View source for Mansonville QC Holy Transfiguration Russian Orthodox Skete 1959


[[File:Mansonville QC Monastere Russe 1.png]] 

'''Mansonville, Québec, Holy Transfiguration Russian Orthodox Skete, 1959'''



Sergei may be spelt Sergiy, Sergii, Serge, Sergeï, Sergui.

Petroff may be spelt Petrov. 

Ustinov may be spelt Oustinov.  



==Prehistory==

Although he had arrived in [https://www.britannica.com/place/Canada Canada] in 1954, [[Metropolitan Vitaly (Ustinov)]],
of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Russian_Orthodox_Church_Outside_Russia Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia] (ROCOR), was first assigned to serve in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Canada Western Canada].  There, he established several small monastic communities.  In 1957, he was transferred to [https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/montreal/ Montréal], [https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/quebec/ Québec], and he was installed as the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Bishop Bishop] of [https://mcdiocese-com.translate.goog/en/?_x_tr_sl=ru&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc Montréal and Canada].  

==Founding the Skete, 1959==

It was in 1959 that Bishop Vitaly (Ustinov), on a visit to [http://www.easterntownships.org/city/45030/mansonville-township-of-potton Mansonville] and the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potton,_Quebec Potton Township] (near the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vermont Vermont], [https://www.britannica.com/place/United-States USA], border, in the [https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/eastern-townships/ Eastern Townships]), was so enthralled by the landscape of Potton that he and his monastic brotherhood bought a large parcel of land.  Here, he established a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monastery monastery] (a "[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Skete Skete]"), and also a retreat for priests and lay members of his diocese.  This idyllic piece of property was cleared of trees for growing wheat.  It is bordered by a small river, the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missisquoi_River Missisquoi] (and also Mud Creek).  

==Building the Temple, 1974-1976==

Construction of the Temple, built as a gift from the cathedral parish of [http://www.stnicholasmontreal.com Saint Nicholas] in Montréal was begun in 1974.  The Temple was usable by 1976, and it was completed in 1979. 

The Temple of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Transfiguration  Holy Transfiguration] Chapel is constructed of wood, in one of the architectural styles typical of northern [https://www.britannica.com/place/Russia  Russia].  Crowning the steep octagonal spire, is a half-sphere on which is situated a cylindrical [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cupola cupola] and a gold-coloured [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cupola dome] adorned with a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Cross Cross].  Above the door of the Temple, a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosaic mosaic] [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Iconography icon] depicts Christ [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Pantocrator Pantocrator] (from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_language Greek], meaning the Ruler of all).  The interior of the Temple, as usual, reveals that the [https://www.britannica.com/topic/Kingdom-of-God Kingdom of Heaven] begins here on earth.  

Four houses and the Temple of the Holy Transfiguration comprise the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Monasticism monastery’s] buildings.  On the grounds, there is also a cemetery.  Because the monastery has suitable accommodations, the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Holy_Synod  Holy Synod] of Bishops of the ROCOR gathered and met there several times after 1983.  

Since this region was both a farming and a logging region, the brotherhood’s primary labours were farming and forestry.  In the 1960s alone, the brothers planted 10,000 pine seedlings.  The brotherhood accumulated all sorts of farming equipment to enable their diverse labours.  In this farmstead, there was a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Candle candle]-making factory.  There was also a small printing shop, in the tradition of the Brotherhood of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Job_of_Pochaev Saint Job of Pochaev].  The printing equipment had moved with Vladyka Vitaly (Ustinov) in 1954 from Western Canada to Montréal.  Through this print-shop, the original members of the brotherhood, together with the bishop, published various service-books, religious books, brochures, the diocesan periodical "The Orthodox Messenger", and a theological periodical “The Orthodox Observer : a Journal of Russian Orthodox Thought”.   When the monks transferred to Montréal, the printing press went there as well.  In the mid-1990s, it was further moved back to Western Canada.  

Nevertheless, the monastery was monastically occupied latterly only during the summer months, since the brotherhood was eventually included amongst the clergy of the cathedral in Montréal (where they moved at the end), and since the brotherhood already had a “podvoriye” (representation, “[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Metochion metochion]”) there.  At this Temple, there were also parishioners.  


[[File:Mansonville QC Holy Transfiguration Monastery.jpg]]  '''Holy Transfiguration Temple'''

==Archpriest Sergei Petroff==

From the beginning of his days in Potton, [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Archpriest Archpriest] [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/192429190/sergei-alexandrovich-petroff Sergei Petroff] worked diligently to gather parishioners who lived near the Temple.  He had been born in [https://www.britannica.com/place/St-Petersburg-Russia Saint Petersburg] in 1917, and he lived in [https://www.britannica.com/place/Bulgaria Bulgaria] and [https://www.britannica.com/place/France France] before moving to live in Québec in 1958.  

After a 20-year career at “[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polytechnique_Montr%C3%A9al l’École polytechnique de Montréal]”, he was ordained to the Holy [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Presbyter Priesthood], and he made Potton his home.  Father Petroff and his wife had received from the Lord a daughter and 2 sons.  Father Petroff provided pastoral service at the Monastery until his death on 14 January, 2009, at the venerable age of 91.  His body was interred in the monastery cemetery beside that of his wife, Matushka Lidia.  

[[File:Archpriest Sergei Petroff.png]]  '''Archpriest Sergei Petroff'''

After the repose of resident Archpriest Sergei Petroff, the monastery facility was only rarely used.  Visits to the property are permitted, provided that the private and sacred nature of the place is respected.  

'''2010 Altar-Feast Day'''

[[File:Mansonville Monastery QC 2010 Altar-feast celebration.png]]  '''2010 Altar-Feast Day, blessing water'''

==Move to the Russian Orthodox Church in Exile, 2001==

The [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Russian_Orthodox_Church_in_Exile Russian Orthodox Church in Exile] resulted from a split in 2001 with the  Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia.  Citing his declining health in 2001, Metropolitan Vitaly announced that he was going to retire the same year.  During the Council of Bishops of 2001, Metropolitan Vitaly announced his resignation.  Immediately afterwards, he left for his residence at the Holy Transfiguration monastery in Mansonville, accompanied by his supporters.  From there, he led the opposition to the rapprochement with the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Church_of_Russia Patriarch of Moscow].  Thus, he became the Metropolitan of the Russian Church in Exile in November of 2001.  

Metropolitan Vitaly (Ustinov) reposed in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magog,_Quebec Magog], Québec, on 25 September, 2006, at the age of 96.  [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/136377710/rostislav-petrovich-ustinov He was interred] by the clergy of the Russian Orthodox Church in Exile in the cemetery of the Holy Transfiguration Skete in Mansonville, Potton Township.  The grave is beside the Temple, near the south wall, towards the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Altar Altar]. 


[[File:Grave,MetropolitanVitaly(Ustinov) 1.jpeg]]  '''Grave of Metropolitan Vitaly (Ustinov)'''


[[File:20180824 Holy Transfiguration Russian Monastery2S.png]] '''Mosaic'''

==Holy Transfiguration Cemetery, 1969==

Burial in the [https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2554885/russian-orthodox-church-cemetery Holy Transfiguration Cemetery] is reserved for Orthodox clergy and laity.  It is one of the most impressive in Potton.  A Russian Orthodox Cross marks each grave.  More than 55 persons have been buried there since 1969.   White crosses mark the graves of persons without living family at the time of their death.  


[[File:Mansonville QC Monastery cemetery.png]]  '''Cemetery photo'''


[[File:20180824 Holy Transfiguration Russian Cemetery S.png]] '''Cemetery painting'''

==Particular skete information==

This community belongs officially to the [https://mcdiocese-com.translate.goog/en/?_x_tr_sl=ru&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc Diocese of Montréal and Canada] of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Russian_Orthodox_Church_Outside_Russia Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia] (ROCOR).  The bishop is [[Archbishop Gabriel (Chemodakov)]].

Unofficially, the community is under the omophor of [http://www.rocana.org/page/parishes.en Archbishop Andronik (Kotliaroff)] of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottawa Ottawa]. 

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

The Altar Feast-day of the Skete is the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Transfiguration Feast of the Tranfiguration of Christ], 6/19 August.  


Address :

[https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Holy_Transfiguration_skete_(Mansonville) Holy Transfiguration Russian Orthodox Skete]

83, Chemin du Monastère

Mansonville, Québec 

J0E 1X0


Directions : 

From [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montreal Montréal], take [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec_Autoroute_10 Highway #10] East to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastman,_Quebec Eastman].  At Eastman, turn south onto [https://www.google.com/maps/place/QC-245,+Memphr%C3%A9magog,+QC/@45.2306566,-72.4215002,12z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x4cb63b40743d94c9:0xdf1d574c2ffcbb30!8m2!3d45.2306566!4d-72.3416777!16zL20vMGYzZGw4?entry=ttu Highway #245] south to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mansonville,_Quebec  Mansonville].  Along the way south, Highway #245 merges into [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec_Route_243 Highway #243].  

Follow Highway #243 south (Route de Mansonville).  At [https://toponymie.gouv.qc.ca/ct/ToposWeb/Fiche.aspx?no_seq=122540 Chemin de l'Aéroport], turn left.  Before the [https://skyvector.com/airport/CSK4/Mansonville-Airport aéroport], turn right at [https://www.google.com/maps/place/Chem.+du+Monast%C3%A8re,+Memphr%C3%A9magog,+QC+J0E+1X0/@45.0178817,-72.408627,15z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x4cb61188cce94d6b:0x4b38b5b261db597a!8m2!3d45.0178817!4d-72.4009022!16s%2Fg%2F1tg9s8zh?entry=ttu Chemin du Monastère].  The skete is on the left.  


[[File:Mansonville QC Holy Transfiguration Monastery1 1.jpg]]  '''Holy Transfiguration Monastery Temple'''

==References==

[http://pottonheritage.org/libpha/Web_Monastere_Russe_EN.pdf "Holy Transfiguration Russian Monastery"] (in English)

Hopko, Thomas, ‘[https://www.oca.org/orthodoxy/the-orthodox-faith/worship/the-sacraments/monasticism Monasticism]’ in “The Orthodox Faith”, vol. 2.  

Leduc, Gérard, et Peter Downman. “[https://patrimoinepotton.org/biblioapp/Web_Monastere_Russe_FR.pdf Monastère russe]” (Association du patrimoine de Potton, 2002). (in French) 

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Monasticism Orthodoxwiki article about Monasticism]   

Prokurat, Michael ; Golitzin, Alexander & Petersen, Michael, eds., 'Monasteries' in “[https://search.worldcat.org/formats-editions/526097915  The A to Z of the Orthodox Church]”   (Lanham, MD : Scarecrow Press, 2010), pp. 223-224. ISBN : 978-0-8108-7602-6.

...... 'Monasticism' in “[https://search.worldcat.org/formats-editions/526097915  The A to Z of the Orthodox Church]”  (Lanham, MD : Scarecrow Press, 2010), pp. 225-227. ISBN : 978-0-8108-7602-6.  

Seide, Georg, "Monasteries and Convents of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad", English translation by Theophilos Lasswell (Munich : Monastery of Saint Job of Pochaev, 1990). ISBN 3-926165-13-8

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Christian_monasticism Wikipedia article about the history of Eastern Orthodox Christian Monasticism]   


'''Additional information :'''

[http://mcdiocese.com/en/preobrazhenskij-muzhskoj-skit-mannsonville-qc-canada/ ROCOR diocese listing]

[http://orthodox-world.org/en/i/24559/Holy_Transfiguration_Orthodox_Monastery_Mansonville Orthodox world listing] 

[[Archbishop Gabriel (Chemodakov)]]

[[Metropolitan Vitaly (Ustinov)]]

[http://www.roca-sobor.org/eng/dioceses ROCA listing] 

[http://www.roca-sobor.org/eng/ Russian Orthodox Church Abroad]

[http://www.rocana.org/page/parishes.en ROCA Canada web-site]

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitaly_(Ustinov) Wikipedia article about Metropolitan Vitaly]

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mansonville,_Quebec Mansonville, Québec]  

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potton,_Quebec Wikipedia article about Potton Township, Québec]   

[https://pottonheritage.org/libpha/Web_Monastere_Russe_EN.pdf Potton Heritage Association : “Holy Transfiguration Russian Monastery”]    

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

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Russian_Orthodox_Church_in_Exile Orthodoxwiki article about the Russian Orthodox Church in Exile]    

[https://patrimoinepotton.org/biblioapp/Cimetiere_Monastere_Russe.pdf Potton’s Cemeteries : Cimetière du Monastère russe]    

[http://www.roca-sobor.org/eng/feast-day-of-the-transfiguration-in-mansonville “Feast Day of the Transfiguration in Mansonville”, 4 September, 2013]  (photos)

[http://www.wisdomhermitage.org.uk/2017/08/06/monastic-legacy-and-the-name/ Wisdomheritage.org article "Monastic Legacy and the Name"]  

[https://www.orthodoxcanada.ca/Category:Monastic_Communities Monastic Communities in the Archdiocese of Canada]   

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Eastern_Orthodox_monasteries_in_the_United_States Wikipedia list of Orthodox Christian Monasteries in the USA]  

[https://www.orthodowiki.org/Monastic_Ranks Orthodoxwiki article about Monastic Ranks]  






[[Category:Monastic Communities]]  [[Category:Quebec]] [[Category:ROCOR]]