Citizen Columns
Question
Which three people would you say have been the most important spiritual leaders in Canada?
Answer
This question sparked a lively discussion and produced an eclectic list of candidates during coffee after church this past week. Jean de Brébeuf (1593-1649), martyr, "apostle of the Hurons" (he wrote the Huron Carol). Élisabeth Bruyère (1818-1876), founder of the Sisters of Charity in Ottawa (then Bytown), the first hospital in Ottawa and the first bilingual school in Ontario. Catherine de Hueck Doherty (1896-1985), Russian-born social activist inspired by Orthodox and Roman Catholic faith, founder of Madonna House in Combermere. Tommy Douglas (1904-1986), whose Christian faith (he was a Baptist minister) inspired his dedication to social service, especially his dream of universal health care for Canadians. Norval Morriseau (born 1932), Ojibwa shaman artist. Governor General Georges Vanier (1888-1967), who restored the chapel to Rideau Hall. His son Jean Vanier (b. 1928), founder of L'Arche, creating homes where the developmentally disabled and their care-givers live together and learn from each other.
Although no Orthodox spiritual leaders are widely known in Canada, I'll focus on two outstanding people who had an impact in this country.
Tikhon Bellavin (1865-1925) was a tireless Russian Orthodox missionary bishop in the US and Canada for eight years early in the 20th century, founding churches in Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. He was elected Patriarch of Moscow in 1917 just as the Bolshevik revolution was beginning to ravage the churches. He died in 1925 (probably as a result of interrogation) and was canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church in 1989. His steadfast witness in the face of persecution, his insistence that Christians must love their enemies and fight evil with good continues to inspire Orthodox Christians in Canada and around the world.
Arseny Chahovtsov (1866-1945) was a monk who came to North America in 1900 at the request of St Tikhon. He was a riveting preacher, pastor, teacher and monastic founder. In his early years he edited a journal, The Canadian Field, which was reportedly read even by Tsar Nicholas II of Russia. He had several stints in the US (where he founded a monastery and orphanage) but Canada was his great love. "Through the depths of virgin forests, through the limitless prairies of wide Canada, I started searching for those who had gone astray, strengthening the faith of the weak, and instructing the growing generation with the light of the true teaching." He was later a bishop in Canada (1926-36) and established many parishes and a pastoral school. He died in 1945, but many who knew him are still alive and recount stories of his sanctity (although not formally canonized, he is venerated as a saint in Canada). He was capable of being strong and demanding (especially about the order and beauty of church services), but was also a kind and searching pastor who could listen deeply and compassionately.
Father John Jillions
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