Metropolitan Ilarion II (Rudnyk)

Metropolitan Ilarion (Rudnyk) (1972-____)

Ilarion may be spelt Hilarion.

Rudnyk may be spelt Rudnik.

Early life of Roman Rudnyk

Roman Rudnyk was born on 14 January, 1972, in L’viv (Lviv, Lvov, Lemberg) in Ukraine, at that time the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic (UkSSR).

Roman received his primary and secondary education in the schools of the UkSSR.

Higher education

Then, after taking his entrance exams, he was admitted to the second year at the Kyiv Theological Seminary. He graduated in 1992.

With the recommendation of Archbishop Vsevolod (Maidanski) of Skopelos and the blessing of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I (Archontonis) of Constantinople, Roman then moved to Greece to continue his theological studies at the theological faculty of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, from which he graduated in 1997.

Monastic tonsure, 1997

On 5 December, 1997, Roman was tonsured to be a monk, and he was given the name Hilarion (Ilarion). He was named after Hilarion the Great.

Diaconal ordination, 1997

On 21 December, 1997, the Monk Ilarion (Rudnyk) was ordained to the Holy Diaconate by Metropolitan Panteleimon (Kontoyiannis) of Belgium, who was also the abbot of the Monastery of Vlatadon in Thessalonika.

Presbyteral ordination, 2000

On 14 September, 2000, Archbishop Vsevolod (Maidanski) of Skopelos ordained the Hierodeacon Ilarion (Rudnyk) to the Holy Priesthood.

Pastoral service ; further education

The Hieromonk Ilarion (Rudnyk) continued his theological education, and he received a Master's Degree of Canon Law after successfully defending his paper on the “Canonical Relations between the Metropolis of Kyiv and the Ecumenical Patriarchate until 1240”.

In 2001, with the help of Archbishop Vsevolod (Maidanski) he attended English language classes at the University of Illinois in Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Missionary work, 2002

In 2002, the Hieromonk Ilarion was assigned to serve the newly-created parish of Saint Panteleimon in Porto, Portugal.

In 2004, the Hieromonk Ilarion (Rudnyk) was elevated to the dignity of archimandrite by the Holy Synod of the Church of Constantinople.

In early 2005, Archimandrite Ilarion (Rudnyk) was chosen by the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Constantinople to become a bishop.

Episcopal ordination, 2005

On 20 January, 2005, Archimandrite Ilarion (Rudnyk) was ordained to the Holy Episcopate in the Patriarchal Church of Saint George at the Phanar in Constantinople, with the title “Bishop of Telmessos”.

Episcopal service

Bishop Ilarion (Rudnyk) was assigned to serve as a Vicar-Bishop to Metropolitan Epiphanios (Perialas) (✝2011) of Spain and Portugal.

A 2005 news report in Ukraine drew attention to the fact that Bishop Ilarion (Rudnyk) was the first Ukrainian after many centuries to be ordained to the Holy Episcopate by the Patriarchate of Constantinople.

Transfer to Canada, 2008

In 2008, at the request of Metropolitan John (Stinka) of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, on 21 October, 2008, Bishop Ilarion (Rudnyk) was chosen to be the Bishop of Edmonton and Western Canada by the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Bishop Ilarion (Rudnyk) was enthroned as Bishop of Edmonton and Western Canada in that year, at the Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral of Saint John in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Saint John's Cathedral, Edmonton, Alberta

UOCC Western Eparchy office and episcopal residence

Along with the other bishops of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada (UOCC), Bishop Ilarion (Rudnyk) is a member of the Permanent Conference of Ukrainian Orthodox Bishops outside Ukraine.

Vladyka Ilarion in his residence

Temporary service for Patriarch Bartholomew in Ukraine, 2018-2019

In 2018, Bishop Ilarion was amongst the entourage of Metropolitan Yurij (Kalistchuk) during an official visit to Patriarch Filaret (Denysenko) in Kyiv, Ukraine. The purpose of this visit was to support the attempts to bring about an undivided Orthodox Church in Ukraine. The entourage then travelled to the Patriarchate of Constantinople at the Phanar in Istanbul, Turkey, for further talks.

In September, 2018, Bishop Ilarion (Rudnyk) was blessed to leave his diocese temporarily and to serve for a period of time together with Archbishop Daniel (Zelinsky) in Ukraine as an Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Ukraine. They were sent together in order to prepare for the impending granting of autocephaly to Ukraine by the patriarchate. He fulfilled his responsibilities in accordance with the obedience he had been given, and the preparatory establishment of the new Ukrainian metropolia was achieved on 15 December, 2018, at a "union council" of the 2 schismatic entities which had been recently rehabilitated by Patriarch Bartholomew I (Archontonis). He continued in this obedience until his return to Edmonton at the beginning of Great Lent, 2019.

Covid-19 disruptions, 2020-2021

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.

Locum Tenens of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, 2021

From 15 July, 2021, when Metropolitan Yurij (Kalistchuk) retired, Bishop Ilarion (Rudnyk) was assigned to serve as the Locum Tenens of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada.

Meeting of Ukrainian Bishops, 2022

On 10 March, 2022, there was convened a meeting of the Ukrainian Orthodox and Ukrainian Catholic bishops in Canada :

 The Ukrainian Catholic (UGCC) and Ukrainian Orthodox (UOCC) Bishops of Canada met by zoom 
 conferencing on Thursday, 10 March 2022, to discuss the ongoing tragedy of the War in Ukraine. 
 Initiating and ending their meeting with prayer, the Bishops discussed their insights on the war 
 situation in Ukraine, the plight of those fleeing the war in various countries, and how the 
 faithful in Canada are responding to this human and political tragedy.  The Ukrainian Bishops of 
 Canada expressed gratitude to the various agencies that are assisting in providing humanitarian aid 
 to Ukraine, and thank their faithful for their willingness to help in whatever way they can.  The 
 Bishops concluded by considering plans to unite the faithful of both Orthodox and Catholic Churches 
 in prayer and action for Ukraine.
 
 + Lawrence (Huculak), Ukrainian Catholic Arch-eparch of Winnipeg, Metropolitan, UGCC
 + Ilarion (Rudnyk), Bishop of Edmonton and the Western Eparchy, Locum Tenens of the Metropolitan Cathedral of the UOCC
 + David (Motiuk), Ukrainian Catholic Eparch of Edmonton, Administrator of the New Westminster Eparchy, UGCC
 + Andriy (Peshko), Bishop of Toronto and the Eastern Eparchy of the UOCC
 + Bryan (Bayda), Ukrainian Catholic Eparch of Saskatoon, Administrator of Toronto and Eastern Canada, UGCC

Election as Metropolitan, 2022

Election of a nominee by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada

On 15-19 June, 2022, the 24th Sobor of the Ukrainian Orthodox of Canada was convened "on-line". This conference-meeting was convened thus instead of convening physically (as customarily) in Winnipeg, Manitoba. There were 6 cathedrals in Canada where this meeting took place simultaneously through a computer-network : in Winnipeg, Manitoba (Holy Trinity Metropolitan Cathedral) ; Vancouver, British Columbia (Holy Trinity Cathedral) ; in Edmonton, Alberta (Saint John's Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral) ; in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (Holy Trinity Cathedral) ; in Toronto, Ontario (Saints Vladimir and Olga Cathedral) ; in Montréal, Québec (Saint Sophie Cathedral).

There was a total of 205 delegates, which was near the average attendance for such sobors.

In the course of the work of the Sobor, there was the necessary election in order to nominate to the Holy Synod of the Church of Constantinople a candidate for election as Archbishop of Winnipeg and Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, who would succeed the Retired Metropolitan Yurij (Kalistchuk).

There were 3 candidates who were considered : Archbishop Job (Getcha), Bishop Ilarion (Rudnyk), and Bishop Andriy (Peshko). The final choice of the members of the sobor was Archbishop Job (Getcha). He had received more than the minimum required 51% of the votes, and there was no subsequent voting required.

The election by the Sobor (Assembly) of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada then had to be confirmed by the Holy Synod of Bishops of Constantinople (as is described in the Consistory By-laws).

Upon having received the nomination (with accompanying documents) from the Sobor of the UOCC, the Holy Synod of the Church of Constantinople elected Vladyka Ilarion (Rudnyk) to become Archbishop of Winnipeg and Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Canada.

The Holy Synod of the Church of Constantinople elected Archbishop Job (Getcha) to become Metropolitan of Pisidia, in west-central Türkiye (Turkey), north of Lycia, and east of Ephesus.

Confirmation of election in Constantinople/Istanbul, 2022

On 29 August, 2022, Vladyka Ilarion (Rudnyk) was at the Phanar in Constantinople for the purpose of the confirming the election by the Holy Synod. He co-served the Divine Liturgy with Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis) in the Cathedral of Saint George at the Phanar.

Afterwards, Vladyka Ilarion was received in the Synod Hall, and Patriarch Bartholomew performed the "Lesser Proclamation" of his election, during which he read the following :

 Most Reverend Brother, we receive you in the Synodal Hall to announce to you, officially and by 
 rank, your unanimous election as the Metropolitan of Winnipeg and Primate of the Orthodox Church 
 for Ukrainians in Canada. Your honorable election confirms your long and fruitful ministry as a 
 bishop, first in the Iberian Peninsula and then as bishop of the Eparchy of Edmonton in Canada.
 
 You have extensive pastoral experience and know the problems of modern society and the challenges 
 facing Orthodox Ukrainians, which are no different from those being faced by other Orthodox 
 Christians living in so-called diaspora.  Acceptance of your new duties also coincides with the 
 ever-increasing flow of Ukrainian refugees to Canada.  The direct result of the destructive war in 
 Ukraine continues to impose severe trials on the pious Ukrainian people.  We are confident that the 
 hospitable people of Canada will welcome this new generation of displaced Ukrainians just like they 
 welcomed previous generations of Ukrainians who sought refuge and a better future in that great 
 country.  Today, Ukrainians in Canada are a community fully integrated into Canadian society which 
 nurtures and preserves Orthodox values and traditions and is able to provide many levels of support 
 to its newer compatriots.          
 
 Your Eminence and beloved brother, your administrative experience and numerous essential abilities 
 were duly recognised and appreciated by this Great Church, which four years ago entrusted you with 
 the highly responsible assignment as Patriarchal Exarch in Ukraine during the critical final phase 
 of solving the complex Ukrainian issue through the convening of the Unification Synod in Kyiv, and 
 later the granting of autocephalous status to the Orthodox Church in Ukraine in 2019.
 
 Your recent election as Metropolitan of Winnipeg also includes the right to be invited and 
 participate as a member of the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Holy Great Church of Christ.  Your 
 knowledge of the Greek language, together with your numerous other qualifications, guarantees a 
 fruitful participation in  Synodal work, and we already anticipate with joy to have you among us as
 Synodal Hierarch.  Expressing the congratulatory words of the honourable brothers of the Hierarchs,
 members of the Synod, who honoured you with their vote, we pray to the Builder of the Church to 
 grant your Eminence health and every heavenly blessing, for the good of the people of God entrusted 
 to you and to the entire Church.
 
 Axios !

Patriarch Bartholomew and Metropolitan Ilarion

Funeral of Metropolitan John (Stinka), 2022

On 22-23 September, 2022, Metropolitan Ilarion II (Rudnyk) presided at the funeral obsequies for Metropolitan John (Stinka), one of his predecessors (both in Edmonton and in Winnipeg). The services took place in Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Metropolitan Ilarion also preached a homily about Vladyka John during the services.

Presiding at the funeral of Metropolitan John (Stinka)

Enthronement as Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, 2022

On Saturday, 19 November, 2022, at 9:30 a.m., in the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the Enthronement Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was served. Metropolitan Ilarion II (Rudnyk) presided at the Divine Liturgy. He was assisted by Bishop Andriy (Peshko), many priests, several deacons, subdeacons and Altar-servers.

Present also were Metropolitan Archbishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas), Exarch of Canada for the Patriarchate of Constantinople, and Retired Metropolitan Yurij (Kalistchuk), Former Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada.

The Entrance Prayers (left) and the Beginning of the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy (right)

At the conclusion of the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, in his capacity as Exarch, Archbishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas) presented the archpastoral staff to Metropolitan Ilarion II (Rudnyk) on behalf of Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis) of Constantinople. Then Metropolitan Ilarion, standing on the central cathedral dais, blessed all 4 cardinal directions with the staff. This fulfilled the official enthronement.

Archbishop Sotirios presents the Pastoral Staff (left) ; Metropolitan Ilarion blesses as officially enthroned (right)

Metropolitan Ilarion presents a speech (left) ; Metropolitan Yurij gives greetings (right)

Group photo of the clergy

In the afternoon, a formal celebratory banquet was served.

Change of calendar for the UOCC, 2023

On 1 December, 2023, in accordance with the resolutions of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, Metropolitan Ilarion II (Rudnyk) announced that, effective that day, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada moved to use the New (Revised Julian) Calendar. He allowed that for a brief period of time, a parish might remain on the Old (Julian) Calendar.

It seems that subsequently, John's Cathedral in Edmonton, Alberta, was the first to adopt the New (Revised Julian) Calendar.

However, a previously-existing group of persons began to encourage resistance to the immediacy of this change. It was their understanding that the process would be determined ultimately and finally at the next general sobor of the UOCC. Therefore, on 16 December, 2023, Metropolitan Ilarion issued a formal letter concerning the situation, together with a letter of support sent to him by his predecessor (Retired Metropolitan Yurij (Kalistchuk)). He called the resisters to repentance.

Visit to Constantinople, and to Kyiv, 2024

Church of Constantinople delegation

On Wednesday, 21 August, 2024, the delegation from the Patriarchate of Constantinople arrived in Kyiv, Ukraine, in order to conduct several conversations locally.

On Thursday, 22 August, 2024, "The Orthodox Times", the organ of the Church of Constantinople, reported the following :

"A delegation from the Ecumenical Patriarchate arrived in Kyiv yesterday afternoon, consisting of Archbishop Hilarion of Winnipeg, Metropolitan Job of Pisidia, and Patriarchal Deacon Epiphanius Kamjanovich. Originally scheduled for last year, the visit had been postponed due to unforeseen issues.

"The delegation is in Ukraine to participate in the celebrations marking the 33rd anniversary of the country’s independence. They are also set to meet with state authorities and ecclesiastical leaders to discuss key issues, including the ongoing challenges within the Orthodox community in Ukraine. A significant focus of their visit will be on exploring avenues for dialogue and understanding between the Orthodox factions in the country, to achieve greater unity.

"Their visit coincides with a particularly critical moment, as it comes just after the Ukrainian Parliament passed Bill 8371, which bans the Ukrainian Orthodox Church associated with the Moscow Patriarchate. The new law also restricts religious organizations affiliated with the Church, with prohibitions to be enforced by court orders.

"Upon their arrival, the delegation visited the Church of St. Andrew, a stauropegion of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and Bishop Michael of Komana, Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Ukraine.

On Saturday, 24 August, 2024, "Orthodox Times", the organ of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, reported that the delegation from the Church of Constantinople to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine visited Patriarch Filaret (Denysenko) :

"The delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, currently visiting Ukraine, recently met with the honorary emeritus 'Patriarch' and former Metropolitan of Kyiv, Filaret.

"The delegation, comprising Archbishop Hilarion of Winnipeg, Metropolitan Job of Pisidia, and Patriarchal Deacon Epiphanius, visited Filaret at his residence.

"According to a statement from Filaret’s side, the meeting addressed several key topics, including current issues within the Church, the impact of the Russian military aggression against Ukraine, state-church relations, and ongoing dialogue among the Orthodox communities in Ukraine.

"The former Metropolitan of Kyiv emphasized that the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s delegation came to support the Ukrainian people and the Orthodox Church during the severe trials of war. He also highlighted their participation in the celebrations marking the 33rd anniversary of Ukraine’s declaration of independence.

“'During this challenging period for Ukraine, it is crucial to foster unity and harmony among all Orthodox Churches in the country. We must do everything possible to achieve unity within the Church. And we firmly believe that, with God’s help, this is achievable. The Lord creates the conditions for us to unite in an Orthodox Church that will serve as a strong spiritual foundation for our state.

'Without mutual respect and love, we will not achieve anything, as love is the primary unifying force among Christians. Following this, we should convene an All-Ukrainian Local Council to bring together all three Orthodox jurisdictions', said Filaret.

"The representatives of the Ecumenical Patriarchate concurred that to achieve unity, love must take precedence and dialogue must be initiated. They also emphasized that the Mother Church is committed to supporting efforts to achieve unity within the Orthodox Church in Ukraine and to overcoming the challenges faced.

"The meeting concluded with Filaret extending his warm greetings to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew".

On Sunday, 25 August, 2024, Metropolitan Ilarion II (Rudnyk) and the delegation from the Patriarchate of Constantinople met in Kyiv with the Roman Catholic Bishop Vitalii of Kyiv and Zhytomyr.

On Bishop Vitalii's Facebook page, he wrote :

"On Sunday, August 25, I had the joy and honour of hosting a delegation of the Orthodox Church of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Thank you, dear Bishops, for a friendly and constructive three-hour conversation, for a useful exchange of thoughts and visions!

"We pray for the Orthodox Church in Ukraine (in all its communities), that the Lord will let it pass difficult times under His leadership and in the spirit of Christian love.

On 28 August, 2024, Metropolitan Ilarion II (Rudnyk) was received by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

On the official presidential web-site, a report was posted in which it was stated that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with representatives of the Ecumenical Patriarchate :

"President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with a delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate: Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, Archbishop Ilarion of Winnipeg, Metropolitan Job of Pisidia, Patriarchal Deacon Epiphanius, and the Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarch in Ukraine, Bishop Michael.

"The Head of State thanked the representatives of the Orthodox Church of Constantinople and His All-Holiness Bartholomew for their prayers for Ukraine and Ukrainians.

"The President noted that the state is doing everything possible to overcome the challenges facing the Church in Ukraine.

"'It is clear that these are not overnight challenges, and they have not appeared today. For our part, we will do everything to ensure that there is true stability and peace in this area as well. This is extremely important for us", Volodymyr Zelenskyy added.

"'Representatives of the Ecumenical Patriarchate assured that the Church and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will continue praying for Ukraine and supporting it.

'For just peace to prevail in the Ukrainian land. And for peace to prevail also in Ukrainian Orthodoxy. Our mission here is to reaffirm our love and support. And that we are together with you, that we will cooperate in all these issues for the benefit of the Ukrainian people', Archbishop Ilarion said.

The President recalled that Ukraine is looking forward to the visit of His All-Holiness and stressed that it is of great importance for our country".

— Bishop of Telmessos 2005-2008. Preceded by : ___. Succeeded by : ___.

— Vicar-Bishop to Metropolitan Epiphanios (Perialas) of Spain and Portugal 2005-2008.

— Bishop of Edmonton and Western Canada 2008-2022. Preceded by : Archbishop John (Stinka). Succeeded by : ___.

— Archbishop of Winnipeg, Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada 2022-____. Preceded by : Metropolitan Yurij (Kalistchuk). Succeeded by : ____.

Reflections

Awards :

On 5 January, 2019, in Istanbul, an official reception followed the signing the Tomos of autocephaly of the "Orthodox Church of Ukraine" by Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis). At that time, the President of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, presented Bishop Ilarion (Rudnyk) of Edmonton and the Western Eparchy (of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarch in Ukraine) with the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, 5th degree. According to the citation, Vladyka Ilarion was given this award for his "outstanding activities aimed at strengthening the authority of Orthodoxy in the world, the establishment of the ideals of spirituality and charity, a significant personal contribution to the development of the autocephalous local Orthodox Church of Ukraine".

References

Ukrainian Wikipedia biography

Encyclopedia of Modern Ukraine biography

Ecumenical Patriarchate biography (in Greek)

UOCC biography

Orthodoxwiki biography

Wikipedia biography

Russian Wikipedia biography

Drevo Encyclopaedia biography

Wikideck biography

Additional information :

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 (UOCC)" (about the 1990 Eucharistic Union, see pp. 30-32).

Yuzyk, Paul, “The Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada, 1918–1951” (Ottawa : University of Ottawa Press, 1981). ISBN 10 : 2760309274 ; ISBN 13 : 978-2760309272.

Orthodoxwiki article about the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada web-site

Wikipedia article about the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada

Orthodoxwiki article about the Church of Constantinople

Short History of the UOCC

Eastern Eparchy History of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada

Wikipedia article about the Western Eparchy of the UOCC

Wikipedia article about the Central Eparchy of the UOCC

Wikipedia article about the Eastern Eparchy of the UOCC

Wikipedia article about Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis)

Wikipedia article about Metropolitan Panteleimon (Kontoyiannis)

Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis)