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St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Russel, Manitoba: The Story of its Founder, Father John (Nicholas Dohie)

February 22, 2022 By The Deacon

“The Lord is my light, and my saviour; whom then shall I fear? The Lord is the defender of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”

2010, Father John (Nicholas Dohie) and Father Bohdan

For a number of years a little humble chapel, dedicated to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in the small town of Russell, Manitoba, existed within the Diocese of the Metropolis of Toronto. Older copies of the Diocesan Pocket Calendars made reference to St. Nicholas Chapel and its warden, Nicholas Dohie.

This, quite simply put, is a short memoir of a that little underground (catacomb-like) chapel, the man who built and prayed in it, where the Divine Services were once celebrated, its closure, and in time, how the faithful were blessed with the establishment of a beautiful cathedral dedicated to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. The little chapel, like a tiny seed hidden in the ground, appeared to be dormant – forgotten; but by the grace of God, the seed sprouted and blossomed – a quiet marvel.

Who was this man? His name in the world was Nicholas Dohie. He was born on June 8, 1926 to Elias and Magdalena Dohie and raised on a homestead-farm a short distance from St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church in the district known as Lenard, Manitoba.

For a good part of his adult life, Nicholas worked at the then, well-known Skinner Nursery and Tree Farm. Nicholas loved trees and knew a great deal about them – he had a profound respect for God’s creation – the land and what was grown in it. Later, he and his family moved and made Russell, Manitoba their home.

2002, in his chapel

As time passed, he and his family made their way through daily life in Russell. But in around 1976, Nicholas found himself quite alone in his desire to keep the “Faith of the Fathers” pure and unchanged. He was grieved by the numerous innovations he readily observed evolving in the local church communities along with changes in the mindset of people. Unpretentious, Nicholas was vocal in his objections to issues such as the Church calendar change, episcopal disregard for the Holy Traditions of the Church, the haphazardly executed translations, and last, but not least, the ever-growing embrace of ecumenism.

In light of these trends, Nicholas separated himself from these ‘church’ communities. Facing isolation and local community ostracizing and condemnation, he remained firm. He no longer, in good conscience, felt he could attend services at the local churches which had been such a great part of his life. (During his lifetime, he served as a Church School teacher, chanter; and out his love and respect for those who reposed, worked tirelessly in restoring and repairing the graveyard Crosses, fencing and maintaining general upkeep of the Romanian Orthodox Church cemeteries (St. John the Baptist, St. Elias the Thesbite and St. George Great Martyr.)

In his youth he would recollect, there were several people who had greatly impressed him. One such individual was an old priest who admonished the people a day would come where a right-believing man would have to travel for days to find the True Church. Amazed at hearing this and not fully understanding his meaning, the then young Nicholas went outdoors and looked around as he could clearly see the domes of St. John and of St. Elias Churches. Nicholas thought to himself, “what is he (the priest) talking about?”. However, in later years, Nicholas would find himself in just such a situation as he heard the old priest warn many years earlier.

The thought of building a home chapel grew and became a reality. His home was small and modest and spare room was non-existent; he therefore decided to dig, pail by pail, an area next to the root cellar in the basement. The room was no more the 8’ by 8’. One entered St. Nicholas Chapel via a sliding door located at the base of stairs. At first glance, your eyes were “treated” to icons and vigil lamps. The walls were painted in shades of blue — the “Voronets” blue predominating. A long counter lined the east and south walls and on the west wide was a couch. Above the couch, were shelves of books. The floor was covered with kilims and little carpets. St. Nicholas Chapel became a ‘must see’ in later years especially by clergy who heard of this wonderful, little gem

Nicholas made candle frames for the beeswax candles he routinely made. Closer to retirement, he enjoyed making icon frames and carving crosses, which he gave away, and was a source of joy for him. He also loved gardening, picking wild fruit/berries and mushrooms.

Father George Monk, Father John (Dohie) and Metropolitan Gregory

Eventually, Nicholas found himself having to leave his home and sanctuary of prayer in his chapel so that by 2010 (at the age of 84) he found himself having to reside in a seniors’ care home. It was just prior to this move he requested I come out to pick up some items of what remained from his little chapel; and at that time, he expressed his hope to be tonsured a monk.

Nicholas’ prayers were answered. He was tonsured and given the name John on April 11/24, 2013 (Sts. Antipas, bishop of Pergamum and Callinicus, Bishop of Rimnicu in Romania).

As a monastic, there was a quiet joy and peace in having (possessing) the knowledge of what was best for himself and his soul. He fell asleep in the Lord on Oct. 30/Nov. 12, 2014, (Holy Martyrs Zenobius and Zenobia), and was buried at the church where he was baptized — St. John the Baptist, Leonard, Manitoba. Throughout his life, Fr. John embodied the virtues of almsgiving, boldness for the True Faith and emulated that of Sts. Elias and John – a voice crying in the wilderness, cautioning and admonishing. Memory eternal.

P.S. Almost from the beginning of our married life, Nicholas (Fr. John in the monastic tonsure) became and continued to be part of our family over these decades. We have much joy and consolation from acknowledging a “link” between this small, humble chapel which closed its doors and in time, the emergence of a cathedral with St. Nicholas the Wonderworker as patron and protector.

There are more recollections/memories we have recorded for our family albums. Our purpose in sharing this small narrative of Fr. John (Nicholas) was intended for the edification of the faithful of St. Nicholas, the archives of the Metropolis of Toronto; and for the keeping in memory eternal of this pious person.

-Father Bohdan
Sts. Peter and Paul Orthodox Mission
Two Hills, Alberta, Canada

Filed Under: Metropolis News

Celebrating the 10th Anniversary at Saint Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral

February 5, 2022 By The Deacon

Opening Blessing of Water-St. Nicholas Orthodox Church English Language Orthodox Church Services Toronto in EnglishToday with gratitude and joy, we give thanks to Our Saviour as we begin to celebrate our ten year Anniversary of Saint Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral. It was ten years ago, on January 23/February 5 (church/civil) that we served the very first Liturgy at Saint Nicholas after having read the special prayers for the opening of a new Church, blessed with holy water, and served the all-night Vigil on the evening before. That Sunday ten years ago, was also celebrated the Commemoration of all the new Martyrs of Russia which we kept in the Liturgy this morning. Through the intercessions of all the New Martyrs of Russia, we ask Our Saviour to bless our labours in His holy Church and to receive the humble hymns and prayers that we offer to Him.

This hymn from the Service of the Consecration of the Holy Sepulchre is a fitting prayer for us all to say today:


“Thou hast set Thy Church as a tower of strength, O Christ, Thou Word before the ages, for Thou has founded her upon the rock of faith….. Therefore, as we give thanks, we praise Thee with hymns, saying: Thou art He Who before the ages and beyond the ages art yet our King. Glory be to Thee.”


St. Nicholas Orthodox Church Scarborough, English Language Orthodox Church Toronto, Orthodox Services in EnglishOver the coming months, we will mark the celebrations with an Anniversary Luncheon, a Molieben Service of Thanksgiving, and also share several brief “Recollections” of inspiring Orthodox faithful and events, that we are sure will provide uplifting reflections on Orthodox piety.

“O Lord, I have loved the beauty of Thy house, and the place where Thy glory dwelleth. Alleluia.”

Filed Under: 10th Anniversary of St. Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral, Metropolis News

The Finding of the Canticle Hymn of St. Xenia of Petersburg

February 1, 2022 By The Deacon

It is most timely, in memory of our dear Father Rodion of Three Pillars Orthodox Church in Carlisle, Pennsylvania and the upcoming feast of St Xenia of Petersburg, that we share the story of how Father Rodion obtained the compunctionate hymn of the Canticle of St. Xenia, translated and sung by the nuns of Holy Nativity Convent, Brookline, MA, USA. (it is used with permission and is copyright).

Filed Under: Feast Day

Message from Father Anthony on the Nativity of Our Saviour 2021

January 10, 2022 By The Deacon

Christ is Born! Glorify Him!

In his Nativity Sermon, Saint John Chrysostom proclaims:

“I behold a new and wondrous mystery! My ears resound to the Shepherd’s song, piping no soft melody, but chanting full force a heavenly hymn. The Angels sing! The Archangels blend their voices in harmony! The Cherubim hymn their joyful praise! The Seraphim exalt His glory! All join to praise this holy feast, beholding the Godhead here on earth, and man in Heaven. He Who is above, now for our redemption dwells here below; and he that was lowly is by divine mercy raised up.”

And so, dear and faithful Orthodox Christians, since the Feast of Nativity began three days ago, our voices have also been joined with the Angelic Choirs giving glory to Our Saviour Jesus Christ.  And today on the Feast of Saint Stephen let us resolve to continue praising Christ each day until until the next Great Feast of Theophany a few days from now.  Asking Him to come into our hearts and enlighten us and bless us all.


You can listen to a recording from St Nicholas Cathedral of the Kontakion hymn for the Nativity of Christ here.


Grotto Church of Nativity of Jesus-St. Nicholas Orthodox Church Scarborough, English Orthodox Church Service
Grotto-Church of the Nativity of Jesus Christ, Bethlehem

Saint John Chrysostom encourages and instructs us at Nativity to consider the gifts of the Magi and how we should come before Our Saviour. He says, “Approach, then, bringing gifts – not gifts like the Magi brought but ones that are much more solemn. They brought gold; you must bring temperance and virtue. They brought incense; you must bring pure prayers which are spiritual incense. They brought myrrh; you must bring humility and a humble heart and love.”

His Eminence Metropolitan Gregory, the Locum Tenens of Toronto sends fatherly blessings upon us all and greetings for the Feast!

Christ is Born! Glorify Him!

Father Anthony

Filed Under: Father Anthony, Seasonal Message

Many Years for the Feast of our holy Patron, Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker!

December 20, 2021 By The Deacon

Dear and Faithful Orthodox Christians,


‘Saint Nicholas exhibits the perfect balance of meekness and zeal!’  
–Gregory, Metropolitan, Locum Tenens of the See of Toronto – Sermon on the Feast of Saint Nicholas, Dec 6 / Dec. 19, 2021


Truly Our Saviour blessed us with a beautiful and grace-filled Feast of Saint Nicholas, our holy Patron!

With light snow falling since the early morning, our Church, the trees, homes, and parks were all covered with beautiful white snow, as we came together with our beloved Metropolitan Gregory, the locum tenens of the Holy Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto, for the Vigil on the Eve of Saint Nicholas.  We were honoured to have Father Sergey with us, and joyous indeed, that Father Isaac, Abbot of Holy Transfiguration Monastery traveled from Boston to Toronto to share in the brilliance of the Feast.

St Nicholas Feast Vespers Orthodox Services in English Toronto

In the Sermon, our Metropolitan encouraged us all to imitate the meekness of Saint Nicholas, together with the firmness of his witness to the Truth of our holy Faith.  ‘This is what we see in all the holy fathers, when it came to matters of the Faith they were like lions, they stood and there was no compromise.’  Gregory, Metropolitan, Locum Tenens of the See of Toronto

Following the Liturgy, we continued our celebrations with a Parish Luncheon and a talk on various subjects from Metropolitan Gregory and Father Isaac.  Inspired by their instruction on topics that included our offering of candles with prayers, the Kollyvades Fathers including Saint Nicodemus of the Holy Mountain, Saint Macarios of Corinth, and Saint Arsenios of Paros, who were persecuted in their day, and yet beacons of the true traditions of Orthodoxy and their teachings remain so important for us today.Orthodox Church near me in English in Toronto

I ask Our Saviour to bless all those who helped in preparing the Church and the meal for the Feast, and to bless the chanters, the bell-ringers, and those who provided hospitality to our clergy and guests from out of town, and to everyone who came to offer their prayers and honour Saint Nicholas.   Let the light of this Feast strengthen and encourage you, as we continue with prayers and fasting in preparation for the Great Feast of the Nativity of Christ which is now just a few weeks away.

O holy Hierarch, Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, intercede before God in our behalf!
Father Anthony

Filed Under: Father Anthony, Feast Day, Metropolitan Gregory

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