View source for Lennard MB Saint Elijah the Prophet Romanian Orthodox Church 1902



[[File:Two Temples 2.png]]

'''Lennard, Manitoba, Romanian Orthodox Church of Saint Elijah the Prophet, 1902 '''


Elijah is spelt Elie in Romanian.  It also may be spelt Elias, Ilia, Ilya.



==The beginning==

At the turn of the 20th century, the first immigrants arrived in the [https://mapcarta.com/24637678 Shell Valley] area around [http://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/sites/lennard.shtml Lennard], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manitoba Manitoba], [https://www.britannica.com/place/Canada Canada].  It is situated 390 km (242 mi) northwest of [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/winnipeg Winnipeg], Manitoba, and 103 km (64 mi) east from [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/yorkton Yorkton], [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/saskatchewan Saskatchewan].  These new-comers to Canada had emigrated from parts of [https://www.britannica.com/place/Romania Romania], primarily from the Province of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bukovina Bucovina].  At that time, this region was in its entirety part of the Province of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Moldavia Moldavia] (now called "Western Moldavia" by some).  However, at that time, the region was part of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austria-Hungary Austro-Hungarian Empire].  

Lennard is situated about 34 km (21 mi) southeast of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roblin,_Manitoba Roblin], Manitoba, and about 105 km (65 mi) southwest of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dauphin,_Manitoba Dauphin], Manitoba.  The immigrant settlers came primarily from the region of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bukovina Bucovina] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Ukraine Western Ukraine].  

As [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Church_of_Romania Romanian Orthodox] Christians, building an Orthodox Christian Temple in which to worship was at the top of their priorities, since their relationship with the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Lord Lord God] and their need to have a focussed place in which to make their petitions and to express their gratitude to Him, came even before building their own permanent homes.  

==First Temple, 1902==

The very beginning of the parish of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Elijah Holy Prophet Elijah] ("Sfântul Prooroc Elie") occurred on the Sunday of the Feast of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Pascha Pascha] in 1902.  On that day, a group of [https://www.britannica.com/place/Romania Romanian] and [https://www.britannica.com/place/Ukraine Ukrainian] pioneers held a lay-person’s service in the open air.  Immediately afterwards, they set to work building a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burdei sod Temple] (actually, a unique construction) on the prairie, which was finished the next year.  The exterior was covered with wood.  

In 1903, a wooden Temple was constructed on 2 acres of land donated by [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/105805585/elie-burla Elie Burla].  This building served the farmers’ needs until 1908. 


[[File:Lennard Saint Elijah first Temple.png]] '''First wooden Temple'''


[[File:Saint Elias Church Lennard MB 1903 2 (2).png]]  '''Parishioners'''

==Second Temple ; official founding the community, 1908==

In 1908, on the same site, a larger Temple was constructed, which was made of finished timber and plaster walls.  It was designed by a local man, Alexei Slusarchuk, in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Churches_of_Moldavia rounded style of Bucovina], and the little building was decorated with [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Iconography icons] which the people had brought from their homeland.  

The Temple was given its name in honour of the first settler and giver of the property, whose name was Elie (Elijah), and whose name-saint (the saint after whom he was named) was the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Elijah Holy Prophet Elias].  Thus, the parish was officially founded by 20 members on 1 July, 1908. 

Somewhat later, [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/97876274/ioan-paulencu John Paulencu] donated another 2 acres of land  in order to meet the requirements of the local community.  


[[File:StElMu PioneerChurch HisDoc2 001 1908.jpg]]  '''The second Temple'''


By 1910, the number of voting members increased to 31, and by 1920, they numbered 50.  

From that time, the membership remained between 30 and 50.  During this time, [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/the-great-crash-feature the Great Crash of 1929], the [https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/great-depression Great Depression] with the [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/drought Great Drought] had begun, and people faced many great challenges throughout the country, and particularly the farmers.

==Sanctification of the Temple, 1936==

Because of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_I World War I] (1914-1918), various economic difficulties and other circumstances, the Temple that had been constructed in 1908 was not able to be formally sanctified until 1936.  

On 7 June, 1936, the Temple was [https://www.orthodoxwiki.org/Consecration_of_a_church sanctified] by [[Bishop Polycarp (Moruşca)]].  He had been ordained the year before, and he had been assigned to serve as the first [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Church_of_Romania Romanian Orthodox] Bishop of the [https://www.oca.org/dioceses/romanian-episcopate newly-established Romanian Diocese] in North America.  

At that time, [https://books.google.ca/books?id=x8NWAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA182&lpg=PA182&dq=Glicherie+Popa&source=bl&ots=lMbshCXWp0&sig=7bDCxrYMlcMDPjkoG5L-P2g31OI&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjBzMTzw8PVAhUM5GMKHQaNA5wQ6AEIJjAA#v=onepage&q=Glicherie%20Popa&f=false Hieromonk Glicherie (Popa)] was the pastor.  


[[File:StElMu PioneerChurch HisDoc 001 1936 Bishop Policarp.jpg]]


In 1939, Father Glicherie (Popa) and the parishioners combined their financial resources, and they constructed a comfortable country-style parish house a few metres distant from the Temple.

==Third Temple, 1952==

By about 1950, the younger generation of Romanians in Lennard understood that the old Temple no longer met their needs.  In particular, it was too small. 

Therefore, they began the process of constructing a new Temple. 


[[File:Saint Elijah Temple 3.jpg]] '''Third Temple'''
 

In 1952, they laid the foundation of the third Temple of the parish, which was to measure 9.1 m (30 ft) by 18.2 m (60 ft), with an area of 167.2 square metres (1,800 square feet).   

Beneath the Temple, the basement hall was prepared to be used for dinners, religious school, and choir rehearsals.  Parishioner [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/94774562/peter-james-gaber Peter Gaber] designed the structure and prepared the plans, which were then executed by the members themselves in collaboration with the contractor P Dupont in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-Lazare,_Quebec Saint Lazare], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec Québec].   Eventually, the complete cost of the work amounted to $20,000.00 for materials.  However, if the parishioners had not done most of the work themselves, this figure would have been doubled.

These hard-working farmers did not have large sums of money to invest at any one time.  Therefore, between contributing funds and personal labour, the work was spread out over several years.  The basic framework was ready to be blessed in 1954 by [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archimandrite_Daniil_(Maxim) Archimandrite Daniel Maxim] and Fathers Glicherie Popa and [https://books.google.ca/books?id=x8NWAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA103&lpg=PA103&dq=Petru+Tatoiu&source=bl&ots=lMbshCX2h7&sig=L6yMO6ZYy4s-aTzJl0kqg_68Cv4&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjdro3OxsPVAhUM1WMKHTr3Bb8Q6AEISzAL#v=onepage&q=Petru%20Tatoiu&f=false Petru Tatoiu].  The rest of the construction of the Temple (including the equipping and decorating) was not completed until 1962. 

During the years of construction, every member of the parish of Saint Elijah took part in gathering the needed money for their parish construction project.  The Ladies’ Auxiliary, in particular, prepared and offered a large series of dinners, parties, and bazaars, while the men helped with carpentry and masonry in their free time.  Thus, little by little, the Temple was brought to completion.  

[[File:Saint Elias Cemetery Lennard entrance 1.jpg]]  '''Entrance to Saint Elijah's Temple and Cemetery'''


Some of the days were spent on another very important project : in authentic Romanian fashion, the 1908 building was not razed.  Rather, it was moved to the side in the churchyard, where it became a revered shrine.  It was intended that it eventually be used as a museum.  In due course, this intention was fulfilled.  After the construction was completed, this old Temple was moved and situated not far from the cemetery, and separated from the new Temple by a stand of tall trees.  

In 1979, as part of this project, a major renovation and renewal of the original Temple was undertaken.  


[[File:StEliasROCLennardMB1979Renovation 1.png]]  '''The 1979 renovation'''


[[File:Saint Elie Lennard MB 2.png]] 

'''The Pioneer Temple and part of the cemetery (after the move)'''


The new Temple contains 14 large pews which accommodate 116 persons, with space for another 150 in the choir and standing besides.  The basement hall can accommodate about 150 persons.  The [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Iconostasis iconostas] was made by [https://books.google.ca/books?id=148KJGlxf3cC&pg=PA125&lpg=PA125&dq=providence+church+goods+winnipeg&source=bl&ots=-zZY9IssPq&sig=nLBII3il9wwl5H1ozQq_wnVtzeY&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjCqIvk2IzaAhWp34MKHfA1BUIQ6AEIWTAD#v=onepage&q=providence%20church%20goods%20winnipeg&f=false Providence Church Goods Company] in [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/winnipeg/ Winnipeg] (operated by [http://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/people/maydanyk_j.shtml Jacob Maydanyk] until 1979), but some of the early icons were transferred from the old Temple.  These were mainly prints.  Since then, new oil paintings were done by artist I Gaspar from Winnipeg.  With the exception of the shapes of doors and windows, the Temple’s exterior is quite similar to the design of [https://oca.org/parishes/oca-ro-machtc Holy Trinity Romanian Orthodox Church] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacNutt MacNutt], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saskatchewan Saskatchewan].

==About some priests who served in this Temple==

'''Hieromonk Glicherie (Popa)'''

[https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/83614240/glicherie-popa Hieromonk Glicherie (Popa)] was a priest-monk who served the parish of Saint Elijah twice during his life, and he did so in the spirit of monastic obedience, primarily with the intention to fulfil God's will in his life.  He arrived for the first time in the 1930s, and the second time, about 20 years later, he remained in this community until the end of his days.  His body is interred in the parish grave-yard.  The following details about him are from the history book by [https://books.google.ca/books?id=x8NWAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA104&lpg=PA104&dq=Fr+Gratian+Radu+Dysart+SK&source=bl&ots=lNbxqGX_l4&sig=ACfU3U2pCnQx64voYfbphUCdrEyLtTuYoQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiqptLB5s7tAhXmguAKHZgQDrcQ6AEwAnoECAcQAg#v=onepage&q=Fr%20Gratian%20Radu%20Dysart%20SK&f=false Eleanor Bugea], "Romanians in Canada" (p. 182).

Hieromonk Glicherie (Popa) was born in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bac%C4%83u Bacau], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Moldavia Moldavia].  His father was an army officer who was married 3 times, and who had children with each of his wives.  In 1905, when young Glicherie had reached the age of 24, he could no longer live what he considered to be a good life with his new mother, and he entered the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Ascension Holy Ascension] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neam%C8%9B_Monastery Neamț Monastery]. He was soon tonsured to be a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Monk monk], and quite soon became the "econom" (treasurer) of the monastery.  In 1913, having previously been ordained to the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Deacon Holy Diaconate], he was ordained to the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Presbyter Holy Priesthood].  

In 1914, a Romanian Canadian, Nicolai Zara, travelled to visit his relatives in [https://www.britannica.com/place/Romania Romania].  Because [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_I World War I] broke out when he was there, he could not return to Canada.  He begged for refuge in the Neamț Monastery, where he befriended [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hieromonk Hieromonk] Glicherie.  While he was there, he received letters from Canada that informed him of the need for a priest.  Thus, he asked Father Glicherie to go to Canada.  In 1918, the Canadian left the monastery without a priest.  A hieromonk cannot leave the monastery, and certainly not for such a project, unless the abbot gave the blessing.  In this case, the blessing of the diocesan bishop was also required, which seems not to have been given at that time. At that time, the bishop was [https://ro-orthodoxwiki-org.translate.goog/Pimen_(Georgescu)_al_Moldovei?_x_tr_sl=ro&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc Metropolitan Pimen (Georgescu)].  

Furthermore, Father Glicherie had been assigned to a parish in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bukovina Bucovina], and he had no intention of going to Canada.  However, the letters from Canada kept arriving.  In 1921, with the blessing of Metropolitan Pimen (Georgescu) and at the request of the [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Regina_SK_Saint_Nicholas_Romanian_Orthodox_Church_1901 Regina parish], Hieromonk Glicherie left for Canada.  Hieromonk Glicherie did not serve in Regina, but he served first in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windsor,_Ontario Windsor], [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/ontario Ontario].  At that time, the crops were poor because of the first [https://harvest.usask.ca/bitstream/handle/10388/etd-04262010-144125/McManus_Curtis__R_2004.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y Great Drought], and many farmers had moved there for work.  When Hieromonk Glicherie arrived in Windsor, he served the parish for about 17 months.  Then he returned to Romania and his intention was not to return to Canada.   However, the parishioners in Windsor sent many letters pleading for him to return.  Hieromonk Glicherie returned only to find that the pastoral position there had already been filled.  

Therefore, he left Canada for the USA, and he served a parish in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cincinnati Cincinnati], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ohio Ohio].  After this, he was sent to Lennard, Manitoba, after which he was sent [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellwood_City,_Pennsylvania Ellwood City], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pennsylvania Pennsylvania].  After having been sent to serve in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indianapolis Indianapolis], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indiana Indiana], he was transferred back to Lennard, Manitoba, where he served until his death in 1958.  At the time, his salary was $500.00 a year including a house and household expenses. 

The life of an immigrant priest in Canada in those days was of an itinerant nature.  The parishioners made adjustments according to circumstances and kept the parishes open and growing.

'''Archimandrite Martinian (Ivanovici)'''

During the time when [[Archimandrite Martinian (Ivanovici)]] was the pastor of the parish of Saint Elijah (1955-1966), the parish increased substantially in numbers.  The records show that there were 18 members who began the building project in 1952.  By 1961, the number had grown to 52. 

[https://books.google.ca/books?id=x8NWAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA132&lpg=PA132&dq=Father+Peter+Avram&source=bl&ots=lMbshCZYh6&sig=ld-qf1JrLMnbeo9YzSsFAYwHPZo&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiuhLbpy8PVAhUH5WMKHUmMBbcQ6AEINzAG#v=onepage&q=Father%20Peter%20Avram&f=false Father Peter Avram] served the parish from 1967 to 1970, followed by [https://roea.org/clergy Father Constantin Turcoane] (1970-1971), [https://roea.org/clergy Father Panteleimon Stanciu] (1971-1972), and Father John Fleser (1972-1976).  From June, 1976, to 15 December, 1978, [[Protopresbyter Mirone and Preoteasa Lillian Klysh |Father Mirone P Klysh]] occasionally served the parish.   

'''Priest Nicolae Marioncu'''

As of 15 December, 1978, the [https://books.google.ca/books?id=x8NWAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA110&lpg=PA110&dq=Priest+Nicolae+Marioncu+++died+1990%27s&source=bl&ots=lNhxjB--k3&sig=ACfU3U196Fdcb4IVNKaMOhal45bBwqgSOA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjdrPmYqYv7AhU6lIkEHf_wAZwQ6AF6BAgKEAM#v=onepage&q=Priest%20Nicolae%20Marioncu%20%20%20died%201990's&f=false Priest Nicolae Marioncu] became the parish priest at Saint Elijah’s Church.  He served the parish of Saint Elijah (and also [https://orthodox-world.org/en/i/24212/Canada/Manitoba/Shell-Valley/Church/Saint-John-the-Baptist-Orthodox-Church Saint John the Baptist Church] in [https://mapcarta.com/24637678 Shell Valley], Manitoba, and [https://mapcarta.com/24637678 Holy Trinity Church] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacNutt McNutt], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saskatchewan Saskatchewan]) until 1989.  

In 1989, he became Dean of the [http://www.roea.org/romanianorthodoxdeaneryofcanada.html Romanian Orthodox Churches of Canada] for 4 years, while he was living at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Qu%27Appelle Fort Qu’appelle], Saskatchewan. 

After retiring in 1992, Father Marioncu returned to the Lennard area and he resided in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russell,_Manitoba Russell] until his repose in Christ.

On 5 November, 2009, the [http://www.archbishop-of-ottawa.org/content/burial-services-over-presbyter-or-over-bishop funeral service] for Father Marioncu was conducted by 7 priests and deacons, and [[Archbishop Nathaniel (Popp)]] of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthodox_Church_in_America_Romanian_Episcopate Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackson,_Michigan Jackson], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michigan Michigan].  After the services, his body was interred in his chosen spot beside the Temple where he had served for 11 years, next to [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/83614240/glicherie-popa Father Glicherie Popa] who had been the parish priest at Saint Elijah for 22 years (from 1934 to 1956).  Father Popa was the longest serving priest in the history of the parish. 


[[File:Funeral of Father Nicolae Marioncu.jpg]]  '''Funeral of Father Marioncu'''


'''Priest Joseph MacLellan'''

In 1992, the [https://oca.org/News/archived/in-memoriam-archpriest-joseph-maclellan Priest Joseph MacLellan] was assigned to serve this parish.  For many years afterwards, he served this parish (along with others in the region) by commuting from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winnipeg Winnipeg] on the week-ends. Meanwhile, in order to support his family and to support his pastoral service, he continued to work for the [https://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=5854 Greater Winnipeg Gas Company] (where he was employed for 34 years).  He lived and worked in Winnipeg, and he travelled weekly to fulfil his responsibilities until the time of his retirement in 2003.

On 28 July, 2010, the Priest Joseph MacLellan fell asleep in the Lord in Winnipeg.  He had suffered from heart trouble for a long time.  The Memorial Hierarchical Liturgy and [http://www.archbishop-of-ottawa.org/content/burial-services-over-presbyter-or-over-bishop Funeral Services] followed on Tuesday, 3 August, at 9:30 a.m. at the Temple, with Archbishop Nathaniel (Popp) leading the services.  He was assisted by the Priests Mirone Klysh and [http://www.roae.org/listing.html Michael Lupu], [http://www.roae.org/listing.html Deacon Michael Ungrin] and [https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/cole-protodeacon-raphael Protodeacon Raphael Cole], and other clergy.

'''Protopresbyter Mirone Klysh'''

Lennard was served in one or another capacity over many years by [[Protopresbyter Mirone and Preoteasa Lillian Klysh |Father Mirone Klysh]], who was born in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_(state) New York State] in 1932, and a graduate of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/St._Andrew%27s_College_(Winnipeg,_Manitoba) Saint Andrew’s Ukrainian Orthodox Seminary] in Winnipeg.  He supervised the parish and sometimes served there from 1969 (although other clergy were present on many and various occasions) until his retirement.  Under his guidance, the parish knew continued success.  Because of its location, and its relatively large-sized facilities, it is the centre of Orthodox Christian liturgical life in the region, and it serves non-Romanian families as well.  Nevertheless, Romanians remain well represented.  About 129 of them live in the area, and they continue a tradition of 70 years of active parish life.  At present, the 36 members and 75 communicants look forward to the future. 

'''Archpriest Orest Olekshy'''

For some years, the [[Archpriest Orest and Matushka Oksana Olekshy |Archpriest Orest Olekshy]] served the parish (along with the other nearby parishes).  He was living in retirement with his daughter and her husband in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melville,_Saskatchewan Melville], Saskatchewan, and he drove to the Lennard and [https://mapcarta.com/24637678 Shell Valley] area to care for this and other parishes until he fell asleep in the Lord.  He loved his parishioners, and he was much loved by them.  

On 28 March, 2017, the Archpriest Orest Olekshy suddenly fell asleep in Christ in Melville, Saskatchewan. He suffered a heart-attack at home, and he reposed soon after he had been taken to the hospital.

On Monday, 3 April, 2017, a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Memorial_Services panikhida] was served at Saint Elijah’s Romanian Orthodox Parish at Lennard, Manitoba, followed by a [http://www.archbishop-of-ottawa.org/content/burial-services-over-presbyter-or-over-bishop funeral service] on Tuesday, 4 April.

On Thursday, 6 April, a panikhida was served at [[Saskatoon SK Holy Resurrection Orthodox Sobor 1975 |Holy Resurrection Orthodox Sobor]] (2202, Lorne Avenue, [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/saskatoon Saskatoon]), followed by a Memorial Divine Liturgy on Friday, 7 April.  This was followed by the interment of the Archpriest Orest Olekshy beside his wife in the [https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/639451/woodlawn-cemetery Woodlawn Cemetery] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saskatoon Saskatoon], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saskatchewan Saskatchewan].  May their memory be eternal.  

'''Archpriest Andrew Piasta'''

The next priest to serve the parish was the [https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/piasta-archpriest-andrew Archpriest Andrew Piasta], who began to serve the community from his home in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yorkton Yorkton], Saskatchewan.  He began to serve the community after the sudden repose of Father Orest Olekshy, and he saw the parishioners through their time of shock and grief.  With his pastorate, fresh hope came to the parishioners.  This fresh hope was no doubt nurtured by the regular presence at the services of the mother of Archpriest Andrew, Doris Piasta.  In 2023, she was more than 100 years old, and still very active and effervescent in accordance with her character.  

Father Andrew Piasta serves also in the [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Canora_SK_Apostle_Andrew_the_First-Called_Orthodox_Church_2004 Parish of Saint Andrew] at Canora, Saskatchewan, which meets there in the [https://orthodox-world.org/en/i/24139/Canada/Saskatchewan/Canora/Church/Saints-Peter-and-Paul-Orthodox-Church Romanian Orthodox Temple of Saints Peter and Paul].  

'''The original bell-house'''

The original bell-house of the parish of Saint Elijah, which had been constructed in early times, was moved after 1952 to the yard of the [http://geneofun.on.ca/cems/MB/MBSHB0672?PHPSESSID=b556401fc842626236f63ebfe4813382 Blue Wing Romanian Orthodox Church] in [http://roadsidethoughts.com/mb/blue-wing-profile.htm Blue Wing], Manitoba, 15 km (10 mi) away.  


[[File:St Elijah Belfry 1.jpg]]  '''Bell-house'''


The new structure which was being built provided a different arrangement for bells.

==120th anniversary celebration, Archpastoral visitation, 2022==

On the occasion of the [https://www.archdiocese.ca/articles/archbishop-irenee-visits-yorkton-and-canora-sk-and-leonard-mb 120th anniversary] of the founding of the parish, on Friday, 3 June, 2022 (the day following the Feast of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Ascension Holy Ascension]), [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Nathaniel_(Popp)  Archbishop Nathaniel (Popp)] made an archpastoral visitation to the Parish of the Holy Prophet Elijah.  He was accompanied by [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Bishop_Andrei_(Hoarste) Bishop Andrei (Hoarste)].  [https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/piasta-archpriest-andrew Archpriest Andrew Piasta], the serving-priest in this parish, received the Archbishop and Bishop in advance of the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy that was served in the Temple on this day.  

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Ir%C3%A9n%C3%A9e_(Rochon) Archbishop Irénée (Rochon)] and [https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/letunovsky-deacon-denis Deacon Denis Letunovsky] were also visiting and co-serving on this day, together with [https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/luciuk-archpriest-rodion Archpriest Rodion Luciuk], all of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Archdiocese_of_Canada Archdiocese of Canada] ([https://orthodoxwiki.org/Orthodox_Church_in_America The Orthodox Church in America]).  All 3 bishops had been together at [https://www.oca.org/parishes/oca-ro-canspp Saints Peter and Paul Romanian Orthodox Church] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canora,_Saskatchewan Canora], Saskatchewan, [https://www.archdiocese.ca/articles/archbishop-irenee-visits-yorkton-and-canora-sk-and-leonard-mb on the previous afternoon], while they visited in the region at the same time.  There, [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Nathaniel_(Popp) Archbishop Nathaniel (Popp)] had blessed the [https://othodoxwiki.org/Iconography iconography] and the extensive renovations which had been accomplished by the [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Canora_SK_Apostle_Andrew_the_First-Called_Orthodox_Church_2004 Parish of the Holy Apostle Andrew] (of the Archdiocese of Canada).  With the blessing of Archbishop Nathaniel, the Parish of Saint Andrew was sharing the [https://www.oca.org/parishes/oca-ro-canspp Temple of Saints Peter and Paul in Canora], the Romanian parish.  

In the parish of Saint Elijah, the 3 bishops and the clergy honoured the founders and benefactors of the parish, together with the many Faithful who had worshipped in this place and laboured for the love of Christ in building the 2 Temples and caring for the nurturing of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Introduction_to_Orthodox_Christianity Orthodox Christian Faith] over the years.  Following the Liturgy, a [http://www.archbishop-of-ottawa.org/content/litiya-trisagion-dead Trisagion] was served for the founders of the community, and the many graves (and original Temple) were blessed with the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Paschal_greeting proclamation of Christ is Risen !] Hristos a înviat ! Христос воскрес ! 

It was of particular significance that there was a substantial attendance for this event. This revealed that despite the years of difficulty in the context of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19_pandemic Covid-19 Pandemic], the Faithful had remained and persevered, united in the love and service of Christ the Lord.  


[[File:North view 2.png]]  '''North view of the Temple, with prayer-table'''


[[File:3 hierarchs at Lennard 2022.jpg]]  '''Archbishop Nathaniel, Archbishop Irénée, Bishop Andrei during the reading of the Apostle'''


[[File:Memorial_Service_at_Lennard_2.png]]  '''Memorial Service after the Divine Liturgy'''


[[File:Archbishop Irenee at Lennard 2.png]]  '''Archbishop Irénée giving congratulations'''


[[File:Father Rodion Lennard 2022 1.png]]  '''Father Rodion Luciuk giving congratulations'''


[[File:Saint Elias original Temple Lennard 2022 1.png]]  [[File:Old_Temple_2.png]]

'''Archbishop Nathaniel leading prayers in the First Temple'''

==Saint Elijah Romanian Orthodox Cemetery, 1902==

The [https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2403852/saint-elijah-romanian-orthodox-church-%26-cemetery Saint Elijah Romanian Orthodox Cemetery] was established in 1902, when the parish was itself established.  

The cemetery is situated adjacent to the new and the old Saint Elijah Temple near [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inglis,_Manitoba Inglis], Manitoba.  


[[File:St Eijah Cemetery.jpg]]  

'''Saint Elijah Cemetery and First Temple'''


[[File:20180624 Archbishop Nathaniel grave Fr PopaS.png]]  '''Archbishop Nathaniel (Popp) at the grave of Father Glicherie Popa in the Saint Elijah Cemetery'''

==Particular parish information==

From the beginning, the parish of Saint Elijah in Lennard has served as a sort of "Mother Church" for other Romanian Orthodox communities in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.  

The parish of Saint Elijah continues confidently, the new beside the old, an island of Orthodoxy amidst the vast reaches of Manitoba.

This parish is a part of the [https://roeacw.ca/ western deanery] of the [https://www.roea.org/romanianorthodoxvicariateofcanada Vicariate of Canada] of the [https://roea.org/ Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America].  The dean is [https://www.oca.org/clergy/Nicolae-Lapuste/ Archpriest Nicolae Lapuste].  The bishop is [[Archbishop Nathaniel (Popp)]].

This parish follows the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revised_Julian_calendar New (Revised Julian) Calendar].

The Altar Feast-day of this parish is the Feast of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Elijah Holy Prophet Elijah (Elias, Elie)], 20 July.

In 2023, the priest in charge of the parish is the [https://www.oca.org/clergy/Nicolae-Lapuste/ Archpriest Nicolae Lapuste], The serving priest is [https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/piasta-archpriest-andrew Archpriest Andrew Piasta].   [https://books.google.ca/books?id=x8NWAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA58&lpg=PA58&dq=deacon+kenneth+john+gaber&source=bl&ots=lMbshC0-j6&sig=epAq1Nd487_N7K-_G91JO3gJgS8&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi9_ZmY2MPVAhUYz2MKHXY7B-4Q6AEIJjAA#v=onepage&q=deacon%20kenneth%20john%20gaber&f=false Deacon Kenneth John Gaber] is attached to the parish.  


Address : 

[https://www.oca.org/parishes/oca-ro-lensec Saint Elias the Prophet Romanian Orthodox Church]   

SW 24-23-24W 

Lennard District

Inglis

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rural_Municipality_of_Riding_Mountain_West R.M. of Riding Mountain West] 

Manitoba

R0J 0X0


Also :

[http://www.stelijahpioneermuseum.ca/ Saint Elijah Pioneer Museum]

Inglis, Manitoba, 

R0J 0X0




Directions :

From the north :

Take Highway #83 south from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roblin,_Manitoba Roblin], Manitoba.  Turn left at the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inglis,_Manitoba Inglis] turnoff.  Turn north on Highway #478.  Proceed and turn left at the sign to Saint Elie (Elijah) Church.  The Temple is on the right.

From the south :

Proceed north on Highway #83 past [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russell,_Manitoba Russell] to the Inglis turnoff.  Turn right, then left on Highway #478.  Proceed and turn left at the sign to Saint Elie Church.  The Temple is on the right.

From the east :

Take Highway #1 West from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winnipeg Winnipeg].  Proceed east to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portage_la_Prairie Portage La Prairie] and turn right on Highway #16 to Russell.  Turn right on Highway #83.  Proceed north to the Inglis turnoff.  Turn right, then left to Highway #478.  Proceed and turn left at the sign to Saint Elie Church.  The Temple is on the right.

From the west :

At [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regina,_Saskatchewan Regina], Saskatchewan, follow Highway #1 east.  Turn north on Highway #10.  Proceed to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melville,_Saskatchewan Melville].  Turn right on Highway #15.  When the highway ends, turn right on Highway #16 to Russell.  Turn left on Highway #83.  Proceed north to the Inglis turnoff.  Turn right, then left to Highway #478.  Proceed and turn left at the sign to Saint Elie Church.  The Temple is on the right.


[https://www.oca.org/clergy/Nicolae-Lapuste/ Archpriest Nicolae Lapuste]

Dean, Canada West Deanery

Holy Trinity Church

New Westminster, British Columbia

Telephone : 604-982-0677

E-mail : prnicolae@gmail.com


[https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/piasta-archpriest-andrew Archpriest Andrew Piasta]

72 Newfield Place

Yorkton, Saskatchewan 

S3N 2M9

Telephone : 306-782-0113

E-mail : axios@sasktel.net


[https://www.oca.org/clergy/name/g Deacon Kenneth John Gaber]

Box 1688

Roblin, Manitoba

R0L 1P0

Telephone : 204-937-4393

E-mail : gaberkm@mts.net


[[File:Saint Elijah Church 2012.jpg]]

==References==

[https://books.google.ca/books?id=x8NWAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA110&lpg=PA110&dq=fr+nicolae+marioncu+lennard&source=bl&ots=lMdsiC01n1&sig=ln9brB5duyy0bzmhYXl5SBbZFNs&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwie1ayz14zaAhVB04MKHdZyDbEQ6AEILzAB#v=onepage&q=fr%20nicolae%20marioncu%20lennard&f=false Bugea, Eleanor, “Romanians in Canada” (Michigan : Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America, 2009)], pp. 106-110.  ISBN : 978-1-929200-14-6. 

Goodes, John, “[http://www.stelijahpioneermuseum.ca/media/history/LennardShellValley_History.pdf A brief History of Lennard and Shell Valley, Manitoba]”  (2009).   

The Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America, “Historical Anniversary Album 1929-1979” (Jackson, Michigan : The Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America, 1979). 

“[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/The_%E2%80%9CRussian_Mission%E2%80%9D_in_North_America The Russian Mission in North America]”  

Tarasar, Constance J, ed., “Orthodox America 1794-1976 : Development of The Orthodox Church in America” (Syosset, NY : The Orthodox Church in America Department of History and Archives, 1975). ASIN : B000ZLZAUE.
	

'''Additional information :'''

Bobango, Gerald J, “[https://www.worldcat.org/title/6330689 The Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America : The first half Century, 1929-1979]” (Jackson, MI : Romanian-American Heritage Center, 1979). ASIN : B0000EBRQ6.    

Klysh, Protopresbyter Mirone, “[https://www.cjoc.ca/pdf/Vol-3-F-1%20Orthodox%20Christians%20in%20Manitoba.pdf Orthodox Christians in Manitoba]”  

Pacurariu, Mircea, ‘Romanian Christianity’ in “The Blackwell Companion to Eastern Christianity” (Oxford : John Wiley & Sons, 2007). ISBN 10 : 0631234233 ; ISBN 13 : 9780631234234.

Patterson, G J, ‘Romanians’, in “Encyclopedia of Canada's Peoples”, Magocsi, P R (ed.) (Toronto : University of Toronto Press, 1999). 

[http://www.ukrainianchurchesofcanada.ca/architectural_styles/traditonal_bukovynian.html Ukrainian Churches of Canada Architectural Styles]  

[https://www.oca.org/parishes/oca-ro-lensec OCA listing]  

[https://www.roea.org/ The Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America (ROEA) web-site]   

[https://www.roea.org/romanianorthodoxvicariateofcanada Romanian Orthodox Vicariate of Canada]    

[https://roeacw.ca/ ROEA Western Deanery]     

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Romanian_Orthodox_Episcopate_of_America_(OCA) Orthodoxwiki article about the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America (OCA)]  

[https://www.oca.org The Orthodox Church in America web-site]    

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

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Bishop_Polycarp_(Moru%C5%9Fca) Bishop Polycarp (Moruşca)]   

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Valerian_(Trifa) Archbishop Valerian (Trifa)]   

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Nathaniel_(Popp) Archbishop Nathaniel (Popp)]    

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

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Bishop_Andrei_(Hoarste) Bishop Andrei (Hoarste)]   

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archimandrite_Martinian_(Ivanovici) Archimandrite Martinian (Ivanovici)]   

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archimandrite_Daniil_(Maxim) Archimandrite Daniil (Maxim)]   

[http://www.stelijahpioneermuseum.ca Saint Elijah Pioneer Museum web-site]

[http://www.stelijahpioneermuseum.ca/pioneerchurch_docs.php Saint Elijah Pioneer Museum : Saint Elijah Pioneer Church]

[http://www.stelijahpioneermuseum.ca/pioneercemetery.php Saint Elijah Romanian Orthodox Cemetery] 

[https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2403852/saint-elijah-romanian-orthodox-church-%26-cemetery Findagrave reference to Saint Elijah Cemetery]  

[https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/83614240/glicherie-popa Findagrave reference for Hieromonk Glicherie (Popa)]  

[https://www.gov.mb.ca/chc/hrb/prov/p020.html Manitoba Provincial Heritage Site No. 20 St. Elijah Romanian Orthodox Church]  

Visit of Archbishop Nathaniel (Popp) to Saint Nicholas Romanian Orthodox Church in Regina and Saint Elijah Romanian Orthodox Church in Lennard MB June (also to Canora and MacNutt) 21-24 June, 2017 (115th anniversary)  

[https://studiiromanoamericane.wordpress.com/pagini-in-limba-engleza/saint-elijah-the-prophet-lennard-manitoba/ Studii Româno Americane article about the Church of the Prophet Elijah, Lennard, Manitoba] 

[https://www.archdiocese.ca/articles/memory-eternal-archpriest-orest-olekshy Repose of Archpriest Orest Olekshy]

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

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/List_of_parishes_in_Manitoba_(Canada) Orthodoxwiki list of parishes in Manitoba]   

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romanian_diaspora Romanian diaspora]    

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

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Winnipeg_MB_Saint_George’s_Romanian_Orthodox_Church_1962 Saint George’s Church, Winnipeg, details about Father Joseph MacLellan]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxJT01C4Xmk NFB film about Providence Church Goods Company] 

“[https://roea.org/soliatheherald Solia – The Herald]”, official publication of the Romanian Episcopate of America  

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NPGO85hylQ Video of the 2016 Altar Feast-day (Hram) of the parish with Archpriest Orest Olekshy]  

Visit of Archbishop Nathaniel (Popp) to Saint Nicholas Romanian Orthodox Church in Regina and Saint Elijah Romanian Orthodox Church in Lennard MB (also to Canora and MacNutt) (115th anniversary) (21-24 June, 2017) 

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFCkxCZjQU4 Video : History of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America] (2018)  

[https://www.archdiocese.ca/articles/archbishop-irenee-visits-yorkton-and-canora-sk-and-leonard-mb "Archbishop Irénée Visits Yorkton and Canora, SK and Lennard, MB"]  (June, 2022) 

“Solia” – “[https://roea.org/files/Solia---The-Herald/2022/SOLIA-Q4-2022-final.pdf The Herald]” Quarterly (Winter, 2022) 

‘[https://roea.org/files/Solia---The-Herald/2022/SOLIA-Q4-2022-final.pdf  Archpastoral Letter of Archbishop Nathaniel (Popp) for Nativity]’. (December, 2022) in “Solia – The Herald”, pp. 3-5)   








[[Category:Parish Communities]]  [[Category:Manitoba]]  [[Category:RusM]]  [[Category:ROEA]]  [[Category:ROEAVC]]  [[Category:OCA]]