On August 18, 1973 he was ordained into the Holy Diaconate at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Saskatoon by Archbishop Boris (Yakovkevych), and on August 25, 1974 in Holy Tranfiguration Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Yorkton, Deacon John was ordained to the Priesthood, again ordained by Archbishop Boris. Fr. John's first assignment was to Moose Jaw, Sk., and during that time convocated from the University of Saskatchewan with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. In August 1978, Fr. John was transferred to Kamsack, Sk.