Background
St Mark’s parish was organized in 1987 to meet the needs of Orthodox people living in the area who wanted an English language, new calendar, & an active community.
Since the early 1900’s many OCA parishes were organized in the farming communities around Yorkton. Presently attached to St Mark’s are 9 chapels and graveyards. This new parish became the centre for people moving into the city, as the rural areas decline in population.
In 1990 along with the Greek Mission the community acquired a church building that needed to be converted for Orthodox worship. The Greek community of Yorkton has services once a month (during the week) to supplement their spiritual needs. Thus the community of St Mark (OCA) and Ss Anargyroi (Greek Orthodox Church) function as one parish in our daily life, yet under two diocese administratively.
We are made up of 80+ households, some from the traditional Orthodox backgrounds: Ukrainian, Romanian, Greek, as well as converts to Orthodoxy. On a typical Sunday morning we usually have 30-50 people in Church, among them, a number of children.
Since the early 1900’s many OCA parishes were organized in the farming communities around Yorkton. Presently attached to St Mark’s are 9 chapels and graveyards. This new parish became the centre for people moving into the city, as the rural areas decline in population.
In 1990 along with the Greek Mission the community acquired a church building that needed to be converted for Orthodox worship. The Greek community of Yorkton has services once a month (during the week) to supplement their spiritual needs. Thus the community of St Mark (OCA) and Ss Anargyroi (Greek Orthodox Church) function as one parish in our daily life, yet under two diocese administratively.
We are made up of 80+ households, some from the traditional Orthodox backgrounds: Ukrainian, Romanian, Greek, as well as converts to Orthodoxy. On a typical Sunday morning we usually have 30-50 people in Church, among them, a number of children.
Additional Parishes/ChapelsCurrently there is a number of nearby rural churches/chapels that St. Mark's clergy serve on a semi-regular basis:
Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called Church, Canora, SK (Sister Church) St. Andrew's Mission was established in June, 2009. It grew out of the Mission Station of All Saints of North America (established in 2004) which was served from St. Mark's Orthodox Church, Yorkton with Fr. Andrew Piasta. Initially, the Mission met in the local Anglican temple. But has made its home in the temple of Sts. Peter and Paul, a rural parish of the Romanian Episcopate of America located just on the outskirts of Canora. Holy Assumption Church Cemetery & Chapel - Stenen English is the main language, with some Ukrainian. The parish follows the Old Calendar. The first service was held in the area in 1902, and the current building built in 1905. Currently services are held twice a year. St. Michael Church Cemetery & Chapel - Verigin The Church, along with a separate bell tower and graveyard with app. 50 graves is located in a farming area. The parish was initially served from the Monastery in Burgis, SK with most of the people coming from Bukovena areas of Ukraine. The building and graveyard are well maintained. Services are held once year. Holy Ascension Cemetery & Chapel - Hubbard The Church was abandoned for 30 years. The graveyard with approximately 20 graves has two of our pioneer priests buried here. Members of St Mark’s Church in Yorkton along with the families of the priests worked to restore the Church, so that in 1997 the first Liturgy since the restoration was served with His Grace, Bishop Seraphim. There is one service a year, usually the third Saturday of August. St. John the Baptist Cemetery & Chapel -- Endeavour The Church and a graveyard with app. 70 graves are located in a farming area. There are presently 7 families living in the area. The buildings and graveyard are well maintained. Most of the original members came from Bukovena area of Ukraine. Annual services, and others as arranged. St. Lavrentius the Martyr Cemetery & Chapel -- Minitonas The cemetery and church was established in 1944. Most of the original members had moved from other areas to the area which was opening up for farming. Annual services, usually on the first Saturday following the August long weekend. St. Demetrius Cemetery & Chapel -- Lady Lake, MB The Church along with a separate bell tower and a graveyard with app. 100 graves is located in a farming area. The buildings and graveyards are well maintained as the church has been designated a historic site. The interior of the church has a wooden chandelier and crosses all locally hand made at the turn of the century.The parish had a rectory and priest living there for many years. Most of the original members came from Bukovena area of Ukraine. Annual services, and others as arranged. St. Basil Cemetery & Chapel In the early 1900’s immigrants arrived from the Bukovina area of Ukraine to settle in the local area. Holding on to their Orthodox faith, the settlers gathered together to worship together and started the work underway to build the church. The parish was initially served from the Monastery in Burgis, SK. The original building still stands on the property. The Church, along with a separate bell tower and graveyard with app. 50 graves is located in the middle of a tree area that is now a community pasture. Only one family lives near the church. The building and graveyard are well maintained. Services are held when requested. |
Typical Service Schedule6:00 PM Great Vespers.
Saturday Evening 10:00 AM Divine Liturgy. Sunday Morning 6:00 PM Vesperal Liturgy. Eves of Great Feasts DioceseSt Mark the Evangelist is a parish under the Archdiocese of Canada within the Orthodox Church of America.
Our diocese, under the Orthodox Church in America, stretches from sea to sea in Canada with around 60 clergy and 40 parishes and dates back to the original 1780 Russian Missionaries to Alaska and many parishes were founded by St Tikhon of Moscow.
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