About

Our Local Parish


A church of encouragement and reconciliation in the Comox Valley since 1998.

St. Barnabas Orthodox Church was started as a mission in the Comox Valley at the beginning of September 1998. The Apostle Barnabas was called the son of consolation and had a reputation of being an encourager and a reconciler.

Our parish is made up of a diverse group of people including many converts from atheism or protestantism (baptist, pentecostal, anglican, etc.). We also have Romanian, Moldovan, Russian and other parishioners who have come from Orthodox backgrounds.

There are a great many churches in the Comox Valley but very little Christian unity. It is our hope that Apostle Barnabas Mission will be a church of encouragement and reconciliation in the Comox Valley.

Our Archdiocese

Part of something ancient

St. Barnabas is a parish of the Orthodox Church in America, Archdiocese of Canada — part of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church whose bishops trace unbroken succession to the apostles themselves.

Our parish is served by our priest, Fr. Alexis Nikkel.

About the Orthodox Church
Fr. Alexis with Archbishop Irénée at St. Barnabas
Fr. Alexis with Archbishop Irénée at St. Barnabas.
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.” Psalm 133:1
Visit Us

We would love to meet you

Whether you grew up Orthodox or have never set foot in an Orthodox church, you are welcome here.