CANORA - A bittersweet ceremony marked the recognition of Ukraine’s 33rd independence day in Canora.
The event, hosted by the Canora branch of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and the Ukrainian Catholic Church, was held at the Ukrainian Orthodox Heritage Church on Aug. 24.
The ceremony began with a moleben service, a thanksgiving service that Fr. Ivan Simko of the Ukrainian Catholic Church described as joyful. After that was done, there was a panakhyda, a part of a funeral service where the departed are commemorated and God is asked for mercy on their behalf.
Meanwhile Ukraine is still fighting against a full-scale invasion by Russia that began two-and-a-half years ago.
“It’s comforting that we can do this and to recognize where our family came from,” said Dorothy Korol, the president of the Canora Ukrainian Canadian Congress. “And there’s sadness, of course, that our country is again at war.”
Fr. Yurii Obukh of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church immigrated to Canada from Ukraine.
“It’s a special day for me, probably for all Ukrainians today.”
He said it was hard to put into words what the ceremony meant to him.
“We’re in Canada, but Ukraine is still our home country. It’s a part of my life and part of my heart.”
Obukh said he was pleased to see people join in prayer.
“You can feel the support for our community.”
Simko said his parents left what was then Yugoslavia when he was six weeks old to escape from the conflicts that would break up the country. Between that and the fact his wife has distant relatives in Ukraine, he said he empathizes.
“I’ve seen my parents, how they struggled. Every time I go back to visit my family in Yugoslavia, my cousins and that, I see the hurt that kind of lingers because of war and destruction,” he said.
“War is destructive. We don’t sometimes appreciate the depth of the destruction of society through war and the destruction of hope especially.”
Simko said the main message of the joint service between the two churches is that there is hope in Christ.
“The war with Russia has brought pain and suffering to our people, but has also revealed in us an unbreakable faith, strength and unity,” he said in a speech. “In these difficult times, we must remember the Lord’s words: ‘Do not be afraid of those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul.’ We know that evil cannot prevail, for God is with us.”
The priest said the service was not just about praying for peace in Ukraine, but in Canada and everywhere else in the world.
“We also pray that our people remain united and steadfast, that we do not lose hope or trust in God’s providence. We believe that with God’s help we will overcome all trials and restore peace and justice to our land.”
After the services, lunch was served by the Rainbow Hall.
The Ukrainian Canadian Congress held events across the country to recognise Ukraine’s independence.
“This year, with Russia’s ongoing genocidal war against Ukraine, it is especially important for Ukrainians in Canada to mark this day,” the Congress said on their website. “This is a time to pay tribute to the courage and valour of the Ukrainian people in defence of their freedom.”
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