A local parish in need of a home is seeking community support to make its dream happen and provide a place to worship.
The Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox parish, made up of about 30 people, has been using the Clearview Community Hall for their twice-monthly services. But parish president Morris Brese said the group is growing and they need more space.
“The big thing right now is trying to find a permanent home,” said Brese. “Our church is multicultural. It is promoted as Ukrainian Orthodox, but we actually have Russians, Greeks and various ethnicities and some ethnicities are hesitant to come because we don’t have a physical building.
“We’re hoping if we have a building, more will come.”
They plan to start building next spring at a site in Vanier Woods. A benefactor paid for most of the land.
To build the church, the parish must raise about $250,000 to get started because it is a new build. The building will cost about $450,000 to complete. The proposed building is about 2,000 square feet and would hold about 120 people.
“It’s a modest building, but it’s in the traditional orthodox style,” said Brese. “It will have the copper dome that orthodox churches do.”
With the new building, they also hope to bring in a full-time priest. Right now they have Rev. Fr. Timothy Chrapko come for the twice-monthly services from Calgary.
Orthodox Christianity is close to Catholicism, with some liturgical and sacramental differences, said Brese. Its origins trace back to Constantinople, which is now Istanbul, and the Ottoman Empire.
Anyone is welcome to attend the parish, which has people from many backgrounds.
Anyone interested in helping the parish build its home can contact Brese at orthodoxrd@gmail.com or call 403-342-5472. Donations can also be sent to the parish’s post office box at PO Box 24038, Red Deer, Alberta, T4N 6X6. Cheques should be made out to “Ukrainian Orthodox Parish of Red Deer.” Tax receipts will be issued.
mcrawford@www.reddeeradvocate.com