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We are a Charitable Association of 13 Parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church and under the spiritual guidance of His Holiness Alexy II Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia. The history of the Orthodox V Charitable Association is relatively short. The origin of the organization began through informal discussions between Serge Lopushinsky and Bill Holyk. Their aim was to try to unite the five Parishes that Rev. Stephan Abramchuk was serving at the time, and to try to organize a fund raiser to help pay for the living accomodations. 
On October 31, 1985 at a meeting of the five parishes, held at the Holy Trinity Church at Wostok, the name Orthodox V was chosen. Serge Lopushinsky was elected as President and Vicky Holyk as Secretary.
On November 15, 1985, the first Pre-Lenten Social (or Puschenia) was held at the St. Michael Recreation Center. The function was an outstanding success.
Shortly after the Puschenia, a meeting was held at the St. John the Baptist Parish at Chipman to review the successful function, and the third position was filled by electing Kim Lopushinsky as Treasurer.
When Wostok parish left the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada and joined Orthodox Church in America, the role of Secretary was also changed. [Vicky Holyk was a member of Wostok Parish.] Andy Shupenia was elected to this position.
As the priests were changed, so did the number of Orthodox V Parishes change. Rev. Michael Fourik became the presiding minister for Orthodox V and the number of Parishes grew to 9.
In 1989, a decision was made to move the priest from Edmonton to Lamont to be closer to the majority of the parishes and parishioners.
In 1991, a major undertaking by the organization was to put together an Orthodox Service Book. Under the direction of Rev. Michael Fourik and the blessing of then Archbishop Makary, a book committee was formed. After approximately sixteen months, the first publication of one thousand books was done. Shortly thereafter, a second printing took place. Until this day this book is in use by most parishes in the area. The next biggest undertaking of the organization was to purchase a residence for the priest. Through many generous donations from parishioners, fund raising, etc., a house was purchased in 1992. As the years passed, the number of Parishes grew to thirteen. Some of the Parishes are very small and may only have one service per year. Most Parishes are located in the County of Lamont with the farthest being at North Star (near Manning), Spirit River and Woking in northern Alberta. The current priest, V. Rev. John Shandra came to Canada, with his wife, Matushka Maria, in January 2000, after being appointed to serve the Orthodox V Parishes by His Holiness Patriarch Alexis II and the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church.
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