† Holy Resurrection Russian Orthodox Sobor, Vancouver

By Irene A. Rozvaliaeff

A tribute should be paid to the Priest and the founders. In all cases the Priest is the prime mover in the endeavor of establishing a church, promoting the Orthodox Faith and providing help to those of newcomers into a strange land, who may have been without language skills, but had in their hearts the spark of faith that would inspire and sustain them in life.

Father Antonin (Pokrovsky) was such a leader. There were others later whom we remember with gratitude and love: Fr. Leonid Kaspersky, Fr. Peter Kurzemnek, Fr. Oleg Boldireff, Igumen Cyril (Bulashevich), Hieromonk Panteleimon (Belko), Fr. Evan Lowig and the respected Bishop Joasaph (Antoniuk), whose daughter Olga came often for a visit.

We have now Fr. Andrey who recently celebrated with us his 25 years of service in this church, both as Deacon and the Priest, with Matushka Henriette Somow, who faithfully gave of her talents as choir director and artist who executed the stained glass windows.

There are not many of us left who remember the years from 1924 to the present. Those of us who are left, remember those time with awe and humility at the character and spirit of people, who against all odds persevered and gave of their time, skills and energy to care for their spiritual temple, where they could feel at home, profess their faith and keep alive the traditions and culture, so rich in literature, music and arts. Men and women came and went, completing their life span, but each one left something of him or her to be remembered by. We also remember our neighbors and friends in Seattle’s St. Spiridon’s Cathedral, who seldom if ever failed to attend our Patronal Feast Day and other events and were ever ready to give moral support. Alas, most of them are no more.

Most of the years encompassed the generation of our elders, our fathers and mothers. When the church was relocated to its present site in 1954 it became the turn of our generation to come forward and assume a leading role. Now this role is being filled by another generation and they are doing it well.

We have now also newcomers from Russia, who miraculously have not had the spark of faith extinguished by the harsh conditions of life in Russia. We welcome them. We need new blood in the church, young families, of whom there are quite a few. We also need more new Canadian converts. These people are our hope for the future. We wish for them to continue to keep the Orthodox faith alive, as our fathers and mothers and our generation had done throughout the years, as well as the traditions and culture that are at the very core of our existence. We wish them to feel that this holy house can be their spiritual home and to care and cherish it as their own.

This day marks the culmination of 75 years of growth for Holy Resurrection Church. Those have made an enormous effort involved in the preparations and organization of these festivities for the Jubilee. Our gratitude goes to Fr. Andrey, Matushka Henriette Somow, the Committee and those who contributed in any way to make this a very special day.

May this 75^th Anniversary be the beginning of many more illustrious years in the life of Holy Resurrection Church. The church is a fitting monument to all those who through the years toiled on her behalf and may it be a beacon of faith and home for future generations.

I would like to thank His Grace Bishop Seraphim and the Committee for the award given to me on this day, to mark the many years of my being a part of this church.

Thank you!