Metropolitan Yurij (Kalistchuk)
Metropolitan Yurij (Kalistchuk) (1951-____)
Yurij may be spelt Iouri, Iurii, Iuriy (George).
Early life of George Kalistchuk
On 25 May, 1951, George Kalistchuk, the second of 3 sons, was born to Petro and Anastazia Kalistchuk in Lachine, near Montréal, Québec. His parents were new immigrants to Canada.
George received his primary schooling first in Lachine. In 1963, the Kalistchuk family moved to Hamilton, Ontario, where he continued his primary education. There, he completed his secondary education in 1970.
George and his family had become members of Saint Volodymyr’s Sobor in Hamilton, where George attended Ukrainian school, was involved in Ukrainian dance, the cathedral choir (of which he later became conductor in 1981-1982), and the Ukrainian Youth Organisation (CYMK).
Saint Volodymyr's Sobor, Hamilton
Higher education
In 1970, he entered Saint Andrew’s College (the seminary of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada (UOCC) in Winnipeg, Manitoba).
Saint Andrew's College, University of Manitoba
During his 3 years of study at the college, he was given many awards for his academic, musical, and athletic activities at the University of Manitoba. From 1971-1973, he was the assistant conductor for the Theology Student Choir, first under Archbishop Boris (Yakovkevych), and later under Pavlo Macenko.
In 1973, George received the Licentiate in Theology (L.Th.). This was later replaced by the Bachelor of Theology (B.Th.) Degree in 1985.
Starting in 1975, George studied music at McMaster University. He graduated in 1980 with a Bachelor of Music in History and Theory ("magna cum laude").
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McMaster University, Hamilton
During 1983-1984 he was the Dean of Men at Saint Volodymyr’s Institute in Toronto. In 1984, he completed a Bachelor of Education degree ("magna cum laude") at the University of Toronto, and he then received an Ontario Teacher’s Certificate.
Saint Volodymyr Institute, Toronto
During 1983-87, George was the Project Director of the Bortniansky Project. For part of this time, he was the President of the Ukraine Millennium Foundation. This foundation recorded the "35 Sacred Choral Concertos" of Dmytro Bortniansky (the conductor was Maestro Volodymyr Kolesnyk).
Ordinations, 1988
On 16 July, 1988, George Kalistchuk was ordained to the Holy Diaconate at Saint Volodymyr’s Sobor in Hamilton, Ontario by Metropolitan Wasyly (Fedak).
In Hamilton, Ontario, on 17 July, 1988, Deacon George Kalistchuk was ordained to the Holy Priesthood, and he was assigned to serve as an assistant priest at the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Holy Trinity Metropolitan Cathedral, Winnipeg
Pastoral service
From September 1988 to December 1991, Priest George Kalistchuk was also the Professor of Church Music at Saint Andrew’s College.
Monastic tonsure, 1989
On 10 September, 1989, Priest George Kalistchuk was tonsured to be a monk by Metropolitan Wasyly (Fedak), and he was given the name Yurij.
On 15 October, 1989, at the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Hieromonk Yurij (Kalistchuk) was elevated to the dignity of archimandrite by Metropolitan Wasyly.
At the Special Sobor of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada in 1989, Archimandrite Yurij (Kalistchuk) was chosen to become a bishop.
Episcopal ordination, 1989
On 22 October, 1989, Archimandrite Yurij (Kalistchuk) was ordained to the Holy Episcopate in Winnipeg by Metropolitan Wasyly (Fedak) and Bishop John (Stinka).
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Bishop Yurij
Episcopal service
On 17 December, 1989, Bishop Yurij (Kalistchuk) was enthroned as Bishop of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and Vicar-Bishop (assistant) to the metropolitan in the Central Eparchy.
Holy Trinity Cathedral, Saskatoon
In 1990, Bishop Yurij (Kalistchuk) represented Metropolitan Wasyly in Constantinople for the consummation of the Act of Eucharistic Unity of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada with the Patriarchate of Constantinople.
Patriarchate of Constantinople, Istanbul
By a decision of the Sobor of Bishops on 15 December, 1991, Bishop Yurij (Kalistchuk) was installed at Saint Volodymyr's Cathedral in Toronto, Ontario, as “Acting Bishop of Toronto and the Eastern Diocese”.
In 1995, he was chosen by the 19th Sobor of the UOCC to be the Bishop of Toronto and Eastern Canada.
Saint Volodymyr's Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, Toronto, Ontario
During the time of the service of Bishop Yurij, an official residence was established in Mississauga, Ontario (part of the Greater Toronto Area), which also included office space for the Eastern Eparchy at 3281 Cindy Crescent,
Mississauga, Ontario, L4Y 3J7.
Eastern Eparchy office and episcopal residence
In May, 1996, Bishop Yurij was chosen (in addition to his episcopal duties) to be the General Secretary of the Church Council of CKY (World Congress of Ukrainians).
Along with other bishops of the UOCC, Vladyka Yurij was a member of the Permanent Conference of Ukrainian Orthodox Bishops outside Ukraine. As a member of this conference, (also known as the “Permanent Conference of Ukrainian Orthodox Bishops Beyond the Borders of Ukraine”), Vladyka Yurij was present with them at the 1997 Second World Forum of Ukrainians in Kyiv, Ukraine.
In 2001, the Sobor of Bishops elevated Bishop Yurij (Kalistchuk) to the dignity of archbishop.
His title was adjusted to “Archbishop of Toronto and the Eastern Eparchy”.
During 2002-2003, Archbishop Yurij served as one of the vice-presidents of the Canadian Council of Churches. He has represented the UOCC on the CCC from 1991.
On 4 October, 2009, a grand banquet with speeches and entertainment was organised to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Vladyka Yurij's ordination to the Holy Episcopate. Guests included the other bishops of the UOCC as well as Metropolitan Sotirios (Athanassoulas) and Bishop Christophoros (Rakintzakis).
Election to become the primate of the UOCC, 2010
On 18 July, 2010, the General Sobor of the UOCC chose Archbishop Yurij (Kalistchuk) to become the sixth metropolitan in the history of this Church.
On 30 August, 2010, the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Patriarchate of Constantinople ratified the Sobor’s decision and elected Archbishop Yurij (Kalistchuk) to the Primatial Throne of the UOCC, with the title “Archbishop of Winnipeg and the Central Eparchy, Metropolitan of Canada”.
Not long before the enthronement, in early November, Metropolitan Yurij (Kalistchuk) travelled to Constantinople (Istanbul), where he met with Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople and the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
On 2 November, 2010, the metropolitan visited various Christian sites in the city. During the meeting, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I announced the new title of the Ukrainian Metropolitan : "Archbishop of Winnipeg and the Central Diocese, Metropolitan of Canada of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada". Metropolitan Yurij, in response, expressed gratitude to Patriarch Bartholomew and he assured him of the faithfulness and love of the Orthodox Ukrainians of Canada to the Ecumenical Throne.
Afterwards, Metropolitan Yurij, together with members of the Holy Synod, visited the Patriarchal Cathedral of Saint George, where he served a prayer service in the Ukrainian language. Once again, the new title was proclaimed, and the official document was signed. After the ceremony, Patriarch Bartholomew presented him with the Archpastoral Crosier. That the patriarch personally gave him the crosier is a visible sign of the filial relationship between Metropolitan Yurij and Patriarch Bartholomew, as well as the 2 Churches.
In addition to these formal acts, Metropolitan Yurij and Archpriest Victor Lakusta met with the diocesan committee of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which receives the reports on the activities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada. The meeting provided information about the state of the Church and a discussion about other matters, in particular the resolutions of the last 2 local councils and new subordinate acts. They also discussed the general status of Orthodoxy in Canada and around the world, and the current difficult political and church circumstances in Ukraine.
Enthronement, 2010
On 20 November, 2010, there was an evening service at Holy Trinity Metropolitan Cathedral in Winnipeg, which marked the beginning of the enthronement of the sixth metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada. At the end of the Divine Service, Bishop Andriy (Peshko), the newly-elected Bishop of Saskatoon and Vicar-Bishop of the Central Eparchy, sanctified the liturgical vestments and objects that the metropolitan would be using in his new status.
On Sunday, 21 November, 2010, Metropolitan Yurij (Kalistchuk) with the hierarchs and clergy served the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy. At the end of the liturgy, Metropolitan Sotirios (Athanassoulas) of Toronto, the Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarch in Canada, read the Declaration of Enthronement on behalf of Patriarch Bartholomew I and the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Constantinople. In response to this Metropolitan Yurij received the triple exclamation "Axios ! - He is worthy !"
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Archbishop Yurij
Metropolitan Yurij
Enthronement
Primatial service
Holy Trinity Metropolitan Cathedral, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada Consistory Office, Winnipeg, Manitoba
For a time after his enthronement, Metropolitan Yurij faced challenges with regard to canonical decorum.
On 19 April, 2012, Metropolitan Yurij (Kalistchuk) wrote a letter to the clergy and parish councils which banned the uncanonical, defrocked, and excommunicated Filaret (Denysenko) from visiting any church or property owned by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada during his trip to Canada. The ban included prohibiting any clergyman or member of the Consistory Board to be in the vicinity of Filaret during his visit. However, the letter disturbed some members of Saint Volodymyr's Cathedral in Toronto. The ban was publicly criticised and ignored at a banquet honouring "Patriarch" Filaret, which was held at the Saint Volodymyr Cultural Centre in Oakville, Ontario, on 21 April, 2012. There, "Patriarch" Filaret toured the cemetery and chapel, and met with leaders of the Ukrainian Canadian community including Paul M Grod, President of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress. Besides this, in a show of support by the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church of Canada, "Patriarch" Filaret was invited to attend the Divine Liturgy at Saint Demetrius Ukrainian Catholic Church on 22 April in Toronto. At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, "Patriarch" Filaret awarded the Priest John Tataryn the Order of Saint Volodymyr, 3rd Degree. These acts, and some other, similar behaviours by this particular visitor, included some very disrespectful and sharp rebukes against Metropolitan Yurij. This general behaviour may be interpreted as an open declaration that the participants were of the opinion that nationalism takes precedence over Orthodox Christian canonical behaviour. This situation no doubt caused Metropolitan Yurij pain on many levels.
In 2015, (at the request of the Patriarchate of Constantinople) Metropolitan Yurij travelled with others to Ukraine, and they met with the President of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko. Metropolitan Yurij and the others expressed the hope that progress could be made towards the unification of the several Ukrainian Orthodox Churches which are currently divided for various reasons. He further stated that the Patriarchate of Constantinople will do its utmost to help Ukraine create a united local Orthodox Church. He commented that
since the days of Saint Volodymyr's baptism and the Christianisation of Kyivan Rus - Ukraine, the Ukrainian state and churches have been fighting for their independence and integrity. But we believe the time has come for this country - Ukraine - to be integrated and unified, as well as to have a united Orthodox Church, which will follow the traditions it had had during those 700 years before the Treaty of Pereiaslav after which Ukraine was annexed, with its church facing the same fate.
He added that since then until today the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has sought for its natural state.
Following this, Metropolitan Yurij travelled to Istanbul to participate in a Synaxis of the Hierarchs of the Patriarchate of Constantinople.
The hierarchs of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the United States and Canada had the opportunity to hold separate meetings with Patriarch Bartholomew, during which they discussed the situation in Ukraine and ways to overcome the church division in the Ukrainian Church. In particular, representatives of the UOC-USA and Canada believe that a serious obstacle to the restoration of church unity in Ukraine is the presence of a part of the Ukrainian congregation in the Moscow Patriarchate, which included Ukrainian dioceses of the communist regime of the USSR. According to the hierarchs, this fact significantly slows down the process of unification of Ukrainian Orthodoxy and the restoration of a single local Orthodox Church in Ukraine.
In 2016, Metropolitan Yurij participated in a conference in Ukraine, with Canadian Military Chaplains, at the National Army Academy named after Hetman Petro Sahaidachny. There, Ukrainian and Canadian pastors (Orthodox, Uniat and Roman Catholic) discussed the prospects of training military chaplains for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. After having discussed the topical issues of the spiritual support of soldiers and chaplains in the military environment, the participants agreed on the need to introduce the institution of chaplains into the Ukrainian army, and to provide for their training.
Metropolitan Yurij in Ukraine, 2016
2018 : Centennial year of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada
In 2018, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada marked 100 years since its foundation in Saskatoon. Together with some centennial anniversaries of particular parishes, there were other events which were led by Metropolitan Yurij (Kalistchuk) throughout the year. The official beginning of these celebrations took place on 23 July, 2018, at the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
Centennial extraordinary Sobor, 9-12 August, 2018
The Sobor began on Thursday, 9 August, 2018, with a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy in the Chapel of Saint Petro Mohyla Institute, presided by Bishop Andriy (Peshko) of the Eastern Eparchy, with the responses sung by the Clergy led by Father Michael Lomaszkiewicz. This was followed by an All-Canada Clergy Conference conference. All gathered for Vespers at the Mohyla Institute Chapel and this was followed by a wine and cheese reception as the delegates and guests registered for the Extraordinary National Council.
On Friday, 10 August, the events began with a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at Holy Trinity Cathedral presided by UOCC Primate, Metropolitan Yurij (Kalistchuk), with responses sung by the Lastiwka Ukrainian Orthodox Choir directed by Larry Klopoushak. Following the liturgy, Metropolitan Yurij opened the Extraordinary Council business session in the cathedral with a celebratory resolution. This was followed by other official greetings from other clergy. After a luncheon in the parish hall, a series of symposium sessions was offered by the Faculty of Theology at Saint Andrew’s College in Winnipeg, with several clergy making presentations. A bus tour of country Temples followed. One was a visit was to the first official Temple of the UOCC in Saint Julien. Another was a visit to Saint Michael’s Parish in Lepine. The bus passed by Ukrainian family farms, many of which are still owned by descendants of the original settlers. The day concluded with a group visit and reception at the Ukrainian Museum of Canada in Saskatoon.
On Saturday morning, 11 August, in the presence of Metropolitan Yuriy (Kalistchuk), the Hierarchical Memorial Divine Liturgy was served at All Saints’ Parish in Saskatoon by Metropolitan Sotirios (Athanassoulas) of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Canada and the Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarch ; Archbishop Daniel (Zelinsky) of Chicago ; Archbishop Job (Getcha) of Telmissos, the representative of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the celebration of the Centennial of the UOCC ; Bishop Ilarion (Rudnyk) of Edmonton and the Western Eparchy of the UOCC, and Bishop Andriy (Peshko) of Toronto and the Eastern Eparchy of the UOCC. This Divine Liturgy was served for the reposed hierarchs, clergy and faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada throughout the previous century.
Later in the day, about 350 Faithful gathered for a formal jubilee banquet, at which Archbishop Daniel (Zelinsky) delivered greeting remarks on behalf of Metropolitan Antony (Scharba) and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA as well as on behalf of Archbishop Jeremiah (Ferens) of the Ukrainian Orthodox Diocese of South America (Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina) and the clergy and Faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Diaspora, especially of the Western European counties : Great Britain, France, Germany, Belgium.
In his remarks, Vladyka Daniel reflected upon the recent celebration of 1030 years of Holy Orthodoxy in Kyivan Rus' as well as the Centennial Celebrations of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA and in Canada, making references to the profoundly rich history and traditions that have been preserved by the Ukrainian Orthodox clergy and Faithful on North American continent.
On Sunday, 12 August (the fourth and final day of the Council) the day began with a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Saskatoon co-presided by all 5 Ukrainian Orthodox Hierarchs : Metropolitan Yurij, Archbishops Job and Daniel, and Bishops Ilarion and Andriy. Also concelebrating was Father Michael Solomko, President of the Consistory of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Australia and New Zealand. Liturgical responses were sung by a combined choir, directed by Larry Klopoushak. The Liturgy concluded with the blessing of the magnificent Icon of the Mother of God of Canada written by Vera Senchuk which will remain in the Holy Trinity Cathedral in commemoration of the celebration of the centenary of the Church which began in Saskatoon.
The lunch in the Parish Auditorium was followed by presentation of commemorative awards to the Hierarchs, as well as to members of the Jubilee Committee headed by Gene Zwozdesky who announced the awards. This was followed by a presentation by the youth attending the Council.
The Council concluded with an Akathist to the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called (Founder of the Church in Ukraine), celebrated in the cathedral by Priest Cornell Zubritsky, leading member of the Jubilee Committee. It was celebrated before the special Icon written for the occasion by Vera Senchuk, which also has in it a portion of the Holy Relics of the Apostle, contributed via Saint Andrew’s College by the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
On 12 December, 2018, Metropolitan Yurij (Kalistchuk) sent a congratulatory letter to Metropolitan Epiphany (Dumenko) upon his election and enthronement as the Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church in Kyiv. In his letter, he anticipated with joy the expected unification of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Ukraine under the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
Bereavement, 2020
On 3 May, 2020, the mother of Metropolitan Yurij (Kalistchuk), Anastazia Kalistchuk fell asleep in the Lord in Hamilton, Ontario.
Born in the village of Davydeny in the province of Chernivtsi, Ukraine in 1923, she was survived by her sisters Anna, Mary, Eugenia (and their children), her son Metropolitan Yurij, her son William and his wife Janice (and their children).
On 6 May, 2020, the Funeral Service for the Burial of a Lay-person was served by Mitred Archpriest William Makarenko, Dean of Saint Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Hamilton.
After the funeral services, the body of Anastazia Kalistchuk was interred at Woodland Cemetery in Hamilton.
Covid-19 virus disruptions
In 2020-2021, the Covid-19 virus came to Canada. With it and its treatment as a pandemic came repeated and prolonged closures and/or limited permitted attendance in the Temples everywhere in Canada. The particular nature of these limitations depended on the regulations established by each province. Interprovincial travel was severely curtailed, and international travel became almost impossible. Indeed, travel restrictions kept Metropolitan Yurij from attending the funeral of his mother.
Retirement, 2021
Primarily because of difficulties with his health, Metropolitan Yurij (Kalistchuk) announced in early in 2021 that he would retire in the following summer.
Metropolitan Yurij (Kalistchuk) officially retired on 11 July, 2021.
Upon retirement, Metropolitan Yurij took up residence in an apartment in Winnipeg.
Bishop Ilarion (Rudnyk) was assigned to serve as locum-tenens of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada.
75 years
On 5 June, 2026, Metropolitan Ilarion II (Rudnyk), Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada (UOCC), together with members of the clergy if the UOCC, visited Metropolitan Emeritus Yurij on the occasion of his 75th birthday at his residence in Winnipeg.
During the visit, words of congratulations were offered, prayers were said, and "Mnohaya Lita" was sung in honour of Metropolitan Emeritus Yurij.
Metropolitan Ilarion expressed his gratitude to Metropolitan Emeritus Yurij for his devoted service to the Church ; and he wished him good health, spiritual strength, and many blessed years.
Metropolitan Ilarion, Metropolitan Yurij, clergy, and wives, at the anniversary
— Bishop of Saskatoon 1989-1995. Preceded by : Bishop John (Stinka). Succeeded by : Bishop Andriy (Peshko).
— Vicar-Bishop of the Central Eparchy 1989-1995.
— Bishop of Toronto and the Eastern Eparchy 1995-2001. Preceded by : Bishop Wasyly (Fedak).
— "Archbishop of Toronto and the Eastern Eparchy" 2001-2010.
— Administrator of the Diocese of Toronto and the Eastern Eparchy 2001-2010.
— Archbishop of Winnipeg, Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada 2010-2021. Preceded by : Metropolitan John (Stinka). Succeeded by : Metropolitan Ilarion II (Rudnyk).
— Former Archbishop of Winnipeg, Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada 2021-____.
Reflections
References
Ecumenical Patriarchate biography (in Greek with English)
Additional information :
Sametz, William, “My father the priest : the life and times of the Very Reverend Dr. Peter Sametz : founding missionary priest of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada” (Toronto : Hypertex Plus, 2008). ISBN : 9780969670056.
Tarasar, Constance J, ed., “Orthodox America 1794-1976 : Development of The Orthodox Church in America” (Syosset, NY : The Orthodox Church in America Department of History and Archives, 1975). ASIN : B000ZLZAUE.
Trosky, O, “The Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church in Canada” (Winnipeg : Bulman Bros, 1968). ASIN : B0006DWYPA
Wyrwoll, Nikolaus ed., “Orthodoxia 2014-2015" (Regensburg : Ostkirchliches Institut, 2015). ISBN 978-7245-1959-1.
Yereniuk, Prof. Roman, “A Short Historical Outline of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada on the Occasion of the 90th Anniversary of the Church (1918-2018)”
RISU article on the enthronement
Photo-gallery of the enthronement
Video about the beginning of the UOCC centennial
Wikivisually article about Metropolitan Yurij
A Brief History of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada.
'Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada' in "Orthodoxwiki"
'Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada' in "Wikipedia"
Canadian Encyclopaedia article about Ukrainian Canadians
Wikipedia article about Ukrainian Canadians
Wikipedia article about Ukrainian Diaspora
Cerkva.info article "Letter of Centennial Congratulations from Patriarch Filaret of Kyiv", 2018
Twentieth Anniversary Banquet of Archbishop Yurij at Saint Volodymyr Cultural Centre in Oakville, Ontario, Canada, performance by the Canadian Bandurist Capella (4 October, 2009) Video, part 1 ; Video, part 2
Celebration of the founding of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada (2018)
Obituary of Anastazia Kalistchuk 1923-2020
Announcement of Metropolitan Yurij (Kalistchuk)’s retirement (2021)
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