Archpriest Michael Lupu, 73, fell asleep in the Lord in retirement on December 5, 2023. Father Michael was born in Toronto, Ontario on August 6, 1950 to Toma and Maria Lupu. He served as an altar boy, choir member, member of AROY, parish council member, delegate to the Episcopate Congress, and attended Vatra Camps as a student and counselor. He graduated from Ryerson Polytechnical Institute with a degree in Business Administration (1973) and completed his theological studies at Saint Andrew College in Winnipeg, Manitoba, ‘magna cum laude’ (1982-85).
In 1979, he married Lillian Maria Suba. Lillian was active in Saint George Antiochian Church in Toronto. She served on the SOYA Executive Board. They raised two children: Nicolae Toma and Maria Corina. On November 24, 1985, Bishop Nathaniel (Popp) ordained Michael into the holy diaconate at Saint George Church, Winnipeg, MB, where he served from 1985-1988. On March 27, 1988, Bishop Nathaniel ordained Deacon Michael into the holy priesthood at Saint George Church, Toronto, Ontario, and he was assigned parish priest of Saint Mary Church, Calgary, AB. Father Michael served Saint Mary Parish until his retirement on December 31, 2017. He also served as the Dean of Western Canada from 2008 until his retirement. Preoteasa Lillian served as the choir director and a Sunday School teacher.
The schedule of services for Father Michael are as follows:
Monday, December 11
7:00 PM Saint Peter the Aleut Orthodox Church, 1802 33 Ave SW, Calgary, AB
Tuesday, December 12
7:00 PM Saint Mary’s Romanian Orthodox Church, 3511 3rd Ave SW, Calgary AB.
Wednesday, December 13M
10:00 AM Saint Mary’s Romanian Orthodox Church, 3511 3rd Ave SW, Calgary AB. Reception to follow at Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 1 Tamarac Cres SW, Calgary AB.
Wednesday, December 20
Internment will follow at Holy Dormition Monastery, 3389 Rives Eaton Rd, Rives Junction, MI. Monastic community Divine Liturgy at 9:00 AM / Burial Service at 11:00 AM.
May Father Michael’s memory be eternal!