Igumen Vladimir (Lysak)

Hieromonk Vladimir (Lysak) (1969-____)

William may be spelt Wasyl, Wasyly, Vasili, Basil, Bill.

Early life of William Paul Lysak

On 11 April, 1969, William Paul Lysak was born to Steve and Leah Lysak in Drayton Valley, Alberta. William was the youngest of 4 children in a "blended family", and he was baptised into the Orthodox Christian Church on 4 July, 1971, at Saint John’s Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Edmonton, Alberta.

His father, Steve Lysak, was an Orthodox Christian, who grew up within 11 km (7 miles) of the Pochaev Dormition Monastery in Volyn, Ukraine. His mother, Leah Lysak, was baptised into the Orthodox Church in 1994.

William attended the Tomahawk School for grades 1-9, and then the Frank Maddock High School in Drayton Valley for grades 10-12. He graduated 1987. In the same year, he moved to Edmonton to begin the autumn semester at the University of Alberta. He graduated from this university with a B.A. (major concentration in English literature, and minor concentration in the Russian language).

He had been raised within the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada (UOCC) ; but he said later that he felt that his spiritual needs were not being met, perhaps because of the prominence of the Ukrainian language instead of English.

On 17 November, 1990, William Lysak, at that time a student at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta, began to visit and to attend services at the Temple of Saint Herman of Alaska in Edmonton, because of contacts in the Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) there, and because of his conversations with Deacon Andrew Piasta, who was leading the OCF at the time. Conversations with Father Stephen J Keaschuk at Saint Herman's Sobor followed.

After graduation from the university (B.A. in English Literature, minor in Russian Language, 1990), he was tonsured to be a reader in the parish of Saint Herman of Alaska, on 9 August, 1992.

William Lysak’s life experiences and employment experiences have been many and richly varied. He worked as a freelance journalist, and he was also a personal care attendant to his father while he was dying. He was employed as a cook for a Canadian construction company in Yakutsk, Siberia, and he became an accomplished baker of cheesecakes as a consequence of one of his employments.

Higher Education

In September, 1992, William (Bill) travelled to Saint Vladimir's Seminary in Crestwood, New York, in order to commence theological studies.

He graduated from the seminary in May, 1995, with a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) Degree.

In the course of his life and studies, William began to feel the call to learn to do iconography. He sought and received a blessing for this. He then began studying iconography with one of Canada’s foremost iconographers, Heiko Schlieper, in 1996. As an "apprentice", he helped Heiko to paint the wall paintings (murals) of Saint George’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Edmonton.

Finland ; New Valamo Monastery, 1999

His desire to study iconography led him to New Valamo Monastery in Finland, where he arrived 6 June, 1999. His intention was to study iconography. There, he was naturally called Vasili (the Russian or Greek equivalent of William).

On 7 December, 1999, he was ordained to be an iconographer.

He then returned to New Valamo Monastery in January, 2000.

Monastic tonsure, 2000

On 7 August, 2000, he was tonsured to be a riasophor monk in the monastery.

On 23 November, 2000, he was tonsured to be a stavrophor monk, by Archimandrite Sergei, the abbot of New Valamo Monastery, and he was given the name Vladimir.

Diaconal ordination, 2000

The Monk Vladimir (Lysak) was ordained to be a subdeacon, and ordained to the Holy Diaconate on 26 November, 2000, at the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas in Kuopio by Archbishop Johannes (Rinne) of Kuopio and All Finland.

Presbyteral ordination, 2001

On 16 September, 2001, the Hierodeacon Vladimir (Lysak) was ordained to the Holy Priesthood at the New Valamo Monastery by Archbishop Johannes (Rinne) of Kuopio and All Finland.

Presbyteral monastic obediences ; further education

While the Hieromonk Vladimir (Lysak) was in Finland, he studied iconography with 7 renowned Finnish and Russian teachers at the New Valamo Monastery Lay Academy : Archimandrite (now Bishop) Arseni (Heikkinen) ; Auli Martiskainen ; Slava Mihailenko ; Helena Nikkanen ; Egon Sendler ; Ulla Tschurbanoff ; Alexander Wikström.

He also studied iconography at the Moscow Theological Academy School of Iconography with Natalia Aldoshina, Archimandrite Luka, and others.

Doctoral studies

He began to prepare for a Ph.D. degree at the University of Jyväskylä in Finland.

He returned to Canada for a time in December, 2003, in order to attend to details involved in the preparatory examinations regarding his possible episcopal candidacy. This involved interviews with various people, including Archbishop Herman (Swaiko).

Return to Canada ; pastoral service ; iconography

Hieromonk Vladimir returned to Canada in 2005.

Hieromonk Vladimir attended an archdiocesan council meeting that autumn in Ottawa, Ontario, and then he looked after his sister and her children from mid-November until the end of December.

In January, 2006, he travelled to Saint Tikhon's Monastery in Pennsylvania for an interview with Metropolitan Herman (Swaiko), because he had been named as one of the candidates for Vicar-Bishop in the Archdiocese of Canada. Then he returned to Edmonton, where he found an apartment near the Temple. There, he substituted at Saint Herman's Sobor for the rector, the Archpriest Dennis Pihach until the Feast of Pascha that year. Besides this, he served as a supply priest in Alberta for a year, under the direction of the Archpriest Dennis Pihach in and from Edmonton.

Move to Grayson, Saskatchewan

Having purchased a house in Grayson, Saskatchewan, on 30 January, 2007, he moved to Saskatchewan a little later in the year. There, he served as a supply priest, which included visits to serve the mission in Whitehorse, Yukon, at the request of Father John Bingham in Moose Jaw (who at that time was arranging for pastoral service there). He then served as the pastor of the Mission of Saint Andrew the First-called in Canora, Saskatchewan, from January, 2013, until 24 June, 2014.

In November, 2011, he purchased another building in the town to serve as his studio, and he moved in officially in June, 2012.

In his home, he established a domestic chapel in the name of Saint Luke the Evangelist and all the Iconographer Saints. He had by this time become a world-renowned iconographer. From his home, he continued to live a solitary monastic life, and at the same time to write icons, to teach iconography courses, and to serve in parishes as requested by the bishop and/or the dean.

Since his return to Canada in 2005, Father Vladimir studied twice with Giorgios Kordis. Once was at Notre Dame University at South Bend, Indiana. The other was in Ottawa, Ontario, on an occasion that was organised through Christ the Saviour Carpatho-Russian Church there.

In March, 2016, the Hieromonk Vladimir (Lysak) was elevated to the dignity of Igumen by the Holy Synod of Bishops of The Orthodox Church in America.

Igumen Vladimir (Lysak)

Missionary work in Wales

For many years, Father Vladimir travelled to Wales in order to care for the Mission Community of Saint Celer, which he established, along with Dr. N Crossley-Holland (née Marzak) in 2003. After her repose on 19 October, 2018, the care for the mission became the responsibility of local clergy.

In addition, from 2007 until 2017, Father Vladimir served unofficially as second priest at Saint Mark's Church in Yorkton, and then as relief priest as needed from Pascha 2017 until February 2023. He also installed 9 monumental icons on the ceiling Saint Mark's Church in November, 2022.

Ceiling iconography, Saint Mark's, Yorkton

Teaching : iconology and iconography courses and lectures

Father Vladimir is frequently teaching and giving iconography seminars. Following are examples of some of his engagements :

 2000-2003 : Valamo Monastery Lay Academy, Finland : 10 week-long summer classes on iconography for children.
 
 2000-2003 : Valamo Monastery Lay Academy, Finland : 3 three-week-long summer classes on iconography for 
 adults.
 
 2002 : Edmonton, Alberta, and Little Rock, Arkansas : 2 ten-day courses on iconography for both children and 
 adults.
 
 2004 : Aberystwyth, Wales : University of Wales, Aberystwyth, School of Education : lecture-demonstration on iconology and 
 iconography.
 
 2006 : Trinity Episcopal Church Houghton, Michigan : 4 illustrated lectures on iconology and iconography : 
 1. “Typically, Usually, and Almost Always” ; 2. “Who Is That Bearded Man? : Icons of Christ” ; 3. “It Is Truly 
 Meet To Bless You : Icons of the Virgin Mary” ; 4. “Icons of the Holy Trinity, Saints And Feasts”.
 
 2008 : Aberystwyth, Wales : University of Wales, Aberystwyth, School of Education : 2 four-hour lectures/demonstrations on iconology 
 and iconography.  
 
 He gave a lecture at the Briercrest College and Seminary at Caronport, Saskatchewan.

In Canada, Father Vladimir gave many talks, and he led iconography courses in various parishes. Once, he gave a lecture in the public library in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.

In Canada, the icons written by Father Vladimir are now resident in many places, and in various Temples of the Orthodox Church in particular.

Mural and other iconography in Edmonton

One of the most significant works was the mural iconography in Saint Herman of Alaska's Sobor in Edmonton, Alberta. There, he prepared 2 very large icons for the walls on either side of the Altar, and additional icons for the eastern wall of the Altar, as well as an icon of the Pantocrator on the ceiling, and icons of the Holy Prophets on the sides of the central "dome" in the nave. See the latter part of the article about Saint Herman of Alaska's Sobor in Edmonton for images of these works.

Icon of the Pantocrator at Saint Herman's Sobor

New iconography at Holy Trinity Church, Edmonton, 2021

The Holy Icon of the Communion of the Apostles was installed in the High-Place of Holy Trinity Temple in Edmonton, Alberta, in time for the Feast of the Holy Ascension on 9 June, 2021. This mural icon covers almost the whole wall in the Altar.

This change (which became associated indirectly with all the other required repairs) was the major work which initiated a process of improving the iconography in the Temple.

Communion of the Holy Apostles icon in the High Place

With this installation came a major improvement of the lighting in the Altar. This installation paved the way for some other improvements which were also initiated.

Father Vladimir's studio

Father Vladimir teaching

Icon of Christ washing the feet of the apostles by Father Vladimir

Change in pastoral service, 2023

In February, 2023, Igumen Vladimir (Lysak) accepted to become parish priest in Saint George's Orthodox Church in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Therefore, he was transferred from the Omophor of Archbishop Irenée (Rochon) and the Archdiocese of Canada, and he was transferred to the Omophor of Archbishop Nathaniel (Popp) and the Romanian Episcopate of The Orthodox Church in America.

He served the parish faithfully. However, there were difficulties which became insurmountable. On 21 December, 2023, Archbishop Nathaniel (Popp) released him from his service in the parish.

Father Vladimir returned to live in Grayson, Saskatchewan, where he could concentrate on iconography. During this time, he required a small surgery on his hand, which had suffered from a phenomenon related to repetitious movements involved in painting.

Contacts

Igumen Vladimir (Lysak)

Box 88

Grayson, Saskatchewan

S0A 1E0

Telephone : 306-794-0000

E-mail : priestmonk@gmail.com

Reflections

On a web-site, the following was written about Father Vladimir :

 This man is a master.  He was actually 'ordained' by his Bishop as an iconographer.  
 His work is exquisite and Orthodox.  (You can see why I do not claim to make icons - 
 I prayerfully paint icon style paintings, but I can't claim to be an iconographer.)

During a 2019 lecture, Father Vladimir was reported as saying :

 Icons should be filled with peace, stillness and prayfulness.  They should 
 incite the viewer not only to an inner life of prayer, but to long to raise him 
 or herself up to the higher realms of Heaven.  An icon, when viewed, to quote 
 the great iconographer and theologican Leonid Ouspensky, should fill the 
 viewer with joy.  This is why we need icons, this is their purpose : to be a 
 window for us to the Kingdom of Heaven, a presence of the holy on this earth 
 and a guide into all that is necessary in the Christian walk.

Writings

• 'A gleaming, glorious revelation : North America's premier iconographer finishes his seven-year decoration of St. George's Ukrainian Catholic Church' in "Alberta Report (7 April, 1997), pp. 40-41.

• Front cover icon 'Christ washing the feet of His disciples' in "RSCM Church Music Quarterly" (March, 2007).

• 'A living Orthodox tradition : Music in a Welsh community' in "RSCM Church Music Quarterly" (March, 2007), pp. 13-17. (with the collaboration of Dr. Nicole Crossley-Holland)

• 'Images of the Good Shepherd : Icons or not ?' in "Canadian Orthodox Messenger" (Autumn, 2008), pp. 8-11.

• 'What is blessable as an icon ?' in "Canadian Orthodox Messenger" (Winter, 2008-2009), pp. 10-12.

• Pravmir version of the article "What is blessable as an Icon ?" (18 June, 2009)