Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, September 22, 2025
Photo: archdiocese.ca
Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan marked its 50th anniversary on September 13, with a celebration that included the ordination of two new clerics.
The anniversary Liturgy, presided over by His Eminence Archbishop Irénée, saw the ordination of Deacon Johnathan Goosens to the priesthood and Subdeacon Edwin (Cam) Hay to the diaconate. The service brought together 11 priests and 9 deacons from across Western Canada, spanning from Manitoba to British Columbia, along with approximately 100 faithful, reports the Archdiocese of Canada of the Orthodox Church in America.
Fr. Matthew Francis of Holy Apostles Mission in Chilliwack, BC, described the weekend celebration as a “prairie Pascha,” referring to the unity and joy reminiscent of Orthodox Pascha celebrations.
Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church was established in 1975 to serve Orthodox Christians in the Saskatoon area who desired an English-speaking parish. The community was founded with a commitment to welcome and minister to all people, resulting in a diverse membership.
Photo: archdiocese.ca The parish includes members from various Orthodox backgrounds including Ukrainian, Russian, Romanian, and Egyptian traditions, as well as many converts from non-Orthodox backgrounds. Over the past decade, the community has welcomed immigrants from Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Sudan, while also providing support to a broader immigrant community seeking to establish roots in Canada.
Fr. Gregory Sratch, who attended the anniversary celebration, noted the significance of the parish reaching this milestone, having grown from humble beginnings similar to many other Orthodox communities across the Archdiocese of Canada. He concluded his report:
Beyond the celebration of an amazing and miraculous 50 years, and the ordination of a priest and deacon, what was experienced, was that which is at the heart of our life as Christians—the proclamation of Gospel and the Lord’s saving work for humanity, and our unity with and in the Lord and His faithful, being members of His Body, the Church—regardless of where we came from, what we do, or even if it wasn’t Pascha.
May the Lord grant us the eyes of faith to see this Paschal unity and life in even the most isolated and lonely movements of our lives; regardless of where we are, or day or season it might be! And may the Lord grant many years to the clergy and faithful of Holy Resurrection in Saskatoon, and to the newly ordained priest Johnathan, and deacon Edwin, and their families.
Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!
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