History
The parish was formed in 1933 by members mainly originating from the Northern area of Romania called Bucovina. Willing to keep the old Julian calendar, these members separated from the Saint George Romanian Orthodox Parish, located at 1240 Pierre St. Although the times are financially difficult, the newly formed parish manages to build the church on lot number 37 located near St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery (Our Lady on the Lake Cemetery today).
The lot was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Harry Baby, and the church was built through the joint effort of the parishioners who made regular donations. A church hall was also added to the property, behind the church. The location in the former Ford City, at the intersection of commercial streets Douillard Road and Seminole Street was favorable since many Romanians lived in the neighborhood.
At that time, The Holy Ghost congregation had two battling factions: one faction wanted to belong to the Romanian Orthodox Church, while the other preferred the Russian Orthodox Church. However, on a rainy day in June, a crowd of about 150 people gathered in front of the church when His Grace Arseny, the Russian Orthodox Bishop arrived to bless the church. The first church services, in the partially completed building, were held in November 1934 by Rev. Demetriius Jastremsky. However, the church came under the Romanian Orthodox jurisdiction soon after these events.
The parish was registered on February 10, 1937, as a corporation without share capital under the name of Canadian Greek Orthodox Holy Ghost Church (Roumanians) in the Province of Ontario for the purpose to “organize, establish and maintain a church and to perpetuate and continue therein the established rites of the Eastern Church, the following of the Julian calendar and the observance of the ancient forms of worship of the Eastern Church.” (Letter Patent, 1937).
Keeping the old Julian calendar became challenging over the years and many members did not attend the Christmas services in the month of January. Therefore, in 1998 the church members unanimously decided to switch to and follow the Gregorian calendar. Currently, Descent of the Holy Ghost Parish is part of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada led by His Grace, Bishop Ioan Casian.
FOUNDING MEMBERS OF THE DESCENT OF THE HOLY GHOST CHURCH (1933)
Toader Ulian, Costan Butnari, Leon Harbiniuk, Dumitru Hatnean, Dumitru Procopchuk, Lazar David, Vasile Croitoir, George Turcon, Marcu Cocolas, Constantin Mercan, Vasile Gavrilovici, Lazar Vicovan, Ion Sonfulian, Nicolae Spoiala, Zaharie Carlan, Anton Rusu, Nestor Mihorean, Simion Kosman, Mihai Ziriniuc, Maftei Belchuk, Onufrei Nimigean, Samoila Sitari, Ion Sopca, Ioniti Cojocari, Gregori Halip, Foca Halac, Zaharie Robu, Nicolae Halip, Vasile Pucai, Pavel Mateciuc, Vasile Commander, George Banda, Sava Deconescu, Nichita Deconescu, George Hanceriuc, Louis Dragomir, Jacob Dragomir, Toader Fortais, Mike Dragomir, Filip Dragomir, Pavel Cervinsci, Ion Suhan, John Maitosky, Vasile Curcurean, George Iatcu, Toader Prodan, Ilie Voinorosky, Trian Voinorosky, Ieremia Fortais, Ananie Bolohan, Dumitru Bezinari, Dumitru Kuziak, Nicolae Mitchevici, Alexa Harabagiu, Nicole Chimpoies, Haralam Mortic, Trian Miclea, Costan Harbiniuk, Petru Ziriada, Paul Antol, Ilie Bodnar, George Tokar, George Souchuk, George Belchuk, George Kihnesky, Carol Masteran, Stefan Mihoren, Ion Maxim, Philip Olari, Vasile Hatnean, Vasile Hutan, George Hatnean, Agapia Morari, Calistru Monastirean, Domnica Russ, George Maxim, George Konitku, Ihim Zuluboi, Onofrei Maitku, Vasile Precopi, Varvara Souiciuc, Vasile Picearca, Dumitru Mateciuk, Anton Ignat, Sava Haltiuck, Calistru Clipa, Vasile Sucevon, Ilie Haraga, Pete Smidu, Saveta Cozachiuc, Tony Jusic, Nicolae Pavaloie, Mihai Karpiuc, Jordachi Buliga.