† Holy Resurrection Russian Orthodox Sobor, Vancouver

Annual General Meeting 2001

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Parishioners of Holy Resurrection Church!

I am greeting you on this solemn occasion when we gather together for our Annual General Meeting. We have gathered here today in order to learn from the past and prepare ourselves for the good future of our church. May God help us in this task.

Now at the time of Great Lent, when our Holy Church calls us for special prayers, for good deeds, let us sincerely discuss all our parish work, acknowledge last years mistakes and discuss what was positive and beneficial.

By the grace of God and the Blessing of Bishop Seraphim, this year will be my second year as Rector of Holy Resurrection Church. Last year I learned a lot about the history and traditions of this church and listened to the opinions of parishioners. It should be mentioned that a lot of things brought me joy, however, there were some that worried me. I am happy to see that all of us grow, become more mature in our reaching of peace and mutual understanding in the church.

We should be aware though, dear brothers and sisters, that the enemy of human mankind also; to disrupt peace and bring destruction for the church. Our purpose is to be together spiritually, as one family of our Holy Resurrection Church and conquer the devil in this fight with evil.

From the history of the church we know that in 1983, about 40 people left our parish, because the Russian clergy participated in the service.

When Father Victor Sokolov was rector of the church there were a lot of misunderstandings about the language of church services. We are witnesses that such kind of conflicts brought only damage to the church.

Our duty of each and every one of us is to strive for unity and harmony among parishioners. At the present time of the emigrational wave to Canada we see a lot of newcomers to our church. Let us, my dears, show ourselves as true brothers and sisters in Christ, paying attention to them and to show them our love and care. «Then they will know that you are Мy disciples when you have love between yourselves» – says Jesus.

Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians: Love is patient and kind, love is not jealous or conceited or proud, love doesn’t t keep records of wrongs; love is not happy with evil but is happy with truth (1 Cor. 13:14). Let us be on the positive side. Criticism of newcomers who are just learning about the faith and rituals, does not help at all. If we wish to teach people let us show our own example and be ready for a sacrifice.

The following significant events occurred since the last AGM held on February 27, 2000: The election of the new council: Igor Chudin-Chairman, Sophie Weremchuk-1st Deputy Chair, Yaroslav Stepanyak-2nd Deputy Chair, Larissa Tkatschow-Secretary, Olga Fetissoff-Treasurer, Matushka Elena Fourik-Culture and Education, Raissa Kolesnikov-Mercy and Compassion Group, Tamara Mihailoff, Vadim Shestakov, Nina Chudin-Members at large, Arthur Kostiha-Church Wardens, Pavel Sorokin and David Kelly-Wardens Assistant, George Vishniakoff-Chairman of Auditing Committee, Sandra Ellis, Nelica Volrich-Members of Auditing Committee. All these Council members and officers of our parish were inducted in the course of a special prayer service after the Divine Liturgy on Forgiveness Sunday on March 12, 2000. Let us give them a big hand for their labors for the sake of our Holy Resurrection Church!

The celebration of the Triumph of Orthodoxy took place in St. Nicholas- St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church on Boundary Road. 17 priests from all canonical jurisdictions were celebrating this special event of the Orthodox faith. A multitude of believers were present at this special service. Our choir s singing was good. Thank you, dear singers!

The Lenten Concert was organized by the Culture and Education Committee on April 2, 2000. The concert was very successful. The details will be presented by Matushka Elena.

Last year, our parish welcomed Father James McLuckie. He is a priest of outstanding missionary work experience and a talented iconographer. Once again welcome to our Church Family, Father James! We are happy to have you among us and wish you God s blessings.

The Lenten Retreat was held at Mar Ilias Church in New Westminster, B.C.. on April 8, 2000. The theme of the retreat was: Orthodox Lenten Spirituality. The speaker was Father Vladimir Tobin. There were 7 priests and 38 lay persons in attendance. The Lenten Retreat was very successful. Thanks to all who attended this gathering. A special thanks goes to Bill Mitroschak who sponsored 15 parishioners of our church to attend the Retreat. Many years to Bill!

During the Great Lent not very many people attended the Lenten Church Services such as the Great Canon of St. Andrew the Creet, the Liturgies of the Presanctified Gifts. I was glad to see a lot of people for General Confession and Soborovanie (Anointing with Oil).

Palm Sunday and Holy Week were reasonably attended by our parishioners and guests.

The special holiday of Pascha – the Resurrection of Christ was celebrated with a special solemnity. Approximately 250 people attended the Easter Night Service. Thanks to all our singers, sub-deacons and readers who participated in the services.

On the first day of Easter the Agape, the Paschal Vespers were celebrated at St. George s Cathedral. Unfortunately, just a few people from our church attended the service.

The Sunday of the Myrrbearing Women, the feast of our Sisterhood was celebrated with joy. I would like to take this opportunity now to express my deep gratitude to Ludmila Darialova and the other ladies who helped her in the kitchen.

I wish to express my sincerest gratitude to all the parishioners and guests who supported our lunches and bazaars. On behalf of all of us here I extend our sincerest thanks to all who so generously volunteered their hard work, donated home baking and crafts for our Bazaar. There are many preparations which often include day long sessions of baking and cooking in our church kitchen. Our deepest gratitude to all of you! May God bless your labors to the Glory of God and to the benefit of our dear church.

Appreciation is extended to our Council Members who decided to sponsor my trip to Calgary in May for the Clergy Sinaxis.

2000 year Maslenitza has been very successful in our church. It serves the very important purpose of uniting people. My deep gratitude is expressed to all those who made the Maslenitza lunch possible.

In May Father James McLuckie received the blessing from His Grace Bishop Seraphim to be a non-salaried cleric with our church. The parishioners are very glad with this blessing. We accept Father James with great joy and we wish him every success in our church and good health for many years!

Mr. Kirill Bolshakov is now the new choir director of our church. May the Lord God help him to be an ardent worker in the area of church singing in our parish.

His Grace, the Right Reverend Seraphim, Bishop of Ottawa and Canada arrived in Vancouver on Thursday, September 7, 2000. He was greeted at the airport by the Dean, Reverend Lawrence Farley, Father Michael Fourik and Father Andrey Somow. His Grace stayed in Vancouver for 10 days visiting all parishes of the OCA in British Columbia.

On Friday, September 8, 2000, on the Feast of Protection of the Mother of God His Grace headed the Pontifical Liturgy at Holy Resurrection Church. Concelebrating were: the Rector of the Church – Archpriest Michael Fourik and Priest Andrey Somow.

On Thursday, September 14, on the Eve and on the day of the Feast of the Elevation of the Holy Cross His Grace Vladyka Seraphim also celebrated the Divine Liturgy with Father Michael and Father Andrey.

After lunch, prepared by our Sisterhood, His Grace took part in the regular meeting of the Executive of the Russian Orthodox Society.

The Pontifical Liturgy on the Patronal Feast Day of our church on Sunday, September 17, 2000, was headed by His Grace, Bishop Seraphim. Concelebrating were: the Rector of the church Archpriest Michael Fourik, Archpriest Stephen Slipko, Priest Andrey Somow and Father James McLuckie were praying in the Holy Altar and received Holy Communion. Assisting at the Pontifical Service were Sub-Deacons: George Vishniakoff, Denis Stepaniak, Daniel De Broder and Vadim Shestakov. At the Divine Service many people were present. The choir, directed by Kirill Bolshakov, decorated the service by its beautiful singing.

After the Divine Liturgy, there was feastal banquet at which everyone enjoyed the delicious food prepared by our Sisterhood. At the end of the banquet on behalf of all parishioners His Grace Bishop Seraphim remarked once again on the efforts and labor of the former rector of Holy Resurrection Church – Father Andrey and Matushka Henriette presenting them with a parish gift.

Bishop Seraphim also congratulated Olga Fetissoff on her 80th birthday and presented her with a parish gift.

Vladyka was happy to mark efforts, contributions and their love to the church by Mike and Natalie Andruff. His Grace also presented them with a parish gift.

During his stay in Vancouver Vladyka had the opportunity to meet many parishioners of our parish in the Vancouver area. He also visited parishioners homes. We sincerely thank our dear Vladyka, for his visit to our city, for his prayers and archpastoral blessing. Is polla eti Despota!

Pan-Orthodox Liturgy, dedicated to the 2000 millennium of the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ, was celebrated at the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George in Vancouver. The following clergy of the canonical Orthodox jurisdictions took part in this celebration. Metropolitan Sotirios (Greek Orthodox Church), Archbishop Mark (Moscow Patriarchate), Bishop Seraphim (Orthodox Church in America), Bishop George (Serbian Orthodox Church) and numerous orthodox clergy of Vancouver participated as well. The celebration was closed with a wonderful banquet, prepared by the Sisterhood of St. George s Orthodox Cathedral.

Beginning of the School Year, on Sunday, October 1, 2000, a molieben was served after the Divine Liturgy for the success of our Sunday School. The children led by their teachers standing in the middle of the church with candles in their hands all prayed together for another successful year of education at the Sunday School. May St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, the patron of our school, helps our future of parishioners to receive and absorb the knowledge of our Orthodox Faith!

The Annual Christmas Bazaar on November 4th and 5th, 2000, ended very well, owing to the intensive efforts of those involved. Special thanks are due to those who donated money and valuable prizes for the lottery which gave a good sum. The work of organizing, managing tickets, raffles, the kitchen, the crafts, etc. preparing the food, pelmeni and pirojki, were done by our Sisterhood. Many thanks to all who worked.

The Christmas Concert of our parish for 2000 took place on January 7, 2001. The details will be discussed by Matushka Elena.

For many years our church has been connecting with Project Mexico. I wish to thank our sub-deacon Constantine Somow who is in Mexico at St. Innocent Orphanage for the whole year helping them financially and physically. With the support of some benefactors our parish was able to donate some money toward this significant project. Many years to all helpers!

Our newsletter “Parish Life” is a periodical of the church issued for the information of its parishioners. Thanks to all who assisted in due course in its preparation. Thanks to the writers, translators and proof readers.

Heartfelt thanks from all parishioners to Mr.Mike Andruff for his zealous labours in the Altar helpers’ room, where he helped lay a new tile floor. He also installed a sprinkler system on the Church plot and worked a lot in the Rectory yard, where gates were installed in the north and south sides of the fence. May the Lord keep you, Mike, in good health and well-being for many more years.

All our parishioners will for a long time remember fondly Mr. Laurri Duck who donated a grand piano to our Church. May the All-Giving God grand him everything needed in family life.

Besides the regular services conducted during the year of 2000 in accordance with the schedule also performed were: 23 baptisms and chrismations; 13 weddings – Glory to God and Many Years to them, 12 administrations of Anointing and 6 funerals – Memory eternal to the departed.

You have just heard the brief account of the events which occurred within the life of our Parish during the last year. My short report is coming to an end and I would like to express on behalf of the Parish my most sincere thanks to those of you who donated your financial gifts for the benefit of our common cause. I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart to those who worked hard for the good of our Church: Fr. Andrey and Matushka Henriette Somow, Fr. James McLuckie, Fr. Stephen and Matushka Mary Slipko, to the Church Wardens, Sub-Deacons, Readers, Acolytes, to the members of the Church Choir, to the Council Members, to the Auditors, to the members of the Sisterhood, to the teachers of the Sunday School, to the members of the Group Miloserdie and to many unknown parishioners who were involved in any of numerous activities of the church life throughout the past year.

Today you will elect the new church council, Auditing Committee and Church Warden and the delegates for the Archdiocesan Assembly in Edmonton, Alberta, which will be held in July. Let me wish to all that are going to be elected great success in their duties. Please give them your support and help whenever they did it. Please remember that our activities must lead to the growth and prosperity of our church. Therefore, whatever we do: serving, singing, reading, selling candles, books or icons, working in the kitchen, preparing concerts and stage plays – everything must support the main reason for our existence – the glorification of God and His Earthly Church.

Dear brothers and sisters, I would like to thank you all for your support and your assistance in many aspects of my ministry. Without your support, without your prayers, I would not be able to continue pastoral services. Thank you very much for your attention and may the Lord God bless you all!

With love,

Fr. Michael Fourik, the Rector