View source for Wasel AB Holy Ascension Russo Orthodox Church and Cemetery 1901



[[File:20170504Holy Ascension Wasel AB s.jpg]]

'''Wasel, Alberta, Russo Orthodox Church and Cemetery of the Holy Ascension, 1901'''


The place-name [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Canadian_place_names_of_Ukrainian_origin Wasel] is one of the many variant spellings of the name Basil or Vasili.


==Founding the parish, 1901==

The people who founded this Temple in honour of the [https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2014/05/29/42-the-ascension-of-our-lord Holy Ascension of Christ] in 1901 built it in [http://travelingluck.com/North+America/Canada/Alberta/_6176474_Wasel.html Wasel], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberta Alberta] (at that time, the [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/north-west-territories-1870-1905 North-West Territories]), [https://www.britannica.com/place/Canada Canada], which is 140 km (87 mi) northeast of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmonton Edmonton], Alberta.  The Temple rested in the midst of their homes and farms.  These founders were from a similar part of the former [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austria-Hungary Austro-Hungarian Empire] as those who founded the nearby Temple of [[Dickie Bush AB Saints Peter and Paul Russo Orthodox Church and Cemetery 1906, 1909 |Saints Peter and Paul]] in [http://boards.ancestry.ca/localities.northam.canada.alberta.twohills/132.2/mb.ashx Dickie Bush].  They were mostly from the region of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bukovina Bucovina] in what was then all within [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romania Romania].  

Although the foundation of the parish occurred early, it was not able to be legally registered until 1912.  There were often complications in fulfilling [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/homesteading government requirements].  

The Temple is situated in an open and well-cared-for field in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smoky_Lake_County Smoky Lake County], somewhat to the north of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Saskatchewan_River North Saskatchewan River].  To the west of the Temple is a separate, dual-purpose building.  It provides a space for people to gather, and it also houses the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Bells bells].  Outside the Temple and to one side is the typical cement table and Cross, on which [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Holy_water water is blessed] usually, and at which other prayers are offered from time to time.  

Although this Temple was erected in the midst of many small farms, such farms no longer exist in the region.  Farms have been consolidated into very large [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agribusiness agricultural businesses].  This Temple is also very near to the [[Dickie Bush AB Saints Peter and Paul Russo Orthodox Church and Cemetery 1906, 1909 |Temple of the Apostles Peter and Paul]] at [https://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=1818 Dickie Bush], Alberta.  For such reasons, there are only some regular services offered annually in this Temple after a century of service to the Faithful.

==Matushka Vasylena Ostashek==

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archpriest_Vasyl_and_Matushka_Vasylyna_Ostashek#About_Vasylyna Matushka Vasylena Ostashek] (1912-2018) grew up in this community.  As a child, when there were no services in the Ascension Temple, she would walk (barefoot in summer) with her family to worship in the Temple at Dickie Bush.  It was not unusual that children walked barefoot in milder weather, since it reduced the wear on shoes.  Throughout all her days, Holy Ascension parish was dear to her.  

Later in her life, her husband, [[Archpriest Vasyl and Matushka Vasylyna Ostashek |Archpriest Vasyl Ostashek]], served in the parish for many years (along with 11 other parishes in east-central Alberta, including 1 in Saskatchewan).  Father Vasyl had been raised and had been a farmer on the south side of the [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/north-saskatchewan-river North Saskatchewan River].  When he had been ordained to the Holy [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Presbyter Priesthood] later in life, he served this, the "home parish" of his wife, along with his other responsibilities until almost the end of his life.  


[[File:HolyAscensionWaselAB1971 1.png]]  

'''Father Vasyl and Matushka Vasylena Ostashek, with parish elders, 1971'''


When Father Vasyl reposed in Christ, he was interred in this parish cemetery.  Matushka Vasylyna was blessed with many more years of life ; and at her repose, she was likewise interred in this parish cemetery.

==100 years, 2001==

2001 marked the 100th anniversary of the parish. 


[[File:CEM Memorial plaque 1.jpg]] '''1995 memorial plaque about the founders'''

==Rural depopulation==

As have all other rural parishes across Western Canada, this parish community suffered from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rural_flight rural depopulation], which began in the 1930s.  This accelerated after [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II World War II] with the increase in mechanisation and the consolidation of small farms into larger ones.  The consequence of this was the move of many people into various urban areas.

By the 1990s, the number of farms had decreased even more greatly because a great many had been bought by larger and larger farming operations.

==Holy Ascension Parish Cemetery (1901)==

The [https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2529369/wasel-russo-greek-orthodox-church-cemetery Holy Ascension Cemetery], which is on the same territory, continues to receive those who have fallen asleep in the Lord.  

In this cemetery are interred [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archpriest_Vasyl_and_Matushka_Vasylyna_Ostashek Archpriest Vasyl and Matushka Vasylyna Ostashek], who served this parish faithfully for many years, and in which parish [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archpriest_Vasyl_and_Matushka_Vasylyna_Ostashek#About_Vasylyna Matushka Lena] was born and raised.  It was in this parish that they also had been married.  


[[File:CEM2529369 1446948583.jpg]] '''View from the road'''

==Parish particular details==

This parish is part of the [https://www.archdiocese.ca/communities?field_deanery_tid_i18n=5&field_community_type_value_i18n=All&title= Alberta & Northwest Territories Deanery] of the 
[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Archdiocese_of_Canada Archdiocese of Canada], of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Archdiocese_of_Canada The Orthodox Church in America].  The dean is [https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/lehr-archpriest-vincent-brian Archpriest Vincent B Lehr].  The bishop is [[Archbishop Irénée (Rochon)]].

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

The Altar Feast-day of this Temple is the Feast of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Ascension Ascension of Christ], 40 days after the Feast of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Pascha Resurrection of Christ (Pascha)].

In 2025, the pastor of the parish is [https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/manoli-archpriest-vitalie Archpriest Vitalie Manoli]. 


[[File:Ascension Wasel AB (3).JPG]]  '''View of the Temple and bell-house from the east in winter'''



Address :

[https://www.archdiocese.ca/community/holy-ascension-church-wasel-ab Holy Ascension Russo Orthodox Church]

NW 01-58-15 W4 

Range Road #151, Township Road #580

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smoky_Lake_County Smoky Lake County]

[https://mapcarta.com/24698626 Wasel], Alberta

T0A 



Directions :

[https://mapcarta.com/24698626 Wasel] is situated 141 km (88 mi) northeast of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmonton Edmonton], Alberta, and the travel time is approximately 1.5 hours.  

Drive east from Edmonton on [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberta_Highway_16 Highway #16] (Yellowhead).  Turn left (north) at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberta_Highway_855 Highway #855] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mundare Mundare].  At [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew,_Alberta Andrew], turn right on [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberta_Highway_45 Highway #45] and then keep left to turn onto Highway #645.  Turn left (north) at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Alberta_provincial_highways#857 Highway #857].

From Highway #857, take [https://ca.geoview.info/652_highway,32387389w Highway #652] east for 3 km (2 mi), then drive north .5 km (1 mi) to NW1-58-14-W4.


Mailing address :

Holy Ascension Russo Orthodox Church

c/o W Katarenchuk

RR 1

Willingdon, Alberta 

T0B 4R0


Please contact the priest for any specific information.


[https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/manoli-archpriest-vitalie Archpriest Vitalie Manoli]  

E-mail : vitalie.manoli@gmail.com



[[File:Holy Ascension Wasel 1b.png]]  '''Holy Ascension Temple entrance'''  (photos by www.aerialphoto.ru) 


[[File:Holy Ascension Church 2 Wasel AB 2.png]]  


[[File:Holy Ascension Wasel 2b.png]]  '''Holy Ascension Temple, bell-house and environs'''

==References==

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/res/publications/TheOrthodoxChurchInCanadaChronology1980-1988.pdf Archdiocese of Canada – Orthodox Church in America, “The Orthodox Church in Canada : A Chronology” (Ottawa : Archdiocese of Canada, 1988).]

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/A_Chronological_History_of_the_Archdiocese_of_Canada,_Part_1 A Chronological History of the Archdiocese of Canada, Part I] 

“[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Roots_of_community Roots of Community” of the Archdiocese of Canada 1896-1937]  

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

Tarasar, Constance J, ed., “[https://archive.org/details/orthodoxamerica10000unse 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 :'''

[https://www.archdiocese.ca/community/holy-ascension-church-wasel-ab Archdiocese of Canada parish listing] 

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

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

[https://oca.org/parishes/oca-ca-washac Orthodox Church in America (OCA) parish 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]   

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Saint_Tikhon_(Belavin) Saint Tikhon (Belavin)]    

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_(Saint)_Arseny_(Chahovtsov) Archbishop (Saint) Arseny (Chahovtsov)]   

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Alexander_(Nemolovsky) Archbishop Alexander (Nemolovsky)]   

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Evdokim_(Meschersky) Archbishop Evdokim (Meschersky)]    

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Joasaph_(Skorodumov) Archbishop Joasaph (Skorodumov)] 

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Platon_(Rozhdestvensky) Metropolitan Platon (Rozhdestvensky)]   

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Theophilus_(Pashkovsky) Metropolitan Theophilus (Pashkovsky)]  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Dickie_Bush_AB_Saints_Peter_and_Paul_Russo_Orthodox_Church_and_Cemetery_1906,_1909 Saints Peter and Paul Russo Orthodox Church, Dickie Bush, Alberta]    

[http://ca.geoview.info/holy_ascension_orthodox_church_wasel_alberta,74706504p Photo of Holy Ascension Orthodox Church, Wasel, AB]
 
[http://www.artsrn.ualberta.ca/cius-sites/religion-culture/c-alberta/tour/p14.htm University of Alberta article on Holy Ascension Russo-Orthodox Church]

[https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2529369/wasel-russo-greek-orthodox-church-cemetery Findagrave reference to the Holy Ascension Russo Orthodox Cemetery in Wasel, Alberta ]

[https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2529369/memorial-search Findagrave cemetery names]

[http://www.prairiesouls.com/Wasel,%20AB%20-%20Orthodox%20Cemetery/Mycemetery--Orthodox-Cemetery-cem-index.htm Prairie Souls.com list of Holy Ascension Orthodox Church Cemetery names]

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archpriest_Vasyl_and_Matushka_Vasylyna_Ostashek Father Vasyl and Matushka Lena Ostashek] 

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smoky_Lake Wikipedia article about Smoky Lake, Alberta]  

[https://prairiechurches.ca/index.php/churches/oca-orth-toc Pioneer Prairie Churches of The Orthodox Church in America (OCA) in Alberta]  

[https://pioneerchurches.ca/index.php/churches/oca-orth-toc/wasel-oca Pioneer Churches on the Prairies - Holy Ascension Orthodox Church, Wasel, Alberta]   

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Roots_of_community “Roots of Community” of the Archdiocese of Canada (1896-1937)]    

[https://www.archdiocese.ca/articles/matushka-ostasheks-100th-birthday Matushka Ostashek's 100th Birthday] (30 September, 2012)  

"[https://www.archdiocese.ca/articles/tour-holy-land-country-parishes-photo-gallery Tour of the 'Holy Land' Country Parishes]" (28 July, 2017) {Photo Gallery)   

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archpriest_Vasyl_and_Matushka_Vasylyna_Ostashek#Repose_of_Matushka_Vasylena_(Lena)_Ostashek,_2018_(105_years) Repose of Matushka Vasylena (Lena) Ostashek] (15 May, 2018)   

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Canadian_Orthodox_Messenger_1989-2013 “Canadian Orthodox Messenger”] (1989-2013)   

‘[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/messenger/Com1993-July.pdf Churches of Rural Alberta]’ in “Canadian Orthodox Messenger” (July, 1993), pp. 4-5. 

‘[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/messenger/Com1998-3.9-3.pdf Father Vasyl and Matushka Vasylyna to celebrate 65th Wedding Anniversary]’ in “Canadian Orthodox Messenger” (Summer, 1998), pp. 7-8.  

‘[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/messenger/Com1999-1.10-1.pdf The Falling Asleep of Fr. Vasyl Ostashek]’ in “Canadian Orthodox Messenger” (July, 1999), pp. 1-2. 








[[Category:Parish Communities]]  [[Category:Alberta & Northwest Territories]]  [[Category:RusM]]  [[Category:ROGCCNA]]  [[Category:ADOCA]]  [[Category:OCA]]