Holy Theophany Mission

The first Orthodox Christian place of worship on the Sunshine Coast of BC was started in 2002 when three monks established Holy Transfiguration Hermitage in Gibsons, BC.  The local faithful joined the monks during their services on Sundays and feast days. 

In 2015, the Brotherhood of the Holy Transfiguration Hermitage moved to Lone Butte, in the interior of British Columbia.  After their departure, the remaining Orthodox Christians wanted to continue worshipping together and they asked for help from mitred archpriest Michael Fourik, the Dean of British Columbia and the Yukon, in the Archdiocese of Canada of the Orthodox Church in America.  With the blessing of His Eminence, Archbishop IRÉNÉE, Holy Theophany Mission Station was established in Gibsons in 2018. 

The mission station was initially served by Fr. Michael Fourik and subsequently by priest Aleksy Isakov and archpriest Kaleeg Hainsworth.  The current priest is Fr. Peter Choi, who was assigned to the mission station in 2022. 

Since its establishment, Holy Theophany Mission Station has held services monthly, except during the early period of the COVID-19 pandemic.  As of May 2022, the mission station has been meeting regularly, once a month on Sunday mornings, at the Frank West Fire Hall at 1224 Chaster Road in Gibsons, with Fr. Peter and his family coming over from Vancouver to celebrate the Divine Liturgy with us.  Great Vespers is celebrated on Saturday evenings quarterly. Visitors are welcome. 

A weekly Newsletter is published with times and dates of upcoming services, including the Epistle and Gospel readings for each Sunday, and a homily.  To be included on the mailing list please email a request to Mother Anna (annebarkham@hotmail.com).

Quick Facts

The Liturgy is served in English

This mission is part of the British Columbia & Yukon Deanery of the Archdiocese of Canada, of The Orthodox Church in America. The dean is Mitred Archpriest Michael Fourik. The bishop is Archbishop Irénée (Rochon). 

This mission follows the New (Revised Julian) Calendar.

The Altar Feast-day of this mission is the Feast of the Holy Theophany (Baptism of Christ), 6 January. 

The pastor of the mission is Father Peter Choi.

Attendees come from all parts of the Sunshine Coast: Langdale, Gibsons, Roberts Creek, Halfmoon Bay, Pender Harbour, Egmont, Powell River, and even from the Mainland.