View source for Horen AB Saint John the Baptist Church and Cemetery 1949


[[File:Saint John the Baptist Horen Ab 1.png]]

'''Horen, Alberta, Church and Cemetery in the Name of Saint John the Baptist, 1949'''


==Prehistory==

After [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II World War II], more immigrants began to arrive in [https://www.britannica.com/place/Canada Canada].  They came especially from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Ukraine Western Ukraine], and many of them settled in several places to the west of [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/edmonton/ Edmonton], [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/alberta/ Alberta].  

In September, 1949, the small community of [http://travelingluck.com/North+America/Canada/Alberta/_5976963_Horen.html Horen], Alberta (which is in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkland_County#Communities_and_localities Parkland County]), held its first church service at the Dnepro School (named for the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dnieper Dnipro River], the main river of [https://www.britannica.com/place/Ukraine Ukraine]).  The [[Archpriest Vasily and Matushka Paraskevia Hochachka |Priest Wasyl Hochachka]] officiated and the choir was made up of amateur singers and others who tried to follow along with the singers.  Because of the successful attendance, these services were continued to be held in this school for another 2 or 3 years.

==Founding the parish, 1951==

On 23 September, 1951, the [https://www.britannica.com/topic/Slav Slavic people] who now lived in the vicinity of Horen, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomahawk,_Alberta Tomahawk], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seba_Beach Seba Beach], Moonlake, Berymoor and Highvale in the region around [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wabamun_Lake Lake Wabamun] held an organisational meeting with the help of [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archpriest_Vasily_and_Matushka_Paraskevia_Hochachka Father Vasily Hochachka].  

At that time, Father Vasily Hochachka was serving at [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Edmonton_AB_Saint_Barbara_Russo_Orthodox_Cathedral_Church_1900 Saint Barbara's Church] (later cathedral) in Edmonton, Alberta.  Saint Barbara's Church was, at that time, part of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Archdiocese_of_Canada Archdiocese of Canada], of the [https://www.orthodoxwiki.org/Orthodox_Church_in_America Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church of North America] ; but a few years later, it became part of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Russian_Exarchate_of_North_America Russian Orthodox Exarchate of North America].  When this move occurred, several rural parishes (including Saint John the Baptist, Horen), which were associated with Saint Barbara's through pastoral service, transferred to the Exarchate as well.     

Mr. Bill Yurchak was approached by the parish council as to whether he would sell an acre of his land for the new church site.  Bill Yurchak very generously donated an acre of the Southwest half of 6-52-55.  The people were very grateful.  Mr. Philip Ryznik also offered to donate lumber for the construction of the new Temple at its present location.

==Founders==

The first executive officers were elected in the autumn of 1951 ;
  Eli Chimich, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starosta Starosta] ; Konstentin Porowski, Vice-president ; Philip Ryznik, Secretary ; 
  Fred Walaschuk, Recording Secretary.  
The congregation began with 29 members, and they tried to make themselves visible to other Orthodox Christians in the region.

By the spring of 1952, the congregation had increased to 45 members, and more donations were received.  They now had enough funds to start building.  Mr. Nick Berznuik was hired to be the head carpenter, and other members contributed voluntary help.  By the autumn, the exterior of the new Temple building was completed.  Then, on 13 November, 1952, it was incorporated as the “Russian Orthodox Church of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/John_the_Forerunner Saint John the Baptist]”.

In 1953, new members with trade skills assisted in the completion of the interior of the Temple.  Mr. Paul Kozel, and Metrofan Bobryk and his sons donated their labour for the completion of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Iconostasis iconostas] and the ‘finishing’ carpentry.  This took about 3 years.

==The Horen Cemetery of Saint John the Baptist, 1954==

Next, the congregation discussed the need for a cemetery.  In 1954, a site was chosen, which was on the hill, 1.6 k, (1 mi) north of the Temple.  Si Refus, who owned the property, was approached regarding the possible sale of 1 acre of his land, which was a corner of the SE Quarter-12-52-65.  This good-hearted man donated the land which became the [https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2379745/horen-cemetery Horen Cemetery].  

The land description site (physical address) of the Horen Cemetery of Saint John the Baptist is : SE 12-52-06 W5, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkland_County Parkland County].

The first interment was in 1955, and there are now more than 44 graves.


[[File:Horen Cemetery Sign S.jpg]]  '''Cemetery sign'''


'''Purchase of a hall-building and land, 1954'''

In 1954, the Dnepro School was put up for sale by the [http://www.psd70.ab.ca Stony Plain School Division] (now called the [https://www.psd.ca/ Parkland School Division].  The members decided to purchase this building and its two-acre parcel of land for a parish hall.  

As the Temple was being completed, the parishioners donated many of the needed articles, often as memorials of relatives.

==86th anniversary of Orthodoxy in Canada, 1983==

On 3 July, 1983, the parish hosted the celebration by the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriarchial_Parishes_in_Canada patriarchal parishes] of the 86th anniversary of Orthodoxy in Canada.

==60 years of the parish, 2012==

On Saturday, 7 July, 2012, on its Altar Feast-day, the parish of Saint John the Baptist in Horen, Alberta, marked the [https://www.orthodox-canada.com/celebration-of-the-60th-anniversary-of-st-john-the-baptist-russian-orthodox-church-in-horen-alberta/ 60th anniversary of its foundation]. 

[[Bishop Job (Smakouz)]] of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kashira Kashira], of the [https://www.orthodox-canada.com/ Patriarchal Parishes in Canada], led the festal [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Divine_Liturgy Divine Liturgy].  He was assisted by the rector, [https://www.orthodox-canada.com/parishes/st-barbara-cathedral/priest-2/ Archpriest Igor Kisil], and by [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Igumen_Vladimir_(Lysak) Priest-monk Vladimir (Lysak)] of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Orthodox_Church_in_America The Orthodox Church in America].  The parish choir was directed by Matushka Natalia Kisil.  Father Vladimir was participating on this occasion partly because he grew up in this region.  


[[File:Horen 60th anniversary Divine Liturgy 2.png]]  [[File:Horen 60th anniversary Divine Liturgy conclusion 2.png]] 

'''Bishop Job (Smakouz), Archpriest Igor Kisil, Priest-monk Vladimir (Lysak) at the Divine Liturgy'''


After the Divine Liturgy, Bishop Job greeted the numerous worshippers on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the parish.  This was followed by a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Molieben Moleben] with the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_water_in_Eastern_Christianity Blessing of Water].  Then came a festal procession around the Temple.  “Many Years” was sung.  After that, a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memorial_service_(Orthodox) Memorial Litia]  was served  for the departed founders and parishioners of the parish .  “[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memory_Eternal Memory Eternal]” was then sung.  After these things, a group photograph was taken on the parish grounds nearby the Temple. 


[[File:Celebration of the 60th Anniversary of St. John the Baptist Russian Orthodox Church in Horen Alberta Orthodox Canada 2.png]]  [[File:Horen 60th anniversary Blessing Water 2.png]] 

'''Lesser Blessing of Water'''


[[File:St John the Baptist Temple Horen 1.png]]  '''Blessing of the Temple with holy water'''


[[File:St Jphn the Baptist Horen Parishioners 2012 2.png]]  '''Parishioners 2012'''


Following this, a festive anniversary banquet and programme was held in the nearby parish hall at Horen.  On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the foundation of the parish, many parishioners were awarded with archpastoral "gramotas" ("certificates of blessing"). 


[[File:Horen 50th anniversary Bishop Job, Archpriest Igor, parishioner 2.png]]  [[File:Vladyka Job, parishioner, Celebration of the 60th Anniversary of St. John the Baptist Russian Orthodox Church in Horen Alberta Orthodox Canada 2.png]]

'''Vladyka Job (Smakouz) and Father Igor Kisil with 2 parishioners who received a gramota'''


The hall was also arranged with several stands of pictures displaying the 60 year history of the parish.  A special anniversary booklet, consisting of the message of Bishop Job, a history of the parish, and the life of [https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2018/01/07/100109-synaxis-of-the-holy-glorious-prophet-forerunner-and-baptist-john Saint John the Baptist] was prepared by Father Igor Kisil. 

Although this congregation is small, its members are very active with church functions and other activities.

==Parish clergy==

Priests who have served this parish include : 
  [[Archpriest Vasily and Matushka Paraskevia Hochachka |Archpriest Vasily Hochachka]] 				1949-1955
  Monks from the Granada monastery			1956-1960
  [[Mitred Archpriest John and Matushka Helen Margitich |Archpriest John Margitich]]				1960-
  [[Archbishop Panteleimon (Rudyk)]]		
  Priest Emilian Kuzmich					____-1962
  Priest Kyrill Stakhowsky				1962-1966
  Priest Dimitry Sagan					1966-1968
  Priest Harmonhan Karsowski				1968-1972
  Priest (unknown) Zayets				1973-1976
  Priest Anatoliy Harkusha				1977-1978
  Archpriest Peter Vlodek				1978-1984
  Archpriest Nikanor Shymko				1985-1987
  Priest Feodor Kobiliatski				1987-1990
  [https://www.orthodox-canada.com/parishes/st-barbara-cathedral/priest-2/ Archpriest Igor Kisil]				1990-2018
  [http://www.orthodox-canada.com/parishes/orthodox-ix/priest/ Archpriest Evgeniy Protsenko] 			2018-____


[[File:Horen Church.jpg]]

==Particular parish information==

This parish is part of the [http://www.orthodox-canada.com/ Moscow Patriarchate Parishes administration in Canada], of the [http://www.patriarchia.ru/ Moscow Patriarchate] ([https://orthodoxwiki.org/Church_of_Russia Russian Orthodox Church]).  The bishop is [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Bishop_Matthew_(Andreev) Bishop Matthew (Andreev)].   

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 the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/John_the_Forerunner Nativity of John the Baptist], 24 June/7 July.

In 2022, this parish is served by [http://www.orthodox-canada.com/parishes/orthodox-ix/priest/ Archpriest Evgeniy Protsenko]. 


Address : 

[https://www.orthodox-canada.com/parishes/orthodox-ix/churches/st-john-the-baptist-parish-horen/ Russian Orthodox Church of Saint John the Baptist at Horen]

Land description site SE 12-52-06 W5 

Highway #79 

Parkland County, Alberta


Directions:

The Russian Orthodox Church of Saint John the Baptist is located 80 km (50 mi) west of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmonton Edmonton], and 11 km (7 mi) south of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seba_Beach Seba Beach], Alberta.

From Edmonton, drive westwards on Highway #16.  Turn left (south) on Highway #31/#759, and then drive 11 km (7 mi) south past Seba Beach, to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomahawk,_Alberta Tomahawk].  The church is on the left.


The mailing address of the parish is the mailing address of the priest.


[http://www.orthodox-canada.com/parishes/orthodox-ix/priest/ Archpriest Evgeniy Protsenko], Pastor of the parish

Telephone : (780) 426-5163

Mobile : (780) 818-7343

E-mail : pokrova70@gmail.com

==References==

"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). 

Russian Orthodox Church History Book Committee, “Patriarchal Parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in Canada, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1000th_anniversary_of_the_Christianization_of_Rus' Millennium] of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Baptism_of_Rus%27 Baptism of Rus’]” (Edmonton : Russian Orthodox Church History Book Committee, 1988). ISBN: 0-88925-830-9. 

[http://www.orthodox-canada.com/parishes/orthodox-ix/churches/st-john-the-baptist-parish-horen/ Original history article]  


'''Additional information :'''

[http://www.orthodox-canada.com/parishes/ Patriarchal Parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in Russia web-site]

[http://www.orthodox-canada.com/parishes/orthodox-ix/churches/st-john-the-baptist-parish-horen/ Patriarchal Parishes of Canada listing for Saint John the Baptist Parish, Horen]  

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriarchial_Parishes_in_Canada Wikipedia article about the Patriarchal Parishes of Canada]   

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Russian_Orthodox_Church_in_Canada Orthodoxwiki article about the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada]   

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Church_of_Russia Orthodoxwiki article about the Church of Russia]   

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

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/The_%E2%80%9CRussian_Mission%E2%80%9D_in_North_AmericaRussian Mission in North America]   

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Russian_Exarchate_of_North_Americ The Russian Exarchate of North America]   

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Boris_(Vik) Metropolitan Boris (Vik)]   

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Dositheus_(Ivanchenko)_of_New_York Metropolitan Dositheus (Ivanchenko)]   

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/John_(Wendland)_of_New_York_and_the_Aleutians Metropolitan John (Wendland)]   

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Jonathan_(Kopolovich) Archbishop Jonathan (Kopolovitch)]   

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Panteleimon_(Rudyk) Archbishop Panteleimon (Rudyk)] 

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Bishop_Job_(Smakouz) Bishop Job (Smakouz)]  

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Bishop_Matthew_(Andreev) Bishop Matthew (Andreev)]  

[https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2379745/horen-cemetery Findagrave reference to the Horen Cemetery, Horen, Alberta]

[http://www.orthodox-canada.com/about-us/history/ History of the Patriarchal Parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in Canada] 

[http://www.orthodox-canada.com/celebration-of-the-60th-anniversary-of-st-john-the-baptist-russian-orthodox-church-in-horen-alberta/ 60th anniversary of Saint John the Baptist Russian Orthodox Church in Horen, Alberta] (14 July, 2012)  

[http://www.orthodox-canada.com/interview-with-vladyka-iov/ Interview with Vladyka Job (Smakouz) on the Occasion of the 120th Anniversary of Orthodoxy in Canada] (12 August, 2017) 

[http://www.orthodox-canada.com/for-the-125th-anniversary-of-the-first-orthodox-liturgy-on-the-canadian-soil/ 125th Anniversary of the First Orthodox Liturgy on Canadian Soil] (14 July, 2022)    






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