Discovering Unity — the 2017 National Youth Convention

Experience Workshops, Music, Games, New Friends — and discover what is a youth group.

Winnipeg, MB — August 9–13, 2017

Registration (including all meals and activities):

• Youth — $290
• Adult — $390

Early Bird Registration: only 45 Early Bird tickets at $225.

To register and for more info: cymk.ca/convention2017

YOU ARE INVITED!

• Ever wonder what CYMK-Ukrainian Orthodox Youth is?
• Want to learn how to organize youth in your parish?
• Want to learn how to develop a youth ministry in your parish?
• Interested in meeting people from across Canada, and learning what type of youth programming they are doing in their parishes?
• Want to worship in other parishes across Canada?
• Want to be part of the bigger picture and accomplish great things together?

Join us for the 2017 National CYMK-UOY Convention — August 9-13, 2017 in Winnipeg!

Dear clergy, parishioners, and parents,

If you consider yourself dedicated to our church, if you feel the future strength of our church rests with our youth, you believe in the power of unity, or you have never attended the convention before, then this is the event for you! If you, as a parishioner or a parent, are looking for ideas and suggestions about how to start, run or improve a youth program, then this convention is for you!

“Why is attendance at the National CYMK Convention beneficial?”

The CYMK-UOY National Executive has worked diligently to put together practical, relevant and engaging sessions that will walk youth and adults through the steps required to start, run, or improve a youth program. The action-packed five-day program consists of youth organizational techniques, financial management skills, promotion and advertising skills, conflict resolution skills, a mini-faith program, and an all-inclusive choir to sing the Divine Liturgy. This event is also an opportunity to form new relationships, share ideas and common interests. Joining efforts at conventions helps on many levels to work towards a greater cause.

This is the opportunity to bring TOGETHER our community, and show our children what it means to be UNITED.

“Who is CYMK-UOY?”

This event is being sponsored by CYMK — the Ukrainian Orthodox Youth group of Canada, established in 1931. Their aim since then has been to foster hard-working individuals of the Ukrainian Orthodox community into leaders with a strong base in their faith, culture and ties to their community. All local youth groups have been active members of their parishes, whether donating money for windows, vestments, chandeliers, or orphanages or planning and leading social-events for the parish.

The CYMK and USRL Convention will help you gain enthusiasm, empathy and love from those who live far away and enlighten your spirituality as we pray together.

To register, visit cymk.ca/convention2017 or contact us at contact@cymk.ca

In Christ,

Liza Zienchuk
CYMK-UOY National Executive President

Christina Kowalenko
National Youth Organizer

To the venerable clergy, monastics and faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church beyond the borders of Ukraine and to our brothers and sisters in Ukraine,

“You fell asleep in the flesh as a mortal, O King and Lord; You rose again on the third day, raising Adam from corruption and abolishing death: Pascha of incorruption, the Salvation of the world.”
(Exapostilarion)

Very Reverend and Reverend Fathers! 
Dear Brothers and Sisters!

CHRIST IS RISEN!

Today the entire Christian world in one unified and joyful choir praises the event which is without analog in any time or age. The entire essence of Christianity rests upon the most glorious Resurrection of Christ, which contains the answer to the mystery of our life and faith. “If Christ is not Risen,” says the Apostle Paul, “then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty” (1Cor.15:14). Our faith would not exist without the Resurrection of Christ, and without faith there would be no true life, because the Christian faith is the point of our life and our spiritual essence. On this Paschal night we, in the words of St. John Chrysostom, proclaim the victory of life over death: “O Death, where is your sting? O Hell, where is your victory? Christ is risen, and not one dead remains in the grave.”

Together with this, though, we see and hear that our dear ones do die, both the young and the old. What, then, is this victory of Christ over death? There are various types of death: there is bodily death, but there is something more terrible – spiritual death, when the soul dies by removing itself from God and cutting itself off from Him. All people died this death during the millennia before the advent of Christ, having lost God as the Source of life.

And so Christ, the Son of God, came upon earth. As God He could not die, but out of love for us, as a man, He shared our fate, ascended the Cross, and died for us.

Christ rose from the dead, descended to hades, into the abyss of sin, and by His entrance there once and for all destroyed death, filling all with the wondrous light of eternal life.

On this joyous Paschal day we also rejoice, dear brothers and sisters, for on this day through the Resurrection of Christ the salvation of the world was achieved – let us rejoice and be glad, for Christ, the conqueror of death and hell, opened to us the path to eternal life and salvation.

By His Resurrection Christ opened to us the gates of heaven, most especially to all those who approach Him with faith, hope, and love.

Today all the sorrowful and suffering, the infirm and poverty stricken, all those who bear difficult circumstances in this earthly life, rejoice as well, for the joy of the Resurrection is greater than all temporary sorrows and suffering.

St. Paul says that the sufferings of this present age are nothing compared to the glory and joy which we will experience when, by the grace of Christ the Saviour, we become heirs of the heavenly good things and participants in His eternal glory.

We will be joyful and thank God, Who so loved us that He gave His Only-begotten Son for our salvation and eternal life.

How can we Orthodox Christians respond to this unconquerable and divine love of our Saviour? We should always thank God, fulfilling His commandments and learn to love every other person as God has loved us. We must turn away from everything temporary and passing, turn away from love of self, and offer up our lives for others.

“Pascha” means “passing over” from one state to another.

“As in ancient times the Israelites passed from the slavery of Egypt into the promised land, thus our soul should pass over from the captivity of sin to piety and virtue”
(Ven. Abba Dorotheus).

We offer heartfelt greetings to the clergy, deacons, and monastics of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the diaspora during this festive, Paschal season, as well as to our youth and children. We offer a special greeting to our brothers and sisters in Ukraine, who are bearing various trials and difficulties at this time in defense of their homeland.

May the Risen Christ bring long-awaited peace and unity to every Ukrainian family, strengthen our faith, fill our hearts with spiritual joy, and increase our love, so that we will be able to fully delight in the joy of these bright, Paschal days!

We pray and believe that the Lord God will bless our Ukrainian nation, and that our Motherland Ukraine will become a strong, European country. May the blessing of the Risen Christ be with all of you.

Truly, Christ is Risen!

With Archpastoral Blessings,

+ YURIJ, Metropolitan,
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada

+ ANTONY, Metropolitan,
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA,
Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the Diaspora

+ JEREMIAH, Archbishop,
Ukrainian Orthodox Diocese of Brazil and South America

+ DANIEL, Archbishop,
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA

+ ILARION, Bishop,
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada

+ ANDRIY, Bishop,
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada

Lent is coming!

In preparation for the coming Great Fast, the Eastern Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada invites all Youth, ages 7–25, together with their parents to attend a Retreat — on Saturday, February 27th, 2016, from 1:15pm — at St. Demetrius’ Ukrainian Orthodox Sobor — 3338 Lakeshore Boulevard West, Toronto, ON.

The theme of this Retreat is: “Love”.

“And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”
—1 Cor 13:13

SCHEDULE:

• 1:15 Light Lunch

• 1:30 Sessions Begin:

1) In the Choir Loft — with the wonderfully positive energy of choir conductor, Zhana Zinchenko

2) In the Kitchen — whipping up sweet and savoury things to satisfy any appetite, with Dobr. Tania

3) Ask Dr. Peter — an opportunity to engage in open dialogue about what matters to you, with Dr. Peter Kondra

4) “Love” — an engaging, clergy-led discussion

“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.”
—1 Cor 13:4-8

• 5:00 Vespers

• 6:00 Supper

ADMISSION to the Retreat is FREE.

SOCIAL EVENT:

Following Supper, those interested are invited to a social event: a friendly game of laser tag (combining “the classic game of hide-and-seek and tag with a high tech twist”) at Laser Quest.

ADMISSION to Laser Quest for (youth) Retreat participants: $10.

RSVP by Sunday, February 21st to: youth@uocceast.ca

Updated information will be posted on: uocceast.ca/youth.

For more information, write: youth@uocceast.ca or call: 416.255.7506

Спаси, Господи!

Statement of the Permanent Conference of Ukrainian Orthodox Bishops beyond the Borders of Ukraine on the The 24th Anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence

24 August, 2015

To the Clergy and Faithful of the Holy Ukrainian Orthodox Church beyond the Borders of Ukraine and all Ukrainians in Ukraine and throughout the world celebrating the great anniversary of Ukrainian Independence, August 24, 2015 —

The Grace of God has brought Ukraine and all her faithful people to this, the twenty-fourth anniversary of its exodus from the evil empire, its declaration of independence and the enjoyment of the fruits of freedom, righteousness and equality.

Today, our ancestral homeland faces another almost incredible challenge to this independence through the invasion of terroristic forces sponsored and supported, as the whole world knows, by the neighbour that simply cannot accept the loss of its illegal and illogical domination a nation, which has been the most profound example of spiritual, cultural and social life for that neighbour for over a millennium.

The Permanent Conference of Ukrainian Orthodox Bishops beyond the Borders of Ukraine prayerfully rejoices on this auspicious and significant anniversary and is joined by our clergy and faithful in conveying heartfelt congratulations to our brethren in Ukraine and to those of Ukrainian ancestry dispersed throughout the world at this day’s celebration of the sacred gifts of freedom, independence and sovereignty.

Ukraine has never backed away from the challenges confronting her throughout history. Even during the most difficult of times, when to speak Ukrainian could bring death as attempts were made to annihilate the very idea of a Ukrainian nation, beneath the surface — within the subconscious reality of the people — their identity was alive and preserved, waiting to rise from the ashes like the Phoenix of old to become the nation she is today. Other nations of the world have all experienced the same challenges during the infancy of their independence and have only benefited from lessons learned — and so shall Ukraine.

In commemorating with gratitude to Almighty God such a great and precious gift as independence and sovereignty, we remain convinced that such gifts are, indeed, from God and are beneficial for the nation and her people if fully embraced and responsibly lived by all who are privileged to enjoy them.

Therefore, we call upon the citizens of Ukraine to be vigilant in the pursuit of freedom and to exercise it with a profound sense of responsibility and without abuse.

We call all to a shared vision of a nation in which all have the opportunity to grow and develop in every aspect of their lives by their own hard work, without corruption and greed, which destroy from the inside out.

Mindful of the immense responsibility, which is placed upon those called to govern, we prayerfully commend to Christ, the Way, Truth and Life, through the prayers of His Holy Mother and all the Saints, the Honourable President of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, all civil authorities and those who serve in the military.

We remind them that the sacred trust of governing and safeguarding, which they exercise, is from God – the Giver of every good and perfect gift – and is to be exercised so that all the inhabitants of Ukraine might lead a calm and peaceful life in all Godliness and sanctity under the tranquil guidance of those who govern – for which we pray at every Divine Liturgy.

May God-loving and God-protected Ukraine, continue to develop under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

May she ever be that bastion of Faith and Righteousness envisioned by those sainted Fathers and Mothers — many of them martyrs — who journeyed with St. Olha and St. Volodymyr on that path which leads to Christ and the fullness of life.

May she be a land of justice based on a sound and honest legal system.

May she be a home from which her citizens no longer feel the need to flee.

May she be a beacon of light to all the developing nations of the world.

For our God-loving and God-protected Ukraine, her government, armed forces and all her people, we pray to the Lord.

With prayers and hierarchical blessings,

† YURIJ, Metropolitan

Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada

† ANTONY, Metropolitan

Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA
Locum Tenens of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Diaspora

† IOAN, Archbishop

Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Diaspora

† JEREMIAH, Archbishop

Ukrainian Orthodox Eparchy of Brazil and South America

† ILARION, Bishop

Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada

† ANDRIY, Bishop

Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada

† DANIEL, Bishop

Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA

Sunday, July 26th, 2015 — Hierarchical Liturgy together with the Cheirothesia (rites of making a Reader and Subdeacon), the Sunday before the Feast Day of Equal-to-the-Apostles Great Prince Volodymyr — Ukrainian Orthodox Chapel of All Saints of Ukrainian Lands, Oakville, Ontario.

Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St. George

8 Augusta Ave.
St. Catharines, ON L2M 5R2

Parish Hall: (905) 397-8340

Web: www.uocofsaintgeorge.org

On May 31st, our Orthodox Church celebrated a great feast in the history of humankind — the Feast of the Holy Trinity. On this same day, the Third Person of the Holy Trinity — the Holy Spirit — opened itself to man. On the fiftieth day after Christ’s Resurrection, at the Saviour’s instructions, all the Apostles, the Theotokos and other disciples of Christ gathered in Jerusalem. Suddenly came a rushing sound from heaven, resembling that of a storm, filling the whole building. The Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles in the form of tongues of fire. When the Apostles emerged from the upper room, people who had come to Jerusalem for the feast, heard each their own language from the lips of the Apostles. The Descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles was the beginning of preaching the Gospel of Christ through all the nations of the earth. That is why the Feast of the Holy Spirit is often accepted as the birth of Christ’s Church on earth.

It was on this same festal day that His Grace, Andriy — Bishop of the Eastern Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, made an Archpastoral visitation to Holy Trinity parish in London, Ontario. Head of the parish council, Mrs. Vera Olynyk, together with the congregation joyfully greeted the ruling Bishop with bread, salt, and also with warm words of greeting. Parish Priest, Very Rev. Archpriest Vasyl’ Fediv welcomed Bishop Andriy into the temple. Bishop Andriy thanked him for the greetings and said that it was with profound joy that he arrived in our parish on the parish’s feast day.

The Holy Divine Liturgy was led by Bishop Andriy. At the Liturgy — the parish choir, under the direction of Mrs. Oksana Metulynsky, sang uplifting hymns with extraordinary and prayerful enthusiasm; the Apostol was read in Ukrainian by Professor Viktor Venhrzhanovsky and in English by Michael Drul. Near the end of the service, His Grace Bishop Andriy turned to the faithful with an archpastoral homily on the Acts of Grace of the Holy Spirit. Also on this day, a number of parishioners were honoured to accept Holy Communion. The Divine Liturgy ended as according to the ustav — with the Mnohaya Lita.


After Liturgy, a communal lunch, with everything prepared through the efforts of our sincere parishioners, was held in the church hall. Bishop Andriy warmly and movingly greeted all present with the feast of the temple and the Feast of the Holy Spirit. During the celebratory lunch, greetings were presented His Grace by the following:

• President of Holy Trinity Parish, Mrs. Vera Olynyk,
• Parish Vice-President, Mr. Ivan Danylchenko,
• President of the London Branch, Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Mrs. Daria Hrytskiv,
• President of “Golden Years” Mrs. Vera Choma…
…and others.

Also on this great and joyous day, Holy Trinity Parish greeted its long-serving members with beautiful song. The Divine Liturgy served by Bishop Andriy truly became a spiritual celebration for all those fortunate enough to pray this day in Holy Trinity church in London. The joy and uplifted spirits at this meeting with the Bishop of the Eparchy will remain in the memories of parishioners for a time to come. We express our sincere gratitude to Bishop Andriy for his visitation to our parish, his prayer and archpastoral blessings.

— Very Rev. Archpriest Vasyl’ Fediv, Parish Priest, Holy Trinity, London ON