Canada hosts the UGCC Synod of Bishops for the first time

The Synod will gather all 50 Ukrainian Greek-Catholic bishops who serve in Canada, Ukraine, USA, Poland, Germany and  the countries of Scandinavia, France, and countries of Benelux, Great Britain, Italy, Spain and Portugal, Brazil, Argentina, Australia.

The Ukrainian diaspora in Canada is quite large and reaches back to 1891 when the first Ukrainian settlers Vasyl Yeleniak and Ivan Pylypiv stepped on Canadian soil in search of a better fate for themselves and their families.  Their footsteps were followed by thousands and tens of thousands of Ukrainians.

Overall in the 120-year-old history of the settlement of Ukrainians in Canada there were four essential periods of immigration, commonly known as “waves.”  Oleh Lesiuk, President of Ukrainian Association of Visual Artists of Canada, notes in one of the publications, that this history of the Ukrainian presence in Canada is “complex and saturated,” explaining that  “A complicated fate met those people who decided to weave their nest in a foreign land.  However, love of work and patience together with Faith, Hope and Love helped them not only to adapt to Canada but also to develop a strong and influential Ukrainian community” (Preface to Art Exhibition Commemorating the 120th Anniversary of Ukrainian Settlement in Canada ). As the above-mentioned publication notes, the Ukrainian community, directed by concern about the spirituality of future generations and preservation of the  native language and culture, built many churches, founded schools and cultural centers, many of which successfully exist to this day.

Ukrainians in Canada tracked their way from simple farmers - agricultural workers  to members of Parliament, Senate, Government, and Premiers of provinces.  In 1990-95 the highest state office of General Governor of Canada was held by Roman Hnatyshyn.  The Ukrainian diaspora achieved recognition through known and successful politicians, judges, lawyers, businessmen, doctors, scholars, engineers, architects, musicians, actors, military officers and artists.

Members of the UGCC Synod of Bishops will have an opportunity to personally familiarize themselves with the varied activities of the Ukrainian community in Canada, since the Synod program includes meetings with representatives of Ukrainian community-cultural organizations as well as services in various UGCC parishes in Canada.

As a preview to these meetings with Canada’s Ukrainian community, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, UGCC Head, on behalf of the Synod of Bishops addressed a special Epistle to the Faithful of the Winnipeg Metropolitanate, in which he highlighted the achievements of Ukrainians in Canada and invited all to pray for the success of this year’s Synod.

UGCC Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops