Sunday, April 22, 2018

Sunday Service: Holy Ascension Russo-Greek Orthodox Church

Seems like the best day to post a church!

This is one that we came across while out exploring about a month ago near Calmar, AB. It was surrounded by trees tall enough that even the domes could not be seen from afar.

If I have learned one thing, it is always look into a row of trees, usually the trees are there for a reason. As I passed by, the church was visible in the break in the trees. Slam on breaks, u-turn, grab camera! We had found Holy Ascension Russo-Greek Orthodox Church.

In 1927, the first church meeting was held, 2 acres of land where donated, a church committee was elected, and building began in the summer. The Temple was sanctified in November 1927. Today, there are 20 families currently in the parish.







I guess I neglected to take a photo of the bell tower, which is off to the side of the front of the church. As is common with Ukrainian Churches, the bell tower is a separate structure. Also as usual, my son rung the bell. There is also a cemetery on the grounds at the back of the church.

References: orthodoxcanada.ca 


26 comments:

  1. Very much what you'd expect out of an Orthodox church. I like the look of it.

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    1. Thanks William! There are so many in that part of Alberta, at least 6 more within a short drive. I like them too.

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    1. Thanks Marie, it is nice that it is still an active church. Although I am not sure if they have service every Sunday.

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  3. What a beautiful church. I never knew that about the bell tower being a separate structure. Excellent photos, Jenn.

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    1. Thanks Bill! Yes, sometimes it is a just a metal structure with a bell, sometimes it is a building with a door. In any case, my son has rung several backroad church bells!!!

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  4. Good evening! :) Really a nice church, I like :)) Thank you for sharing this! Enjoy your evening and best wishes from hotel schenna ( https://www.weinmesser.com ) Sarina ;)

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  5. If a church can be cute, then that church is cute!

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    1. Thanks Debra....you think this one is cute..I have an even cuter one that I think you'd like!!

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    1. Thanks Gorges, there are several of these types of churches in the area, it is nice to see it still active with a small parish.

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  7. Sure has the look of an Eastern church

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    1. Thanks Adam, yes they are pretty easy to recognize.

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  8. That's a beauty! Nice find, Jenn.

    Have you ever considered recording the sound of the bells at different churches? It would be great to hear...and in no time I'll bet you'd begin to recognize a church by the sound of its bell tone. How cool is that!?

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    1. Hi Michael! I will start doing that, I never even thought of that. I will have to revisited and ring some old bells lol.

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  9. Great pics! I particularly like your B&W shot!

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    1. Thanks RedPat! Can't go wrong with a B&W shot!

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  10. I used to let my daughter ring the bells as soon as I was finished with the camera.

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    1. My son always tries the doors and then the bell if there is one.

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  11. I've never even thought of ringing the bells!

    Lovely church.

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    1. I always wonder what the people living nearby think when they hear the bells...lol

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  12. Love the flourish of the bell tower on an otherwise fairly basic church Jenn.. it's surprising what you can find amongst the trees ✨

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    1. Thanks PDP, straight rows of trees in a field usually mean they were sheltering something...always a good idea to look. Right now more is visible too with no leaves.

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  13. All of the Orthodox churches I've seen have similar architecture, Greek and Russian. They are lovely buildings!

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    1. Hi Rain, yep they are all have those unmistakable domes. I love seeing them, they're all unique yet you know immediately the are Orthodox.

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