View source for Saskatoon SK Saint Vincent of Lerins Antiochian Orthodox Church 1987


[[File:Saint Vincent of Lerins Antiochian Orthodox Church Saskatoon 3.png]]

'''Saskatoon, Saskatchewan : Saint Vincent of Lerins Antiochian Orthodox Church, 1987'''


Lerins may be spelt Lérins.


==Prehistory==

In 1978, in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saskatoon Saskatoon], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saskatchewan Saskatchewan], [https://www.britannica.com/place/Canada Canada], a group of mostly [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mennonite_Church_Canada Mennonite Christians] (with influence from the "[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cru_(Christian_organization) Campus Crusade for Christ]") established [https://www.facebook.com/holycovenanteoc/ New Covenant Orthodox Church], a community of the "[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Covenant_Apostolic_Order New Covenant Apostolic Order]".  The community was led by [https://www.evangelicalorthodox.org/canada Jerold Gliege].  They embraced a movement that tried to live in a manner in greater harmony with the manner of life described in the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/New_Testament New Testament].  This was a group which became the [https://131a0ca8-a144-3b79-eed9-eb0a6087c18f.filesusr.com/ugd/daf14b_4db5c101766e45f186e7624cdf74b3b4.pdf?index=true Evangelical Orthodox Church of the United States and Canada] (EOC).   

A strong movement developed which desired to bring the communities fully into the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Introduction_to_Orthodox_Christianity Orthodox Christian Church] which many of the leaders had encountered, and about a decade of conversations to that end progressed.  

In Saskatoon, there were conversations on a regular basis between [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evangelical_Orthodox_Church Bishop Jerold Gliege] and [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archpriest_Orest_and_Matushka_Oksana_Olekshy Archpriest Orest Olekshy] of [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Saskatoon_SK_Holy_Resurrection_Orthodox_Sobor_1975 Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church].  The conversations continued subsequently over many years.  

Ultimately, most of the parishes were received into the canonical Orthodox Church, although a portion of them remained outside.  Those who remained with the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evangelical_Orthodox_Church Evangelical Orthodox Church] perceived themselves to be able to act as a sort of bridge for evangelical Christians to encounter the Orthodox Christian Faith.  

The main group of Evangelical Orthodox were received into the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Antiochian_Orthodox_Christian_Archdiocese_of_North_America Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America] in 1987 by [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Philip_(Saliba) Metropolitan Philip (Saliba)] and by his [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Auxiliary_bishop Vicar-Bishop], [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Bishop_Antoun_(Khouri) Bishop Antoun (Khouri)].

==Founding the parish, 1987==

In March, 1987, many members of the [https://www.holycovenanteoc.com/ Holy Covenant Orthodox Church] were received in Saskatoon by [[Bishop Antoun (Khouri)]] into the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Orthodox_Church Orthodox Christian Church], and into the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America.  

With the blessing of [[Metropolitan Philip (Saliba)]], Bishop Antoun travelled to Saskatoon in order to [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Chrismation chrismate] the previously-baptised parishioners.  At the same time, he ordained [https://orthodoxsaskatoon.com/clergy/ Father Bernard Funk] and [https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/reinheimer-archpriest-lawrence Father Larry Reinheimer] to the Holy [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Deacon Diaconate] and to the Holy [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Presbyter Priesthood], and [http://archbishop-of-ottawa.org/book/export/html/1841 Peter Isaac], [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Protodeacon_Wilhelm_and_Agnes_Friesen Wilhelm (Willie) Friesen] and [https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/guenther-archpriest-daniel Daniel Guenther] to the Holy Diaconate.  

After several years, Deacons Daniel Guenther, Peter Isaac and Willie Friesen moved to other places of service.  

Father Larry Reinheimer continued to minister to the community in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borden,_Saskatchewan Borden], Saskatchewan, until he was transferred to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew,_Alberta Andrew], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberta Alberta], (and later to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calgary Calgary], Alberta).  

At first, the community worshipped in temporary quarters.  

Father Bernard Funk was the founding priest of the community, and under his leadership the parish grew steadily.


[[File:Saint Vincent Saskatoon 1987 2.png]]  '''Parishioners in March, 1987, with Bishop Antoun (Khouri)'''

'''Standing from left include : Deacon Daniel & Wendy Guenther ; Deacon Peter & Julia Isaac ; (Vera Matheson) ; Myra Reinheimer ; others'''

'''Seated l to r : Priests Dennis Pihach ; C Daniel Matheson ; nn. ; Priest Larry Reinheimer ; Bishop Antoun ; Priest Bernard Funk ; Priest Gordon Walker ; Priest Orest & Oksana Olekshy

==First Temple==

In late 1988, the parish of Saint Vincent purchased a church building that was the former [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Saskatoon_SK_Holy_Resurrection_Orthodox_Sobor_1975#Forming_the_parish,_1975Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church], on Avenue C and 25th Street West.  


[[File:Avenue c, 25th Street 1.png]]  '''First Temple'''


[[File:Saint Vincent congregation bldg 2 1.png]]  '''Congregation at the first site'''


[[File:Saint Vincent of Lerins 1990 2.png]]  '''Parishioners with Bishop Basil (Essey), after 1995'''

'''Seated centre : Priest Bernard & Linda Funk ; Bishop Basil (Essey) ; Deacon Wilhelm & Agnes Friesen'''

At the first site, the parish grew steadily.   Once it had outgrown the space, another site was required.

==Second Temple==

In February, 2009, the parish purchased an old [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presbyterian_Church_in_Canada Presbyterian] church building at Avenue E and 30th Street, where the community continued to grow steadily.  The parish summary states :
  We joyfully and with some difficulty learned what it was like to become Orthodox Christians 
  in some of its many facets during those years.  


[[File:Saint Vincent of Lerins second building 2.png]]  '''Saint Vincent of Lerins, Second Temple'''

[[File:Saint Vincent of Lerins Orthodox Church interior 1.jpg]]  '''Interior at the second site'''

[[File:Saint Vincent of Lerins congregation 2009 2.png]]  '''Congregation in 2009'''


In 2015, a [https://www.pressreader.com/canada/saskatoon-starphoenix/20151121/282089160676328 news article] gave public exposure to the active work in the parish in support of refugees.  Although this is not the only way in which the parishioners help those in need, it is a visible and in important facet of service. 


[[File:Aster Dombrowsky and Lois Machnee 1.png]]  '''Aster Dombrowsky and Lois Machnee at Saint Vincent's Temple'''


Lois Machnee has prepared many immigration papers, and recently the parish was approved as a refugee community agency in some special way. 

In 2015, [[Metropolitan Joseph (Al-Zehlaoui)]] (the new head of the Antiochian Archdiocese) made an archpastoral visit to the parish. 

In 2015, [https://orthodoxsaskatoon.com/clergy/ John Youchezin] (a long-time parishioner and [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Subdeacon subdeacon] since 1995) was ordained to the Holy [https://www.orthodoxwiki.org/Deacon Diaconate] by Metropolitan Joseph (Al-Zehlaoui).    

[https://orthodoxsaskatoon.com/clergy/ Priest James Fields] arrived with his family in the parish at the time when Archpriest Bernard Funk retired from active service after more than 30 years of careful pastorate in the parish.  Father Bernard remained in the parish in retirement.

By this time, the parish had grown to such an extent that the building in which the parish had been worshipping had, as with the previous structure, become too small.

==Third Temple==

On 1 July, 2021, the parish of Saint Vincent of Lerins [https://globalnews.ca/news/8006202/third-avenue-united-church-saskatoon/ purchased] the Third Avenue [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Church_of_Canada United Church] building in the city-centre area of Saskatoon.  [https://www.cyark.org/projects/third-avenue-united-church/in-depth This building] had been declared by Saskatoon city council to be an official historic site in 2017.  (The historic designation refers particularly to the building’s exterior, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hammerbeam_roof hammer-beam rafters], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stained_glass stained glass windows] and the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casavant_Fr%C3%A8res Casavant organ], whose construction as a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methodist_Church_(Canada) Methodist] church took place during 1910-1913.) 

The building was described in a tourist article as follows :
  Third Avenue United Church in Saskatoon is one of the three largest United Churches in Canada featuring [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_Gothic_architecture English Gothic] 
  design.  By guided tour see the enormous stained glass windows and the Casavant organ with three manuals, 39 stops, 
  2,468 pipes and 20 bells.  

This particular purchase was perceived to be Providential not only for the parishioners, for the building itself and its former occupants, but also for the centre of the city of Saskatoon.  


[[File:Saint Vincent of Lerins Antiochian Orthodox Church Saskatoon 2.png]]  '''Saint Vincent of Lerins Temple, third site'''

[[File:Saint Vincent of Lerins interior 2021 1.png]]  '''Interior of the new Temple'''

==2020-2021 Coronavirus-19 closure of parishes==

Because of the rules governing gatherings that were laid down by the federal, provincial and city governments with regard to the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19_pandemic Coronavirus-19 pandemic], there were limitations applied to the nature, number and frequency of public services from March, 2020.  When there were services, they followed the rules regarding social distancing, and the numbers permitted for any gathering.  Over all, such measures are similar to those that were taken in the past, in various parts of the Orthodox world, during the time of a plague.  The conditions surrounding the virus affected the parish, parishioners and all society for the remainder of the year, and for most of 2021.

==Election of new metropolitan-archbishop of Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, 2023==

Following the retirement in 2022 of Metropolitan Joseph (Al-Zehlaoui), the Patriarchate of Antioch provided a Locum-tenens bishop until a successor could be nominated and elected.  Patriarchal Vicar [https://orthochristian.com/86609.html Metropolitan Antonios (El-Souri)] of [https://www.antiochpatriarchate.org/en/category/zahleh-baalbek-and-dependencies/77/ Zahle, Baalbek, and Dependencies] arrived in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City New York] soon after the retirement of Metropolitan Joseph.  He was the temporary administrator of the archdiocese until the election of a successor to Metropolitan Joseph, and he presided over the preparatory process and the [https://ocl.org/special-convention-to-nominate-candidates-for-metropolitan-of-antiochian-archdiocese-set-for-january-13/ convention of nomination] on 13 January, 2023, in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas Dallas], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas Texas].

On 23 February, 2023 (following the nomination convention), the [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Saba_(Esber)#Metropolitan_Archbishop_of_New_York_and_the_Antiochian_Orthodox_Christian_Archdiocese_of_North_America,_2023 Holy Synod of the Church of Antioch assigned] [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Saba_(Esber) Metropolitan Saba (Esber)] to become the head of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Antiochian_Orthodox_Christian_Archdiocese_of_North_America Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of North America].  He arrived in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City New York] a short time later, and straightway, he took up his responsibilities.

==Particular parish information==

This parish is a part of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Diocese_of_Eagle_River_and_the_Northwest_(Antiochian) Antiochian Orthodox Diocese of Eagle River and the Northwest] (which is administered by the Bishop of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Diocese_of_Los_Angeles_and_the_West_(Antiochian) Diocese of Los Angeles and the West]), of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America.  The bishop is [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Saba_(Esber) Metropolitan Saba (Esber)].  

The 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 [https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Vincent-of-Lerins Saint Vincent of Lerins], 24 May.

In 2023, the rector of the parish is [https://orthodoxsaskatoon.com/clergy/ Priest Herman Fields].  

[https://orthodoxsaskatoon.com/clergy/ Archpriest Bernard Funk], retired, is attached to the parish.  

[https://orthodoxsaskatoon.com/clergy/ Deacon John Youchezin] is the deacon of the parish.  


Address :

[http://ww1.antiochian.org/parish/35102 Saint Vincent of Lerins Orthodox Church]

The corner of 24th Street East at Third Avenue North

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan


Mailing Address :

[http://ww1.antiochian.org/parish/35102 Saint Vincent of Lerins Orthodox Church]

304, Third Avenue North

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan 

S7K 2J1


Telephone : (306) 244-4009

Web-site : www.stvincentoflerins.net

E-mail : stvincentorthch@sasktel.net

[https://www.facebook.com/StVincentsSaskatoon/ Facebook page]


'''Directions :'''

Saint Vincent of Lerins Antiochian Orthodox Church is situated in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saskatoon Saskatoon], Saskatchewan, on the north side of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Saskatchewan_River South Saskatchewan River].  In the city-centre, and near [https://www.saskatoon.ca/ City Hall], the Temple is at the junction of Third Avenue North and 25th Street East.  The entrance of the Temple is on 24th Street East.  


From the north : Approach Saskatoon from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saskatchewan_Highway_16 Highway #16] East ; or from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saskatchewan_Highway_11 Highway #11] or [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saskatchewan_Highway_12 Highway #12] South.  Pass [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circle_Drive Circle Drive] on [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idylwyld_Drive Idylwyld Drive] North.  Continue until 25th Street East.  Turn left on 25th Street East.  Turn right at Third Avenue North.  The Temple is at the left at the end of the block.  The entrance of the Temple is on 24th Street East.  


From the west : Approach Saskatoon from the west via [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saskatchewan_Highway_7 Highway #7] or [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saskatchewan_Highway_14 Highway #14].  Highway #7 joins Highway #14.  Continue eastwards on Highway #14 past Circle Drive on 22nd Street West.  Pass Idylwyld Drive North.  At Third Avenue North, turn left ; drive 2 blocks north.  The Temple is on the right at 24th Street East.  The entrance of the Temple is on 24th Street East. 


From the south and east : Approach the city via Highway #16 West or Highway #11 North.  At the junction of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circle_Drive Circle Drive] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellowhead_Highway Yellowhead Route], drive north on Yellowhead Route until College Drive/[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saskatchewan_Highway_5 Highway #5] West.  Turn left on College Drive.  If arriving via Highway #5, continue straight on Highway #5, which becomes College Drive.  Cross the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_Bridge_(Saskatoon) University Bridge] (over the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Saskatchewan_River South Saskatchewan River]).  The road becomes 25th Street North.  Turn left at Third Avenue North.  The Temple is on the left at the end of the block.  The entrance of the Temple is on 24th Street East.  

By bus : Consult [https://transit.saskatoon.ca/plan-my-trip/routes-schedules Saskatoon Transit].  

Saskatoon may be accessed by various airlines through the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saskatoon_John_G._Diefenbaker_International_Airport John G Diefenbaker Saskatoon International Aeroport].

Saskatoon may be accessed by railway through [https://www.viarail.ca/en VIARail]. 

There is [https://www.busbud.com/en-ca/bus-saskatoon/c/c9k0mr interurban bus service] available within Saskatchewan, and with service to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmonton Edmonton], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberta Alberta].


[https://orthodoxsaskatoon.com/clergy/ Priest Herman Fields], rector

Telephone : (306) 244-4009


[https://orthodoxsaskatoon.com/clergy/ Archpriest Bernard Funk], retired

[https://orthodoxsaskatoon.com/clergy/ Deacon John Youchezin]


[[File:Saint Vincent of Lerins Orthodox Church Saskatoon 2.png]]

==Reflections==

==References==

[https://www.joinmychurch.com/churches/St-Vincent-of-Lerins-Church-Saskatoon-Saskatchewan-Canada/1897 Article about Saint Vincent of Lerins Church]


'''Additional information : '''

Many photos were provided by James Nicholas Davis of Holy Resurrection Sobor. 

[http://ww1.antiochian.org/parish/35102 Antiochian Archdiocese listing]  

[https://orthodox-world.org/en/i/10037/Canada/Saskatchewan/Saskatoon/Church/Saint-Vincent-of-Lerins-Orthodox-Church Orthodox World listing]  

[https://www.antiochian.org/home Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America web-site]  

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Antiochian_Orthodox_Christian_Archdiocese_of_North_America  Orthodoxwiki article about the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America]  

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Diocese_of_Eagle_River_and_the_Northwest_(Antiochian) Orthodoxwiki article about the Antiochian Orthodox Diocese of Eagle River and the Northwest]  

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Diocese_of_Los_Angeles_and_the_West_(Antiochian) Orthodoxwiki article about the Diocese of Los Angeles and the West]  

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Patriarch_Elias_IV_(Muawad) Patriarch Elias IV (Muawad)]

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Patriarch_Ignatius_IV_(Hazim) Patriarch Ignatius IV (Hazim)]

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Patriarch_John_X_(Yazigi) Patriarch John X (Yazigi)]

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Joseph_(Al-Zehlaoui) Metropolitan Philip (Saliba)]

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Joseph_(Al-Zehlaoui) Metropolitan Joseph (Al-Zehlaoui)]

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Saba_(Esber) Metropolitan Saba (Esber)]   

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Bishop_Antoun_(Khouri) Bishop Antoun (Khouri)]  

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Basil_(Essey)_of_Wichita Bishop Basil (Essey)]  

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evangelical_Orthodox_Church Wikipedia article about the Evangelical Orthodox Church]

[https://www.evangelicalorthodox.org/home Evangelical Orthodox Church web-site]

[https://131a0ca8-a144-3b79-eed9-eb0a6087c18f.filesusr.com/ugd/daf14b_4db5c101766e45f186e7624cdf74b3b4.pdf?index=true History of the Evangelical Orthodox Church in the United States and Canada] 

[https://www.pressreader.com/canada/saskatoon-starphoenix/20151121/282089160676328 2015 “Star Phoenix” article about work with refugees] (21 November, 2015)

[https://globalnews.ca/news/8006202/third-avenue-united-church-saskatoon/ “Global News” article about historic Third Avenue United Church sold to Saskatoon Orthodox church] (7 July, 2021)   

[https://thestarphoenix.com/news/local-news/it-has-so-much-beauty-already-in-it-orthodox-congregation-buys-third-avenue-united-church “Saskatoon Star Phoenix” article about the purchase of historic United Church by Orthodox Congregation] (8 July, 2021) 

[https://search.saskarchives.com/third-avenue-united-church-in-saskatoon Saskatchewan Provincial Archives holdings for Third Avenue United Church]  

[https://www.cyark.org/projects/third-avenue-united-church/in-depth Third Avenue United Church : Carnegie Hall of the Prairies] (2022)

[https://orthodoxsaskatoon.com/death-and-bereavement-in-the-orthodox-church/?fbclid=IwAR3Rj1Qx-l4ho-qIuZ_pmMGJbqSC3bNMUOwMjFXpZfDAyiapjCpxwfgjWa8 Zoom Retreat : Death and Bereavement in the Orthodox Church] (16-17 December, 2022)        

[https://antiochian.org/regulararticle/1526 Holy Synod of the Church of Antioch elects Metropolitan Saba (Esber) to lead the Archdiocese of North America] (23 February, 2023)   

[https://orthodoxsaskatoon.com/ Pan-Orthodox Youth Retreat, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan] (19-22 May, 2023)   

  








[[Category:Parish Communities]]  [[Category:Saskatchewan]]  [[Category:AOCA]]  [[Category:AP]]