The Primate of the UOCC, His Eminence Metropolitan Ilarion, visited Ontario from late September to early October.  During this visit to Ontario he had many meetings with the clergy of the UOCC and other jurisdictions, with the faithful of our Church, with diplomatic dignitaries of Ukraine, and with representatives of Canadian Ukrainian organizations.

In Ottawa, on October 3, 2022, His Eminence Metropolitan Ilarion served a Litia atthe grave of Rev. Fr. Archpriest Ihor +Okhrimtchouk, of blessed memory, long timeDean of the Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral of The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin in Ottawa and attended a dinner with Dobrodiyka Jennifer Okhrimtchouk at the residence of the Fr. Taras Kinash, where he expressed words of archpastoral care and support to the family of Dobrodiyka Okhrimtchouk.  

His Eminence also met with representatives of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress in Ottawa, with Ihor Michalchyshyn, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Executive Director of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress and  CassianSoltylkevych, National Secretary of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress. Discussion centered on the challenges that face theUkrainian Canadian community due to the war in Ukraine in regards to helping Ukraine and also helping displaced persons from Ukraine in Canada, the importance of spiritual care by the UOCC for refugees from Ukraine in Canada, the upcoming 27th Triennial Congress of the UCC to be held in Winnipeg on October 28-30, 2022,and other issues.  

In Ottawa, on October 4, 2022, the Primate of UOCC met with the Honorable Yuliia Kovaliv, Ambassador of Ukraine to Canada and First Secretary of the Ukraine Embassy, Oksana Kyzyma.  The Ambassador warmly greeted His Eminence Metropolitan Ilarion and extended best wishes to him for success in his new duties as spiritual leader of Orthodox Ukrainians in Canada. They also discussed the unique role of the UOCC in providing spiritual and humanitarian aid for displaced persons from Ukraine in Canada, the challenges of Ukrainian Orthodoxy in Ukraine and worldwide, and the special role of the Ukrainian Canadian community in the diaspora. Additionally, theydiscussed the significant support that Canada has extended to Ukraine in response to the Russian aggression against Ukraine, and the heroic defence of the Ukrainian nation. The conversation concluded with thoughtful contemplation on other issues of mutual interest and future cooperation. The meeting atmosphere was pleasant and genuine throughout its duration.

Please see photo below: