St. Andrew's Ukrainian Orthodox Sobor Parish

Historical Highlights

On October 8 1957, an exploratory meeting was held for the purposes of investigating the possibility of establishing a new parish of the Ukrainian Orthodox faith in the southeast area of the city. The initiative was taken by Mrs. Tillie Kurysh along with individuals who resided in the area and who were active members of St. John’s Cathedral. Among them were Dr. and Mrs. Leo Faryna, Mr. And Mrs. Steve Cybak, Mr. And Mrs. Max Kanasewich, Mr. And Mrs. Tom Hnatiuk, Mr. And Mrs. John Nikiforuk, and Mr. And Mrs. Nick Bodnar.

At a formative meeting held on January 27 1958, a membership of $1.00 was agreed upon and those in attendance became the first members. St. Andrew’s Parish was formally incorporated on December 22 1959, electing Mr. John Nikiforuk as president. Following incorporation, the church acquired its present site as a gift from Mrs. Tillie Kurysh. Mrs. Kurysh was always a very generous donor to the Ukrainian Orthodox Churches of Edmonton as well as St. Andrew’s College and St. John’s Institute.

At the Parish’s first Annual General Meeting held in November 1960, the following were elected to the Executive Board.

Mr. Russell Dzenick	President
Mr. John Makar	Vice-President
Mr. Orest Mulka	Treasurer
Mr. Mike Skitsko	Assistant Treasurer
Mr. John Nikiforuk	Secretary
Mrs. Marian Hnatiuk	Assistant Secretary
Mr. Nick Dowhaniuk	Saxton
Mr. Max Kanasewich	Audit Committee
Mr. Ray Faryna	Audit Committee
Mr. William Dymianiw	Audit Committee

During the summer of 1961, an architect was engaged to prepare preliminary drawings for a cultural building. Subsequently, plans for construction of the first phase of the building program, which included classrooms, hall, and small kitchen were formally approved. Prior to the construction of the cultural facilities, occasional church services were held at Forest Heights Community Hall. These services were conducted by Very Reverend Michael Fyk from St. John’s Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral and other Edmonton clergy.

By 1963, the Parish had a membership of 107 family members. On June 23 1963 the church site was blessed and consecrated by His Gace Bishop Andrew. Following the service, construction of the Cultural Building formally commenced.

In the fall of 1963, Very Reverend Hryhory Wasyliw was assigned to serve both St. Andrew’s and St. Michael’s Parishes. In addition during the ensuing two years, Very Reverend Stephen Symchych from St. John’s Institute provided our Parish with services on alternate Sundays.

The newly constructed Cultural Building was officially blessed by His Grace Bishop Andrew on February 16 1964. The building contained Sunday School facilities and provided a temporary location for holding church services.

With new facilities and a rapidly growing parish, the need for a full-time parish priest became eminent. In the summer of 1965, Very Reverend Michael Yurkiwsky was assigned to serve St. Andrew’s Parish on a full-time basis.

The following is a chronological listing of other significant events that occurred in the history of St. Andrew’s Parish.

1961	Ladies Auxiliary officially organized Church membership campaign launched
1962	First vesper service conducted at Forest Heights Community Hall March 25 Men’s Club officially organized First choir practice held November 12 at the home of A. Oleskiw, with Charles Tymchuk as director
1963	Very Reverend Hryhory Wasyliw assigned as Parish Priest to serve St. Andrew’s and St. Michael; Parishes jointly First Divine Litrugy held March 24 at Forest Heights Community Hall Blessing and Consecration of the Cultural Building site, June 23 Commenced construction of Cultural Building
1964	Cultural Building officially opened, February 16 Honorary Life Membership bestowed upon Mrs. Tillie Kurysh Men’s Club registered with the Societies Act Marshall Muzyka appointed choir director First Saturday Confession and Communion breakfast for children during the Great Fast period
1965	The first and full complement of delegates attend the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada Sobor in Winnipeg Metropolitan Ilarion visits St. Andrew’s Parish, September 12 Very Reverend Michael Yurkiwsky assigned parish priest CYMK organized, elected Dennis Yurkiwsky as president Ukrainian Dance Program organized under the direction of Gerald Metrunec Sadochok organized with Nadia Bodnar as teacher
1966	Sunday Church School records and enrollment of 164 students, William Labatiuk is director Men’s Club President becomes a member of the Parish Executive Board
1967	Ladies Auxiliary launch first cookbook, “Cooking Favorites”
1968	Very Reverend Michael Yurkiwsky leaves St. Andrew’s Parish to continue pastoral studies
1969	Reverend Meroslaw Kryschuk assigned as Parish Priest Parish Manse purchased Family membership fee $20.00
1970	St. Andrew’s CYMK registered under the national CYMK structure
1971	Phase II renovations to the kitchen
1972	Site for church proper consecrated by His Eminence Archbishop Andrew Newly constructed Church officially consecrated by His Eminence Archbishop Andrew, November 5 Church pews acquired from old Courthouse
1973	St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Dance Program organized senior dancers under the name “Zirka”
1976	Organized a Ukrainian Language Program for high school credits Junior CYMK officially organized Church library established Golden Age Club organized
1977	Sod turning ceremony for St. Andrew’s Selo officiated by His Grace Bishop Boris, November 13
1979	St. Andrew’s Selo officially opened, September 30 Senior CYMK performed Operetta “Vinok” (Wreath) at the Shoctor Theatre
1982	Stained Glass windows with icons dedicated CYMK publishes a church calendar which included church Holy days, members’ birth dates and anniversaries Ladies Auxiliary launches 2nd cookbook, “More Cooking Favorites” with sales reaching Best Seller status
1983	Senior CYMK presented with “Perepeliuk Trophy” as the most active CYMK branch in Canada
1984	St. Andrew’s celebrates its 25th Anniversary Reverend Damjan Hohol ordained as a Deacon of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada
1985	Blessing and dedication of Iconostas, Holy Table and placing of Holy relics inside the Altar, and electronic chimes, October 6 St. Andrew’s Parish granted “Sobor” status Reverend Damjan Hohol ordained as a Priest
1986	Participated in the Western Diocese Celebration of the 1000th Anniversary of the acceptance of Christianity in Ukraine Youth Orchestra organized
1987	Kitchen renovations completed, September 20 Church mortgage paid-up Blessing of chandelier, December 13
1988	Year of the 1000th Anniversary of Christianity in Ukraine. Parish members nd Choir participate in the All-Canada Celebration in Hamilton CYMK (Alberta, British Columbia) History Book, “Pathways” is published
1989	Conducted a study “Into the New Millennium” of St. Andrew’s Parish
1990	Results of study “Into the New Millennium” published Development of atrium and other renovations undertaken by Men’s Club
1991	Golden Age Club re-organized
1993	Atrium with Boardroom and office completed, elevator installed House between Church and Parish Manse purchased by Men’s Club
1994	St. Andrew’s Parish celebrates 35th Anniversary – “Homecoming”
1995	Very Reverend Victor Lakusta assigned to St. Andrew’s Parish
1996	St. Andrew’s Kiosk established by Ladies Auxiliary
1997	Parish Endowment Fund instituted Security system installed Additional parking- Phase I commenced
1998	Bell Tower completed, consecrated by His Eminence Archbishop John Reverend Deacon Cornell Zubritsky ordained as Deacon and assigned to St. Andrew’s Sobor for one year
1999	Additional Parking – Phase II commenced Very Reverend Mykola Sawchenko “attached” to St. Andrew’s Sobor Parish Parish celebrates 40th Anniversary Metropolitan Wasyly awards St. Andrew’s Parish with “Metropolitan’s Hramota” (certificate) Into the New Millennium
2000	Rev. Deacon Cornell Zubritsky ordained into the Holy Priesthood of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada. Archives committee for St. Andrews Sobor Parish formed under the leadership of Dr. Bert Hohol. St. Andrews Pyrohy Suppers initiated. St. Andrews 1000th baptism takes place- Matthew Loren McLean.
2001	Rev. Fr. Benny Ambrosie received into The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada by His Eminence Archbishop John and is assigned to St. Andrews as an assistant priest. St. Andrews Ladies Auxiliary celebrates its 40th Anniversary. Church Choir assists the clergy with singing the Divine Liturgy through the summer months
2002	Development Appeal Board of the City of Edmonton approves the Bell in the Bell Tower to sound.
2003	Pochaiv Orphanage project initiated with parcels of clothing and purchase of shoes for orphans in Ukraine. Rev. Fr. Benny Ambrosie assigned to a rural Parochial District in Alberta. Fr. Deacon Boychuk ordained at St. Andrews. Kitchen improvements and cultural building ventilation renovations undertaken. St. Andrews Ukrainian Orthodox Sobor Parish Website under development.
2004	"Pochaiv Project" expands to construct a trade school for the orphans in Ukraine.
2005	Wild Rose Foundation matches St. Andrews $5000.00 for the Pochaiv trade school project. Membership fees set at $150.00 per adult.
2006	The Main Dining Hall is named in honour of one of our founding members- "The Tillie Kurysh Hall". St. Andrews Sobor Parish gifts His Eminence Metropolitan John with the Metropolitans Staff- "zhezlo". Food Vouchers purchased for distribution to individuals and families in need. "St. Andrews Ukrainian Orthodox Sobor Parish" is registered with the province of Alberta. St. Andrews Divine Liturgies during each month are to be conducted 3 times bi-lingually and once a month in English.
2007	Rt. Rev. Mitred Archpriest Fr. Victor Lakusta celebrates his 40th year in the Holy Priesthood of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada. St. Andrews launches a fund drive to provide a "Safe House" in Ukraine to house orphans in Ukraine. Fr. Deacon Peter Haugen is ordained into the Holy Deaconate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada.
2008	Fr. Deacon Timothy Chrapko attached to St. Andrews Sobor parish. Fr. Deacon Timothy Chrapko ordained into the Holy Priesthood of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada and assigned as assistant priest at the Parish of St. Volodymyr in Calgary. Fr. Deacon Peter Haugen is ordained at St. Johns Cathedral, into the Holy Priesthood of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada and assigned to St. Michaels Parish in Edmonton as an assistant priest. Wild Rose Foundation matches St. Andrews fundraising of $20,000.00 for a total of $39,671.00 toward The Klynovy Lyst (Maple Leaf Project) Pochaiv Safe House Project in Ukraine. Members from St. Andrews attend the Special Sobor-2008 in Saskatoon to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the UOCC. They accepted revised bylaws and elected two new Bishops- His Grace, Bishop Ilarion, Bishop of Edmonton and the Western Eparchy and His Grace, Bishop Andrij, Bishop Vicar of Saskatoon and the Central Eparchy.
2009	Rt. Rev. Protopresbyter Fr. Victor Lakusta leaves St. Andrews for Winnipeg to become the Acting Chancellor of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada. Rev. Fr. Dr. Jaroslaw Buciora assigned to St. Andrews for June and July, 2009. Computer upgrade with server, wireless network and two computers installed in the Parish office. Rev. Fr. Volodymyr Bilous becomes the supply Priest to St. Andrews for Sunday Divine Liturgies August to December, 2009. St. Andrews hosts a very successful "Klynovy Lyst" fundraiser dinner, silent auction and live auction featuring Victor Malarek, noted CTV journalist and author speaking on "Human Trafficking". St. Andrews Ukrainian Orthodox Sobor Parish celebrates its 50th Anniversary on December 13, 2009.
2010	Rev. Fr. Volodymyr Bilous continues as Supply Priest/Priest in Charge through to August 29, 2010. Rev. Fr. Yuriy Suchevan uis assigned to St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Orthodox Sobor Parish as parish priest effective September 1, 2010. Fr. Yuriy’s first Divine Liturgy takes place on September 12, 2010. St. Andrew’s hosts the Western Eparchy Conference, October 28-31, 2010.