Saskatchewan
anglican
The newspaper of the Dioceses of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon and Qu’Appelle • A Section of the Anglican Journal • June 2019
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Religious icons and analysis of gospels discussed at joint clergy retreat By Rev. Peter Coolen
During the first two presentations of the 2019 clergy retreat, Fr. Vladimir Lysak talked about the history of, and the symbology contained in, religious icons, as well as a detailed explanation of the process for the design of icons and the preparation of the boards and the egg tempera paints. Photo by the Very Rev. Scot Pittendrigh
SASKATOON — The Dioceses of Qu’Appelle and Saskatoon recently held a clergy retreat at the Queen’s House of Retreats in Saskatoon. Bishops Rob Hardwick and Chris Harper were present for the retreat and presided at the morning Eucharists. In addition to the usual Holy Eucharist, Evening Prayer and compline services, the attendees had time for attending lectures, socializing, times of silence and meditation, and shared meals together. During the first day, Fr. Vladimir Lysak gave three presentations on the history of, and the symbology contained in, religious icons. He also gave a detailed explanation of the process for the design and preparation of egg tempera paints, gold and silver leaf and wooden panels for the painting (writing) of icons and their protection and restoration. This was followed by a several-hours-long
demonstration of the preparation of the wooden board used for an icon and the techniques of grinding pigment, making egg tempera paint and painting, as well as demonstrating the beginning of creating, and partially painting, an icon. The morning of the second day of the retreat provided time for Bishop Chris to give a talk on the issues, opportunities and problems related to native spirituality and the religious observance of these practices as a part of church life and as a part of the process of reconciliation in the public sphere — especially in large urban environments such as Toronto. He also reflected on his life and practice in the church. The bishop displayed and explained the significance of the various unique features of his crozier, which had been handmade for him by his family to reflect and symbolize, in its construction, his Indigenous spirituality. Continued on page 8
Retired priest continues to stay in touch with his first parish By Joanne Shurvin-Martin
Rev. Arthur Cuzner keeps in contact with the parish of St. Matthew, Regina, where he was ordained deacon 65 years ago and served as curate. Photo contributed
REGINA — For many years, Rev. Arthur Cuzner had flowers in memory of his wife placed on the altar of St. Matthew’s Church, where he was ordained deacon and where he served as curate from 1954-55. For the past three years, instead of flowers he donated to the St. Matthew’s restoration fund, in memory of Shirley. With his most recent letter to the parish, he enclosed a photo of himself, wearing a red stole that had been given to him by Rev. Ronald Dow.
Cuzner and Dow both attended St. Chad’s Theological College, Regina. When Dow moved back to England in 1958, he gave the stole to Cuzner. Dow died in 2010. Dow and Cuzner were part of the second-largest ordination in the Diocese of Qu’Appelle, on Ascension Day, May 17, 1954. Dow was ordained to the priesthood and Cuzner as deacon. Bishop Michael Coleman ordained seven priest and nine deacons that day. The largest general ordination was held on the Feast of St. Mark the Evangelist,
March 25, 1929, when 11 priests and nine deacons were ordained by Bishop Malcolm Taylor McAdam Harding in St. Chad’s College Chapel. After serving as curate at St. Matthew’s, Cuzner was appointed vicar of Eston (1955-56), and then rector of St. George the Martyr, Moose Jaw (1956-60). He then moved to the Diocese of Calgary. Cuzner reports that for the past 13 years he has been serving in the parish of All Saints, Bedford, Nova Scotia. Thanks to Canon Trevor Powell, diocesan archivist, for his help with this article.