Pink Violins

Saint Demetrius Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery is near Alvena, Saskatchewan.

There was a church here at one time but I couldn't find even a trace of it.  There were these splendid headstones that looked much like pink violins though.  I've only seen this style of headstone in a few cemeteries, all of which are in the surrounding area.

The "main cross" is a feature in most Catholic cemeteries.

I love the budded crosses that are so frequent in Ukrainian cemeteries.  The three discs (or circles) at the end of each arm of the cross is a representation of the Holy Trinity: God the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.

Late afternoon and time to get back to the highway (before I get lost in the dark on the back roads).

Photographed on October 27, 2019.

Stone House

I was north of Sheho, Saskatchewan on my way to Whitesand Lutheran Church when I came across this remarkable stone structure.  I think it was a house...and it must have been pretty grand in its day.

Bonus...the moon was rising.

Photographed on January 6, 2020.

Tree Swallow at Saint Margaret's

A tree swallow in spring at Saint Margaret's Church and Cemetery in the Cypress Hills of Alberta.

Photographed on June 8, 2017.

Saint Columba at Tuxford

Saint Columba is a country church near Tuxford, Saskatchewan.  It's over one hundred and twenty years old and looking as lovely as ever.

The old part of the cemetery is to the south side of the church...

...while the more recent burials are placed well in front of and on the northern side.

I always enjoy seeing a country church whether it's something grand or one that is relatively tiny.  Saint Columba is definitely one of the latter.  This little church also takes "delightful" to a whole new level. 

It was good to see the grounds are still maintained and looking fine.

Just as I was leaving some blue sky was beginning to show.

I visited the church a little over two years ago.  You can see those photos here: Saint Columba

Photographed on December 15, 2019.

Holy Trinity at Kahwin

This is only one of the many historic churches to see in Lamont County, Alberta.  My visit here last winter coincided with over a foot of fresh snow and a temperature of -32°C...that's quite a welcoming, and best of all, it was a glorious week-long adventure in a winter wonderland. 

The congregation of Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Church at Kahwin was formed in 1931.  The building was constructed in 1934 by the highly skilled and renowned church builder John Mnoholitny who was responsible for building over twenty churches across Canada.

The fiftieth anniversary memorial table can be seen on the right hand side in the photo.

The dome and cupolas are hand painted a brilliant bronze colour.

The bell tower with three bells.

The Orthodox crosses with three cross beams make for prominent headstones in the cemetery.

A view of the cemetery with a memorial table dedicated to the pioneers of the Kahwin district.

Information courtesy of Canada's Historic Places and the Canadian Orthodox Historic Project.

Photographed on January 8, 2019.

Snow Geese

A gaggle of snow geese spotted southwest of Bow Island, Alberta.  I always enjoy seeing the snow geese heading south for the winter.  They make a wondrous noise too.

Photographed on November 27, 2016. 

Saint Leonard's Anglican Church Monument

A stone monument located at the former site of Saint Leonard's Anglican Church near Kamsack, Saskatchewan.

The plaque lists those buried here.

I found seven headstones in the brush on the north side of the plot but couldn't locate the eighth.

Several old church and cemetery sites in Saskatchewan are designated "Wildlife Tomorrow" spots and provide habitat for many of the wild animals in the area. When I stopped here yesterday I saw a ferret darting about in the brush but he was too quick for me to get a photo...maybe next time.

Photographed on January 7, 2020.

Doukhobour Prayer Home

I came across this spectacularly beautiful building on my road trip today.

The Doukhobour Prayer House is part of the National Doukhobour Heritage Museum in Veregin, Saskatchewan.

Photographed on January 7, 2020.

"Щасливого Різдва"

"Щасливого Різдва" means "Merry Christmas" in the Ukrainian language.  Orthodox Christians observe Christmas on January 7...that's today!

To join in on the celebration here are some photos of Saint John the Baptist Orthodox Church in the Village of Hyas, Saskatchewan.

The three onion domes dominate the facade of the church.

A close-up of the cross on the central dome.

The bell tower has two bells...that's one more than usual.

A beautiful country church in late afternoon winter-light.  

"Щасливого Різдва!"

Photographed on December 20, 2019.

Grain Elevator at Theodore

A photo from my first road trip of the decade.  That sounds pretty dramatic but never the less, this is the grain elevator at Theodore, Saskatchewan in morning light.  (Less than an hour later I was in the middle of a snowstorm.) 

Photographed on January 6, 2020.