View source for London ON Christ the Saviour Russian Orthodox Church 1950


[[File:Christ the Saviour Temple London ROCOR 2.png]]

'''London, Ontario, Christ the Saviour Russian Orthodox Church, 1950'''


==Prehistory==

The first [https://www.orthodoxwiki.org/Orthodox_Church Orthodox Christian] community that was organised in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London,_Ontario London], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ontario Ontario], [https://www.britannica.com/place/Canada Canada], was named “[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Transfiguration  Holy Transfiguration]”.  

This, the city’s first [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Introduction_to_Orthodox_Christianity Orthodox Christian] Temple, was founded in 1916.  That community was a part of the missionary [https://www.archdiocese.ca Diocese of Canada], under the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Church_of_Russia Russian Orthodox Church] in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Empire Russian Empire].  This diocese, which received its first resident hierarch in 1916 ([[Archbishop Alexander (Nemolovsky) |Bishop Alexander (Nemolovsky]]), was a part of the North American [https://oca.org/history-archives/orthodox-christians-na/chapter-2 missionary administration] of the [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/The_%E2%80%9CRussian_Mission%E2%80%9D_in_North_America Russian Orthodox Mission in North America] headquartered in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City New York].  This missionary “[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archbishop_of_America Diocese of the Aleutians]”, a substantial venture by the Russian Orthodox Church, had its roots in 1794 in [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Alaska Alaska] with [[Saint Herman of Alaska |Saint Herman]] and several other monks.  

This first community in London was composed of both [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_language Russian]- and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_language Greek]-speaking immigrants.  Events following [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Empire World War I] and the [https://www.britannica.com/topic/October-Revolution-Russian-history Bolshevik Revolution] brought the arrival both of refugees and of hotly contrasting political opinions.  These early years were a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/ROCOR_and_OCA difficult time] for both the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Bishops_of_the_Russian_Metropolia_in_North_America Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church in North America] (ROGCCNA) and the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Russian_Orthodox_Church_Outside_Russia Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia] (ROCOR) as they struggled to establish their administrations.  Sharp disagreements, more than the rise of ethnic congregations and the multiplying of jurisdictions, were the likely cause for the first Temple to close down.  There are other possible causes.  Nevertheless, this early seed would indirectly produce later fruit in 3 communities in London.  These are this parish of Christ the Saviour, the Antiochian Orthodox parish of the [[London ON Holy Transfiguration Antiochian Orthodox Church 1916 |Holy Transfiguration]], and [[London ON Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church 1936, 1952 |Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church]].  

==Founding the parish, 1950==

The parish of Christ the Saviour in London, Ontario, is the most direct descendant of the first community.  In 1950, it was organised by a small group of Orthodox Christian young people within the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Orthodox_Church_Outside_Russia Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia] (ROCOR).  As with other communities during this period of time across the country, this community originated from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europe European] immigration at the end of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II World War II], as people sought safety and peace in many different countries.   

In taking the name "Christ the Saviour", it was determined that the Altar Feast-day of the parish would be that of the "[https://orthochristian.com/55750.html Icon of the Saviour 'Not-made-by-hands']".  Parishes so named keep one of the Feasts of the Lord, or of one of the Icons of the Lord.  

The first place of worship was in the [https://londonanglican.wordpress.com/2009/06/02/st-john-the-evangelist-chapel/ Chapel of Saint John], of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huron_University_College Huron College].  Services continued in this chapel for nearly a year until the parishioners were able to buy a house.  As in the case of other new communities, this mission had only one book for the choir for the first 1 or 2 years, so all the services were offered in Tone 6 until other books could be acquired.  

The first priest was a certain Father Nikolai.  He served the parish for one year only, after which he was sent to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Canada Western Canada] to develop a parish there.  Afterwards, for a short time, the parish was served by priests who came from the [http://mcdiocese.com/en/svyato-troickaya-cerkov-windsor-on-canada/ Windsor parish], including the [https://drevo--info-ru.translate.goog/articles/23486.html?_x_tr_sl=ru&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc Priest Sergei Schukin].  Then came the [https://zarubezhje-narod-ru.translate.goog/v1.htm?_x_tr_sch=http&_x_tr_sl=ru&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc Archpriest Boris Vinogradov], who served in the parish for the rest of his life.   

This house was the site of many joyful occasions.  It served as a sort of "nest" in which the congregation was nurtured as a spiritual family.  


[[File:FB IMG 1524999938829.jpg]]  '''Group and other photos at the house'''


[[File:FB IMG 1524999944002.jpg]]  


[[File:FB IMG 1524999948000.jpg]]


[[File:FB IMG 1524999929733.jpg]]  '''Father Boris (seated) ; Father Sergiy Schukin (standing) and others'''

[[File:FB IMG 1524999967266.jpg]]


[[File:FB IMG 1524999934233.jpg]]  


[[File:FB IMG 1524999912291.jpg]]

==Fire, 1958==

On 5 May, 1958, the house-church burned down, a catastrophe for the parishioners, yet they saw it as an opportunity and a sign of encouragement from the Lord.  Furthermore, the metal [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Hand_Cross hand-Cross] used for blessings had not been melted by the heat.  It remained undamaged along with a small paper icon which remained intact even though it still retains a small sign of black on one edge from the smoke.  


[[File:FB IMG 1524999962214 SS.jpg]]  '''Aftermath'''


[[File:FB IMG 1524999973660 SS.jpg]]  '''Pain, sorrow, joy'''


[[File:FB IMG 1524999989572 SS.jpg]]  '''Father Boris surveys the damage'''


[[File:FB IMG 1524999994082 SS.jpg]]  '''Investigating ; searching'''


Encouraged, the parishioners took quick action.  Banding together, they determined to construct a proper building in which they would be able to worship the Lord and to be a testimony of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Introduction_to_Orthodox_Christianity Orthodox Christian Faith] in London.    

==Construction of the Temple, 1959==

Capitalising on their skills and volunteer labour, the members immediately started to build the existing Temple near Wellington Road South and Baseline Road East.  The land itself had been donated in memory of a young man who had died in an automobile accident.  

In 1959, the corner-stone was blessed, and it was laid in its place.  


[[File:FB IMG 1524999922053.jpg]]  '''Bishop Vitaly (Ustinov) blessing the corner-stone'''


[[File:FB IMG 1525000012178.jpg]] '''Placing the new main cupola top'''


[[File:FB IMG 1525000023193 1.jpg]]  '''The completed Temple'''


In October, 1962, the new Temple was [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Consecration_of_a_church sanctified] by the then [[Metropolitan Vitaly (Ustinov) |Archbishop Vitali (Ustinov)]], who later became the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR), which has parishes throughout the world.  From the beginning in 1950, the life of the parish continued peacefully within the jurisdiction of the ROCOR, in the [http://mcdiocese.com/en/ Diocese of Montréal and Canada].  


[[File:Christ the Saviour Church London On interior 2.png]]  '''Interior of the Temple'''


In 1966, the Archpriest Boris Vinogradov fell asleep in the Lord.  He was in his 80s at that time.  


[[File:28180404 ChristtheSaviourLondon.jpg]]  '''Visit of the "[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Kursk_Root_icon Kursk Root" Icon of the Theotokos]'''  

Archpriests Vladimir and Theodore stand together.

==40th Anniversary of Church service of Archpriest Vladimir Morin, 2019==

On 28-29 September, 2019, [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Gabriel_(Chemodakov) Archbishop Gabriel (Chemodakov)] [http://mcdiocese.com/en/40-letie-pastyrskogo-sluzheniya-protoiereya-vladimira-morina/ visited the parish of Christ the Saviour (named for the Icon-not-written-by-hands) in London, Ontario.]

On this occasion, the Rector [https://directory.stinnocentpress.com/viewclergy.cgi?Uid=465&lang=en Father Vladimir Morin] was awarded the privilege of wearing a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Miter mitre] by Archbishop Gabriel, in accordance with the the decree of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Holy_Synod  Holy Synod] of the ROCOR, in recognition of Father Vladimir’s 40 years of service in the Church in the Holy Priesthood.  


[[File:Father Vladimir Morin (3).png]]  '''Father Vladimir'''

==Assignment of a Second Priest, 2022==

On 22 May, 2022, Priest Mikhail Baleka was assigned to serve as Second Priest in the Parish of Christ the Saviour in London, Ontario.

Father Mikhail had been ordained to the Holy Priesthood on that day by Archbishop Gabriel (Chemodakov), and he had assisted in the interment of the newly-departd [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Hilarion_(Kapral) Metropolitan Hilarion (Kapral)] at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordanville,_New_York Jordanville], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_(state) New York].  He was then assigned to serve in London. 

Mikhail Vasilievich Baleka had been baptised on 8 February, 2020, together with his wife Anna Miroslavovna after a long journey of seeking Christ.  They had thus been received into the Orthodox Christian Church from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukrainian_Greek_Catholic_Church Ukrainian Catholic Church].  They were then crowned in marriage 2 days later, on 10 February, by Father Vladimir Morin at Christ the Saviour Russian Orthodox Church. Mikhail Vasilievich then began distance studies with [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Holy_Trinity_Orthodox_Seminary_(Jordanville,_New_York) Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary] in the autumn of 2020.  On 10 October, 2021 Mikhail was tonsured to be a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Reader Reader] and ordained to be a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Subdeacon Subdeacon] by [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Ir%C3%A9n%C3%A9e_(Rochon) Archbishop Irénée (Rochon)] of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Archdiocese_of_Canada Archdiocese of Canada] (OCA) on behalf of Archbishop Gabriel (Chemodakov) of Montréal and Canada.

On 21 May, 2022 Mikhail Baleka was ordained to the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Deacon Holy Diaconate] by [https://jordanville.org/news_140513_1 Bishop Luke (Murianka)], [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Abbot Abbot] of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordanville,_New_York  Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_(state)  New York].  On 22 May, 2022, Deacon Mikhail Baleka was ordained to the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Presbyter Holy Priesthood] by Archbishop Gabriel (Chemodakov).  

Father Mikhail now serves as the second priest at Christ the Saviour (Image not made with hands) parish.  Father Mikhail and his wife Matushka Anna love the parish and are eager to serve their community. 


[[File:Priest Mikhail, Matushka Anna Baleka 2.png]]  '''Father Mikhail, Matushka Anna Beleka'''


==Archpastoral visitation, 2023==

On Monday, 5 June, 2023, the Feast-day of the Holy Spirit, Archbishop Gabriel (Chemodakov) presided at the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy in Christ the  Saviour Church (of the Holy Icon “Not Made by Hands”).  He was assisted by Mitred Archpriest Vladimir Morin, the rector, and by Priest Michael Baleka, the second priest of the parish.  

During the Divine Liturgy, John Castillo, a native of Cuba, was ordained to the Holy Diaconate by Archbishop Gabriel.  Deacon John Castill was assigned to serve in the Church of Christ the Saviour.

==Charitable activity==

The Parish of Christ the Saviour has a charitable fund in the name of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Cyril_and_Methodius Saints Cyril and Methodius].  The fund adjusts its focus from year to year.  For instance, one project is providing needed assistance to monasteries abroad.  The following would receive special attention :

[http://orthodoxwiki.org/Holy_Trinity_Monastery_%28Jordanville%2C_New_York%29 Holy Trinity Monastery and Seminary] - Jordanville, New York

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Cross_Monastery_(Wayne,_West_Virginia) Holy Cross Hermitage] - Virginia

[https://www.seetheholyland.net/church-of-the-ascension/ Holy Ascension Monastery] - Jerusalem

[https://orthochristian.com/63239.html Gethsemane Monastery] - Jerusalem

A Convent - Ukraine

==Particular parish information==

At the present time, the parish consists primarily of descendants of the founders who arrived after [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II World War II].  In addition, there are recent immigrants from the countries of the old [https://www.britannica.com/place/Soviet-Union Soviet Union], and some who have converted to the Orthodox Christian Faith.  

It is a part of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad, which joined with the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Church_of_Russia Moscow Patriarchate] in May of 2007 with the signing of the [https://mospat.ru/en/documents/act-of-canonical-communion/ Act of Canonical Union] by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriarch_Alexy_II_of_Moscow Patriarch Aleksy II] and [[Metropolitan Laurus (Skurla)]].  

The parish offers a coffee time after the Divine Liturgy on Sundays, and there are several large social events every year. 

This parish is a part of the [http://mcdiocese.com/en/ Archdiocese of Montréal and Canada] of the [https://www.synod.com/synod/indexeng.htm Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia] (ROCOR).  The bishop is [[Archbishop Gabriel (Chemodakov)]].  

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

The feast-day of this Temple is that of the icon, "[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Image_Not-made-by-hands Image Not Made By Hands]" on 16/29 August.  The main parish celebration, however, is usually on the Sunday following the actual feast-day (most often Labour Day weekend).

In 2022, the pastor of the parish is the [http://directory.stinnocentpress.com/viewclergy.cgi?Uid=465&lang=en Archpriest Vladimir Morin].  As of 2018, he had served this parish for 35 years.  The second priest is [https://russianorthodoxchurchlondon.ca/en/ Father Mikhail Baleka].  



[[File:20180404 ChristtheSaviour London 1.jpg]]  [[File:Aerial view 2 3.png]]

'''Visual aerial view''' (left) '''; Satellite aerial view''' (right)




Address :

[https://directory.stinnocentpress.com/viewparish.cgi?Uid=198&lang=en Christ the Saviour Russian Orthodox Church]

140, Fairview Avenue 

London, Ontario 

N6C 4T8

Теlephone : 226-270-2307

Web-site : http://www.russianorthodoxchurchlondon.ca

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


Directions :

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London,_Ontario London], Ontario, is located 193 km (120 mi) southwest of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto Toronto], via [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ontario_Highway_401 Highway #401] (or via [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ontario_Highway_403 Highway #403]). 


By VIA Rail : 

London is accessible by [http://www.viarail.ca/en VIA Rail] between [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windsor,_Ontario Windsor] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto Toronto] (and beyond to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottawa Ottawa], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montreal Montréal], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec_City Québec], etc.).


By car :

Follow the exit from Highway #401 to the exit for Highbury Avenue North.  Turn left on Commissioners Road East in London.  Turn right on Adelaide Street South to Thompson Road.  Turn left.  Drive to Whetter Avenue.  Turn right.  Turn left at Fairview Avenue.  The Temple is on the left.  


The Temple is located in South London, not far from Wellington Road South, on the corner of Fairview and Whetter, at 140, Fairview Avenue.  

From King Street in central London, drive south on Wellington Road South.  Turn left on Whetter Avenue.  Turn right on Fairview Avenue.  The Temple is on the left.  


By bus :

Consult the [http://www.londontransit.ca London Transit Commission].  Route #1 runs by the Temple.  Route #6 runs along Baseline Road : 5 minutes' walk to the Temple.  Route #13 runs on Wellington Road : 5 minutes' walk to the Temple.  


[https://directory.stinnocentpress.com/viewclergy.cgi?Uid=465&lang=en Archpriest Vladimir Morin]

1671, Jalna Boulevard #411

London, Ontario

N6E 3S3

Telephones : 519-495-4231 (mobile) ; 519-204-3065 (home)

E-mail : ovm89@rogers.com


[https://russianorthodoxchurchlondon.ca/en/ Priest Mikhail Baleka]

Telephone : 519-719-9910

E-mail : fr.mikhail.baleka@gmail.com



[[File:Christ the Savour Russian Orthodox Church London ON1.jpg]]    [[File:Christ the Savour Russian Orthodox Church London On.jpg]]

==References==

[http://mcdiocese.com/en/index.php?s=Ontario&cat=5 Diocese listing]


'''Additional information :'''

Makovetsky, Archpriest A V, “History of the Russian Church Abroad” (Moscow : Publishing House Peter, 2009). ISBN 978549807-400-9. (in Russian) 

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Dmitry_Vladimirovich_Pospielovsky Pospielovsky, Dimitry], “[https://www-odinblago-ru.translate.goog/istoriya_rpc/pospelovskiy/?_x_tr_sch=http&_x_tr_sl=ru&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc Russian Orthodox Church in the XX Century]” (Moscow : Respublika Publishing House, 1995). ISBN : 5-250-02501-3. [available on-line in Russian and in English]  

Seide, Gernot, "[https://www.rocorstudies.org/2020/02/13/history-of-the-russian-orthodox-church-outside-russia-from-its-beginning-to-the-present-part-iv-chapter-1-5/ History of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia from its Beginnings to the Present : Part IV, Chapter 1.5 – The Dioceses in Canada]" (rocorstudies.org)   

Shchukin, Archpriest Sergei, “[https://www-synod-com.translate.goog/synod/history/his_rocorshukin.html?_x_tr_sl=ru&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc A brief History of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia, 1922-1972]”.   

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. 

[http://directory.stinnocentpress.com/viewparish.cgi?Uid=198&lang=en ROCOR listing]

[http://mcdiocese.com/en/ Archdiocese of Montréal and Canada web-site] 

[https://www.synod.com/synod/indexeng.htm Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia web-site] 

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Orthodox_Church_Outside_of_Russia Wikipedia article about the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia]   

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Russian_Orthodox_Church_Outside_Russia Orthodoxwiki article about the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia]   

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

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

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Laurus_(Skurla) Metropolitan Laurus (Škurla)]   

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Hilarion_(Kapral) Metropolitan Hilarion (Kapral)]    

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Nicholas_(Olhovsky) Metropolitan Nicholas (Olhovsky)]   

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

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

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIN2c0Prldg Cross-procession]

[https://mospat.ru/en/documents/act-of-canonical-communion/ Act of Canonical Union between the ROCOR and the Moscow Patriarchate]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_Rq7px-Z0c Video of the Act of Union]

[https://artsandculture.google.com/exhibit/BgJC_XX49GB4Jg History of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia] 

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Trinity_Monastery_(Jordanville,_New_York) Holy Trinity Monastery, Jordanville, New York]   

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Canadians Wikipedia article about "Russian Canadians"]

[http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/russian-canadians/ Canadian Encyclopaedia article about "Russian Canadians"]

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_diaspora Wikipedia article about  the "Russian Diaspora"]

[http://alaskaweb.org/religion/russortho.html 1794 Russian Orthodox Mission in Alaska] 

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

‘[https://www.oca.org/history-archives/orthodox-christians-na/chapter-5 The Collapse of the Immigrant Church]’ in  “Orthodox Christians in North America” (Chapter 5)     

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/List_of_parishes_in_Ontario_(Canada) List of Orthodox parishes in Ontario] 






[[Category:Parish Communities]] [[Category:Ontario]] [[Category:ROCOR]]