View source for Edmonton AB Saint Vladimir Russian Orthodox Church 1946


[[File:Edmonton- St Vladimir 20161219-00289 CS 1.jpg]]

'''Edmonton, Alberta, Russian Orthodox Church of Saint Vladimir, 1946'''


==Founding of the parish, 1946==

This Temple was originally established in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Orthodox_Church_Outside_Russia Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia] (ROCOR).  The building itself is more than a century old.  It was purchased by [[Archbishop Joasaph (Skorodumov)]] in the late 1930s, and the parish was formally founded in 1946.  Later the parish served as the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Cathedral cathedral] church of the ROCOR of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Canada Western Canada].  [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Bishop_Sava_(Sara%D1%81evi%D1%81) Bishop Sava (Saračević)] of Edmonton lived in the house portion of the Temple for some years (1958-1973). 

==Cathedral status, 1954-1957==

From 1954 to 1957, this parish served as the cathedral seat and residence of [[Metropolitan Vitaly (Ustinov) | Bishop Vitaly (Ustinov)]].  During his time of service in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmonton Edmonton], Bishop Vitaly travelled to many places in the region, and he expanded the settlement of monastic communities wherever he went.  He established in the Edmonton region two such communities : one near [[Dickie Bush AB Hermitage of Prophet Elias 1950 |Dickie Bush]], Alberta, and another near [[Wildwood-Granada AB Holy Dormition of the Theotokos Russian Orthodox Skete and Cemetery 1955 |Wildwood]], far to the west on the highway to Jasper.  In 1957, he was transferred to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montreal Montréal]. 

==Bishop Sava (Saračević), 1958-1973==

The Temple of Saint Vladimir served next as the residence and cathedral of [[Bishop Sava (Saraсeviс) | Bishop Sava (Saračević)]], from 1958 until 1973, when he reposed in Christ.  He was [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Auxiliary_bishop Vicar-Bishop] of Edmonton to [[Metropolitan Vitaly (Ustinov) | Archbishop Vitaly (Ustinov)]].  During his time of service there, the Orthodox Christian [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serbs Serbs] in the region found their home in this Temple.  He was highly respected and loved.  

From this Temple, many surrounding communities of the ROCOR were served.


[[File:Edmonton-St Vladimir 20161219-00290 S2.jpg]] '''Hall and house entry'''


In the 1990s, Priest (now Archpriest) [http://mvroc.org/int4.html Andrew Kencis] became the parish pastor.


[[File:Archpriest Andrew Kencis 1.jpg]] '''Archpriest Andrew Kencis'''

==Move to ROCA, 2001==

In 2001, when [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Vitaly_(Ustinov) Metropolitan Vitaly (Ustinov)] went into schism with the ROCOR and established the [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Russian_Orthodox_Church_in_Exile Russian Orthodox Church in Exile], the parish of Saint Vladimir joined this division.  It joined the subsequent division, the  [http://www.hsir.org/Administration_en/ROCA.html Russian Orthodox Church Abroad], after the repose of Metropolitan Vitaly.  

In 2016, the parish was under the omophor of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Agafangel_(Pashkovsky)_of_Odessa Metropolitan Agafangel (Pashkovsky) of Odessa], and [http://rocana.org/archives/12330Archbishop Andronik (Kotliaroff)] of Ottawa and Eastern America.  Its headquarters are in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odesa Odessa], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukraine Ukraine].  

On 4 April, 2017, Archbishop Andronik (Kotliaroff) and [https://ru-m-wikipedia-org.translate.goog/wiki/%D0%A1%D1%82%D0%B5%D1%84%D0%B0%D0%BD_(%D0%A1%D0%B0%D0%B1%D0%B5%D0%BB%D1%8C%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%BA)?_x_tr_sl=ru&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=s Bishop Stefan (Sabelnik)] of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trenton,_New_Jersey Trenton], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Jersey New Jersey], signed a [http://rocana.org/archives/date/2017/05 declaration ("ukaz") of Eucharistic Communion] between them.  The liturgical concelebration took place on 14 May, 2017.

==Move to the "Genuine Greek Orthodox Church", 2017==

From 24-29 November, 2016, [http://www.hotca.org/metropolitan Metropolitan Demetrios (Kyriacou)], accompanied by his chancellor Archimandrite Agathangelus, arrived in Edmonton to make a pastoral visit to the 5 communities which had recently been taken under his omophor :  Saint Vladimir's Church in Edmonton, [http://mcdiocese.com/en/cerkov-sv-ap-andreya-pervozvannogo-edson-ab-canada/ Saint Andrew's Church] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edson,_Alberta Edson], [http://www.orthodoxcanada.ca/Wildwood_AB_Saint_George_the_Greatmartyr_Russian_Orthodox_Church_and_Cemetery_1955 Saint George's Church] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wildwood,_Alberta Wildwood], the [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Wildwood-Granada_AB_Holy_Dormition_of_the_Theotokos_Russian_Orthodox_Skete_and_Cemetery_1955 Holy Dormition Skete] at [https://www.roadonmap.com/ca/where-is/Granada,alberta Grenada], and the [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Bluffton_AB_The_Monastery_of_the_Holy_Protection_1935 Holy Protection Monastery] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluffton,_Alberta Bluffton].  

Upon arrival in Edmonton late on Thursday, 24 November, the metropolitan and archimandrite spent their first night at the [[Wildwood-Granada AB Holy Dormition of the Theotokos Russian Orthodox Skete and Cemetery 1955 |Dormition Skete]] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wildwood,_Alberta Wildwood], about 1½ hours west of Edmonton.  

Metropolitan Vitaly founded the Skete in 1955.  It is on a large acreage of about 56 hectares (140 acres), with woods, muskeg and fields, and there are several out-buildings.  A small wooden, monastic Temple is near the main house.  [http://www.hotca.org/photos2/11-deacon-anastasios-hudson-ordained-to-the-holy-priesthood/detail/391-2008franastasiospriest033?tmpl=component Archpriest Andrew Kencis], the rector of Saint Vladimir's parish, lives at the skete with his matushka.  A small prayer chapel dedicated to [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Seraphim_of_Sarov Saint Seraphim of Sarov] is on the main floor of the house.  The [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archimandrite_Seraphim_(Filimonoff) Rasophor Monk Seraphim (Filomonoff)], the last surviving member of Metropolitan Vitaly’s [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Mansonville_QC_Holy_Transfiguration_Russian_Orthodox_Skete_1959 brotherhood] (from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mansonville,_Quebec Mansonville], [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/quebec Québec]), lived for very many years in a small cabin on the other side of a large vegetable garden. 

On Friday, Father Andrew gave a tour of the skete : the Temple ; the print-shop of [https://www.monasterypress.com/aboutus.html Monastery Press] ; an adjoining candle shop where beeswax candles are made for parish use.  In the evening, a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Vespers vespers] service was served for [https://orthodoxwiki.org/John_Chrysostom Saint John Chrysostom].  Father Andrew served ; his matushka was in the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Kliros cliros]. 

On Saturday afternoon, they all drove into Edmonton, to Saint Vladimir’s Temple.  They spent Saturday night in the residence part of the Temple.  A Saturday night [https://orthodoxwiki.org/All-Night_Vigil vigil] was served at 6:00 p.m. for the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Apostle_Philip_(of_the_Twelve) Holy Apostle Philip].  Almost all the parishioners were present for the vigil, and many prepared to receive [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Eucharist Holy Communion] at Sunday’s [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Divine_Liturgy Divine Liturgy].  After the vigil service, there was a small meal in the “little trapeza” (little dining-room).  Several parishioners stayed to have more time to meet and speak with Vladyka. 

The Sunday Divine Liturgy was well-attended.  [http://www.hotca.org/metropolitan Metropolitan Demetrios (Kiriacou)] preached.  After the service, there was a meal in the “big trapeza room”.  When the meal was over, chairs were brought up into the nave of the Temple.  Vladyka Demetrios gave a talk to the parishioners, after which he answered questions.  The parishioners were glad of the experience.  That Sunday evening, the clergy returned to [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Wildwood-Granada_AB_Holy_Dormition_of_the_Theotokos_Russian_Orthodox_Skete_and_Cemetery_1955 Dormition Skete]. 

On Monday, 28 November, the metropolitan and the archimandrite were driven to the small, rural cemetery owned by Saint Vladimir's parish.  Saint Vladimir's Chip Lake Cemetery is situated a few miles west from Dormition Skete.  There are some graves there, of which the earliest is dated 1939.  Then the clergy drove to the [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Bluffton_AB_The_Monastery_of_the_Holy_Protection_1935 Women's Monastery]  at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluffton,_Alberta Bluffton] (a 1½ hour drive).  

The abbess is [https://www.imoph.org/pdfs/2009/05/30/20090530aBlufftonTonsures%20Folder/20090530aBlufftonTonsures.pdf Great-schema nun, Mother Ambrosia].  With her mother, Nun Theodora, she re-established monastic life there in 1993.  The nuns have a house church, and the renowned log church and bell tower next to a tidy cemetery.  They keep goats and chickens and a large garden.  They maintain a full monastic cycle of services.  Many faithful from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmonton Edmonton], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calgary Calgary] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Deer,_Alberta Red Deer] are regular visitors there.  A lenten meal was served. Vladyka Demetrios answered many questions.  Father Andrew and his matushka then returned to their home, while the metropolitan and the archimandrite remained in a guesthouse adjoining the convent property.  The next morning, Tuesday, 29 November, the nuns drove them to the Edmonton aeroport for their return flight back to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_(state) New York State], to the [http://www.saintjohnsmonastery.org/ Monastery of Saint John of Shanghai] (to the west of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albany,_New_York Albany]).   


[[File:Phoca thumb l 2016stvladimir014.jpg]]  


[[File:Phoca thumb l 2016stvladimir012.jpg]]  

'''Metropolitan Demetrios and Archimandrite Agathangelus visit'''


By 2017, it seemed clear that the parish had indeed moved with its priest to the "[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Genuine_Greek_Orthodox_Church_of_America Genuine Greek Orthodox Christians of America]".  This is the same jurisdiction to which belongs the [[Bluffton AB The Monastery of the Holy Protection 1935 |Monastery of the Holy Protection]].

==2020-2021 Coronavirus-19 virus restrictions on parishes==

In early 2020, the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19 Covid-19 virus] made its appearance in Canada, and it quickly became a world-wide pandemic.  Because of the rules governing gatherings that were laid down by the provincial and city governments, the parish stopped any further services after 8 March, 2020. Including the rules regarding social distancing, the decreasing numbers permitted for any gathering, and the considerations regarding the health of all concerned, this and other parishes were required to close for a time.  

As elsewhere, there was some controversy about the legal requirements.


[[File:Saint Vladimir Edmonton 2022 (2) 1.png]]

==Particular parish informtion ==

This parish is a part of the “[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Genuine_Greek_Orthodox_Church_of_America#:~:text=The%20Genuine%20Greek%20Orthodox%20Church%20of%20America%20%28now,under%20the%20presidency%20of%20Archbishop%20Kallinikos%20of%20Athens. Genuine Greek Orthodox Church of America]”, under the omophor of [http://hotca.org/metropolitan#:~:text=The%20Metropolitan%20His%20Eminence%2C%20Metropolitan%20Demetrius%20of%20America%2C,Greece.%20He%20is%20the%20third%20of%20three%20children. Metropolitan Demetrius (Kyriacou)] of New York and America.   It is a part of the [http://www.dep.church/ Diocese of Etna and Portland]. 

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

The Altar Feast-day of this parish is the Feast of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Vladimir_of_Kiev Saint Vladimir], 15/28 July. 

In 2022, the rector of the parish is the [http://mvroc.org/int4.html Archpriest Andrew Kencis].



Address : 

[https://stvladimirs.ca/ Saint Vladimir's Russian Orthodox Church]

6824-128 Avenue NW 

Edmonton, Alberta 

T5C 1S7

Telephone : (780) 476-2381

Web-site : http://stvladimirs.ca 

[https://www.facebook.com/StVladimirsEdmonton/ Facebook]


Directions :

Saint Vladimir's Church is located in the neighbourhood of North Edmonton, near the intersection of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Road,_Edmonton Fort Road], 66 Street and 127 Avenue.  It is north of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellowhead_Highway Yellowhead Highway] (#16).

By car : 

From 66 Street NW, turn westwards on 128 Avenue.  The Temple is found on the right at the corner of 128 Avenue and 68 Street.

By bus :

Consult the [https://www.edmonton.ca/edmonton-transit-system-ets.aspx Edmonton Transit Service]

There is bus service on 66 Street.  The LRT Belevedere Station is at 129 Street and 62 Street. 

Edmonton is accessible by road, chiefly by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberta_Highway_16 Highway #16] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberta_Highway_2 Highway #2].  

It is accessible by bus through [https://www.busbud.com/en-ca/bus-edmonton/c/c3x29u various interurban companies] (Red Arrow, Rider Express, Poparide, The Canada Bus, Ebus, and others).  There is service from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.  

It is accessible by various airline companies through the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmonton_International_Airport Edmonton International Aeroport] (near [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nisku Nisku]).

It is accessible by railway through [https://www.viarail.ca/en VIARail]. 


[http://mvroc.org/int4.html Archpriest Andrew Kencis]

c/o Dormition Skete

P.O. Box 104 

Wildwood, Alberta 

T0E 2M0

E-mail : frandrew@monasterypress.com

Telephone/Fax : 780-325-2357 (call first for faxing)

Monastery Press web-site : www.monasterypress.com/index.html


[[File:SaintVladimirEdmontonFromSoutheast 2.jpg]]  [[File:SaintVladimirChurchEdmontonFromWest 2.jpg]]


[[File:SaintVladimirEdmontonResidenceHall 2.jpg]]  '''2024 views of the Temple and the entrance to the residence and hall'''

==References==

[http://stvladimirs.ca/ Parish web-site]


'''Additional information :'''

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Russian_Orthodox_Church_Abroad_-_Provisional_Supreme_Church_Authority Orthodoxwiki article about the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad (ROCA)]  

[http://sinod.ruschurchabroad.org/engindex.htm ROCA web-site]

[http://nftu.net/abp-andronik-and-bp-stefan-establish-eucharistic-communion/ Ukaz of Eucharistic Communion]

[http://mcdiocese.com/en/ Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia Canadian Diocese] 

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

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Philaret_(Voznesensky) Metropolitan Philaret (Voznesensky)]  

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Vitaly_(Ustinov) Metropolitan Vitaly (Ustinov)]  

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Agafangel_(Pashkovsky)_of_Odessa Metropolitan Agafangel (Pashkovsky) of Odessa]

[http://www.hotca.org/metropolitan Metropolitan Demetrius (Kiriacou)]

[http://rocana.org/archives/12330 Archbishop Andronik (Kotliaroff)]   

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

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Gabriel_(Chemodakov) Archbishop Gabriel (Chemodakov)]  

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Bishop_Sava_(Sara%D1%81evi%D1%81) Bishop Sava (Saračević)]   

[https://ru-m-wikipedia-org.translate.goog/wiki/%D0%A1%D1%82%D0%B5%D1%84%D0%B0%D0%BD_(%D0%A1%D0%B0%D0%B1%D0%B5%D0%BB%D1%8C%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%BA)?_x_tr_sl=ru&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc Bishop Stefan (Sabelnik)]  

[http://mvroc.org/int4.html Archpriest Andrew Kencis]

[http://www.hotca.org/ Genuine Greek Orthodox Christians Metropolitanate of America]  

[http://www.hotca.org/news/parishes/712-visit-of-metropolitan-demetrius-to-st-vladimir-s,-edmonton,-canada Visit of Metropolitan Demetrios (Kiriacou) to St Vladimir’s, Edmonton, Canada] (2017)   

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Church_of_the_Genuine_Orthodox_Christians_of_Greece Orthododoxwiki article about the "Genuine Orthodox Christians of Greece"]

[http://www.ecclesiagoc.gr/ Genuine Orthodox Christians of Greece] (in Greek)

[http://www.hotca.org/directory/clergy Greek Old Calendar Genuine Orthodox Christians Metropolis of America]






[[Category:Parish Communities]]  [[Category:Alberta]]  [[Category:ROCOR]]  [[Category:ROCA]]  [[Category:GGOCA]]