Read on Twitter
Blessed Arseny of Winnipeg was born March 10, 1866. After his father passed, he heralded their sheep farm with his mother and 5 siblings.
Recognized for his intelligence, he was granted stipend to study theology, which he did for 11 years until marriage.
Recognized for his intelligence, he was granted stipend to study theology, which he did for 11 years until marriage.
Working as a priest & law professor, through the 1890s, he became distraught after his wife's death, building a coffin, sleeping in it for days, refusing food. He would pilgrim to holy sites until a meeting with St. John of Kronstadt at Valaam inspired him to monasticism.
His mother would later be buried in the coffin he built after she died on a Soviet collection farm. Likewise his son would also find martyrdom under the Soviets, St. Dionisy Andreevich on November 28, 1937.
A few years after his tonsuring, he was recruited by St. Tikhon for service in America because his mastery of Slavonic languages & Russian dialects.
Arriving in 1903, over the next two years he worked closely with St. Alexis Toth in evangelizing the Uniate populations.
Arriving in 1903, over the next two years he worked closely with St. Alexis Toth in evangelizing the Uniate populations.
Upon arriving in Mayfield PA, he engaged in several zealous fundraisers to purchase a large 82-hectare farm, which would become the first Orthodox monastery and Orphanage in America, the St. Tikhon of Zadonsk Monastery in South Canaan, PA.
Eventually raised to bishop of the Canadian diocese, he would return twice to Russia, securing funding for the American church & 50 holy relics to be housed in future American parishes.
He also received honors from Tsar St. Nicholas II for the fervor of his written sermons.
He also received honors from Tsar St. Nicholas II for the fervor of his written sermons.
His second return to Russia, he served the frontline liturgies & hospitals during the revolution, becoming chairman of fundraising for the White Army.
After the resistance fell, he was evacuated from Crimea to Yugoslavia, serving a monastery & grammar school in Macedonia
After the resistance fell, he was evacuated from Crimea to Yugoslavia, serving a monastery & grammar school in Macedonia
A decade later, he'd return to Canada, engaging in the same evangelism of his youth. Often the victim of slander & abuse, including an unsuccessful attempt at stoning by Uniates in Saskatchewan.
It's said his enemies were responsible for the nickname "Canadian Chrysostom."
It's said his enemies were responsible for the nickname "Canadian Chrysostom."
Retiring in 1936, he became archbishop of St. Tikhon's Monastery and would establish a Pastoral School there, eventually becoming the seminary today.
At the age of 79, illness overcame him and he reposed on October 4, 1945 and was interned at St. Tikhon's.
At the age of 79, illness overcame him and he reposed on October 4, 1945 and was interned at St. Tikhon's.
