Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada.
His Eminence, Most Reverend Metropolitan Yurij, Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada (UOCC), is pleased to announce the official commencement of Centenary Celebrations honouring the 100th Anniversary of the UOCC. This year-long celebration – from July 23, 2018 to July 31, 2019 – will pay tribute to those who formed the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada (UOCC’s forerunner), will recognize those who ensured its continuance, and will enthuse those who are now in charge of its future.
Highlights of the UOCC Centenary include:
- Recognitions Program – a solicitation of nominations culminating with the awarding of Centenary Medallions, Lapel Pins, Plaques, and Certificates, to honour those who made, and those who continue to make, significant contributions toward the growth and development of the UOCC, including posthumous mentions;
- Extraordinary “Sobor” (general assembly of clergy and UOCC faithful) – August 9-12, 2018, in Saskatoon, birth-place of the UGOCC/UOCC;
- Commemorative Icon – “written” (created and painted) by world-renowned iconographer Vera Senchuk with the assistance of Zenovia Semotiuk, and which includes a relic of St. Andrew – “the first one called” by Jesus Christ to serve, and who brought and preached the Gospel in the land of modern-day Ukraine;
- Eparchial and Local Parish Celebrations – led by: His Eminence Metropolitan Yurij, who is also the Bishop of the Central Eparchy; and Eparchial Bishops, His Grace Bishop Ilarion (Edmonton) and His Grace Bishop Andriy (Toronto); the local UOCC priests; and others dedicated to the UOCC Centenary. A concluding assembly will be held in 2019, details TBA.
“On July 18, 1918, faithful UGOCC laity and spiritual leaders – most of whom were from Ukraine – established the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada,” stated His Eminence Metropolitan Yurij. “They were guided by the need for a strong spiritual centre in their new homeland, Canada. Through God’s grace, our church stands today as a testament to the efforts of our Ukrainian Orthodox pioneers and as a beacon of hope for future generations.”
Former Speaker of the Alberta Legislative Assembly, Gene Zwozdesky – Chair of the National Jubilee Committee-UOCC – noted that the UGOCC/UOCC is the only Orthodox Church in the world to have an Act of Parliament enacted (1929) in its honour. “As a third-generation Canadian of Ukrainian ancestry, I am honoured to co-ordinate this national endeavour for my Church and for all UOCC faithful. We have much for which to be thankful”, stated Zwozdesky.
UOCC clergy and adherents from across Canada will gather in Saskatoon in August, to mark the Centenary with a celebratory Sobor. “As we embark on this milestone year of celebration, we are reminded of what was initiated by a handful of dedicated individuals who lived in Saskatoon and the prairie region 100 years ago. They saw the need for Ukrainian Orthodox spirituality on the Canadian prairies, and it is because of them that we are here today,” said Fr. Cornell Zubritsky, Co-Chair of the Extraordinary Sobor.
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