A woman recently accused a member of the clergy associated with an Orthodox church in Edmonton of sexually assaulting her over 20 years ago. Following the alleged incident, the complainant claims she faced social exclusion from the church. Jesse Isaac, aged 43, was charged by the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) in July for an alleged sexual assault in October 2004, although these accusations are yet to be proven in court.
Isaac, identified as a protodeacon at St. Olga of Alaska Orthodox Church in south Edmonton, is part of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA), which oversees numerous parishes in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. During the period of the alleged assault, Isaac was serving at St. Herman of Alaska Orthodox Church, also affiliated with the OCA.
Despite the sexual assault charge, Isaac’s name remains listed on the OCA’s Archdiocese of Canada website as an active clergy member. Protodeacons, such as Isaac, hold a senior role within the church, providing dedicated service by supporting bishops or priests during services and leading congregations in prayer.
The complainant, who has been granted a court-ordered publication ban, shared her experiences with CBC News, along with correspondence showing her efforts to pursue an investigation within the church. She decided to report the incident to the police in May 2025, seeking justice and closure.
In response to inquiries, a lawyer representing the OCA stated that the church takes criminal allegations seriously and cooperated with the police. However, the church declined to comment on the ongoing police investigation or Isaac’s status within the congregation due to the pending court case.
Isaac, ordained as a deacon in 2011 and promoted to protodeacon in 2015, was stationed at St. Herman of Alaska Orthodox Church in Edmonton before being relocated to St. Olga’s Mission in 2025. The EPS has not disclosed specific details about the investigation, evidence against Isaac, or his relationship with the complainant.
The complainant, who was young at the time of the alleged assault, mentioned facing social isolation within the church after confiding in a few close friends about her ordeal. Despite efforts to address her concerns with church officials and the Office for Review of Sexual Misconduct Allegations (ORSMA), she felt unheard and eventually was asked to leave the congregation.
ORSMA determined that the allegations against Isaac fell outside its scope as the incident predated his ordination. The complainant expressed disappointment in the church’s response, feeling abandoned and disconnected from a community she had been a part of for two decades.
The complainant highlighted the lack of avenues for victims to seek accountability within religious communities, emphasizing the profound impact on her faith and emotional well-being. EPS officials emphasized the importance of reporting historical sexual assault cases, reassuring victims that delayed disclosures do not hinder thorough investigations.
