St. Archangel Michael Serbian Orthodox Church (Burnaby)
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St. Archangel Michael Serbian Orthodox Church of Burnaby is part of the Serbian Orthodox Eparchy of Canada[1] under the jurisdiction of Bishop Mitrofan (Kodić). It is one of three Serbian parishes in British Columbia (Burnaby, Vancouver, and Kelowna)[2][3][4].
The arrival of the first Serbian settlers in British Columbia[edit]
The first Serbs came to British Columbia in 1850 and were one of its founders[5]. Most immigrants from various parts of Lika, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro began their difficult and uncertain emigrant life in scattered places throughout British Columbia. Many wanted to spend only a few years here, to earn a few dollars so that upon returning to the old regions, they could buy more land, livestock, or build a small house and provide for their families. But most of them created families here and never returned to the Old Country.[6]
Expatriate club "Jedinstvo" and Serbian home "Blue Danube"[edit]
After the First World War, with the creation of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, most of the settlers were fishermen from the Dalmatian littoral who had their own ships, so many settled Serbs found work with them. The newly-created Serbian community was part of a joint emigration made up of the population of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, so the friendship between Serbs and Croats and mutual respect led to the purchase of a joint building on Heytings Street at the end of the thirties of the last century. The association was called "Jedinstvo" and was a favorite meeting place until the beginning of the Second World War, when the previous community fell apart. Respecting each other, Serbs and Croats agreed to sell the building and divide the money. Serbs, wishing to recreate their corner, bought a parcel of land at Heytings street. The tragedy of war, which was raging in Europe at the time, postponed the construction of the building in the meantime.
After the end of World War II, Serbs of Greater Vancouver Area and Seattle joined forces to start building their first home, which was completed in 1947 and named "Blue Danube". This beautiful building quickly became a favorite gathering place every Saturday and holiday. Time passed quickly with stories and songs from the old region. It was common for a group from Lika to come on stage, sing their favorite songs, then be replaced by a group from Herzegovina with their own songs, then from Montenegro, etc.[7]
Establishment of the Church School Congregation "St. Archangel Michael"[edit]
From 1947, the Serbian colony grew day by day, especially with the arrival of many political émigrés. The need to preach the Orthodox faith was felt more and more, and in the Serbian Home "Blue Danube", on 4 January 1953, the Church School Congregation "Sveti Archangel Mihailo" was founded with the help of the priest from Seattle, Washington, Father Miomir Dubak. Forty-five members attended the founding assembly, and Stevo Konjević was elected as the first president. Soon after the establishment of the Church School Congregation, a chapel dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel was built in the upper rooms of the Serbian home, which was consecrated by Bishop Dionisije Milivojević on 10 June 1955. The first parish priest assigned to St. Archangel Michael was Father Miladin Garić, who arrived from Derby, England, after his ordination.
The building of the Serbian home was sold in April 2004, and the money was spent on the completion of the new church of St. Michael the Archangel in Burnaby. All the benefactors and contributors of this home automatically became the benefactors and contributors of the new temple.[8]
Construction of the Church of St. Archangel Michael in Burnaby 2002-2005[edit]
The blessing of the competent Bishop Longin for the construction of the new temple was obtained on 14 February 2002, and the building permit from the city authorities was obtained almost immediately on 28 February 2002. The construction of the new temple of St. Michael the Archangel in Burnaby began on Monday, 4 March 2002. All the Serbian priests from British Columbia, Archpriests Ljubomir Radulović, Sava Arsenijević, Miroslav Dejanov and priest Desimir Vidović prayed for a happy and God-blessed beginning of the construction of the new temple.
On Lazarus Saturday, 27 April 2002, His Eminence Right Reverend Longin blessed the foundation. With the concelebration of Archpriest Ljubomir Radulović, Archpriest Miroslav Dejanov, Archpriest Sava Arsenijević, priest John Kaukakis, priest Desimir Vidović and deacon Milan Pajić, together with the foundation stone, four stones brought from Serbian lands were installed in the foundation representing Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Dalmatia.
In August 2003, the crosses for the church and bell tower were cast. The crosses were donated to the church by Goran Đašić. The crosses were sanctified on Sunday, 31 August 2003, the small cross was placed on the bell tower on the same day, while the large cross was ceremoniously placed on the dome of the temple on 6 June 2004. The crosses were sanctified by Archpriest Stavrofor Marko Todorović with the concelebration of Archpriest Ljubomir Radulović and Priest Desimir Vidović. The best man for the smaller cross was Nikola Kos and the best man for the big cross was Vojo Bogdanović of Kelowna. On Saturday morning, 5 March 2005, with the presence of many faithful, the newly-built church was consecrated, and then the first Holy Bishop's Liturgy was served. It was presided over by His Eminence Amfilohije, Metropolitan of Montenegro and Littoral, His Eminence Right Reverend Longin, archpriests Stavrophorus Budimir Anđelić (California), Miroslav Dejanov (Vancouver), Milovan Sredojević (Kitchener), Mihail Fourik (Orthodox American Church), Johan Ayoub (American Orthodox Church), Vojin Pavlović, priests Nikolay Kondratjev (Greek Orthodox Church) and Desimir Vidović of the Church of St. Michael the Archangel.
After the Holy Liturgy of the Bishops, the Spiritual and Cultural Center was consecrated, and His Eminence Amfilohije, archpriest Milovan Sredojević and priest Desimir Vidović officiated [9]
Sources[edit]
- Earle Waugh and Milan V. Dimić, "Diaspora Serbs" A Cultural Analysis", publisher M. V. Dimic Research Institute, University of Alberta, 2004, pages 147-148
- Metropolitanate Archive, The representative of the Church School Congregation St. Archangel Michael, Vancouver, 23 February 1953
- Metropolitanate Archive, Bishop Dionisije to the Church School Board of St. Archangel Michael, Vancouver, 2 April 1953
References[edit]
- Translated the church history from St. Archangel Michael Serbian Orthodox Church (Burnaby) website: https://www.starhangelmihailo.com/istorijat/
- ↑ http://www.istocnik.ca/en/
- ↑ https://www.starhangelmihailo.com/
- ↑ https://orthodox-world.org/en/i/25272/Canada/British-Columbia/Burnaby/Church/Saint-Archangel-Michael-Serbian-Orthodox-Church
- ↑ https://www.novine.ca/ms/www.novine.ca/vazni_linkovi/crkva_church/vt_1_crkve_kanada.html
- ↑ https://www.timetoast.com/timelines/serbian-immigration-to-canada#:~:text=One%20of%20the%20first%20recorded%20immigration%20of%20Serbians,families%20back%20home%20%28Historical%20Sketch%2C%20Archives%20of%20Ontario%29.
- ↑ https://www.starhangelmihailo.com/istorijat/
- ↑ https://www.starhangelmihailo.com/istorijat/
- ↑ https://www.starhangelmihailo.com/istorijat/
- ↑ https://www.starhangelmihailo.com/istorijat/
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