Victoria BC Saint George Ukrainian Orthodox Church 1957

Victoria, British Columbia, Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Saint George, 1957

Founding the parish, 1957

The Ukrainian Orthodox Christians living in the City of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, and the surrounding area (at the south end of Vancouver Island) wanted a spiritual home, and an active connection with their Faith.

On 1 December, 1957, the parish of Saint George was formed by 9 families living in the Victoria area.

The first Divine Liturgy was celebrated on 9 February, 1958, in a chapel of Christ Church Anglican Cathedral. Father A Kostiuk travelled from Surrey, British Columbia, to lead this service.

First Temple, 1960

In April, 1960, the parish purchased the property located at 1842, Oak Bay Avenue (now an apartment block). This building was used continuously as the spiritual home for the parish of Saint George until a fire in September, 1973. For the next 4 years after this, the parish held services at Saint Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, until a new site was found and acquired.

Next Temple, 1978

On 7 January, 1978, Father Michael Sokyrka served the first Divine Liturgy at the present location (at 1100, Colville Road) in Esquimalt. Esquimalt is situated immediately to the west of the City of Victoria, and it is "home" to the Canadian Navy Pacific Fleet.

Since that time, Saint George Ukrainian Orthodox Church has continued to serve the spiritual needs of its faithful. Trusting in God’s continuing presence and blessing on this community, the parishioners have been looking forward with hope, confidence and determination.

Temple interior

Re-naming of the UGOCC, 1990

In 1990, the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada was officially renamed “The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada” (UOCC) by an Act of the Parliament of Canada.

The UOCC entered into Eucharistic union with the Patriarchate of Constantinople, 1990

In 1990, the 18th Sobor of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada in Winnipeg, Manitoba, decided to enter into Eucharistic Union with the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople (Istanbul). This decision also changed the relationship with the other Orthodox dioceses and parishes in Canada in a positive way.

More parish activity

During the ensuing years, many important changes occurred. One of these was the appointment of the first resident pastor in 1991, who was the Priest Orest Hudyma.

The enthusiasm which this engendered continued throughout the pastorate of his successor, the Priest Roman Szewczyk in 1994.

75th anniversary of the UOCC, 1993

In 1993, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada celebrated the 75th anniversary of its foundation.

In addition, the Ukrainian Women's Association of Canada (Olha Kobylianska branch) marked its 60th anniversary.

In March, 2007, in the parish of Saint George, the emphasis on the Orthodox Christian Faith continued with the arrival of the Priest Charles Baxter. The involvement of this parish with other Orthodox communities and nationalities has continually increased, and this has strengthened and enriched everyone.

Extraordinary Sobor in Saskatoon, 2008 (90th Anniversary of the UOCC)

In 2008, an extraordinary assembly (sobor) of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada was convened at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. At this assembly (sobor), 2 bishops were elected to serve the UOCC.

Bishop Ilarion (Rudnyk) was elected to become Bishop of Edmonton and the Western Eparchy.

Bishop Andriy (Peshko) was elected to become Bishop of Saskatoon, and Vicar-Bishop to the metropolitan (Metropolitan John (Stinka)) in the Central Eparchy.

During this anniversary year, Professor Roman Yereniuk of Winnipeg, Manitoba, published a special book "On the Occasion of the 90th Anniversary of the Church (1918-2008)".

Priest Peter Haugen, 2009

In September, 2009, the Priest Peter Haugen and Dobrodijka Erin arrived to continue to provide spiritual leadership for the Orthodox faithful of Vancouver Island, in conjunction with this community’s sister parish, Saint Mary Protectress, in Parksville, British Columbia. Together, the communities support smaller groupings in other towns on the island.

Then Priest Peter Haugen was transferred, and assigned to Saint Elias Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Bonnyville, Alberta.

From the time of his arrival, Priest Chad Pawlyshyn lived in Nanaimo, and he divided his time between the 2 major communities on Vancouver Island (as well as caring for the smaller groups).

In 2017, the Priest Chad Pawlyshyn was transferred and assigned to Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Kelowna, British Columbia.

Centennial of the UOCC, 2018

In 2018, the 100th anniversary of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada and also of Holy Trinity Cathedral were marked at an extraordinary sobor (assembly) at the cathedral in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

The purpose of the sobor was to celebrate 100 years of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada. The celebrations were attended by Ukrainian Orthodox faithful from across Canada and beyond.

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.

Centennial Clergy 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.

The celebrations continued for a year.

2020-2021 Coronavirus-19 virus restrictions on parishes

In early 2020, the Covid-19 virus made its appearance in Canada, and it quickly became a world-wide pandemic. Because of the rules governing gatherings that were laid down by the provincial and city governments, the parish stopped any further services after 8 March, 2020. Including the rules regarding social distancing, the decreasing numbers permitted for any gathering, and the considerations regarding the health of all concerned, this and other parishes were required to close for a time.

As elsewhere, there was some controversy about the legal requirements.

Election of Metropolitan Ilarion (Rudnyk), 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 first confirmation of the election in June, 2022. He co-served the Divine Liturgy with Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis) in the Cathedral of Saint George at the Phanar.

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

On Saturday, 19 November, 2022, at 9:30 a.m., in Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the Enthronement Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was served. Metropolitan Ilarion (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.

Metropolitan Ilarion (Rudnyk) at the Phanar, Istanbul, 2023

On Sunday, 2 July, 2023, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis) was present and praying during the Divine Liturgy at Saint George's Cathedral in the Patriarchate compound. He gave the blessing that Metropolitan Ilarion (Rudnyk) preside ("horostasia") over the Divine Liturgy. Metropolitan Job (Getcha) of Pisidia, Bishop Athenagoras (Ziliaskopoulos) of Nazianzos, and the Honourable Roman Nedilskyi, General Consul of Ukraine in Constantinople were also present and praying with the congregation of the Faithful.

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.

Saint George's Orthodox Church, Victoria

Particular parish information

This parish is part of the Vancouver Island Parish Region of the Western Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada. The bishop of the eparchy is Metropolitan Ilarion II (Rudnyk).

The Altar Feast-day of this parish is the Feast of the Great-Martyr George the Victory-Bearer, 23 April/6 May.

This parish follows the Old (Julian) Calendar.

In 2024, the parish is served by Priest Mykhaylo Pozdyk.

Address :

Saint George Ukrainian Orthodox Parish

1100, Colville Road

Victoria, British Columbia

V9A 4P7

Telephone : 250-381-1352

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Directions :

Victoria, British Columbia, is situated on Vancouver Island.

It is approached by air at Victoria International Aeroport.

It is approached by sea with BCFerries from Vancouver ; with FRS Clipper from Seattle, Washington, USA ; or with Black Ball Ferry from Port Angeles, Washington.

From northeasterly parts of Vancouver Island, Victoria is approached by road with the BC/Transcanada Highway #1 (between Nanaimo and Victoria) and BC Highway #19 (North of Nanaimo).

From westerly parts of Vancouver Island, Victoria is approached by the West Island (Sooke) Highway #14.

By car :

From North and West :

Take the Trans-Canada Highway #1 towards downtown Victoria. At the turn signal for Tillicum Road (where there is a Chevron gasoline station), turn right. Staying in the right lane, follow Tillicum Road past a shopping centre and over the Gorge Bridge. After passing through the traffic signal at Craigflower Road, follow the sign for Colville Road and turn right. The Temple of Saint George is .5 km (.3 mi) ahead on Tillicum Road on the right.

From downtown Victoria :

Take the Johnson Street Bridge and follow Esquimalt Road to Head Street.

At this corner, turn right. Proceed straight ahead at the next signal. Head Street now becomes Lampson Street. Pass over the railway tracks, and then turn left onto Colville Road. The Temple is .5 km (.3 mi) on the right.

Priest Mykhaylo Pozdyk

Telephone : (604) 585-8316

Telephone : (604) 581-2768

E-mail : familymzdd@shaw.ca

References

A Brief History of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada

Bogdan, Forwin, compiler, “Memory Bank of Ukrainians in British Columbia, 1979-1984” (pp. 30, 60, & 70).

Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada parish listing

Parish brochure

Yereniuk, Professor Roman, “Short Historical Outline of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada” (UOCC)

Additional information :

“Collection of Material Relating to the 50th Anniversary of the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada, 1918-1968” (Winnipeg : Consistory of the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada, 1968).

Martynowych, Orest T. “Ukrainians in Canada : The Formative Period, 1891-1924” (Edmonton : Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies, University of Alberta, 1991. ISBN10 : 0920862764. ISBN13 : 978-0920862766.

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.

Yereniuk, Prof. Roman, “A Short Historical Outline of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada (UOCC)”

Yuzik, Paul, “The Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada, 1918-1951” (Ottawa, ON : University of Ottawa Press, 1981).

Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Saint George, Victoria, BC parish listing

Western Eparchy of the UOCC web-site

Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada

Wikipedia article about the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada

Church of Constantinople web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about the Church of Constantinople

Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis)

Metropolitan John (Theodorovych)

Metropolitan Ilarion I (Ohienko)

Metropolitan Michael (Khoroshy)

Metropolitan Andrew (Metiuk)

Metropolitan Wasyly (Fedak)

Metropolitan John (Stinka)

Metropolitan Yurij (Kalistchuk)

Metropolitan Ilarion II (Rudnyk)

Archbishop Job (Getcha)

Bishop Andriy (Peshko)

Internet Encyclopaedia of Ukraine article about the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada

Ukrainian-Canadian Cultural Centre of Vancouver Island

Canadian Encyclopaedia article about Ukrainian Canadians

Wikipedia article about Ukrainian Canadians

Wikipedia article about the Ukrainian Diaspora

Ukrainian Immigration to Canada

Orthodoxwiki list of Orthodox parishes in British Columbia

Canadian Ukrainian Youth Association : Alberta & British Columbia Branches 1931-1988

Video : 100th anniversary of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada (2018)

Greetings from Bishop Ilarion (Rudnyk) elected as Locums Tenens (28 July, 2021)

“Ukrainian Weekly” article : Metropolitan Yuriy (Kalistchuk) retires ; Bishop Ilarion (Rudnyk) named Locum Tenens of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada (11 July, 2022)

Greetings from His All-Holiness Bartholomew, Archbishop of Constantinople-New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch to the new Metropolitan of Winnipeg, Ilarion during the ceremony of the Lesser Proclamation (29 August, 2022)

Enthronement of Bishop Ilarion (Rudnyk) as Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada (19 November, 2022)

Enthronement of Bishop Ilarion (Rudnyk) as Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada (19 November, 2022)

Metropolitan Ilarion celebrated the first Sunday after Pentecost, the Sunday of All Saints (11 June, 2023)

Metropolitan Ilarion (Rudnyk) at the Phanar in the Ecumenical Patriarchate (2 July, 2023)

Metropolitan Ilarion (Rudnyk) announces Change of Calendar (1 December, 2023)