Three Year Mission Planning
Grant
St Nicholas of South Canaan Orthodox Church was one of the first to
receive a three year mission planting grant from the National Church. Though
Orthodoxy has a long history in Montana, including a parish consecrated by Saint
Tikhon and served by Archimandrite Sebastian Dabovich in Butte, it has been
inconsistent until the reception of the grant. The mission completed the grant
in September 1997. The parish purchased a beautiful church building on 4th St.
West and Lewis Ave. in Billings. The iconostasis is the restored antique from
Holy Virgin Mary Cathedral in Los Angeles.
Serbian Diocese and St. Elijah
The Orthodox presence in Billings has existed since
its founding as many ethnic groups followed the railroad and mining operations
into Montana. As such, many Greek, Serbian, and Russian families settled into
the area. The Serbian Diocese founded St Elijah Serbian Orthodox Church in
Billings a number of years ago under the pastorship of His Grace, Bishop Nikolai
(Soraich) (now closed).
St. Nicholas of South Canaan
Following some internal problems, a new parish was
formed in 1988, Saint Nicholas of Myra under the Greek Archdiocese, who
administered the area on a monthly basis for seven years. However, because of
the dynamic and multi-ethnic fabric of Orthodoxy in the area, as well as a
recent influx of converts, the parishioners decided in 1994 to enter the OCA and
form St Nicholas of South Canaan Mission. This was the first Church in the world
put under the patronage of St. Nicholas Velimirovich, a Serbian Bishop who
suffered in Dachau prison camp and later came to America. He was a prolific
writer (he wrote the famous Prologue from Ochrid) and became a leading proponent
of Orthodox unity in America.
The mission grew rapidly and has become the center for Orthodoxy in eastern
Montana and northern Wyoming. It currently draws people from far and wide from
across the vast expanse of the Montana and northern Wyoming countryside. Some
parishioners drive up to three hours each weekend to services. It currently has
around 70 families with over 40 children from many backgrounds. An increasing
number of converts from other backgrounds are also shaping the fabric of the
community as Orthodoxy begins to grow in Montana. An aggressive mission program
has been implemented with the hope that the St Nicholas parish will start new
missions in the region. St. Anthony Mission has been planted in Bozeman,
Montana, a fast-growing college town three hours west of Billings, under the
pastoral care of Fr. Peter Tobias. Also under Father. Peter's pastoral care is a new
mission in Helena, Montana, the capitol of the state.
Billings itself is one of the fastest growing cities in the region, having grown
over 40% in recent years. It has become the largest city in Montana and a center
for farming, ranching, commercial, and medical activities. Known as the "Magic
City", Billings began as a railroad hub for the area. It epitomizes the old Wild
West with rugged individualism and gracious hospitality. It is quickly becoming
a tourist attraction because of its scenic setting (only 2 hours away from
Yellowstone Park, the Beartooth and Pryor Mountains), great outdoor activities
(the best trout fishing in the world is only thirty minutes away), and
historical significance (with Little Bighorn and Native American Reservations).
Billings is also home of the Montana fair and various other local fairs and
events.
We invite and welcome you to visit and perhaps become a part of our exciting and
growing Church community.
