The Saint Arseny Archives is the archival repository of the Archdiocese of Canada, Orthodox Church in America, which works closely with the Orthodox Church in America's History and Archives Department in Syosset, New York.

It is located at the Archdiocesan Centre, Fair Haven, near Spencerville, Ontario, which includes the home of the Monastic Community of St. Silouan the Athonite, the Bishop's Chapel and an extensive Archdiocesan library.

Saint Arseny …the “Chrysostom of Canada,” founder of monasteries, spiritual writer, beloved hierarch, 1926 – 1937, prayerful monk…venerated in Canada as a saint.

Holdings

A main focus is the documentation of the life of Orthodox parishes and the dedicated work of numerous clergy. The Saint Arseny Archives is the official repository for the Diocese's seventy-nine parishes, missions, brotherhoods and monasteries, which stretch from Victoria to Newfoundland. The Archives also houses such valuable Bishops’ papers as the Archbishop Sylvester (Haruns) fonds, 1923-1976.
Besides documentary materials, metrical records and photographs, there is also an icon collection dating to the mid-nineteenth century, and a large Russian lithograph collection. Much of the historic record is in Russian and Ukrainian, especially in the early years.

The Facility

A separate and secure archives room has been completed. The archives is committed to proper preservation archival practices, including the use of acid-free storage enclosures. It adheres to the Canadian-established “Rules for Archival Description.” The assistance of the Canadian Council of Archives grants programme in the purchase of archival shelving in 2003 is gratefully acknowledged, and the work of the Ontario Association of Archives.