Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada
Óêðà¿íñüêà Ïðàâîñëàâíà Öåðêâà â Êàíàä³
L'Église orthodoxe ukrainienne du Canada
Updates from
The 22nd Sobor of the UOCC
Continue to UOCC.ca website
Today's Schedule
Get the full schedule on the Sobor page
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Updates
- Communique for the Youth Program is now available! Click Here
- Communique for Day 7 (July 18) is now available! Click Here
- Communique for Day 6 (July 17) is now available! Click Here
- Day 6 Update (5:30): On Saturday, July 17, 2010 the day with the Liturgy celebrated by the clergy
of the Western Eparchy.
After the Singing of "Heavenly King", Fr. Gregory Mielnik explained the
voting procedure for the Consistory Board Members. The Ballots were
distributed for the vote. Following this the second ballot for the other
committees was distributed. The vote took place and the Scrutineers left to
count to ballots.
While the counting took place, His Eminence Archbishop Yurij, gave a further
clarification on the ramifications of the Chambesy Dialogue between the
Autocephalous Churches of the Orthodox World. It helped to clarify a lot of
questions and misconceptions.
The Sobor then went into a Plenary session to begin the discussion of the
Resolutions.
The announcement was made for the First Ballot of Voting for the Eparchial
Representatives to the Consistory Board:
Eastern:
• Fr. Volodymyr Kouchnir
• Fr. Ihor Okhrimtchouk
• Victor Hetmaczuk
• Dr. Peter M. Kondra
Central:
• Fr. Oleg Krawchenko
• Fr. Taras Udod
• Vasyl' Balan
• Vera Senchuk
Western:
• Fr. Georg Podtepa
• Fr. Cornell Zubritsky
• Stephania Luciuk
• Donna Reed
With this announcement the Second Ballot for the Members at Large on the
Consistory Board was distributed to the delegates.
The Sobor resumed its Resolutions Session and continued to discuss the
various resolutions officially presented and presented from the floor to the
Sobor. The Resolutions session was finished very successfully. This
brought the official business of the Sobor to a conclusion.
The Chairperson allowed Fr. Volodymyr Kouchnir to speak about a Museum in
Chernivtsi, Ukraine called "Diaspora". The stated that the UOCC is not
represented on the in this Museum. He proposed a committee be chosen by the
Sobor to choose materials to be sent over to create a display. The matter
will be moved to the Consistory for consideration and completion.
Speakers then rose to thank the Sobor Committee for their work; called for
support of the Missions; a call to be familiar with sections 15, 16 and 17
of the Bylaws and other matters of general interest.
The Sobor heard a presentation from Mr. Steve Senyk, president of the Regina
Branch of the USRL who presented a donation for $1000 for the publication of
the Ukrainian Translation of "Encountering the Mystery". His Eminence
Metropolitan John made a personal donation of $1000 toward this project.
The Chair read greetings and blessings to the Sobor from Metropolitan
Mefodiy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Autocephalous Church on the SOBOR.
Due to a recount of the Ballots for the Members at Large of the Consistory
the Sobor was in recess till the Banquet. The Sobor participants were
afforded the extra time to prepare for Vespers and the Banquet.
- Communique for Day 5 (July 16) is now available! Click Here
Read More...
- Day 5 Update (3:09 PM): The Sobor then heard a detailed report on the Financial Statements of the UOCC for the past 5 years. Questions were answered and there was much gratitude for the extra clarifications.
The Sobor then broke out into Group sessions to discuss the Spiritual Renewal and Educational Development Resolutions. The findings were collated and presented the Resolutions Committee for final preparation to be presented to the Enlightened SOBOR.
Following the Break-out Sessions the Sobor gathered as one body to have the Annual Meeting of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada Foundation.
- Parish Sharing Report: St. Michael (Bradford, ON) has provided their presentation slides. Click to download
- Day 5 Update (11:58 AM): The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by the clergy of the Central Eparchy.
The first order of business was to ratify the Minutes of the 2008 Extraordinary Sobor. The Sobor then held the election of the Chancellor of the UOCC. Fr. Victor Lakusta was declared the winner of the Election and declared the New Chancellor of the UOCC. Fr. Gregory Mielnik then reviewed the list of candidates for the Consistory Board according to eparchy.
The Sobor then heard the presentation of the USRL/UOCC Joint Committee's work. In the area of Youth work they stated that there is a great need to promote faith education for our faith. Many delegates gave testimonials of successful youth work in their areas. The feeling left was that there is great hope, we have to be committed to its success.
- Communique for Day 4 (July 15) is now available! Click Here
- Day 4 Update (4:26 PM): Michael Horbay led off the Parish Sharing session by talking about the life of the mission parish, St. Michael's in Bradford, ON. Fr. Peter Haugen gave a presentation on the St. Mary Mission Parish in Parksville, BC. Fr. Timothy Chrapko, with Dobr. Julie and Geraldine Bruketa spoke on the life of the Holy Trinity Mission parish in Red Deer, AB. All our missions parishes are growing. These presentations were all warmly received by the delegates of the SOBOR.
- Day 4 Update (3:47 PM): Emil Yereniuk made the By-Laws Amendments presentation to the Sobor. He reviewed the decisions made regarding which Bylaws would be presented. He then reviewed the 2 By-Law amendments. They were passed.
- Day 4 Update (3:01 PM): Dr. PM Kondra made a presentation about the Clergy Development program to strengthen our clergy and renew our UOCC. The program is for the support the clergy and for the spiritual growth in the church.
The Sobor heard a presentation by Ecclesiastical Insurance, the largest insurers of ecclesiastical buildings in Canada.
Kenneth Kidd from the Orthodox Christian Mission Centre gave an outline of the mission work that Orthodox Christians are involved in around the world.
He asked for the Sobor delegates to prayerfully support the Mission Centre and its work. Volunteers are always welcome to join the Mission Teams.
- Day 4 Update (10:36 AM): The Nominating committee then reviewed the Nomination Slates. Nominations from the floor were accepted for Consistory Board, Church Tribunal, Internal Auditors and St. Andrew¹s College.
- Communique for Day 3 (July 14) is now available! Click Here
- Day 3 Update (7:43 PM): Upon reconvening after supper, the Sobor heard the report of the Acting Chancellor reviewing the past 5 years. He emphasized that we need to be a mission minded church for the future.
Bill Balan, Treasurer of the Presidium represented two reports: Audited Financial Statements 2005-2009 and Journey to Financial Stability 2010-2015.
- Day 3 Update (5:15 PM): A 5:00pm on Wednesday, July 14, 2010, after resuming the Sobor, based upon an overwhelming majority vote, the Sobor elected Archbishop Yurij as Metropolitan for the UOCC. The Assembly rose to sing 'Axios' 'He is worthy', to affirm this revelation of the Holy Spirit. His Eminence greeted the Sobor calling all to work together to move the church forward.
- Day 3 Update (3:19 PM): Sobor broke to hear Victor Malarek's powerful presentation on the subject of Human Trafficking. Senator Joy Smith introduced him. She stated that Canada has a law against human trafficking. The audio file of this presentation will be posted on our site.
- Day 3 Update (2:45 PM): The Sobor then heard the announcement of the Retirement of the Metropolitan John and the Resolutions for the election of a new Metropolitan. His Eminence Archbishop Yurij, as nominated candidate for Metropolitan, spoke to the assembly, expressing his humble willingness to accept this mantle if it is the will of SOBOR.
- Day 3 Update (1:35 PM): Divine Liturgy for the Opening of the Sobor with His Eminence Archbishop Yurij concelebrating with His Eminence Archbishop Antony, their Graces Ilarion and Andriy, with clergy who served on the Consistory Board for the past 5 years.
Sobor Session opened with the Procession of the Icon of Pochaiv. The Hierarchs entered to the singing of the Tropar.
- Communique for Day 2 (July 13) is now available! Click Here
- Day 2 Update (4:17 PM): His Grace Bishop Andriy addressed the clergy on the theme of pastoral
ministry based upon the teachings of St. Paul in the Letter to the
Ephesians. We are to build the church with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
The priest is the "father" to the parish and the bishop the authority for
the Church as is ordained by God. Christ does not abandon His faithful
servants. We must support each other in our ministries as much as we can.
The second theme was the Liturgical life of our church. We have various
traditions, but we must have some unity. He addressed various practices
that are good and should be continued. But if there is a question, then we
must ask the bishop for clarification. He closed by emphasizing that on the
pastoral level we must care for the youth and encourage their faith.
Bishop Ilarion talked on canonical concerns. Canons are the Law of God and
Law of Love. These are the laws of the Church. Canons are meant to guide
the life of the church in its internal structure and the world around.
Canons make us aware that we have something in our lives that is not right
and must correct ourselves. They are meant to help us to unite with God. To
be separated from the Eucharist is a grave thing in the life of the
Christian. The Eucharist is the foundation of the life of the church and
for the life of the Christian.
There is great potential for our future that we must be aware of and work
towards.
His Eminence Archbishop Yurij talked about aspects of the history of our
UOCC regarding our Eucharistic Union. There are great things in the plans
for our Orthodox Church, especially with regards to an upcoming Great
Council. He outlined the process that has undertaken regarding the decisions
of the Pre-Conciliar Councils. He spoke of the recent meetings in New York
of the Episcopal Assembly. The Assembly is to deal with only canonical and
spiritual matters. There is change coming in World Orthodoxy and we as the
UOCC must be ready to be part of the changes that are coming. Our UOCC
leadership must talk with the faithful and help them understand what is
happening in world Orthodoxy. There are many pastoral issues that need a
common answer and the Great Council will attempt to address these matters to
have a unified Orthodox voice in the world.
27 Dobrodiyky attended the Clergy Wives session. This discussion resulted
in 2 Dobrodiyky from each Eparchy volunteering to facilitate a "Clergy Wives
Committee/Association". This group will communicate, and organize in their
Eparchy. Fr. Ihor Kutash gave a lively presentation on "Clergy Wife More
than just a Title". He spoke of the various titles used and the history and
sources of the terms.
- Day 2 Update (10:37 AM): On Tuesday, July 13, clergy and faithful gathered together at the Fairmont Hotel in the Lombard Room, that has been set up as the chapel for the SOBOR. His Grace Bishop Ilarion, Bishop of Edmonton and the Western Eparchy, celebrated the Liturgy with clergy. At the conclusion of the Liturgy, His Grace gave a homily that focused on how God is love and the mission of the Apostles. How one of the youngest apostles, St. John the Theologian was one of the most faithful to Christ. He encouraged faithful gathered to embrace the ministry of the Apostles in their daily lives.
- Communique for Day 1 (July 12) is now available! Click Here
Submit items to visnyk@uocc.ca or webmaster@uocc.ca
Audio (MP3)
Click links below to play audio, or right-click the link and "Save As" or "Save Target" as to copy to your computer.
Day 6 Audio
Day 5 Audio
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Photos
Day 7 (July 18) Photos
Day 6 (July 17) Photos
Day 5 (July 16) Photos
View More...
Day 4 (July 15) Photos
Day 3 (July 14) Photos
Day 2 (July 13) Photos
Day 1 (July 12) Photos
Last Update: 7/21/2010 10:43:31 AM MST