УКРАЇНСЬКА ПРАВОСЛАВНА ЦЕРКВА В КАНАДІ UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OF CANADA XXIII С S О O Б B О O Р R 2015 July 13-19, 2015 Fort Garry Hotel, 222 Broadway Ave., Winnipeg, MB Як то добре і як то гарно, коли брати живуть у згоді! (Пс. 132:1) Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! (Ps. 132:1) XXIII SOBOR of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada July 13-19, 2015 COMMUNIQUÉ #1, July14, 2015 His Grace Bishop Andriy con-celebrates the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy with UOCC clergy. WINNIPEG, MANITOBA The conferences of the 23 rd SOBOR of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada commenced on Tuesday, July 14 with the clergy and faithful gathering in Winnipeg, Manitoba at the Fort Garry Hotel in the La Verendrye Room to celebrate the Divine Liturgy in the Chapel for the XXIII SOBOR. His Grace Bishop Andriy of the Eastern Eparchy presided and proclaimed the Gospel that we must seek the Truth and Christ, Who is the Truth, will set us free. His Grace Bishop Andriy gives the homily
Very Rev. Mitred Archpriest Roman Bozyk presents on clergy development. Separate conferences for clergy and Dobrodiyky (clergy wives) followed. His Eminence Metropolitan Yurij addressed the clergy on pastoral ministry. He focused on the importance of close communication between the pastors and their Bishops. He closed with an emotional reminder of his love for all the Clergy and prayers for their well-being and the fruitful exercise of the ministry to which God has called them. His Grace Bishop Ilarion reported on the early June and recent July meetings in Kyiv, Ukraine between the two jurisdictions of the Orthodox Church in Ukraine, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Kyivan Patriarchate) and the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church. His Grace was asked to represent His All-Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch, Bartholomew I, as an observer. There are hurdles to be surmounted in their efforts to unite. Faith and prayer are required. His Grace Bishop Ilarion at the 23 rd SOBOR
In his address, His Grace Bishop Andriy focused on the importance of setting an example for the faithful in our lives and ministry. Rt. Rev. Protopresbyter Victor Lakusta, Chancellor of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, spoke on the urgent necessity of doing mission work to remedy the dropping numbers of active participants in parish life across Canada. Very Rev. Archpriest Mitred Roman Bozyk, Principal of St. Andrew s College and Dean of the Faculty of Theology, spoke on a program that is being developed on enhancing the education of active clergy. The floor was then opened for questions and discussions. Jennifer Osachuk, RN, presents on self-care and caring for others for the Dobrodiyky conference. The Conference for the Dobrodiyky commenced with a prayer and address by Bishop Andriy. There were two sessions, one focusing on the well-being of clergy wives, entitled, Caring for Ewe. The other was on their care of their husband, the priest, called Caring for the Shepherd and the Sheep. The presenter was Jennifer Osachuk, RN, and parishioner of the All Saints UOC parish in Winnipeg, (Transcona).
The Clergy and Dobrodiyky met together to hear presentations on benefits under the UOCC Sponsored Retirement Savings and Group Insurance programs, given by representative of Great West Life and Desjardins Insurance. There were questions and answers and a common resolution was adopted.
The session closed with the singing of Dostoyno and the blessing by Metropolitan Yurij. Following Vespers and supper, a time of socializing was made available for the participants which already includes laity. (There are 55 Priests and 20 Dobrodiyky registered to date). Rt. Rev. Mitred Archpriest Ihor Kutash from St. Mary the Protectress Parish of Montreal read the Midnight Office in the Chapel, as he, with the blessing of Metropolitan Yurij, intends to do at midnight each day of the Sobor. Respectfully submitted by the SOBOR Press Committee -Rt. Rev. Mitred Archpriest Dr. Ihor Kutash -Marusia Kaweski July 14, 2015