Here...

Holy Ascension Ukrainian Orthodox Church at Westbrook was built in 1919.  

Five wooden Orthodox crosses adorn the cupolas and peak-ends of the curved roof.

A hall for celebrations.  

The centre cupola has an exquisitely shaped roof.

Winter's late afternoon sunlight inside the church.

The balcony on the far left is above the front doors.

The outdoor altar is decorated with a chalice.

The cemetery is just across the road from the church...

...where there is a wooden bell tower...

...and granite memorial marker.

A long-distance view of the church.

The cemetery has burials dating back over ten years before the church was built.

Winter's late afternoon light is fading quickly...

...casting long blue shadows over the snow. 

Photographed at Westbrook, Saskatchewan on December 18, 2019.

Red Rock Coulee

A natural area (maybe better described as "supernatural") midway between Orion and Seven Persons, Alberta.

Stopping here is always treat for the senses.  Enjoy!

Photographed on January 12, 2022.

Святі Петро і Павло поблизу Сторновея

Saints Peter and Paul near Stornoway.

The church had just been repainted...so recently so that the scaffolding was still standing and the smell of fresh paint was in the air.

The view from the cemetery.

Birth dates here go back as far as 1861.  

Behind the scaffolding...

...and tucked into the corner nearest the church is the bell tower...

...which houses one more bell than is usual.  

Not so many years ago the church and grounds were in a state of neglect but that has now changed...

 

...and for the better.  Once again all is well at Saints Peter and Paul.  

Time to be on my way.  

Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church and Cemetery was photographed near Stornoway, Saskatchewan on July 28, 2021.

Snowdown S.D. No. 3909

It was far too nice outside to stay inside today.

A country school marker near Fox Valley, Saskatchewan.

It's located at the top of a hill a half-mile north of the main road.  Most of the road allowance was drivable but as you can see from the photo, the last few hundred feet was under ice-covered snow drifts hard as stone.  Luckily there were enough grass patches showing to make it across the ditch and up to the sign.

I hadn't been here for a few years and had completely forgotten about the concrete foundation remains.

Looking west.

One simply must take advantage of good weather days.

 

Photographed on January 16, 2022.

Moleski Church

Follow the path through the gate to...

...Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church.

The path curves around the church... 

...and up a low rise...

...to the cemetery.

The first burial here was in 1943, one year after the church was built.

Aside from the cemetery, the grounds have gone back to nature.

From a different angle.

This local landmark is known is the area simply as Moleski Church.

Photographed near Leross, Saskatchewan on July 29, 2021.

"Щасливого Різдва"

Christmas comes but once a year and for those in tune with the Julian calendar that day is today.

"Merry Christmas" from Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church. 

Photographed near Codette, Saskatchewan on November 27, 2020.

Happy New Year!

Have a happy new year.

And now it's time to slow things down for a while.  New posts will be less frequent than usual.

Photographed at the Holy Transfiguration Ukrainian Catholic Church of Dneiper in Saskatchewan on January 4, 2020.

The Past Year...Blue Skies and Green Grass

A chronological collection of favorites from the past year...blue skies and green grass.  Enjoy!

May 18, 2021

Saint Michael's Roman Catholic Church near Lemberg, Saskatchewan.

A grand stone church with twin spires.

May 19, 2021

Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Church near Candiac, Saskatchewan.

The lady mowing the lawn took the time to open the church so I could have a look inside.  Thank you.  

July 28, 2021

Tombovka Cemetery near Runnymede, Saskatchewan.

A beautiful spot for a cemetery...on a hill with panoramic views in every direction.  

September 18, 2021

Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church near Krakow, Alberta.

Leaves were beginning to fall and autumn was just around the corner.

September 18, 2021

Saint Nicholas Russo Greek Orthodox Church of Bukowina near Wostok, Alberta.

The peachy-pink church contrasts nicely against the bright blue sky and rich green of the lilacs.

September 18, 2021

Saint Elias Russo Greek Orthodox Church of Pakan near Pakan, Alberta.

The original church built in 1902 burned down in 1954.  The fine structure you see here replaced it only a few months later.   

September 18, 2021

Holy Trinity Russo Greek Orthodox Church near Smoky Lake, Alberta.

Just by chance I met someone who was working at the church that day and was lucky enough to be invited inside for a look.  Thank you Ron.  This is the beautiful hand-painted iconostasis.

September 18, 2021

Holy Trinity Russo Greek Orthodox Cemetery near Smoky Lake, Alberta.

This is believed to be the largest Russo Greek Orthodox cemetery in all of Canada.

September 19, 2021

Saint Mary's Russo Greek Orthodox Church near Shandro, Alberta.

A handsome gate-sign framing the church that is now almost hidden behind a row of evergreens.

September 20, 2021

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery and Bell Tower near Star, Alberta.

The congregation was established in 1897 but the impressive stone bell tower wasn't built until many years later in 1949. 

September 20, 2021

Saints Peter and Paul Russo Greek Orthodox Church of Dickie Bush near Bellis, Alberta.

This is grand prairie architecture built completely of logs by local farmers in 1909.  Just to give an idea of scale...the ceiling of the large central dome reaches over sixty feet above floor level.  

October 9, 2021

Sacred Heart Ukrainian Catholic Church and Cemetery near Burr, Saskatchewan.

A bold hand-hewn cross stands at the far end of the cemetery.  Fall was getting underway.

All the best in the new year!