‘Renewed sense of strength’ among Ukrainian community after visit of archbishop to Winnipeg

March 2, 2025 Canuck

With a message of strength and unity, the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church renewed a sense of hope at a church service in Winnipeg, an uplifting moment for parishioners amid Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine and Friday’s heated clash in Washington.

Sviatoslav Shevchuk, the major archbishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, held an hours-long service at the Sts. Volodymyr and Olha Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in the city’s North End.

Around 1,200 parishioners filled the temple Sunday morning, bringing attendance numbers that are often only seen during Christmas and Easter, said Eugene Waskw, a trustee of the church.

“What the patriarch brought to us today was a sense of the strength of the Ukrainian people throughout the world,” he said.

Shevchuk’s visit carried a message of renewed strength, faith and unity in the face of Ukraine’s war with Russia, Waskw said.�

People sit inside a church. — Sviatoslav Shevchuk held an hours-long service in a cathedral in the city’s North End, bringing a message of unity and strength for the large Ukrainian community living in Winnipeg. (Gavin Axelrod/CBC)

The sermon, a call to stay strong and pray for the future of the country, Waskw said, hit the right set of notes against a backdrop of escalating tensions between Washington and Kyiv after heated clashes between the leaders of both countries at the Oval Office Friday.

But it was also an important reminder that Ukraine is not alone.

“The message from the patriarch helped,” Waskw said. “We will be here. Ukraine is not dead, and it’s not dying.”

Auxiliary bishop Andriy Rabiy said Shevchuk’s visit, his first to Winnipeg since 2012, was a significant event for the congregation and an opportunity for parishioners to get a word of hope in the midst of a war now dragging into its fourth year.

A man stands wearing a tunic. — Auxiliary bishop Andriy Rabiy says the service by Sviatoslav Shevchuk was a ‘huge uplifting moment’ for the Ukrainian community in Winnipeg. (Gavin Axelrod/CBC)

“It is a huge uplifting moment for all of us here in Winnipeg,” he said. “He had a word for everyone.”

Shevchuk offered individual blessings to those inside the temple, a “huge thing,” said Rabiy, who thinks many of those who received it will cherish it today for years to come.

“He is a very recognizable figure in Ukraine, [a] moral authority, [a] religious authority,” Rabiy said.

Person in religious garments lays a hand on another person's head. A crowd is seen lined up behind them. — Sviatoslav Shevchuk, archbishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, offered blessings to those attending the Sunday service. (Rudi Pawlychyn/CBC)

Shevchuk came to Canada for a synod of bishops in Ontario but decided to make a stop in Winnipeg due to the larger number of Ukrainians living in Manitoba, and to commemorate the 125th birthday of the Sts. Volodymyr and Olha Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral coming this upcoming spring, Waskw said.

Lynn Nykoluk, a parishioner at the church, said Shevchuk drew in a crowd size she hadn’t seen before, even during Christmas, and created an opportunity for the Ukrainian community to ground in prayers.

“It was very moving, and it was nice to see all the support,” she said. “It always is important to have a strong community and pray and and just be positive.”

View original article here Source

Canada News

‘Renewed sense of strength’ among Ukrainian community after visit of archbishop to Winnipeg

Cozy Cuties: Coloring Book for Adults and Kids

Botanic Hearth 100% Pure Rosemary Oil For Hair Growth (6.7 fl oz) Infused With Biotin, Jojoba & castor Oil | Hair…

Boka Fluoride Free Toothpaste Nano Hydroxyapatite, Helps Remineralize, Appropriate for Sensitive Teeth, Whitening…

Cozy Friends: Coloring Book for Adults and Teens Featuring…

Maybelline New York Lash Sensational Sky High Washable Eyelash Mascara Makeup, Volumizing, Lengthening,…

Home Front: A Novel

Little Blue Truck's Springtime: An Easter And Springtime…

Bluey 18" Stuffed Animal - Playtime & Naptime Companion | Jumbo Size, Soft Deluxe Materials - Huggable Cuddles…

Royale Velour Toilet Paper, 12 Equal 24 Rolls, 142 Bathroom Tissues per roll

The Let Them Theory: A Life-Changing Tool That Millions of…