On Saturday, December 17, 2022, the Holy Orthodox Church honors the memory of the Holy Great Martyr Barbara, and the faithful of Edmonton, AB, Canada, celebrate the Patronal feast and the remarkable 120 Anniversary of the first temple in Edmonton consecrated in honor of St. Barbara, that was the predecessor of the contemporary St. Barbara’s Cathedral.

On this day, Right Reverend Igor Kisil, Dean of the Patriarchal Parishes in the provinces of Alberta and Saskechewan and Rector of St. Barbara’s Cathedral conducted the service of the Divine Liturgy, co-served by the clergy of the Patriarchal Parishes: the rectors of Orthodox IX and Orthodox V Parishes archpriest Yevheniy Protsenko and archpriest Alexiy Suraev, and deacon Stefan Nagy, and also by the clergy guests: archpriest Mircea Panciuk, Rector of the Romanian Parish in honor of the Mother of God in the Boyan, and Rector of the Church of St. George the Victorious in Red Deer, priest Viktor Kramarenko (ROCOR).

The Holy Relics of the Great Martyr Barbara were carried out of the altar and put on the center icon table, and a traditional festive Moleben to the Great Saint was performed.

The Archpastoral Message of His Grace Matthew, Bishop of Sourozh, Temporary Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada and the United States was read in Russian and English; and Father Rector congratulated all the clergy and the people with the great feast, depicting the life of St. Barbara and calling her help and intercession on all the faithful present.

The Secretary of the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada Roman Lopushinsky greeted all those who came to celebrate at the Cathedral, thanked to the clergy and the choir and invited everyone to the festive meal.

At the kissing of the Cross and anointing all the parishioners could venerate the unique holy relics of the Cathedral – the left foot of Great Martyr Barbara, that had been brought to Canada by Archbishop Panteleimon Rudyk (†1968) in the middle of the previous century.

After the service the festive lunch took place at the Cathedral Hall, where the Ladies’ Aide of the Cathedral and the parishioners prepared a lot of lenten dishes, beverages, and dessert.

Many years were sung to His Grace Matthew, Bishop of Sourouzh, to the Clergy, the Choir, and to all those who were preparing and serving for the celebration.

All the priests made speeches congratulating the people gathered, and sharing their memories of how the Cathedral influenced their spiritual life, from the time of over 50 years ago (for Father Mircea) to 10 years.

Many years were sung to Father Alexios on occasion of this Birthday.

In his concluding address, the Father Rector was again speaking of the significance of the Saint, and the history of the first parish of what had become Cathedral, the bishops and priests who served there, the history of obtaining, by the efforts of archbishop Panteleimon, the part of the holy relics of Great Martyr Barbara, the history of the Cathedral during his 25^th service in Canada.

May the Lord God remember in his Kingdom the blessed founders of the temple, and all those who served there, and through the intercession of the Great Martyr Barbara, grant the present generation labor and serve here fruitfully and for many good years!