View source for Rawdon QC Russian Orthodox Cemetery (of Saint Seraphim) 1962


[[File:RawdonRussianCemetery 2.jpg]]

'''Rawdon, Québec, Russian Orthodox Cemetery (of Saint Seraphim), 1962'''




==Prehistory==

The development of the Town of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rawdon,_Quebec Rawdon], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec Québec], [https://www.britannica.com/place/Canada Canada], and the development of the Russian-speaking community therein may be found summarised in the [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/index.php?title=Rawdon_QC_Saint_Seraphim_of_Sarov_Russian_Orthodox_Church_and_Cemetery_1954&action=edit&section=1 Prehistory] of the [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Rawdon_QC_Saint_Seraphim_of_Sarov_Russian_Orthodox_Church_and_Cemetery_1954 Parish of Saint Seraphim of Sarov] in Rawdon.  

Another important preceding event was the [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/index.php?title=Rawdon_QC_Saint_Seraphim_of_Sarov_Russian_Orthodox_Church_and_Cemetery_1954&action=edit&section=2 establishment of the Domestic Chapel of the Boldireff family in 1954].  

The establishment of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Chapel Chapel] of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Seraphim_of_Sarov Saint Seraphim] beside the home of [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Mitred_Archpriest_Oleg_and_Matushka_Natalia_Boldireff Archpriest Oleg and Matushka Natalia Boldireff] was part of the phenomenon of an increasingly resident [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_language Russian-speaking] population in the town.  

==Establishment of the Russian Orthodox Cemetery 1962==

Before 1962, there were some conversations between Archpriest Oleg Boldireff with the parish council of [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Montr%C3%A9al_QC_Saints_Peter_and_Paul_Russian_Orthodox_Sobor_1907 Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral] of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montreal Montréal], Québec, about the potential establishment of a cemetery in Rawdon.  

In 1962, the Albert Lawes (or Lowes) family (members of the cathedral parish from 1926) made a donation for the acquisition of a tract of land in Rawdon for this purpose.  This property included the territory surrounded by [https://www.google.com/maps/place/St.+Seraphim+Orthodox+Church/@46.0574092,-73.7121843,17z/data=!4m15!1m8!3m7!1s0x4cc8b3e2f1a2828f:0x3e227404e382a323!2s15e+Ave,+Rawdon,+QC+J0K+1S0!3b1!8m2!3d46.0549205!4d-73.7153575!16s%2Fg%2F1tgs0k0f!3m5!1s0x4cc8b15f55e0236b:0x90467e41239625c2!8m2!3d46.0576078!4d-73.7114293!16s%2Fg%2F11bzsrnjt2?entry=ttu 15th Avenue, Woodland Street, and Petrograd Avenue (which circles around the north-eastern edge)].  

The completion of the process included successful approaches made by Father Oleg to the [https://www.histoirederawdon.ca/en/la-vie-communautaire/les-eglises/leglise-catholique/ Roman Catholic Church of the municipality].  At that time, such an approach was not only polite, but necessary also.  


[[File:SaintSeraphimCemeteryRawdon 2.png]]  

'''Entrance gate of the cemetery'''

==Sanctification of the cemetery, 1962==

The opening and sanctification (blessing) of this landmark site was conducted by [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Bishop_Anatoly_(Apostolov) Bishop Anatoly (Apostolov)], who was the Bishop of Canada at that time.  There are particular prayers (in the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Euchologion Book of Needs]) for blessing the establishment of a cemetery, which Vladyka Anatoly used.   This included blessing the grounds with [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Holy_water Holy Water] and [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Incense incense].  This usually involves  also the erection of a large [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Cross Cross] on the grounds.  

Each year thereafter, on the anniversary of the martyrdom of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicholas_II Tsar Nicholas II] and his family, a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Memorial_Services memorial service] was held in front of the monument dedicated to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_movement#White_Army Russian White Army] fighters buried in the [https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2522760/st-seraphim%27s-russian-orthodox-cemetery Russian Orthodox Saint Seraphim Cemetery] in Rawdon, and elsewhere also.

From this time, the property of the cemetery and everything on it has remained that of [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Montréal_QC_Saints_Peter_and_Paul_Russian_Orthodox_Sobor_1907 Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral] in Montréal (as well as several other properties nearby).  Although it was the case that certain residents were given the responsibility of maintaining the cemetery and its records, the cathedral administration remained in charge of everything.  

'''Entrance to the cemetery'''

The actual main and marked entrance gate to the Russian Orthodox Cemetery is at 4005, [https://www.google.com/maps/place/Rue+Woodland,+Rawdon,+QC+J0K+1S0/@46.0572917,-73.7121477,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x4cc8b3e1f7f4ae6b:0xfdc0d07f7c5afa18!8m2!3d46.0572917!4d-73.7121477!16s%2Fg%2F1v2pptz5?entry=ttu Woodland Street], in Rawdon.  

==Establishment of the Saint Seraphim Temple on the cemetery territory 1966==

After the departure of Father Oleg Boldireff from Montréal to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vancouver Vancouver], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Columbia British Columbia], [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Sylvester_(Haruns) Bishop Sylvester (Haruns)], the newly-arrived successor to [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Bishop_Anatoly_(Apostolov) Bishop Anatoly (Apostolov)], built a larger chapel next to the cemetery in 1966, and he dedicated it to [https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2021/01/02/100008-repose-of-venerable-seraphim-wonderworker-of-sarov Saint Seraphim of Sarov].   Situated on 15th Avenue, on the grounds of the Orthodox cemetery, some elements of Father Oleg Boldireff’'s chapel, notably the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onion_dome dome], windows, and the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Holy_Doors royal doors] of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Iconostasis iconostas], were incorporated into the new structure.  


[[File:Saint Seraphim Russian Orthodox Chapel and Cemetery Rawdon 1.jpg]]   '''Saint Seraphim Church, viewed from the cemetery''' 


When the [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Rawdon_QC_Saint_Seraphim_of_Sarov_Russian_Orthodox_Church_and_Cemetery_1954 Saint Seraphim Temple] was constructed on the cemetery property, its address became 3494-[https://www.mapquest.com/ca/quebec/st-seraphim-cemetery-375778477 15th Avenue].  This address was associated with a secondary entrance to the cemetery, but it did not change the fact that the main entrance-gate remained at 4005, Woodland Street.

==Establishment of a hermitage on the cemetery property, 1978==

In 1977-1978, with the blessing of Archbishop Sylvester (Haruns), [https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/papazian-archimandrite-gregory Hieromonk Gregory (Papazian)] (of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armenia Armenian] origin from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egypt Egypt]), built a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Skete skete] (or [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Hermitage hermitage]), with a small adjacent chapel, dedicated to the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Transfiguration Transfiguration of Christ].  It was situated on the cemetery grounds, a very short distance from the [https://www.archdiocese.ca/community/st-seraphim-sarov-church-rawdon-qc Saint Seraphim of Sarov Church].  The skete chapel began to be used all year round for the celebration of daily offices, and in winter for the celebration of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Divine_Liturgy Divine Liturgy] (the larger but uninsulated Church of Saint Seraphim of Sarov is not used in winter).  

After the departure of Father Gregory and his disciple to greater solitude in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Townships Eastern Townships], [https://www.archdiocese.ca/articles/mother-nila-1927-2017 Mother Nila (Maikapar)] lived in the skete for 10 years.  

From that time, the building was known as [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Rawdon_QC_Saint_Seraphim_Skete_1978 Saint Seraphim Skete].  There, Mother Nila carried out the administration of the cemetery on behalf of the cathedral’s parish council.  This was the case similarly with other monastics who followed her there.  

It was during the time of Mother Nila that many of the cemetery grave-marking Crosses began to be changed from wood to metal, since the wood was deteriorating quickly.  


[[File:StSeraphimSkete Rawdon 9vii05 2.jpg]]  '''Skete of Saint Seraphim'''

==Sanctification of the Memorial Cross from Russia : Rawdon and Montréal church services, 2015==

On 17-18 October, 2015, the new [https://www.archdiocese.ca/articles/sanctification-memorial-cross-russia-rawdon-and-montreal-church-services Memorial Cross imported from Russia was sanctified] by [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Ir%C3%A9n%C3%A9e_(Rochon) Archbishop Irénée (Rochon)] in Rawdon, Québec.  It was established on the cemetery grounds between the [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Rawdon_QC_Saint_Seraphim_of_Sarov_Russian_Orthodox_Church_and_Cemetery_1954 Saint Seraphim Temple] and the [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Rawdon_QC_Saint_Seraphim_Skete_1978 Saint Seraphim Skete].  


[[File:RawdonMemorialCrossA 2.jpg]]  [[File:MemorialRawdonCrossB 2.jpg]]  

'''Front and back views of the Memorial Cross (between the Temple and the Skete'''


[[File:SaintSeraphimCemetery,Church,Skete,Datcha 2.png]]  

'''Aerial view of the Saint Seraphim Cemetery (with Saint Seraphim's Church, and Saint Seraphim’s Skete), and the Dacha across the road'''


[[File:RawdonAnniversaryCemeteryPanikhida 2.jpg]]  '''Centennial panikhida at the Cemetery Cross'''



'''Photos from the cemetery'''


[[File:SaintSeraphimCemeteryMonumentA 2.jpg]]  '''Monument to fallen Russian soldiers'''


[[File:SaintSeraphimCemeteryMonument 2.jpg]]  '''1962 monument of the gift of the cemetery by Mr. A Lawes'''


[[File:GraveOfArchbishopSylvester 2.jpg]]  '''Grave of Archbishop Sylvester (Haruns)'''


[[File:GraveMarkerOfFatherOlegBoldireff 2.jpg]]  '''Grave-marker of Mitred Archpriest Oleg Boldireff'''

==Cemetery particular information==

The Russian Orthodox Cemetery of Saint Seraphim of Sarov is part of the [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Montréal_QC_Saints_Peter_and_Paul_Russian_Orthodox_Sobor_1907 Cathedral Parish of Saints Peter and Paul] in Montréal, Québec.  It is within the [https://www.archdiocese.ca/communities?field_deanery_tid_i18n=2&field_community_type_value_i18n=All&title= Québec Deanery] of the [https://www.archdiocese.ca Archdiocese of Canada], of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Orthodox_Church_in_America The Orthodox Church in America].  The dean is [https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/melnyk-mitred-archpriest-anatoliy Mitred Archpriest Anatoliy Melnyk].   The bishop is [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Irénée_(Rochon) Archbishop Irénée (Rochon)].  The Priest-in-charge of the cemetery is [https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/melnyk-mitred-archpriest-anatoliy Mitred Archpriest Anatoliy Melnyk]. 

The name-day of the Russian Orthodox Cemetery is that of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Seraphim_of_Sarov Saint Seraphim of Sarov], 19 July/1 August.  


Address :

[https://www.archdiocese.ca/community/russian-orthodox-cemetery-rawdon-qc Russian Orthodox Cemetery of Saint Seraphim of Sarov]

4005, Woodland Street

Rawdon, Québec

J0K 1S0


Mailing address :

Russian Orthodox Cemetery of Saint Seraphim of Sarov

3495-15e Avenue

Rawdon, Québec 

J0K 1S0


Administrator of the cemetery :

Matushka Irina Melnyk

1175, rue de Champlain

Montréal, Québec

H2L 2R7

Telephone : 514-522-2801


Directions :


By bus :

Travel to Rawdon by Autobus "[https://groupe-gaudreault.com/en/  Gaudreault Inc.]" from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radisson_station  Station de Metro Radisson] in Montréal (7155 and 7250, [https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/tregubov-hieromonk-serafim Sherbrooke Street] East, Montréal, Québec, H1N 1E3).  

By car :

From [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Downtown_Montreal downtown Montréal], drive westwards on [https://www.google.ca/maps/place/A.+Ville-Marie,+Montr%C3%A9al,+QC/@45.4903102,-73.578147,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x4cc91a6e7a1ac969:0xd1bef870dd25a8ed!8m2!3d45.4903102!4d-73.5755721!16s%2Fg%2F1tfk8mv9?entry=ttu Autoroute Ville Marie (Route #136)].  Follow the signs leading to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec_Autoroute_15 Highway #15 North] (Décarie Expressway).  After passing [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Talon_Street Rue Jean-Talon Ouest], keep right and follow the signs to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec_Autoroute_40 Autoroute #40 Est] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec_Autoroute_15 Autoroute #15 Nord].  Very soon, follow the signs for the exit for Autoroute #15 Nord.  Follow Autoroute #15 Nord.  After passing Boulevard [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-Martin,_Laval,_Quebec Saint-Martin] Ouest (in Laval), keep to the right, and take the exit for [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec_Autoroute_440_(Laval) Autoroute #440].  This becomes [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec_Autoroute_25 Autoroute #25 Nord].  Continue on Autoroute #25 Nord.  At [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-Esprit,_Quebec, Saint-Esprit], follow the signs for [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec_Route_125 Route #125 Nord].  This is a left turn.  Follow Route #125 Nord as far as Rawdon.  Take the exit to the right for [https://www.waze.com/live-map/directions/ca/qc/rawdon/avenue-6e?to=place.EiJBdi4gNmUsIFJhd2RvbiwgUUMgSjBLIDFTMCwgQ2FuYWRhIi4qLAoUChIJE5tBIaq2yEwRnHub3pm6yEcSFAoSCTNvOONRschMEdFxyb8T3YqX 6e Avenue].  Drive on 6e Avenue until the intersection with [https://www.google.ca/maps/place/Rue+Queen,+Rawdon,+QC+J0K+1S0/@46.0479052,-73.7177992,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x4cc8b155ddb3ac71:0x93e28dcf5168c65!8m2!3d46.0479052!4d-73.7152243!16s%2Fg%2F1tgnr88f?entry=ttu Rue Queen].  Turn left onto Rue Queen, and drive until [https://www.google.com/maps/place/15e+Ave,+Rawdon,+QC+J0K+1S0/@46.0549205,-73.7153575,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x4cc8b3e2f1a2828f:0x3e227404e382a323!8m2!3d46.0549205!4d-73.7153575!16s%2Fg%2F1tgs0k0f?entry=ttu 15e Avenue].  Turn right on 15th Avenue, and pass through the intersection with [https://www.google.ca/maps/place/Rue+Woodland,+Rawdon,+QC+J0K+1S0/@46.0572917,-73.7147226,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x4cc8b3e1f7f4ae6b:0xfdc0d07f7c5afa18!8m2!3d46.0572917!4d-73.7121477!16s%2Fg%2F1v2pptz5?entry=ttu Rue Woodland].  The cemetery is on the right.  The entrance gate to the cemetery is in the middle of the block, on the left side.  

Alternatively, continue until [https://www.google.com/maps/place/Rue+Ashland,+Rawdon,+QC+J0K+1S0/@46.0584668,-73.7124572,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x4cc8b3e1eb949db9:0x2d1ff9e51b85aea3!8m2!3d46.0584668!4d-73.7124572!16s%2Fg%2F1tc_3q2t?entry=ttu Rue Ashland].  The Temple of Saint Seraphim is on the right, and there is an entrance gate to the cemetery behind the Temple.  

[https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/melnyk-mitred-archpriest-anatoliy Mitred Archpriest Anatoliy Melnyk]



[[File:SaintSeraphimTempleSign 2.jpg]]  '''Parish sign'''

==References==

[https://www-pagesorthodoxes-net.translate.goog/les-communautés-orthodoxes-de-l’abitibi-et-de-rawdon-québec?_x_tr_sl=fr&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp Orthodox Pages of the Transfiguration : The Orthodox communities of Abitibi and Rawdon (Québec]  

[https://www-ipir-ulaval-ca.translate.goog/fiche.php?id=45&_x_tr_sch=http&_x_tr_sl=fr&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp Religious Heritage Buildings of Québec :  Church of Saint  Seraphim of Sarov, Rawdon, Québec]  (Translation of : [http://www.ipir.ulaval.ca/fiche.php?id=45 RÉCIT DE LIEU L'église Saint-Séraphim-de-Sarov])


'''Additional information :'''

[http://www.ipir.ulaval.ca/fiche.php?id=45 RÉCIT DE LIEU L'église Saint-Séraphim-de-Sarov]  (see translation above in References) 

Tarasar, Constance J, ed., “[https://archive.org/details/orthodoxamerica10000unse/page/n3/mode/2up 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.  

[https://www.archdiocese.ca/community/russian-orthodox-cemetery-rawdon-qc Archdiocese of Canada listing for the Parish and Cemetery of Saint Seraphim] 

[https://www.archdiocese.ca Archdiocese of Canada web-site]   

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Archdiocese_of_Canada Orthodoxwiki article about the Archdiocese of Canada]  

[https://www.oca.org/parishes/oca-ca-vanhrc Orthodox Church in America (OCA) listing]  

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

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

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Montréal_QC_Saints_Peter_and_Paul_Russian_Orthodox_Sobor_1907 Article about Saints Peter and Paul Russian Orthodox Sobor, Montréal, Québec]  

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Leonty_(Turkevich) Metropolitan Leonty (Turkevich)]  

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Ireney_(Bekish) Metropolitan Ireney (Bekish)]   

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Theodosius_(Lazor) Metropolitan Theodosius (Lazor)] 

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Herman_(Swaiko) Metropolitan Herman (Swaiko)]   

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Jonah_(Paffhausen) Metropolitan Jonah (Pauffhausen)]  

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Tikhon_(Mollard) Metropolitan Tikhon (Mollard)]  

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Nikon_(de_Gr%C3%A8ve) Archbishop Nikon (de Grève)]   

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Sylvester_(Haruns) Archbishop Sylvester (Haruns)]    

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Bishop_Anatoly_(Apostolov) Bishop Anatoly (Apostolov)] 

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Bishop_Joasaph_(Antoniuk) Bishop Joasaph (Antoniuk)]  

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

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Mitred_Archpriest_Oleg_and_Matushka_Natalia_Boldireff Archpriest Oleg Boldireff]   

[https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/melnyk-mitred-archpriest-anatoliy Mitred Archpriest Anatoliy Melnyk]   

[https://www.archdiocese.ca/articles/sanctification-memorial-cross-russia-rawdon-and-montreal-church-services Sanctification of the Memorial Cross from Russia : Rawdon and Montréal church services] (17-18 October, 2015)







[[Category:Parish Communities]]  [[Category:Quebec]]  [[Category:ADOCA]]     [[Category:OCA]]