Protection of the Holy Theotokos Mission
Fort Saskatchewan AB

The Mission in Fort Saskatchewan began when a small number of Christians in the local Anglican parish, led by their parish priest, now Rev. David Raphael Johnston, left Anglicanism because of its increasing apostasy, and fled to Holy Orthodoxy. The first Orthodox Service in Fort Saskatchewan was a Reader's Typica served on September 19th, 2004, led by David Johnston, who had received special permission to lead Typica. The small band of ex- Anglicans was joined on their first Sunday by the first "member" of the fledgling Mission, a local Ukrainian Orthodox woman who was well known to the Johnstons.

With the support of the Department of Missions and Evangelism and the Missionary leadership of Very Rev. Fr. John D. Finley the small group was catechized and prepared to be received into the Church. Enrollment as catechumens took place in December and January, and Chrismation was held at our sister Parish in Edmonton, St. Philip's Church, on Lazarus Saturday (April 23rd), 2005. Our first Great and Holy Week was spent at St. Philip's Church, and we have continued a warm family relationship with that Parish and their Pastor Fr. Elias Ferzli. Our first Divine Liturgy was Thomas Sunday with Fr. John Finley serving.

Following David Johnston's ordination to the Diaconate at the Parish Life Conference in San Francisco on July 1st, and with the assistance of our Missionary Priest, Fr. John, and Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Sakkab, the retired Pastor of St. Philip's and former Dean of the Prairie Deanery, the Mission presently serves two Divine Liturgies monthly, with Reader's Orthros and Typica served on weeks when a priest is not present. Great Vespers (most often as a Reader's Service) is served every Saturday evening.

Beginning in Fall 2005, the Fort Saskatchewan Mission is offering a Saturday evening outreach program called "Get To Know The Original" which will be comprised of Great Vespers at 5:30 p.m., followed by a fellowship meal (usually pizza!), and a study on the Christian faith of the Apostles. These studies will include Church History, Scripture Study, and the lives of the Saints, and will form the basis of our catechetical work as we strive to share the Faith with family members, friends, co-workers, and neighbors in Fort Saskatchewan and the surrounding area.

In October 2009, His Grace, Bishop JOSEPH visited and blessed the Mission with the heavenly patronage of the Most Holy Theotokos with the name: "Protection of the Holy Theotokos."

In June 2011 Holy Protection Mission moved to more permanent premises at the old Fort Mall, allowing for a permanent Temple and Weekday Services as well as a location for classes and gatherings. The Mission also operates a small bookstore “Pokrov Orthodox Christian Books and Icons” as part of its presence in the community.

 

http://www.fortsaskorthodox.org