Mitred Archpriest Euphimy Moseychuk

Mitred Archpriest Euphimy Moseychuk (1900-1983)

Yoachim may be spelt Joachim, Joakim, Jochem, Akim, Joaquin, Ioakim.

Euphimy may be spelt Euphemy, Euphymi, Euthymius, Evthymius, Evthymios, Evthymi, Efimy.

Moseychuk may be spelt Moseichuk, Mosejchuk, Mosaychuk, Moyseychuk.

Early life of Yoachim V E Moseychuk

On 20 January, 1900, Yoachim V E Moseychuk was born in a part of the Russian Empire now known as Ukraine. At present, it is unknown precisely where he was born, nor are his parents’ names known. It is known, however, that he was raised to be an Orthodox Christian in the bosom of the Russian Orthodox Church. He had at least 2 brothers and 1 sister.

Because of when he was born, he had experienced as a youth and young adult, the overthrow of the Russian Empire, the Civil War, the establishment of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the temporary independence of Ukraine (or parts thereof), and other. Because of his age, it is likely that he had been required to do military service. Thus, during his youth, he could well have had to serve thus in some capacity during the end of World War I, the time of the Russian Revolution, and the Ukrainian War of Independence.

He had lived originally in the Volyn region (which is now in Ukraine), and he had been forced to move, along with the borders. Thus, he and his family found themselves in Polish territory.

Marriage

It is evident that during the 1920s, at some time and at some place, Yoachim V E Moseychuk was married. This occurred before his emigration.

Emigration to Canada

Yoachim Moseychuk emigrated to Canada early near 1930 (or a little before). He had arrived from Poland, along with other immigrants from that country and region. Soon after the time of his arrival, he acquired the nickname "Jack".

When he emigrated from Poland, he left 2 brothers and 1 sister there.

Because of his Orthodox Christian formation, and because of his faithfulness, Yoachim was taken into the pastoral school in the Holy Ascension Monastery at Sifton, Manitoba, which had been established recently by Bishop Arseny (Chahovtsov) of Winnipeg, Manitoba.

He was listed as a married lodger living in Sifton during the 1931 Canadian Census regarding Manitoba.

Ordinations

In 1933, Bishop Arseny (Chahovtsov) ordained Yoachim V E Moseychuk to the Holy Diaconate. From that time, he used “Euphimy” as his pastoral name.

Later in the same year, Bishop Arseny (Chahovtsov) ordained Deacon Euphimy Moseychuk to the Holy Priesthood in Toronto, Ontario, at Christ the Saviour Sobor.

Pastoral service

After ordination, Priest Euphimy Moseychuk began to serve in various rural parishes in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

In Manitoba, he served parishes at Gardenton ; Vita ; Narol ; Sandy Lake ; Minitonas ; Swan River ; Sifton ; Dauphin. In Saskatchewan, he served parishes at Stenen, and at Canora.

From 1941, he began to serve the parish of Saint Nicholas, Sandy Lake, Manitoba, on a regular basis. Known for his distinctive kindness, he spoke both English and Ukrainian, and he was ready to use either language.

Furthermore, he knew the Divine Liturgy by heart in the Slavonic Language which was customarily used at that time. It was reported that the liturgical books were open in the Altar, but he never turned the pages. Some have such a gift. In addition, when someone would attend who spoke only English, he would be ready and able to give the homily in English.

Service in Winnipeg, 1947-1949

In 1947, the Archpriest Euphimy Moseychuk was the rector of Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Cathedral. Father Moseychuk officially served the cathedral parish for 2 years (although he was often present in the cathedral for many years thereafter), and he continued to live in Winnipeg until his repose.

Again, he gave pastoral care to a circuit of rural parishes in Manitoba, and he was eventually assigned to be the Dean of Manitoba and Saskatchewan. On occasion, someone might be available to take him to these very distant rural destinations ; but most of his travelling (some more than 400 km from Winnipeg) was done by bus.

He appeared also as a person of interest in a short National Film Board film about Jacob Maydanyk and a goods store “Providence Church Goods” at 710 Main Street. The film was produced near the end of his life, but before 1979.

At Providence Church Goods store

Serving with Father John Harvey, Saint John Suchavsky Church

Father Euthimy seems to have been uninhibited in some ways also. It is told that while he was attending an All-American Council one time, at a dinner between sessions of the assembly, while with others, something that was said moved him. He began to sing a lengthy Russian ballad (by heart). Some such ballads are extremely lengthy. Some people came to listen. Some other people tried with no success to make him stop. He sang the ballad to the end.

In general, Father Euthimy was highly respected and loved.

During much of his pastoral service, in addition to all his travels, Father Eufimy provided to the Archdiocese of Canada Annual Calendar book, brief written accounts of significant events in various parishes under his care, including the repose of significant persons.

In his report to the 1977 Archdiocesan Assembly, Archbishop Sylvester (Haruns) said,

 Our rural parishes in the provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta suffer from a 
 shortage of clergy.  There is one priest for 12-16 parishes.  Old missionary priests carry out their 
 obedience in difficult conditions, but they do not abandon their work. 

Vladika told how our missionary, Father Eufimy Moseychuk, on Pascha, travels around all his parishes within a radius of 300-400 miles (483-643 km) , bringing the joyful news of the Resurrection of Christ. This zealous missionary is already over 80 years old.

Vladyka Sylvester asked, “Will we find replacements for these missionaries ?”

Retirement, 1979

In 1979, Mitred Archpriest Euthimy Moseychuk retired from active service. This retirement took place after the Archdiocesan Assembly had completed its sessions in October, 1979. He was 79 years old.

In retirement, Father Euthimy continued to live in Winnipeg as before.

Repose, 1983

On Thursday, 29 September, 1983, Mitred Archpriest Y V Euthimy Moseychuk fell asleep in the Lord at the Saint Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

On Tuesday, 4 October, the Funeral Service for the Burial of a Priest was offered at 7:00 p.m. at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The service was presided by Metropolitan Vladimir (Nagosky), rector of the parish.

On Wednesday, 5 October, at 10:00 a.m., the Memorial Divine Liturgy and the final Litya (Memorial Service) were offered at Holy Trinity Cathedral. The service was presided by Metropolitan Vladimir (Nagosky), rector of the parish.

Following the completion of the funeral obsequies, the body of Mitred Archpriest Euphimy Moysechuk was interred at the Brookside Cemetery in Winnipeg.

Grave-marker

References

Findagrave reference for Mitred Archpriest Y V E Moseychuk

Additional information :

Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Archpriest Eufimy’s Service as Rector at Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church in Winnipeg, Manitoba

Monastery of the Holy Ascension 1910-1970, Sifton, Manitoba

Archbishop (Saint) Arseny (Chahovtsov)

Metropolitan Vladimir (Nagosky)

Archbishop Sylvester (Haruns)

Archdiocese of Canada (OCA)

Orthodoxwiki article about the Archdiocese of Canada (OCA)

Orthodox Church in America

Orthodoxwiki article about The Orthodox Church in America

Mitred Archpriest Eufimy Moseychuk, in OCA Diptychs

Findagrave reference for Brookside Cemetery

National Film Board of Canada production by Halya Kuchnij, “Laughter in my Soul” (Winnipeg, 1983)

Providence Church Goods Store Winnipeg

Volyn, Ukraine