Redwater AB Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Church 1925
Redwater, Alberta, Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 1925
Prehistory
In the early 1900s, a group of pioneers, who originally had come from Galicia and Bucovina, in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, homesteaded in the Redwater, Alberta, area, which is northeast of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Although Saints Peter and Paul Russo-Greek Orthodox Church had been established in 1911, there were people who preferred to worship in the Ukrainian language. Therefore, after the establishment in 1919 of the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada, it began to be possible to prepare for the development of a Ukrainian-speaking community in this area.
Ukrainian "national home"
At the beginning, a “national home”, or community national hall was built. The Priest Demitriw Senta began to travel to Redwater, and he offered services in the Ukrainian language. He would serve either in the community hall or in a parishioner’s home.
Purchase of land, 1925
When the parishioners were ready, they decided to purchase a site for a cemetery. In March, 1925, a general meeting discussed the location of a site suitable for both a cemetery and a Temple. It was decided to purchase from William Skolney 2 acres of land about 1 km south of Redwater for $25.00. William Saedlak was the first person to be interred in this cemetery in the autumn of 1925.
Building the Temple, 1926
On 26 December, 1926, a general meeting was convened in order to discuss the building of a Temple next to the cemetery. With their very meagre resources, the parishioners signed promissory notes with the bank in order to secure the initially needed funds. The following persons each guaranteed $25.00 :
N Bodnarchuk ; T Chaba ; H Harmocy ; D Hunka ; J Kraychy ; H Lakusta ; P Lukan ; A Melnychuk ; F Myroon ; J Pasicheny ; M Popil ; H Prodaniuk ; M Pysmeny ; Wm Skolney ; N Ziniuk.
Later, additional notes were signed by the members as more funds were required.
The original parish executive included :
P Luklan ; M Popil ; Mrs P Salyzyn.
Construction began in 1926. The carpenter Frank Sega from Poland and John Danko from Ukraine were the main carpenters. Many members volunteered their time and labour in addition. The basement was dug out by John Lamiska, who later stuccoed the exterior of the building when it was completed. Logs were dragged from the North Saskatchewan River and taken to a sawmill operated by Mr. M Serink, to be sawn into timbers. Nick Bodnarchuk carved the Cross for the top of the Temple. A candle chandelier was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Fred Myroon. Later, an electric chandelier was purchased, and the original one was donated to the Ukrainian Orthodox section of the Redwater Museum.
The Temple with stucco
Radway Central Parish formed, 1936
In 1936, the congregations of Radway, Egremont, Fedorah and Redwater formed the Radway Central Parish.
In 1938, a residence was constructed in Radway for the priest who served the Radway Central Parish. Many years later, this residence was sold.
Archpastoral visitation, 1944
In 1944, Archbishop John (Theodorovych) visited the Radway parish in order to bless the Temple.
Since that time, the Temple and the cemetery in Redwater have been carefully maintained. Major renovations have been undertaken to the interior, including the closing of the dome on the interior ; the painting of the walls and the iconostas ; the installation of new rugs ; repairs to the windows, and the addition of more pews. Certain other minor improvements were made as well.
A newer furnace was installed that used propane, which later was converted to operate with natural gas.
Trees were planted around the perimeter of the site, a steel fence and a wrought iron gate were installed. A sign was painted and donated, and a new shed and washroom facilities were added.
Re-naming of the UGOCC, 1990
In 1990, the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada was officially renamed “The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada” (UOCC) by an Act of the Parliament of Canada.
The UOCC entered into Eucharistic union with the Patriarchate of Constantinople, 1990
In 1990, the 18th Sobor of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada in Winnipeg, Manitoba, decided to enter into Eucharistic Union with the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople (Istanbul). This decision also changed the relationship with the other Orthodox dioceses and parishes in Canada in a positive way.
Holy Trinity Temple and cemetery
Rural depopulation
As have all other rural parishes across Western Canada, this parish community suffered from rural depopulation, which began in the 1930s. This accelerated after World War II with the increase in mechanisation and the consolidation of small farms into larger ones.
By the 1990s, the number of farms had decreased very greatly because a great many had been bought by larger and larger farming operations. Thus, the population of this parish steadily decreased as people moved elsewhere into large urban areas.
70 years : 1996
On 10 November, 1996, the 70th anniversary of the parish was celebrated. Archbishop John (Stinka) of Edmonton and the Western Eparchy and some of the priests who served in the parish previously came to serve the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy. After the Divine Liturgy, Archbishop John blessed a bell which had been purchased. These events were followed by a dinner in the Deric Hall.
Further maintenance followed in 2005, when the roof was re-shingled. The main entrance steps were replaced in 2009, and in 2010, the doors were replaced by steel doors in order to comply with fire regulations.
On 16 December, 2013, the Deric Hall (which had been the property of the parish) was sold. The resulting cash provided the resources required for the replacement of all the windows and frames in 2014.
In 2015, the dome was capped and repaired, the interior and exterior of the building were repainted, and a new and improved electrical panel was installed. In addition, new icons were acquired. The wooden cemetery Cross was also replaced by a metal one.
90 years : 2016
On 27 November, 2016, the 90th anniversary of the Temple was celebrated. Bishop Ilarion (Rudnyk) of Edmonton and the Western Eparchy, the Mitred Archpriest Alexandre Palamarchuk and the Priest Michael Maranchuk served the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy. Afterwards, a dinner was offered at the Pioneer Club in Redwater.
Iconostas
Entrance of Bishop Ilarion (Rudnyk), with Subdeacon James Kapustinsky (right)
Centennial of the UOCC, 2018
In 2018, the 100th anniversary of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada and also of Holy Trinity Cathedral were marked at an extraordinary sobor (assembly) at the cathedral in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
The purpose of the sobor was to celebrate 100 years of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada. The celebrations were attended by Ukrainian Orthodox faithful from across Canada and beyond.
The Sobor began on Thursday, 9 August, 2018, with a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy in the Chapel of Saint Petro Mohyla Institute, presided by Bishop Andriy (Peshko) of the Eastern Eparchy, with the responses sung by the Clergy led by Father Michael Lomaszkiewicz. This was followed by an All-Canada Clergy Conference.
Centennial Clergy Conference
All gathered for Vespers at the Mohyla Institute Chapel and this was followed by a wine and cheese reception as the delegates and guests registered for the Extraordinary National Council.
The celebrations continued for a year.
In early 2020, the Covid-19 virus made its appearance in Canada, and it quickly became a world-wide pandemic. Because of the rules governing gatherings that were laid down by the provincial and city governments, the parish stopped any further services after 8 March, 2020. In addition to the rules regarding social distancing, the decreasing numbers permitted for any gathering, and the considerations regarding the health of all concerned, this and other parishes were required to close for a time.
As elsewhere, there was some controversy about the legal requirements.
Election of Metropolitan Ilarion (Rudnyk), 2022
Election of a nominee by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada
On 15-19 June, 2022, the 24th Sobor of the Ukrainian Orthodox of Canada was convened "on-line". This conference-meeting was convened thus instead of convening physically (as customarily) in Winnipeg, Manitoba. There were 6 cathedrals in Canada where this meeting took place simultaneously through a computer-network : in Winnipeg, Manitoba (Holy Trinity Metropolitan Cathedral) ; Vancouver, British Columbia (Holy Trinity Cathedral) ; in Edmonton, Alberta (Saint John's Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral) ; in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (Holy Trinity Cathedral) ; in Toronto, Ontario (Saints Vladimir and Olga Cathedral) ; in Montréal, Québec (Saint Sophie Cathedral).
There was a total of 205 delegates, which was near the average attendance for such sobors.
In the course of the work of the Sobor, there was the necessary election in order to nominate to the Holy Synod of the Church of Constantinople a candidate for election as Archbishop of Winnipeg and Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, who would succeed the Retired Metropolitan Yurij (Kalistchuk).
There were 3 candidates who were considered : Archbishop Job (Getcha), Bishop Ilarion (Rudnyk), and Bishop Andriy (Peshko). The final choice of the members of the sobor was Archbishop Job (Getcha). He had received more than the minimum required 51% of the votes, and there was no subsequent voting required.
The election by the Sobor (Assembly) of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada then had to be confirmed by the Holy Synod of Bishops of Constantinople (as is described in the Consistory By-laws).
Upon having received the nomination (with accompanying documents) from the Sobor of the UOCC, the Holy Synod of the Church of Constantinople elected Vladyka Ilarion (Rudnyk) to become Archbishop of Winnipeg and Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Canada.
The Holy Synod of the Church of Constantinople elected Archbishop Job (Getcha) to become Metropolitan of Pisidia, in west-central Türkiye (Turkey), north of Lycia, and east of Ephesus.
Change of calendar for the UOCC, 2023
On 1 December, 2023, in accordance with the resolutions of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, Metropolitan Ilarion II (Rudnyk) announced that, effective that day, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada moved to use the New (Revised Julian) Calendar. He allowed that for a brief period of time, a parish might remain on the Old (Julian) Calendar.
However, a previously-existing group of persons began to encourage resistance to the immediacy of this change. It was their understanding that the process would be determined ultimately and finally at the next general sobor of the UOCC. Therefore, on 16 December, 2023, Metropolitan Ilarion issued a formal letter concerning the situation, together with a letter of support sent to him by his predecessor (Retired Metropolitan Yurij (Kalistchuk)). He called the resisters to repentance.
Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Church Cemetery, 1925
The Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Cemetery was established in 1925.
The cemetery and Temple
The graves of the Priest John Kulish, his wife Dobrodyka Tekla, and their son Rostyslaw are in this cemetery.
The cemetery is found beside the Temple at :
Land description site NE 19-57-21 W4
Sturgeon Township, Alberta
Cemetery sign ; 2 views of the cemetery
Priests who have served in this Temple include :
Priest Hryhory Fil ; Priest Ostap Flak ; Priest Michael Fyk ; Priest (unknown) Horbay ; Priest (unknown) Keseliuk ; Priest John Kulish ; Priest Michael Maranchuk ; Priest Evgeniy Olendy ; Mitred Archpriest Alexandre Palamarchuk ; Priest Peter Sametz ; Priest Mykola Sawchenko ; Priest Dmetriw Senta ; Priest William Senyshyn ; Priest Dmytro Stratychuk ; Priest Hryhory Wasyliw.
Particular parish information
This parish is a part of the Radway District of the Western Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada. The bishop of the eparchy is Metropolitan Ilarion II (Rudnyk).
This parish follows the Old (Julian) Calendar.
The Altar Feast-day of this parish is the Feast of Pentecost (Descent of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Trinity), although the celebration tends to be in November.
In 2024, the pastor of the parish is the Mitred Archpriest Alexandre Palamarchuk.
Address :
Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Church
Land description site NE 19-57-21 W4
Redwater
Sturgeon Township, Alberta
T0A 2W0
Mailing Address :
Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Church
Box 228
Redwater, Alberta
T0A 2W0
Directions :
The Temple and cemetery are located to the east of the town of Redwater, which is about 62 km (39 mi) northeast of Edmonton, and the journey by car takes a little more than 1 hour.
From Edmonton, drive north on 97 Street past Anthony Henday Drive. This is now Highway AB #28 North. Continue on this highway, and pass by Bon Accord. Pass by Gibbons as this highway turns northwards, and continue on to Redwater.
Just east of Redwater, turn south on Highway AB #38. The Temple is on the right.
Please contact the priest for specific information.
Mitred Archpriest Alexandre Palamarchuk
Telephone : 780-464-2954
E-mail : revpalamar@hotmail.com
References
A Brief History of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada
Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Church Redwater, Alberta, “90th Anniversary Celebration, November 27, 2016” (Redwater : Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Church Redwater, 2016). [Anniversary folder]
Yereniuk, Prof. Roman, “A Short Historical Outline of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada (UOCC)”
Additional information :
“Collection of Material Relating to the 50th Anniversary of the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada, 1918-1968” (Winnipeg : Consistory of the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada, 1968).
Sametz, William, “My father the priest : the life and times of the Very Reverend Dr. Peter Sametz : founding missionary priest of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada” (Toronto : Hypertex Plus, 2008). ISBN : 9780969670056.
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Holy Trinity, Redwater, Alberta listing
Western Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada web-site
Orthodoxwiki article about the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada
Wikipedia article about the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada
Church of Constantinople web-site
Orthodoxwiki article about the Church of Constantinople
Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis)
Metropolitan John (Theodorovych)
Metropolitan Ilarion I (Ohienko)
Metropolitan Michael (Khoroshy)
Metropolitan Yurij (Kalistchuk)
Metropolitan Ilarion II (Rudnyk)
Findagrave cemetery references to the Ukrainian Orthodox Cemetery of Holy Trinity, Redwater, Alberta
Pairiesouls cemetery reference
Encyclopedia of Ukraine History of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada
Encyclopaedia of Ukraine article about Alberta
Canadian Encyclopaedia article about Ukrainian Canadians
Wikipedia article about Ukrainian Canadians
Wikipedia article about the Ukrainian diaspora
Ukrainian Immigration to Canada
“Historical Overview” about immigration of Ukrainians to Alberta
Library and Archives of Canada article about Ukrainian Immigrants, 1891-1930
List of Orthodox Churches in Alberta
Archpastoral Visit of Bishop Ilarion (Rudnyk) on the Occasion of the 90th Anniversary of the Holy Trinity Parish in Redwater, Alberta (27 November, 2016)
Video : Enthronement of Metropolitan Ilarion (Rudnyk) (19 November, 2022)
Nativity Epistle from the Episcopate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada (2022-2023)
Enthronement of Bishop Ilarion (Rudnyk) as Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada (19 November, 2022)
Metropolitan Ilarion (Rudnyk) announces Change of Calendar (1 December, 2023)