Protopresbyter Oleg Alexander and Dobrodijka Maria (born Sup) Krawchenko

Protopresbyter Oleg Alexander Krawchenko (1935-2024)

and

Dobrodijka Maria (born Sup) Krawchenko (19__-20__ )

Oleg may be spelt Oleh.

Early life of Oleg Krawchenko

In 1935, Oleg Alexander Krawchenko was born to Antonina and Alexander Krawchenko in Iuzovka (presently Donetsk) in the Donbas region of Ukraine. He was baptised and raised in an Orthodox Christian family, and he was formed in the bosom of the Orthodox Church.

Oleg was the eldest of 3 children. With the outbreak of World War II (the Great Patriotic War), the family left their Ukrainian home city of Berdiansk (by the Sea of Azov). After several years of nomadic life, and movement towards the west, they found themselves in 1946 in a refugee camp in West Germany. Until this time, Oleg was tutored at home (as were his siblings by Alexander Krawchenko).

There, Oleg began at last his formal education. In 1948, the family moved to France, where once again Oleg had to learn a new language, and re-learn the basics in French. He received a full scholarship from the French government to attend a technical high school (in Forestry) ; but a year before graduation, his education was interrupted when his family emigrated to Canada. Alexander Krawchenko had preceded the family in emigration, and he had prepared the way for them.

Emigration to Canada, 1951

In 1951 Oleg Alexander, together with the rest of his family, joined his father in Canada. They settled in Montréal, Québec, where their knowledge of the French language made their adjustment to their new homeland much easier. It was in Montréal that Oleg completed his high school education.

Higher education

In 1952, Oleg Alexander enrolled in Saint Andrew’s College in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in its Faculty of Theology. Thus began an academic relationship with Saint Andrew’s that would span more than 60 years.

In 1956, Oleg Alexander graduated with a Licentiate in Theology ; and immediately, he enrolled in the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Montréal. There, he completed the his Bachelor of Philosophy degree “magna cum laude”, in 1958. Parallel to the above-mentioned programme, he was also taking courses in [Slavic studies] at the same university.

Marriage, 1959

In the summer of 1959, Oleg was crowned in Holy Matrimony with Maria Sup of Montréal (daughter of Harry and Emilia Sup).

Ordinations, 1959

On 9 August, 1959,Oleg Alexander Krawchenko was ordained to the Holy Diaconate at Saint George’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Dauphin, Manitoba, by Metropolitan Ilarion (Ohienko), First Hierarch of the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada.

On 16 August, 1959, Deacon Oleg Krawchenko was ordained to the Holy Priesthood at Saint Mary the Protectress Sobor in Winnipeg, Manitoba, by Metropolitan Ilarion (Ohienko).

Pastoral service

Ontario

Priest Oleg Krawchenko and his young bride Dobrodijka Maria moved to Fort Frances, Ontario, where he served the communities of Atikokan, Rainy River, and Fort Frances. They served there from September, 1959 until June, 1961.

Québec

In 1961, they returned to Montréal, where Father Oleg continued his programme in Slavic Studies at the University of Montréal. Father Oleg was granted a leave-of-absence for study, which extended from June, 1961, until September, 1964. During this time, he was attached to Saint Sophie Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Montréal.

Saskatchewan

In 1964, Father Oleg was assigned to serve in the North Battleford Mission District in Saskatchewan. There, he served several communities, including Glaslyn, Meadow Lake, Hatherleigh, Witkow, Cando, Biggar, and North Battleford. He served in this region from September, 1964, until August, 1966.

In 1965, Metropolitan Ilarion (Ohienko) gave Father Oleg Krawchienko the right to wear the purple skufia.

Petro Mohyla Institute ; All Saints Church, Saskatoon

In 1966, Father Oleg Krawchenko and his family were transferred once again, this time to [Saskatoon], Saskatchewan. There, Father Oleg was assigned to serve as Rector of the [Petro Mohyla Institute]. During his tenure, Father Oleg started to hold regular Sunday Services in the chapel of the Institute. He supplemented this with periodic religious classes for both students and the mission community. Regular Divine services took place at the chapel of the institute (because it was conveniently available), and conversations began about how and where to establish this mission as a second parish in the city. These actions provided the early genesis for the establishment of [All Saints Ukrainian Orthodox Church Parish] in Saskatoon.

Father Oleg served as Rector and [Chaplain] of the Mohyla Institute from September, 1966, until June, 1967.

Then Father Oleg was enrolled at the [University of Saskatchewan], in the College of [Graduate Studies]. His studies were guided by the well-known professor, Dr. C H Andrusyshen.

In May, 1968, Metropolitan Ilarion (Ohienko) gave Father Oleg Krawchenko the right to wear the purple kamilavka.

In 1969, he completed his studies, and he received the [Master of Arts] degree in Slavic Studies. In doing so, he became the first M.A. graduate in Slavic Studies from this university.

Meanwhile, Father Oleg began to serve as an instructor in Slavic Studies at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon.

Following his departure from the Petro Mohyla Institute, Father Oleg continued as an instructor at the university, and he served as a priest in such rural communities as [Vonda], [Smuts], [Meacham], [Kindersley], and [Prelate] in Saskatchewan, and in the community of [Oyen], [Alberta]. In addition, he continued in active involvement with youth and young adult ministry, by serving as a chaplain of “[CYMK]” (Canadian Ukrainian Youth Association) National Executive in Saskatoon and editor of the periodical “SUMKivetz”.

During this period of time, Father Oleg served in parishes of the Saskatoon Rural District from August, 1967, until July, 1971.

In 1971, Father Oleg moved with his family to [Regina], [Saskatchewan], in order to teach. He continued his career as a lecturer in the Department of [German] and Slavic Studies at the [Regina campus] of the [University of Saskatchewan] (now the [University of Regina]). At the same time, he served the parishes of [Moose Jaw] and [Candiac], Saskatchewan.

Father Oleg Krawchenko served there from July, 1971, until 1973. Meanwhile, he served the parishes in Moose Jaw and Candiac from September, 1972, until July, 1973.

Move to Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Saint Andrew’s College

At the invitation of both the Board of Directors of Saint Andrew’s College and the Consistory of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, Father Oleg and his family moved to Winnipeg in order to assume the position of Assistant Professor in Theology and Ukrainian.

On 7 January, 1973, Archbishop/Metropolitan Michael (Khoroshy) awarded Father Oleg Krawchenko the right to wear the Golden Cross.

In the autumn of 1973, Father Oleg was appointed [Dean] of [Arts] (Humanities), with his duties being expanded in 1974 to include the Deanship of the Faculty of [Theology]. Thus, he became Dean of Studies (Arts and Theology).

Father Oleg Krawchenko served as Assistant Professor (Ukrainian and Theology), Dean of Studies (Arts and Theology) and Chaplain from July, 1973, until 1981.

At this time, a much greater task was put before him – that of organising an Arts (Humanities) Faculty, and re-organising the existing Theology courses at Saint Andrew’s, in order to bring them to standards required for affiliation of Saint Andrew’s College with the [University of Manitoba].

This was an enormous challenge, and one which he fulfilled with unflagging determination. The University of Manitoba required that Saint Andrew’s provide appropriate Arts courses – but not to duplicate the courses already taught in the Department of Slavic Studies or any other of the university’s departments. Saint Andrew’s was to recruit appropriately qualified instructors for all courses, again in order to meet university-level requirements. In addition, the theological courses already taught were to be adjusted to this new reality. All this was done.

In 1977, Metropolitan Andrew (Metiuk) elevated Priest Oleg Krawchenko to the dignity of [archpriest].

In 1980, Metropolitan Andrew (Metiuk) awarded Archpriest Oleg Krawchenko with the right to wear the Jewelled Pectoral Cross.

By 1980, Saint Andrew’s College was offering 17 courses in 7 different areas of study in the Humanities : language, literature, religion, history, geography, political science, and fine arts.

In January 1981, under his leadership, Saint Andrew’s College signed an Agreement of Affiliation with the University of Manitoba, based on its accredited Arts programs, which was formally organised into the [Centre for Ukrainian Canadian Studies], a teaching unit of the University of Manitoba. Father Oleg Krawchenko held the directorship of the Centre until January, 1982.

Then Father Oleg turned his energies to revising the programme of studies in the Faculty of Theology, the better to reflect the necessary higher academic standards. This reform was completed in 1982, and the College began to follow the theological teaching curriculum of other reputable theological institutions throughout North America, most of which were officially recognised within the Association of Theological Schools.

In 1981, Father Oleg was promoted to the status of Associate Professor in Theology, and he served as Rector of the College and Chaplain. In 1983, he was given the status of tenured professor in the Faculty of Theology. He served in this capacity until 1985.

During this period, from 1984 until 1987, he served several parish communities in the Winnipeg Rural District, and in Northern Manitoba, namely : Dufrost, Beausejour, Sandhill, Tyndall, Poplar Park], Stead, East Selkirk, Gonor, Pleasant Home, Portage la Prairie, [Poplarfield], Ledwyn, The Pas, Flin Flon, and Thompson.

In 1984, Father Oleg Krawchenko received the degree Master of Divinity (M.Div.) from Saint Andrew’s College, University of Manitoba (which it was now able to grant).

In 1985, Father Oleg Krawchenko was elected to the Board of the Consistory of the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada, and he became secretary of the Presidium which lasted for 2 consecutive 5-year terms.

In 1986 he was, finally, granted a year’s sabbatical in order to work on his Ph.D. at the Ukrainian Free University in Munich, Germany. He completed the doctoral programme in 1993, with a thesis about the Ukrainian philosopher, Hryhoriy Skovoroda.

In 1987, Metropolitan Wasyly (Fedak) presented Archpriest Oleg Krawchenko with a Metropolitan’s Gramota (certificate with blessing).

In 1988, Metropolitan Wasyly (Fedak) awarded Archpriest Oleg Krawchenko the right to wear a mitre.

In 1993, Father Oleg Krawchenko received the degree Doctor of Philosophy at the Ukrainian Free University, Munich, Germany.

Father Oleg returned from the sabbatical to the College in 1987, and to the post of Associate Professor of Dogmatic Theology and Canon Law. He also taught such courses as Holy Scriptures, Ethics, Patristics, and Comparative Theology, as well as Church Slavonic, Ukrainian Polemical Literature, and Major Thinkers in the Eastern Christian Tradition. He continued, with his widowed father, the newly-ordained Priest Alexander Krawchenko, as the College Chaplain.

In addition, he served as priest-in-charge of the Vita District. He served such communities as Dufrost, Sarto, Rosa, Senkiw, Tolstoi, Gardenton, Vita, Sundown, Sirko, Arbakka, and also Pembina, North Dakota, USA.

In 1990 Father Oleg was relieved of these responsibilities, and he was assigned to serve All Saints UOCC Parish in Transcona, Winnipeg.

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.

Further pastoral responsibilities

Chancellor of the Presidium of the UOCC, 1995-2000

Archpriest Oleg Krawchenko was elected Chairperson of the Presidium of the Consistory (Chancellor) of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada in 1995.

In 1995, Archpriest Oleg Krawchenko was attached to [Holy Trinity Metropolitan Cathedral] in Winnipeg.

During his 5-year tenure, he embraced a wide programme of transparency in the office : he strengthened the Consistory’s communications strategy ; he provided the finance committee and treasurer with a strong position on financial responsibility and orderliness. Included in this was the fulfilment of the 1995 UOCC Sobor resolutions ; preparation for the Second Millennium of Christianity (2000), the celebration of the end of the second millennium of the Incarnation of the Word of God ; and assistance with the strong mandate for the strategic planning committee, and its final document – “Vision 2000”. In addition, a great amount of computerisation of the central administration was undetaken at this time.

Father Krawchenko maintained excellent contacts on church relations within Canada, the United States, and other international churches.

On 1 March, 1999, Metropolitan Wasyly (Fedak) elevated Mitred Archpriest Oleg Krawchenko to the dignity of protopresbyter.

In 2000, Archpriest Oleg Krawchenko returned to Saint Andrew’s College as a full-time professor of Theology, and as occasional lecturer at the Centre for Ukrainian Canadian Studies.

Retirement, 2004

Although Father Oleg Krawchenko retired officially in 2004, he continued to teach sessionally in the Faculty of Theology. He continued to serve parishes at the same time, and last of all Saint Nicholas Church, Gonor.

By this time, Father Oleg had served in almost all the Ukrainian Orthodox parishes in Manitoba, and many of the parishes in Saskatoon.

In 2013, Metropolitan Yurij (Kalistchuk) awarded Protopresbyter Oleg Krawchenko with the right to wear a second Jewelled Cross.

During the following years, Father Oleg’s health began to weaken steadily.

Repose, 2024

On 13 May, 2024, Protopresbyter Oleg Krawchenko [fell asleep in the Lord] in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Memorial Services (Panikhidas) were served for Father Oleg during the following days.

On Friday, 17 May, 2024, at 7:00 p.m., the first part of the Funeral Service for the Burial of a Priest was offered at Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral in Winnipeg. The service was officiated by 7 priests and 3 deacons. Archpriest Taras Udod gave a eulogy afterwards.

On Saturday, 18 May, 2024, at 9:30 a.m., the Memorial Divine Liturgy was served by the same clergy at Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral in Winnipeg. This was followed by the conclusion of the Funeral Service for the Burial of a Priest. Archpriest Eugene Maximiuk preached a homily.

Both services were live-streamed via the Cathedral’s Facebook page, and YouTube Channel.

Following the funeral obsequies, the body of Protopresbyter Oleg Krawchenko was taken to Glen Eden Memorial Gardens (4477, Main Street, West Saint Paul, Manitoba]) for interment. The funeral arrangements were entrusted to Cropo Funeral Home of Winnipeg.

Father Ooleg Krawchenko was survived by his wife of 65 years Dobrodijka Maria ; his 5 children : Olenka Krawchenko (Rick Mantey), The Honourable Mr. Justice John O Krawchenko (Iris), Natalka Mayba (Dr. John Mayba), Lesia Kruk (Yury), Nadia Krawchenko-Chaput (Deacon Tom Chaput) ; 14 grandchildren : Mark Shawarsky (Mika), Dr. Adriana Shawarsky (Dr. Mark Nassar), Augustine Krawchenko (Christian Zelewski), Dominique Krawchenko (Aaron Baker), Sebastian Krawchenko (Amelia Wat), Dr. Julia Mayba, Katherine Mayba, Dr. Andrew Mayba (Anna), Alexander Mayba, Mykola, Danylo and Halyna Kruk, and Tamara and Oksana Chaput ; and 5 great-grandchildren : Matthew and Melania Shawarsky, Rhodes Baker, and Charles and Henry Nassar.

Father Oleg Krawchenko was also survived by his sister Ludmilla Weaver (Dr. John Weaver) of Victoria, British Columbia, and by his brother Dr. Bohdan Krawchenko (Cholpon Nogolbaeva) of Kyrgyzstan. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law Val Kolsun of Victoria, British Columbia ; Lucy Sup of Montréal, Québec ; Helena Parada of Los Angeles, California, and his brother-in-law Johnny Sup of Montréal, Québec ;and numerous nieces and nephews.

Father Oleg was predeceased by his parents Priest Alexander and Dobrodijka Antonina Krawchenko, by his parents-in-law Mr. and Mrs. Harry and Emilia Sup, brothers-in-law Mike Kolsun, Daniel Sup, and Daniel Parada ; sister-in-law Pauline Bourassa-Sup and nephew Michael Parada.

Reflections

During his 60 years as a priest in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, and his 40 years of professorial vocation and pastoral service at Saint Andrew’s College, Father Oleg Krawchenko was a central actor in this institution’s history. For these and very many other accomplishments throughout his career, he gave thanks to God that the Lord had blessed him with many gifts, and that he had received the Lord’s Grace, teachings, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit throughout his life.

Father Oleg Krawchenko was a member of many organisations, including being a founding member of the Saint Andrew’s College Foundation ; a long-time member of the Order of Saint Andrew ; of the Ukrainian Self-Reliance League of Canada (CYC), including TYC. He served as Chaplain for Plast Ukrainian Youth Association of Manitoba. He was a member of the Ukrainian Academy of Arts and Sciences – UVAN (YBAH) where he was a long-time president, general-secretary and the UVAN representative to the national board of directors of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress ; a member of the Canadian Association of Slavists, of the Orthodox Theological Society in America, and of the Canadian Association of Eastern Christian Studies.

Father Krawchenko was the author of more than 40 major studies on cultural, religious, philosophical, and other related themes, published in English, Ukrainian, and French. He also participated and presented in numerous conferences in Canada, the USA, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, France, England, Italy, Turkey, Ukraine, Brazil, and Australia.

Father Oleg Krawchenko received all the awards of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada that can be given to a priest.

In addition, he was awarded the “Shevchenko Medal” by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress for his outstanding higher education leadership ; and the “CYC Merit Award” by the Ukrainian Self Reliance League of Canada for his dedicated and outstanding community work.

As a priest, professor, “Tato” (father), “Dido” (grandfather), or in a friendly chat, Father Oleg Krawchenko always stressed the importance of higher education in a person’s life. He would use his own life story as an example of what can be accomplished by faith in God, and confidence in oneself in order to make a better and fulfilling life.

It was never lost on him the important decision he made in 1951 when he began preparing for the Holy Priesthood : that he was answering the call of his Lord to deny himself, to take up His Cross, and to follow Him. As he reminded his brothers in the priesthood, “While the foremost important factor to considering the calling of the priesthood is LOVE – love of God and His People – a pastor also is called to be a leader, and a teacher. His instrument is the word, and of utmost importance is the ability to communicate well and knowledgeably. Thus, higher education and greater intellectual development are not simply desirable but, indeed, most necessary”.