Eugene Yakovitch, Toronto.
The year 2015 illuminates a significant part of our history. A Divine Liturgy honouring the Millenium of the Martyrdom of the Saints Borys and Hlib, was celebrated in the magnificent Cathedral Notre Dame de Senlis, in France on 10 May 2015.
The Saints Borys and Hlib were the sons of Prince Volodymyr the Great, who controlled the Principality of Kyiv from 980 to 1015. After the death of their father, the two brothers, who did not wish to engage in a struggle for the throne contested by their brother Sviatopolk, volunteered to chose death, thus remaining faithful to the Gospel. Borys and Hlib were the first saints canonized in the Christian tradition of Kyiv.
A church dedicated to Saint Borys and Hlib was acquired by the Ukrainian community in 2013 in Senlis. Since 2014, the church also focuses on the cultural value of Anne of Kyiv, who was Regent Queen of France 1060-1067 – a prayer ceremony at her statue was also held the same day. A renovation for the church is planned, and once completed, in approximately three years, a celebration and mass will be scheduled. Members of our community should not miss this historic event, and also enjoy the medieval architecture of the town of Senlis.
Celebrating in the Cathedral Notre Dame de Senlis were his Beatitude Sviatolslav Shevchuk, Primary Archbishop of Kyiv-Halytch, and included Monseigneur Jacques Benoit-Gonin – Bishop of Beauvais and Senlis; Mgr. Hlib Lonchyna, Eparchy of London; Mgr. Ken Nowakowsky, Eparchy of New Westminster, Canada; Mgr. Borys Gudziak, Eparchy of Paris; Mgr. Vassyl Tuchapets, Eparchy of Kharkiv, Ukraine;
In the presence of: His Excellency M. Alain Remy, Ambassador of France in Ukraine; His Excellency M. Oleh Shamshur, Ambassador of Ukraine in France.
Choir: Saint Volodymyr the Great Of Paris (Whose singing in the Cathedral made the walls resonate). A significant event indeed!
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