Quebec QC Holy Trinity Orthodox Church 1950

Québec, Québec, Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church, 1950

Québec, Québec, l'Église orthodoxe de la Sainte-Trinité, 1950

Квебек, Квебек, Православная церковь Святой Троицы, 1950

Prehistory

For most of the 19th century, Québec City, Québec, Canada, was the major port for immigration into Canada. It was after 1880 that many people began to arrive in Québec from the regions that are now Poland and Ukraine. Most did not remain in the city ; but rather, they journeyed farther to the west of the country, where they settled. A significant number of the Slavs settled in Montréal, which was a rather larger city at that time, with more employment, and business opportunities.

Beginnings in Montréal

In 1907, the Russian Orthodox Parish of Saints Peter and Paul was established in Montréal, Québec. It was established during the time of the then Archbishop Tikhon (Belavin) of the Diocese of North America and the Aleutians of the Orthodox Church of Russia. This parish received Orthodox Christians from other cities in Eastern Canada with hospitality, and any Russian-speakers who might have lived in Québec City would have travelled there when possible. Similarly, any Orthodox Christians who were Romanian- or Greek- or Arabic- speakers would have travelled to Montréal whenever it was possible.

This pattern of immigration continued with approximately the same pattern of movement (even when both Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Montréal, Québec, became more prominent ports of entry).

It was only after World War II that there began to be a Russian-speaking presence in Québec City, when some people arrived and remained in the city or its environs. It seems that the family of Yaroslav Koulomzine arrived in Québec City in 1948, His brother, Theodore, moved to Montréal, and then to Val-d’Or, Québec, where he was instrumental in the establishment of several parishes in the Abititi region. His brother, Nikita, moved to New York, USA, where he and his wife became active in Church life. Afterwards, the Koulomzine family began to be joined in the city by other Russian-and Ukrainian-speaking immigrants.

Archpriest Oleg Boldireff

It was in 1948 also that Archpriest Oleg Boldireff and his family moved to Canada from France, and they settled in Montréal, Québec. There, he was assigned to serve as rector of Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral, and to serve as Dean of Québec and Ontario.

Establishment of the parish, 1950

In the context of the beginning of a small community of Orthodox Christians in Québec City, and of the personal contacts between Father Oleg Boldireff and the small community in the city, the desire of the Québec City residents to establish a mission in the city was fulfilled. It took some time, because of the lack of a resident bishop in Canada at that time. However, Father Oleg presented the possibility to Metropolitan Leonty (Turkevich), the Locum-tenens of the Canadian diocese, and the blessing was given.

The Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Mission was established in 1950.

Although there were regular contacts it was, however, not until 1952 that the first Divine Liturgy could be served in the mission in Québec City. This occurred on the Feast of Pentecost (the Feast of the Holy Trinity), and this day became the Altar Feast-day of the parish.

Because of his particular personal gifts, Father Boldireff was able to arrange for the repeated use of a chapel at Holy Trinity Anglican Cathedral in the city. Holy Trinity Cathedral was very accommodating, and the site was advantageous. It is situated close to the Château Frontenac, in the old heart of the old city, on Rue des Jardins, between Rue Saint-Anne and Rue Saint-Louis. It is situated also near the north bank of the Saint Lawrence River, and the Port of Québec. This arrangement lasted for more than 50 years.

Holy Trinity Anglican Cathedral, Québec City

The rented chapel at the cathedral

Parish life

Parish life continued to develop as people began to arrive and settle in Québec City, social connexions began to develop, some of them originating in previous acquaintance in Europe. Some had spent time as refugees in Displaced Persons Camps after World War II.

Archpriest Alexandre Mirochnitchenko

Soon after 1952, the Archpriest Alexandre Mirochnitchenko was assigned to serve the mission in Québec City. Although this service was not weekly, it was regular, and increasingly frequent. He continued in this service until his repose in Christ in 1964.

Father Alexandre had arrived in Montréal from Europe recently. As with others, during World War II, he, Matushka Antonina, and their son Konstantin had been moved from the region of Crimea into Germany, where there were labour camps, and displaced-persons' camps. As did other priests, Father Alexandre cared spiritually for the refugees in these camps.

Later, in Montréal, Konstantin Alexandrovich married Dia Lazis (originally from Latvia). Much later, she was tonsured as the NunNun Dorofea (Mirochnitchenko).

Archpriest Alexandre Mirochnitchenko, Tatiana Woinowsky-Krieger, son Aleksey, 1959

Notable persons

In those early days, there had arrived and remained such families as those of Sergey Eduardovich Woinowsky-Krieger (a man very significant in civil engineering : he contributed to setting up the civil engineering department at Université Laval, and he co-authored a classic in his field “Theory of Plates and Shells”. His son's family was that of Alexander and Tatiana Woinowsky-Krieger, and their sons Michael, Serge, and Aleksey.

Anna Jürgens and her daughters Olga and Helene).

Georges and Irina Ben-Chavchavadze.

the Klimoff family : Eugene E Klimoff ; George Klimoff ; Konstantin Klimoff, and his wife Xenia Aleksandrovitch (Konstantin was a pianist ; Aleksey Klimoff ; George Klimoff ; Paul Klimoff ; and their spouses and children.

The noble Sayn-Wittgenstein family.

The somewhat-related von Schoenburg family, including George and his wife Catherine.

A long-time starosta of the parish was Pavel Ivanovich Voyevodin, who set up the icons and candle-stands before every Divine Liturgy.

Dmitry Kazanovich (Kazan) was a distributor of adventure books about Bob Morane by Henri Vernes.

Oleg and Odile Peterson.

Yaroslav Koulomzin.

Theodore Koulomzin,

Sergei Goriachkin.

Nicholas Korp.

Serge, Vladimir Slivitsky.

There were, of course, others.

In 1958, the following group photo was taken in Québec City :

Standing : Sergey Eduardovich Woinowsky-Krieger, Olga Jürgens, Georges Ben-Chavchavadze. Sitting : Unidentified Man, Helene Jürgens (not yet Culhane), Irina Klimoff (Ben-Chavchavadze), Tatiana Georgievna Woinowsky-Krieger.

The size of the missionary community varied as some members departed to other places for work, and others arrived.

Photos from about 1959 :

Klimov family

Parishioners, October, 1959

Parishioners in the chapel

Incorporation

It was on 31 March, 1959, that the Holy Trinity Mission was incorporated legally and officially.

Greek Orthodox community established, 1959

In 1959, the Greek Orthodox Community of Québec City acquired a temple in Québec City. It was developed from an existing house on René-Lévesque Boulevard, near Cartier Street. Named “Evangelismos”, it is called in English “Annunciation”. Its dedication is to the Annunciation to the Theotokos (Luke 1:25-38).

Similar to the Holy Trinity parish, the population of Greek Orthodox in the city was small, so that services were not frequent until later.

Regular or occasional services continue

During the first many decades of the Holy Trinity parish, the services were offered in a distinct chapel of Holy Trinity Anglican Cathedral in Québec City. This was All Saints Chapel. This room was later used as a commercial space.

When a service was scheduled to occur, then Alexander S Woinowsky-Krieger would bring all the necessary sacred items required. During every interim, he and his wife Tatiana kept these items in a special place in their home. Especially during later years (before the renewal of activity in the parish), Alexander and Tatiana served as the main contact persons regarding the life of the community.

After Archpriest Alexander Mirochnitchenko, a series of other priests from Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral in Montreal travelled to serve the Holy Trinity parish. They included : Archimandrite Antony (Abramovich) ; Archpriest Oleg Kirilov ; Archpriest John Tkachuk.

Archimandrite Cyril (Bulashevich) served the parish as needed from 1984-1995.

Return to regular services

After 2000, the first of the newcomers from Russia and Ukraine arrived in Québec City ; and this signalled the re-opening and reactivation of the parish.

Establishment of Saints Peter and Paul Romanian parish, 2001

On 18 March, 2001, the founding Romanian Orthodox community assembly in Québec City organised itself, and (with the blessing of the bishop), decided on the name "Holy Apostles Peter and Paul" for the parish.

In January, 2002, the first priest was assigned to serve this mission. He was followed by the second priest in 2004. This community, a part of the Romanian Episcopate of The Orthodox Church in America, was already becoming well-populated through immigration.

First resident pastor of Holy Trinity parish, 2008

On 15 May, 2008, Priest Nectaire Féménias was received through Metropolitan Herman (Swaiko) into the Archdiocese of Canada. He was attached at Holy Trinity Mission, Québec, where he began to serve as pastor on a regular basis.

At this time, there continued to be concerns about how to balance the use of the French and Slavonic/Russian languages in worship services and in meetings. Later, solutions to this began to present themselves at a time when immigration from abroad brought once again many Russian-speakers to the region.

Québec City's first pan-Orthodox liturgy, 2013

The first pan-Orthodox Divine Liturgy in Québec City took place on Sunday, 24 March, 2013, on the occasion of the Sunday of Orthodoxy. It brought together Orthodox Christians from many backgrounds.

The Divine Liturgy was presided over by Bishop Irénée (Rochon) of Québec City, administrator of the Archdiocese of Canada, OCA. Priest Costas Constantinou (Greek community), Priest Nectaire Féménias (Russian community), and Priest Daniel Postolache (Romanian community) served together with him.

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, there was the celebration of the Rite of the Triumph of Orthodoxy, commemorating the restoration of the veneration of Holy Icons in 787. Afterwards, the Faithful united over a fraternal agape meal.

Archpastoral visit to Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, Québec City, 2016

On Sunday, 7 February, 2016, Archbishop Irénée (Rochon) made an archpastoral visit to Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Québec City.

He presided at the Divine Liturgy, and he was assisted by Archpriest Andrey Syrkin, priest-in-charge of the parish ; by Deacon Nicolas Svetlovsky ; and by Deacon Igor Aleksandrovskiy. After the Divine Liturgy, congratulations were sung to Matushka Tatyana Syrkin, Matushka Nicole Féménias, and others who were celebrating name-days. Afterwards, a luncheon was shared in the hall.

The Mission at Trois-Rivières, Québec, 2016

At the intersection of the Saint Lawrence and the Saint Maurice Rivers is the fifth largest city in the Province of Québec, Trois-Rivières (Three Rivers). It is the second oldest city in Canada after Québec City. Founded in 1634, it was named in part because the Saint Maurice River has 3 mouths at its confluence with the Saint Lawrence River.

Most of the 120,000 inhabitants of the city are French-speaking Canadians ; but amongst them there came to be several Russian-speaking Orthodox Christian families. For many years, they gave hospitality to the priests who came to celebrate the Divine Liturgy. At first, the missionary community was served through Archpriest Anatoliy Melnyk, rector of Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral in Montréal, Québec.

Although the small community was cared for in this manner, the community was not organised in such a manner that it was given a specific name, and everything remained informal.

After 2016, the community was cared for by the priest in Québec City. Services were held on Saturdays at 10:00 a.m., on the premises kindly provided by the owner of the Greek restaurant, Mr. Stratos. On the second floor of his restaurant, the owner built a small Orthodox chapel (perhaps best described as a domestic chapel) in which the Orthodox Christian community could celebrate the Divine Liturgy.

26 March, 2016, at Trois-Rivières

On 26 March, 2016, at 10:00 a.m., the Divine Liturgy was served at Trois-Rivières (the schedule provides for a service every last Saturday of the month). This took place above the Greek restaurant at : 1300, Rue Sainte-Marguerite, suite #201, Trois-Rivières, G8Z 1V7 Québec.

Pascha, 2016, at Trois-Rivières

On Pascha, 1 May, 2016, Archpriest Andrey Sirkin served Paschal Vespers at 4:00 p.m. in Trois-Rivières. At that time, he blessed the bread, eggs, meat, and other foods. The service took place in the chapel above the Stratos Restaurant.

Archpastoral visit, 2016

On 7 May, 2016, Archbishop Irénée (Rochon) served the Divine Liturgy in Trois-Rivières. Present were several families of Trois-Rivières. Vladyka Bishop Irénée greeted the Faithful with the Resurrection of Christ.

Vladyka and Faithful in Bright Week

New chapel constructed at Trois-Rivières, 2021

On 13 November, 2021, Archbishop Irénée (Rochon) served at the first Divine Liturgy offered in the new chapel at Trois-Rivières.

Chapel exterior

Chapel interior

New site for the parish, 2016

On 18 September, 2016, the clergy and people of Holy Trinity Church in Québec City rejoiced that a new location was found for their services as a parish. With the help of some parishioners, an iconostas was built in one week.

The Divine Liturgy service was offered for the first time in the new building on Sunday, 18 September, with Priest Andrey Syrkin, Priest Nectaire Féménias, and Deacon Igor Aleksandrovsky.

The new site is a portion of the very large Église des Saints-Martyrs-Canadiens, whose front entrance is at 707, Rue Père-Marquette. There are other buildings as well.

Holy Trinity parish uses the side entrance at 945, avenue de Bienville, Québec, Québec, G1S 3C1.

Archpastoral visit, 2017

On Sunday, 2 July, 2017, Archbishop Irénée (Rochon) visited Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Québec City.

At about this time, Priest Andrey Syrkin was transferred to the Diocese of Dallas and the South.

Vladyka Irénée and parishioners, 2017

Pascha at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, Québec, 2018

On 8 April, 2018, the Feast of Pascha was served at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Québec City.

Pascha, 2018

Other photos from the celebration of Pascha at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Québec City are available here.

Ordination of Priest Nicolas Svetlovsky, 2018

On 5 May, 2018, at Saint-Benoît de Nursie Church in Montréal, Québec, Archbishop Irénée (Rochon) ordained Deacon Nicolas Svetlovsky to the Holy Priesthood. Archbishop Irénée was assisted by Archpriest Gregory Nimijean, Priest Dragos Giulea, Priest Justin Mitchell, Priest Dimitri Choueiry, Archimandrite Marc (Pierre), and Archdeacon Amvrosi (Mlodzyk).

Father Nicolas Svetlovsky Serving in Québec City

On 31 May, 2018, for the Altar Feast-day of Pentecost, Priest Nicolas Svetlovsky led the services on this festal occasion, the Altar Feast-day of the parish.

The newly-ordained priest Father Nicolas Svetlovsky had been assigned to serve at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Québec City until a full-time priest is assigned.

Included in his pastoral responsibilities at Holy Trinity Church was that of serving the mission station at Trois-Rivières, Québec.

Archbishop Irénée Visits Québec City, 2018

Archbishop Irénée (Rochon) visited Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Québec, Québec, 26 August, 2018.

On Sunday, 26 August, 2018, Archbishop Irénée (Rochon) celebrated the Divine Liturgy at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Québec City. Concelebrating with the archbishop were Priest Nectaire Féménias, Priest Nicolas Svetlovsky, and Priest Nicholas Young (a military chaplain).

Assignment of Priest Nicolas P Svetlovsky, 2018

On 6 September, 2018, Priest Nicolas P Svetlovsky was assigned to serve as rector of the Holy Trinity parish in Québec City (together with the mission station at Trois-Rivières).

New liturgical banners

On 23 June, 2019, after the Divine Liturgy on the Feast of All Saints, Father Nicolas Svetlovsky blessed new processional banners of Christ, and of the Theotokos for the parish of the Holy Trinity in Québec City.

The new banners were made with loving care by Olga Rusnac.

Foundation of Saint Hilary of Poitiers Mission, 2019

During 2019, the new Mission of Saint Hilary of Poitiers was established in Québec City. In its establishment, this community reflected the positive francophone response to the Orthodox Christian presence in Québec, and the reality that 2 distinct communities were required in order to care for both the French-speaking and Russian-speaking communities.

The parish's facilities are located within those belonging to the Parish of Saint Monica (north side, door #2).

The Francophone Saint Hilary of Poitiers Orthodox Mission aims to help the Orthodox Christian Church flourish in Québec City, and serves the spiritual needs of French-speaking Orthodox Christians there, regardless of their origin.

Archpriest Nectaire Féménias was assigned to serve as the pastor of this mission.

Supported in part by the Parish of Saint Seraphim in Rawdon, Québec, the purpose of the Orthodox Community of Saint-Hilaire-de-Poitiers is to develop the Orthodox Church in Québec City, Canada. It has a place of worship to serve, in French, the spiritual needs of Orthodox Christians, regardless of their origin.

Christ the Saviour Parish Pilgrimage to Québec, 2019

Russian Orthodox Christ the Saviour Cathedral parishioners from Toronto, Ontario, visited Holy Trinity parish 12-14 October, 2019.

Over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend in October, 2019, Priest Ivan Symchyna led a group of parishioners from Christ the Saviour Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Toronto, Ontario, on a pilgrimage to Québec, including to Rawdon for a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy with Archbishop Irénée, and to Québec City to visit with Father Nicolas Svetlovsky and the parishioners of Holy Trinity Orthodox Church.

Archpastoral visit to Québec City, 2021

As the consequences and closures associated with the Covid-19 Pandemic began to ease, and as some things became more usual, Archbishop Irénée (Rochon) visited Holy Trinity parish in Québec City on Sunday, 8 August, 2021.

Vladyka Irénée and parishioners

Seventieth anniversary, 2021

Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Québec, Québec, celebrated its 70th anniversary on 14 December, 2021.

In 2019, Father Nicolas Svetlovsky and the parishioners of Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Québec City were preparing with joy to celebrate the 70th anniversary. However, by April, the parish was in lockdown (because of the rules that accompanied the Covid-19 Pandemic). After the subsequent rather painful adjustment to online worship, Father Nicolas managed to put together a slideshow of the 70 years of parish life. It is noticeable that there is a gap in the photos during the nearly 20 years when the parish was as good as dormant. (This "desert" period was due largely to a shortage of clergy, a perpetual difficulty in Canada.) Then, sometime in the 1980s regular services resumed again in the parish. By the end of 2020, this slideshow was ready, and they all marked the 70th anniversary by means of this slideshow through "Zoom" technology.

By this time, the adjective "Russian" had already been dropped from use in descriptions of the parish, since the parishioners were by this time of a broad mix of backgrounds.

Further events

At about this time, an immigration to Québec, Québec, of Russian-speakers from Ukraine was beginning. As war began in 2022, this immigration increased.

Particular parish information

This parish is part of the Québec Deanery of the Archdiocese of Canada, The Orthodox Church in America. The dean is the Mitred Archpriest Anatoliy Melnyk. The bishop is Archbishop Irénée (Rochon).

This parish follows the Old (Julian) Calendar.

The Altar Feast-day of the parish is the Feast of Pentecost (Descent of the Holy Spirit, Holy Trinity).

In 2025, the pastor of the parish is Priest Nicolas P Svetlovsky.

The languages of services are Slavonic and French.

Address :

Holy Trinity Orthodox Church

945, avenue de Bienville

Québec, Québec

G1S 3C1

E-mail : quebecorthodox@gmail.com

Web-site : https://crost.ca/ru/ (Russian) ; https://crost.ca/en/ (French)

Facebook

Directions :

By bus : Consult Le Réseau de transport de la Capitale (RTC) for routes.

By car :

From the city centre of Québec City, drive towards Quai Saint-André/QC-136 Est. Then take Boulevard René-Lévesque Est, and Boulevard René-Lévesque Ouest to Avenue de Bienville. Turn right onto Avenue de Bienville. The destination is on the right.

Priest Nicolas P Svetlovsky

Telephone : Home: 514-773-2992

E-mail : svetlovnic@outlook.com

Aerial view of the place of worship, 2024

References

Parish web-site  : (English) ; (Russian) ; (Français)

Additional information :

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.

Archdiocese of Canada listing for Holy Trinity Church, Québec City, Québec

Archdiocese of Canada web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about the Archdiocese of Canada

Pages orthodoxes la Transfiguration listing for Holy Trinity Church, Québec City, Québec

Orthodox Church in America listing for Holy Trinity Church, Québec City, Québec

Orthodox Church in America web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about The Orthodox Church in America

Saint Hilary of Poitiers Orthodox Mission Station, Québec City, Québec (français) (English)

Evangelismos Greek Orthodox Church, Québec City, Québec

Holy Apostles Peter and Paul Romanian Orthodox Church, Québec City, Québec

Metropolitan Leonty (Turkevich)

Metropolitan Ireney (Bekish)

Metropolitan Theodosius (Lazor)

Metropolitan Herman (Swaiko)

Metropolitan Jonah (Pauffhausen)

Metropolitan Tikhon (Mollard)

Archbishop Nikon (de Grève)

Archbishop Sylvester (Haruns)

Archbishop Irénée (Rochon)

Archpriest Oleg Boldireff

Archpriest Alexander Mirochnitchenko

Archimandrite Cyril (Bulashevich)

Archpriest Nectaire Féménias

Archpriest Andrey Syrkin

Priest Nicolas Svetlovsky

Priest Costas Constantinou

Priest Daniel Postolache

Sergey Eduardovich Woinowsky-Krieger

Evgeny Evgenievich Klimov

Olga Jurgens and Helene Culhane

Canadian Encyclopedia article about Québec City, Québec

Québec City's first Pan-Orthodox Liturgy (24 March, 2013)

Visit of Archbishop Irénée to Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Québec (7 February, 2016)

Visit of Archbishop Irénée to Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Québec City (2 July, 2017)

Celebration of Pascha at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Québec City (8 April, 2018)

Father Nicolas Svetlovsky serving at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Québec City (31 May, 2018)

Visit of Archbishop Irénée to Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Québec City (26 August, 2018)

Parishioners from Christ the Saviour Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Toronto on a Pilgrimage to Rawdon, Québec and Québec City (12 October, 2019)

Parish Life returning to Normal across the Archdiocese (20 August, 2021)

70th Anniversary of Québec City Holy Trinity Parish (14 December, 2021)