View source for Desjarlais AB Saint Nicholas Russo Orthodox Church and Cemetery 1917


[[File:St Nicholas Church Desjarlais AB.jpg]]

'''Desjarlais, AB, Church and Cemetery of Saint Nicholas, 1917'''


==Prehistory==

The first recorded settlers in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willingdon,_Alberta Willingdon], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two_Hills,_Alberta Two Hills], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vegreville Vegreville] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vilna,_Alberta Vilna] areas of [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/alberta/ Alberta], [https://www.britannica.com/place/Canada Canada], was in the early 1800s.  At that time, this region was part of the [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/north-west-territories-1870-1905 North-West Territories].  The settlers were [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hudson's_Bay_Company Hudson's Bay Company] [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/fur-trade-in-canada-plain-language-summary?gclid=Cj0KCQjwof6WBhD4ARIsAOi65ah1kJa7lLR-QC6c_KeJ08uMoRW5-xlrwnzxhStd4vaM_O2u-Bia2OAaAm9_EALw_wcB fur-traders].  After the fur-traders came the [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/north-west-mounted-police/ Northwest Mounted Police] (NWMP), and the [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/metis/ Métis].  These were followed by some American ranchers.  

The first recorded European immigrants were mainly from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romania Romanian] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukraine Ukrainian] parts of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austria-Hungary Austro-Hungarian Empire].  In 1896, Prime Minister [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/sir-wilfrid-laurier/ Sir Wilfred Laurier's] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1896_Canadian_federal_election Liberal government] was keen on [https://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/publications/002/015002-2210-e.html settling the west], and they thus welcomed immigration with open arms.  Therefore, by the later 1890s and early 1900s, the [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/northwest-territories/ Northwest Territories] (Alberta became a province only in 1905) were rapidly becoming populated with non-indigenous immigrants.  Lakes and rivers played an important role in determining where settlements were established.  There were as yet no roads, but only ancient paths and trails.  Ferries and boats were used for river transport of people, supplies, and such.  Eventually, bridges began to be built across the rivers.  The Desjarlais river crossing of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Saskatchewan_River North Saskatchewan River], complete with a cable ferry, began to operate in about 1910.  It was operated under the jurisdiction of the Alberta provincial government until 1964. 

One of the first settlers in [https://www.roadonmap.com/ca/where-is/Desjarlais,alberta Desjarlais] was [https://www.ancestry.ca/genealogy/records/daniel-desjarlais-hawk_25376829 Daniel Desjarlais], a Métis gentleman.  He had a trading post on the south side of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Saskatchewan_River North Saskatchewan River] at the ferry crossing.  A post office was established on 1 December 1903, and Daniel Desjarlais became the first postmaster.  The Desjarlais school district came into being in 1910.

The pioneers came to Canada for the opportunity to own their own land, to create a better life for their families, and ultimately to enable their children to receive an education.  They came with nothing but physical stamina, big dreams, big hearts filled with devout faith in [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Jesus_Christ Jesus Christ], their Lord and Saviour.  Such was the foundation of the province. It is for this principal reason that a church was vital to these new Canadians.  Their faith and their worship sustained them through all their trials and tribulations, and for this reason the Temple of the Lord was one of the first institutions to be erected in a community. 

The principal foundation of this rural community that now surrounds the Temple of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Nicholas_of_Myra Saint Nicholas], Desjarlais, was made by people who had immigrated from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romania Romanian] province of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bukovina Bucovina] and then settled in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/County_of_Two_Hills_No._21 Two Hills] region of Alberta.  The majority of the settlers had originated in the Village of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boiany Boian], near [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chernivtsi Cernăuți] in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chernivtsi_Oblast Chernivtsi province] of [https://www.britannica.com/place/Ukraine Ukraine], which is northern Bucovina.  This part of Bucovina-[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moldavia Moldavia] was of mixed Romanian and Russian-Ukrainian speakers, which before [https://www.britannica.com/event/World-War-I World War I], was a part of the [https://www.britannica.com/place/Austria-Hungary Austro-Hungarian Empire].  In this environment, there was considerable pressure on Orthodox Christians to become united to the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Church Roman Catholic Church], and employment opportunities were limited.  These were reasons for people to accept the offers presented by Canadian agents who were persuading people to become farmers and workers in Canada.  Some stopped in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Canada Eastern Canada], but most continued on to the west, to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Canada Western Canada].  

It was this part of Bucovina that was severed as one result of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molotov%E2%80%93Ribbentrop_Pact Molotov-Ribbentrop pact] between [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Stalin Mr. J Stalin] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regions_of_Europe the western European] powers before [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II World War II].  The whole province was then divided so that [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romanian_language Romanian speakers] were living within the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukrainian_Soviet_Socialist_Republic Soviet Union] (USSR), in [https://www.britannica.com/place/Ukraine Ukraine], and they were pressed to speak [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukrainian_language Ukrainian].  There were also some Ukrainian speakers who then lived in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romania Romania], and who were pressed to speak Romanian.  Previously, they had all lived together without this pressure and division of families.  

The development of the parish of Saint Nicholas was a development also from the Temple of [[Boian AB Romanian Orthodox Church and Cemetery of Saint Mary 1901 |Saint Mary]] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boian,_Alberta Boian], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberta Alberta], northeast of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmonton Edmonton].  

Other places settled by Romanians were [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ispas,_Alberta Ispas], [https://www.geodata.us/canada_names_maps/maps.php?featureid=IAIEJ&f=262 Shepenge], Midway, Malin, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamlin,_Alberta Hamlin], Desjarlais, [https://www.geodata.us/canada_names_maps/maps.php?featureid=IAHJP&f=262 Shalka], Borowich, Zhoda, [https://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMCE09_Soda_Lake Soda Lake] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smoky_Lake Smoky Lake].  Families with the name of Esak, Iftody, Isaac, Isak are amongst the families in this community, as well as Shukalek.

==Founding the parish, 1917==

[http://www.prairiesouls.com/Desjarlais,%20AB%20-%20St%20Nicholas%20Cemetery/Mycemetery-104.htm Simeon Menzak] was one of the founding members of the parish of Saint Nicholas in Desjarlais.  Simeon came to Canada from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukraine Ukraine] with his wife and daughters in 1908, and he settled in this region.  Shortly after their arrival, one of the young daughters died and was buried on a plot of land that would eventually become the [https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2587521/saint-nicholas-greek-orthodox-cemetery Desjarlais Cemetery].  Simeon was strongly concerned that a Temple be built there.

Although there were other established Temples in the area ([[Shandro AB Holy Assumption (Dormition) Russo Orthodox Church and Cemetery 1899 |Shandro]], [[Stary Wostok AB Holy Trinity Russo Orthodox Church and Cemetery 1897 |Old Wostok]], [[Boian AB Romanian Orthodox Church and Cemetery of Saint Mary 1901 |Boian]]), the Desjarlais community felt the need for their own Temple nearby.  Besides, “in the area” at that time nevertheless a meant a long journey by horse.  The first meeting was held on 1 March, 1917, which resulted in the foundation of the parish community.  The following persons became the founders at that time :
  Michailo Chornohus ; Tofan Chornohus ; Metro Demko ; Todor Elchuk ; Patraki Esak ; Iwan Fyka ; 
  Wasel Karbashewski ; Metro Koroluk ; Alex Menzak ; Simeon Menzak ; Iwan Patroniuk ; Dioneziu Strynadka ; 
  George Strynadka ; Hrysko Strynadka ; Makary Strynadka ; Tanasie Strynadka ; Vasileka V Strynadka.  
The first executive consisted of :
  Chairman, Simeon Menzak ; Secretary-Treasurer, Makary Strynadka ; Trustee, Iwan Patroniuk.

Soon afterwards, in the spring of 1917, construction began.  Stephen Gudzowaty was contracted to build the Temple.  The Greek domes style of architecture was chosen.  The parishioners cut, squared and hauled logs with teams of horses.  With teams of horses and wagons, rocks were brought in to the site for making the foundation.  The ladies of the community spun yarn and they embroidered cloths and they wove tapestries to adorn the interior of the Temple.  

==Construction of the Temple, 1918==

In early 1918, the construction of the Temple was completed.  Then, on the spring Feast-day of Saint Nicholas, on 22 May, 1918, Father Gregory Soroka sanctified the Temple.  The parish was incorporated on 10 December, 1918, as :  “St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church of Desjarlais”.  It was on 31 July, 1919, that the parish received the title to the 40 acres of land at the land description site NE 1/4 9-57-14-W4.  It was registered under : “An Ordinance Respecting the Holding of Lands in Trust for Religious Societies and Congregations”.

In a book published in 1990 by the Willingdon History Book Committee called “Early Foundations : Willingdon and Area History” (see http://www.afhs.ab.ca/aids/localhistory/localhist_w.html), it is written :
  The unique thing about this incorporation is that since (its) members were Russo Orthodox, Ukrainian Orthodox,
  and Romanian Orthodox they chose to incorporate it as Greek Orthodox and any clergy of any Orthodox 
  denomination were allowed to serve in the church. 
This statement about anyone’s being able to serve there is not precisely the case (because of Orthodox Church discipline).  However, because the parish of Saint Nicholas, Desjarlais and that of Saint Mary in Boian are near to each other, and because of the significant Romanian presence in this community, there has always been a close relationship between the families of these parishes.  However, it is true that it is unusual that a parish which serves 3 different national groups could have a priest visit or be assigned to serve in this parish and use one or all 3 languages ; but the serving required and still requires the blessing of the diocesan bishop.  

The bell-house just northwest of the Temple is quite similar in style (but different in construction material) to the one at [[Sunland AB Holy Trinity Russo Orthodox Church and Cemetery 1905 |Holy Trinity Church, Sunland]].  This sort of bell-house reflects the presence of Romanians in the community. 

==Move to the Moscow Patriarchate Parishes in Canada, 1975==

In 1975, the [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archpriest_Michael_and_Matushka_Tatiana_Andruchow Archpriest Michael Andruchow] suddenly fell asleep in the Lord.  Because the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Archdiocese_of_Canada Archdiocese of Canada] suffered from a shortage of available priests at that time, and because the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriarchial_Parishes_in_Canada Parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate] had available priests who were brought from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet_Union Soviet Union] to serve, the parishioners accepted services from this administration from 1975 until 1984.  

In 1980, the Temple was designated as a “Local Historical Site” by the Alberta Government’s [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberta_Culture_and_Tourism Department of Culture] and the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/County_of_Two_Hills_No._21 County of Two Hills].  Grants were received in order to repair the Temple and to restore it to its original condition.

==Return to the Archdiocese of Canada, 1984== 

It was by 1984 that [https://www.uocc.ca/clergy/the-very-rev-archpriest-stephen-keaschuk/ Archpriest Stephen Keaschuk] in [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/edmonton Edmonton] was available to care for several rural parishes by driving from the city.  After that, the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Archdiocese_of_Canada Archdiocese of Canada] was able to provide the necessary clergy. 

In 1987, the parish of Saint Nicholas joined the “Lakeland Mission”.  This was part of an attempt within the [http://archdiocese.ca Archdiocese of Canada] to group together the now small rural communities.  The purpose was multiple.  This grouping enabled several parishes together to contribute towards the compensation of a priest to serve them.  It moved the language of service towards the greater use of the English language.  It provided more mutual support as the parishioners began to travel from Temple to Temple along with the priest.  It enabled some more efficient Christian education, both of adults and children.  It was because the members of the parish of Saint Nicholas were concerned about the inability of their younger members who could not speak Ukrainian or Romanian, and their hope that a proper understanding of worship would help them to grow in the Faith that encouraged them to make this commitment.  

==1992 : 75 years==

In 1992, the parish celebrated its 75th anniversary, and in 2007, it celebrated its 90th anniversary.

==100th Anniversary, 2017==


[[File:20170611 Desjarlais 100thAnn s2.jpg]] '''Entrance of Vladyka Irénée'''


On Sunday 11 June, 2017, [[Archbishop Irénée (Rochon)]] celebrated the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at Saint Nicholas Church, [https://www.archdiocese.ca/articles/100th-anniversary-celebration-st-nicholas-church-desjarlais-alberta on the occasion of the centennial anniversary of the founding of the parish].  Concelebrating with Vladyka Irénée were the [https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/bishop-priest-ryan Priest R Tikhon Bishop], [https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/power-archimandrite-gerasim  Archimandrite Gerasim (Power)], [https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/nikolaev-archpriest-nikolai Archpriest Nikolai Nikolaev], [https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/friesen-archpriest-daniel-glen Priest Daniel Friesen], [https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/prokhin-priest-evgeny Priest Evgeny Prokhin], [https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/isaac-protodeacon-jesse Protodeacon Jesse Isaac], [https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/svetlovsky-priest-nicolas-p Deacon Nicolas Svetlovsky], and [https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/berglund-priest-kolin Deacon Kolin Berglund].

During the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/ Divine_Liturgy Divine Liturgy], Vladyka Irénée awarded Father Tikhon with a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Nabedrennik nabedrennik] for his work as rector.  He also awarded Deacon Kolin with a double [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Orarion orarion].  At the end of the Divine Liturgy, Vladyka Irénée presented to the parish a gramota from the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Holy_Synod Holy Synod of Bishops] of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Orthodox_Church_in_America The Orthodox Church in America].  Vladyka Irénée then blessed water outdoors.  This was followed by a procession around the Temple, blessing the church farm field, and the newly erected monument.  

On 27 May, 2018, the Priest Ryan Tikhon Bishop was transferred to [https://www.archdiocese.ca/community/all-saints-orthodox-church-meadow-lake-sk Meadow Lake], [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/saskatchewan Saskatchewan].

On 27 May, 2018, the Priest Kolin Berglund of Smoky Lake was assigned to serve this parish.  

The parishioners of this community have long been known for their Christian hospitality and their serious desire to live their lives faithfully. 


[[File:St-nicholas-desjarlais-100th-anniversary-01 2.png]]  '''At the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy'''


[[File:St-nicholas-desjarlais-100th-anniversary-02 2.png]]  '''Vladyka Irénée and clergy at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy'''


[[File:St-nicholas-desjarlais-100th-anniversary-05 2.png]]  '''Passing the bell-house in procession'''


[[File:St-nicholas-desjarlais-100th-anniversary 2.png]]  '''Parishioners and guests at the 2017 centennial anniversary'''

==Saint Nicholas Cemetery, 1909, 1917==

The [https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2587521/saint-nicholas-greek-orthodox-cemetery cemetery] was formally established in 1917, but the first interment occurred in 1909.  The environment of the cemetery is very peaceful, surrounded by rolling hills and fields. 

The site location of the cemetery is : NE 1/4 9-57-14-W4 Desjarlais, Two Hills County, Alberta 


[[File:St Nicholas Church Dexjarlais Cemetery.jpg]] '''Cemetery'''


Priests who have served in the parish of Saint Nicholas, Desarlais include : 
  Priest Gregory Soroka 			1918-1921
  Priest Alexander Pyza 			1921-1928
  Priest Antoniy Zemenov 			1928-1936
  Archpriest John Kowalchuk 		1936-1968
  [[Bishop Joasaph (Antoniuk)]]	 	1968-1969
  Priest Andrew Harrison 			1969-1970
  Archpriest John Wasel 	 		1971-1974
  [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archpriest_Michael_and_Matushka_Tatiana_Andruchow Archpriest Michael Andruchow] 	1974-1975
  Archpriest John Borcha 			1975-1976
  Archpriest Vitaly Politylo 		1876-1980
  Archpriest Arseny Melnyk 		1980-1983
  Priest Elia Antoniuk 			1983-1984
  [http://uocc.ca/en-ca/parishes/clergydetails.asp?ClergyID=1001 Archpriest Stephan Keaschuk] 	1985-1987
  [http://stmarysoca.org/directory.html Priest Andrew Morbey] 			1987-1990
  [https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/reinheimer-archpriest-lawrence Priest Larry Reinheimer] 		1990-1994
  [https://www.holyres.org/?page_id=58#Karateyev Priest Evan Lowig] 			1994-2000
  [https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/nikolaev-archpriest-nikolai Archpriest Nikolai Nikolaev] 		2000-2016
  [https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/power-archimandrite-gerasim Archimandrite Gerasim (Power)] 	2016-2018
  [https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/berglund-priest-kolin Priest Kolin Berglund] 			2018-2025
  [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Igumen_Vladimir_(Lysak) Igumen Vladimir (Lysak)]   		2025-

==Parish particular details==

This parish is a part of the Deanery of [https://www.archdiocese.ca/communities?field_deanery_tid_i18n=5&field_community_type_value_i18n=All&title Alberta & Northwest Territories], of the [https://www.archdiocese.ca Archdiocese of Canada], of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Orthodox_Church_in_America The Orthodox Church in America].  The bishop is [[Archbishop Irénée (Rochon)]].

This parish follows the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julian_calendar Old (Julian) Calendar].

The Altar Feast-day of this parish is the summer Feast of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Nicholas_of_Myra Saint Nicholas], 9/22 May.

In 2025, the pastor of the parish is [https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/lysak-igumen-vladimir Igumen Vladimir (Lysack)]. 


Address :

[https://www.archdiocese.ca/community/st-nicholas-church-desjarlais-ab  Saint Nicholas Russo Orthodox Church]

NE 1/4 9-57-14-W4 Desjarlais 

Two Hills County, Alberta

E-mail : melkuprowsky250@gmail.com


Directions :

Desjarlais is a small community which is located 115 km (72 mi) northeast of Edmonton.

From [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/edmonton Edmonton], drive on Highway #16 East until [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mundare Mundare].  At Mundare, turn left (north) on Highway #855.  Continue on this highway until Highway #29.  Turn right, and drive eastwards to Highway #857.  Turn left (north) and drive to Highway #45.  Drive North from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willingdon,_Alberta Willingdon] on Secondary Highway #857 for 9.7 km (6 mi) to Township Road 572, then east for 6.5 km (4 mi) to Range Road 144, then south 1 km (1/2 mi).


Consult the priest for specific information.



[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Igumen_Vladimir_(Lysak) Igumen Vladimir (Lysack)] 

Telephone : 306-794-4443

E-mail : priestmonk@gmail.com



[[File:Saint Nicholas Desjarlais 2.png]]  '''Saint Nicholas Temple'''  (photo by www.aerophoto.ru)

==References==

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/res/publications/TheOrthodoxChurchInCanadaChronology1980-1988.pdf Archdiocese of Canada — Orthodox Church in America, “The Orthodox Church in Canada : A Chronology” (Ottawa : Archdiocese of Canada, 1988)]

Bugea, Eleanor, “Romanians in Canada” (Michigan : Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America, 2009). ISBN : 978-1-929200-14-6.

"Patriarchal Parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in Canada, 100 Years of Orthodoxy in Canada 1897-1997 : Pictorial Memories" (Edmonton : Patriarchal Parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in Canada, 1997). 

Willingdon History Book Committee, “Early Foundations : Willingdon and Area History” (Edmonton, AB : Willingdon History Book Committee, 1990), ISBN : ISBN 10: 0889259410 ISBN 13: 9780889259416. 

"90th Anniversary St. Nicholas Orthodox Church of Desjarlais, Alberta 1917-2007" (Desjarlais : Saint Nicholas Church, 2007).  90th Anniversary folder, 2007.

[http://oca.org/parishes/oca-ca-dessnc Original OCA article] 


'''Additional information :'''

[http://archdiocese.ca/community/st-nicholas-church-desjarlais-ab Archdiocese listing] 

[https://orthodox-world.org/en/i/23571/Canada/Alberta/Willingdon/Church/Saint-Nicholas-Orthodox-Church Orthodox World listing]  

[https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2025/12/06/103484-saint-nicholas-the-wonderworker-archbishop-of-myra-in-lycia Saint Nicholas of Myra] 

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Saint_Tikhon_(Belavin) Saint Tikhon (Belavin)]

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_(Saint)_Arseny_(Chahovtsov)Archbishop (Saint) Arseny (Chahovtsov)]

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Alexander_(Nemolovsky) Archbishop Alexander (Nemolovsky)]

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Evdokim_(Meschersky) Archbishop Evdokim (Meschersky)] 

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Joasaph_(Skorodumov) Archbishop Joasaph (Skorodumov)] 

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Platon_(Rozhdestvensky) Metropolitan Platon (Rozhdestvensky)] 

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Theophilus_(Pashkovsky) Metropolitan Theophilus (Pashkovsky)]

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

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Ireney_(Bekish) Metropolitan Ireney (Bekish)]  

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Theodosius_(Lazor) Metropolitan Theodosius (Lazor)]   

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Herman_(Swaiko) Metropolitan Herman (Swaiko)]     

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Jonah_(Paffhausen) Metropolitan Jonah (Pauffhausen)]    

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Tikhon_(Mollard) Metropolitan Tikhon (Mollard)]   

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Nikolai_(Shkrumko) Metropolitan Nikolai (Shkrumko)]    

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Kliment_(Kapalin) Metropolitan Kliment (Kapalin)]   

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Tikhon_(Mollard) Metropolitan Tikhon (Mollard)] 

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

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Ir%C3%A9n%C3%A9e_(Rochon) Archbishop Irénée (Rochon)] 

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archpriest_Michael_and_Matushka_Tatiana_Andruchow Archpriest Michael P Andruchow]  

[https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/nikolaev-archpriest-nikolai Archpriest Nikolai Nikolaev]  

[https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/power-archimandrite-gerasim Archimandrite Gerasim (Power)]  

[https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/berglund-priest-kolin Priest Kolin Berglund]   

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Igumen_Vladimir_(Lysak)  Igumen Vladimir (Lysack)] 

[https://www.archdiocese.ca Archdiocese of Canada] 

[https://www.oca.org/parishes/oca-ca-dessnc OCA listing]  
  
[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Archdiocese_of_Canada Orthodoxwiki article about the Archdiocese of Canada]     

[https://www.facebook.com/canadianarchdiocese/ Archdiocese of Canada Facebook] 

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Orthodox_Church_in_America Orthodoxwiki article about The Orthodox Church in America]    

[https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2587521/saint-nicholas-greek-orthodox-cemetery  Findagrave reference to the St Nicholas Russo Orthodox Cemetery]    

[http://www.prairiesouls.com/Desjarlais,%20AB%20-%20St%20Nicholas%20Cemetery/Mycemetery--St-Nicholas-Cemetery-cem-index.htm Cemetery names]

[http://www.prairiesouls.com/Desjarlais,%20AB%20-%20St%20Nicholas%20Cemetery/Mycemetery--St-Nicholas-Cemetery.htm Cemetery details and photos]  

[https://pioneerchurches.ca/index.php/churches/oca-orth-toc/desjarlais-oca Pioneer Churches on the Prairies — St Nicholas Orthodox Church, Desjarlais, Alberta]  

[http://orthodox-world.org/en/i/23571/Saint_Nicholas_Orthodox_Church_Willingdon General information]

[http://www.canadianromaniansocietyofalberta.org/boian/history-of-boian Romanians in Alberta]

[http://www.thcounty.ab.ca/ Two Hills County]

[http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/romanians/ Canadian Encyclopaedia article about Romanian Canadians]

[http://www.thefullwiki.org/Canadians_of_Romanian_descent General information about Romanians in Canada]

[https://www.archdiocese.ca/articles/100th-anniversary-celebration-st-nicholas-church-desjarlais-alberta Archdiocese article : 100th Anniversary Celebration at Saint Nicholas, Desjarlais, Alberta] (11 June 2017)

[http://archbishop-of-ottawa.org/messenger/Com1992-4.3-4.pdf 'St. Nicholas Church, Desjarlais, Alberta Holds 75th Anniversary Celebrations' in "Canadian Orthodox Messenger" (Autumn, 1992)], p. 5.

[http://archbishop-of-ottawa.org/messenger/Com1993-July.pdf ‘St Tikhon Orthodox Christian Mission, Lakeland AB’ in “Canadian Orthodox Messenger” (July, 1993)], pp. 3-4. 






[[Category:Parish Communities]]  [[Category:Alberta & Northwest Territories]]  [[Category:ROGCCNA]]  [[Category:ADOCA]]  [[Category:OCA]]