps], with which he was evacuated to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yalta Yalta].

==Emigration, exile, 1920==

Then, [https://www.rferl.org/a/black-baron-white-russia-exodus-crimea-1920-bolsheviks-wrangel-anniversary/30944456.html with the Crimean Cadet Corps formed there, he was evacuated] to the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Yugoslavia Kingdom of the Slovenes, the Croats, and the Serbs] ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yugoslavia Yugoslavia]). 

==Marriage==

At some time during these years, Alexander met his future wife Antonina, and they were [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Marriage crowned in marriage]. 

Subsequently, they received from the Lord 2 sons, Nikolai, and Konstantin.  

'''Theological education'''

While he was in Yugoslavia, Alexander received the blessing to do so, and he began theological studies in order to prepare for ordination.  

==Ordinations==

In 1926, Alexander was ordained to the Holy [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Deacon Diaconate], and then to the Holy [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Presbyter Priesthood] by [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Antony_(Khrapovitsky) Metropolitan Anthony (Khrapovitsky)] in Yugoslavia ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serbia Serbia]).

==Pastoral service==

Priest Alexander Miroshnichenko was assigned to serve a Serbian parish. 

In 1941 Father Alexander was assigned by [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Anastasy_(Gribanovsky) Metropolitan Anastasy (Gribanovsky)] to the Russian parish in Bechkerel, where he remained until 1950, when the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/League_of_Communists_of_Yugoslavia communist government] of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josip_Broz_Tito  Mr. J Tito] began its persecution of Russians.  Then he asked for the blessing to leave Yugoslavia.  

With the assistance of [https://www.rocorstudies.org/2023/09/05/bishop-leonty-bartosheivch/ Bishop Leonty (Bartashevich)] of Geneva, Father Alexander received a temporary assignment to the former Versailles Cadet Corps in France.  Afterwards, he received a parish assignment in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozoir-la-Ferri%C3%A8re Ozoir], where he served for 3 years. 

In October, 1953, his eldest son, Nikolai Alexandrovich (who had already emigrated to Canada), sponsored his immigration to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada Canada].  His son Konstantin had also already emigrated to Canada.  Even in the context of the sponsorship, their aim to bring their parents to Canada was thwarted for some time because of the advanced age of the parents.  

'''Transfer to Canada'''

Eventually, having received the blessing for the transfer and the travel, Father Alexander, Matushka Antonina emigrated from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europe Europe], and they sailed across the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_Ocean Atlantic Ocean] to Canada.  When they landed, they settled in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montreal Montréal], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec Québec].  

There, Father Alexander served 1 year in the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Russian_Orthodox_Church_Outside_Russia Synodal Church] (ROCOR) of [https://www.stnicholasmontreal.com/ Saint Nicholas in Montréal].  


[[File:St.-Nicolas-Church 2.jpg]]  

'''Saint Nicholas Church, Montréal'''


After that, he transferred to the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Orthodox_Church_in_America American “Metropolia”].  

Father Alexander served in the [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Montréal_QC_Saints_Peter_and_Paul_Russian_Orthodox_Sobor_1907 Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral] in Montréal, Québec, along with the rector, [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Mitred_Archpriest_Oleg_and_Matushka_Natalia_Boldireff Archpriest Oleg Boldireff].  In addition to his pastoral work at the cathedral, he travelled to various missionary communities, but most particularly to that of [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Quebec_QC_Holy_Trinity_Orthodox_Church_1950 Holy Trinity] (of which he was the first pastor) in Québec City, Québec.  


[[File:Saints_Peter_and_Paul_Cathedral_Montreal_2.png]]  

'''Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral, Montréal'''


[[File:HolyTrinityAnglicanCathedralQC 2.jpg]]  

'''Holy Trinity Anglican Cathedral, site of Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church, Québec City'''


From 1961, Father Alexander suffered an increase in illness due to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardiovascular_disease heart disease].  Unable to carry on in pastoral responsibility, he was given a medical leave of absence.

==Repose, 1964==

On Monday, 29 June, 1964, Archpriest Alexander Miroshnichenko fell asleep in the Lord in Montréal, Québec.  

Very early in the morning of 29 June, his condition had deteriorated sharply.  It became urgently necessary to transfer the patient to the hospital.  At Father Alexander’s urgent request, Father Kirill Fotiev was called to the hospital.  He administered the Holy Mysteries to Father Alexander.  Despite all the efforts of the doctors, it was not possible to save Father Alexander.  At 10 o’clock in the morning, he reposed in Christ.  Father Kirill was with the dying man, and he read the “Canon for the Departure of the Soul”.  

On Tuesday, 20 June, 1964, Father Kirill vested the newly-departed Archpriest Alexander in full vestments, and he performed the rite of “placing in the coffin”.  

On Wednesday, 21 June, 1964, the coffin with the body of Father Alexander was brought to [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Montréal_QC_Saints_Peter_and_Paul_Russian_Orthodox_Sobor_1907 Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral] in Montréal.  In the evening, a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Memorial_Services#Memorial_Services_with_Kollyva_Offerings Panikhida] (Memorial Service) was served for the newly-departed Archpriest Alexander.  Many of the spiritual children and admirers of the late priest gathered for this.  

On Thursday, 2 July, 1964, the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Memorial_Services#At_the_Eucharist Memorial] [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Divine_Liturgy Divine Liturgy] was served at Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral.  Afterwards, the [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/res/reading/funeral/Funeral_Bishop_or_Priest.pdf Funeral Service for the Burial of Presbyter] was served for the newly-departed Archpriest Alexander Miroshnichenko.  

As before, m any of the spiritual children and admirers of the late priest gathered for these service, including representatives from the community in Québec City, which Father Alexander had served until his health forced him to retire.  During the funeral service, Father Alexander’s coffin was covered with a tricolor (Russian) flag.  Despite the fact that it was a weekday, a full choir gathered for the funeral service.  It was led by the regent (director) [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Alexander_and_Tatiana_Kaminski A A Kaminsky].  

In his homily, Father Kirill Fotiev said that during the first half of his life, the deceased served his earthly fatherland with the rank of officer.  Then, in emigration, the Lord led him to serve the heavenly fatherland.  He said also that not only with his words, but with his whole life, Father Alexander had led his spiritual children towards this heavenly, ageless fatherland, in which the Lord had now prepared for him a crown of glory. 

After the end of the funeral service, while the choir was singing the irmos “Helper and Protector”, the coffin was carried out of the Saint Peter and Paul Cathedral. 

After the conclusion of the funeral obsequies, the coffin with the body of Archpriest Alexander Miroshnichenko was taken to Mont-Royal Cemetery in Montréal, where a [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/res/reading/memorial/Litya_for_the_Departed.pdf Funeral Litiya] was [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Memorial_Services#At_Gravesites_and_Commemorative_meals performed over the grave] where his body was interred.

==Reflections==

Archpriest Alexander Miroshnichenko served the Lord faithfully throughout his life in every capacity.  His personal attitude was such that he was an attentive and loving pastor.  People responded to his love with love.

Later, the parish newsletter’s published obituary concluded with the following :
  Expressing our heartfelt sympathy to the matushka, sons, and relatives of the 
  late Father Alexander, let us pray to the Lord that He may give rest to His 
  faithful servant in the abode of the righteous.

'''Award'''

[https://leibstandart.com/catalog/ordea/cross-of-the-order-of-st-vladimir-4th-de/ Cross of Saint Vladimir with Swords]

==Resources==

Kanadskii Pravolslavny Kalendar (Canadian Orthodox Calendar) (Toronto/Montréal : Archdiocese of Canada, 1965), pp. 60-61.  


'''Additional information :'''

[https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/639448/cimeti%C3%A8re-mont-royal Findagrave reference for Mount Royal Cemetery, Montréal, Québec]  

[https://www.stnicholasmontreal.com Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral, Montréal, Québec]  

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Montréal_QC_Saints_Peter_and_Paul_Russian_Orthodox_Sobor_1907 Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Sobor, Montréal, Québec]  

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Quebec_QC_Holy_Trinity_Orthodox_Church_1950 Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, Québec, Québec] 

[https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/108941254/alexandre-mirochnitcrenko Findagrave reference for Archpriest Alexandre Miroshnichenko]  

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Antony_(Khrapovitsky) Metropolitan Antony (Khrapovitsky)]  

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Anastasy_(Gribanovsky) Metropolitan Anastasy (Gribanovsky)]  

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Leonty_(Turkevich) Metropolitan Leonty (Turkevich)]  

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Nikon_(de_Grève) Archbishop Nikon (de Grève)]  

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Sylvester_(Haruns) Archbishop Sylvester (Haruns)]  

[https://www.rocorstudies.org/2023/09/05/bishop-leonty-bartosheivch/ Bishop Leonty (Bartoshevich)]  

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Mitred_Archpriest_Oleg_and_Matushka_Natalia_Boldireff Mitred Archpriest Oleg Boldireff] 

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archpriest_Cyril_Fotiev Archpriest Cyril (Kyrill) Fotiev]  

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Mother_Dorofea_(Mirochnitchenko) Mohter Dorofea (Mirochnitchenko)]  



[[Category:Clergy]]  [[Category:ROGCCNA]]  [[Category:ROCOR]]  [[Category:MP]]  [[Category:ADOCA]] [[Category:Quebec]]