On Sunday, July 11, 2021, His Grace Bishop Ilarion of Edmonton and the Western Eparchy, Locum Tenens of the Metropolitan Cathedral of the UOCC, celebrated the Divine Liturgy for the community of St. Nicholas Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Red Deer, Alberta. His Grace was assisted by Fr. Deacon Vasyl Maskal. St. Nicholas Ukrainian Orthodox Church was founded as Mission in 1999. The community gathered for divine services in community halls and funeral homes for many years. In 2016, construction began on a Temple dedicated to St. Nicholas, wonderworker of Myra and Lycea. This temple was consecrated on July 31, 2016, by His Grace Bishop Ilarion of Edmonton. St. Nicholas Ukrainian Orthodox Church recently suffered a break-in resulting in some theft and vandalism. His Grace fulfilling the words of the Apostle Paul in coming to pray with the community that: “…if one member suffers, all the members suffer” (1 Cor: 12:26) In addition to celebrating the Divine Liturgy, His Grace Bishop Ilarion brought with him financial assistance of $3000.00 from the Western Eparchy of the UOCC to assist the Red Deer parish to increase the security of their temple, as well as assist with their overall financial situation. Through the course of the pandemic, with the restrictions in place, it was not often feasible for the parish to gather for divine services, since the square footage is rather small, and the number of people able to attend was extremely limited. Having just completed construction in 2016, is still struggling to meet its obligations such as pay its mortgage in this time of uncertainty. The parish of St. Nicholas in Red Deer small in numbers, but God will help them. The financial assistance offered to St. Nicholas of Red Deer, is a continuation of the support offered to from the Western Eparchy to Missionary Parishes. Previously, the Western Eparchy donated $20, 000.00 each for both the Parksville, BC Parish, and the Red Deer Parish. The Western Eparchy also offered $10, 000.00 of Rebuilding assistance to the Thorhild, AB Parish, following a fire that destroyed their temple. 

The Red Deer Parish is served by Fr. Dr. Timothy Chrapko, of St. Anthony of Kyiv Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Edmonton on the first Saturday of every month, and by V. Rev. Fr. Stephen Keaschuk (retired and attached to St. Anthony of Kyiv in Edmonton), on the third Sunday of every month. The parish is also served by other priests of the Western Eparchy as they are available. 

Any individuals, parishes, or organizations that are able, are asked to please consider helping the St. Nicholas Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Red Deer. Donations may be made to: 

St. Nicholas Ukrainian Orthodox Parish
107 Vermont Avenue
Red Deer, Alberta
T4R 0S4