The weekend was filled with inspiring an informative reporting related to the work of the UCC over the last three-year term and opportunities for valuable exchange of ideas and experiences which will assist organized work of Ukrainian community organizations across Canada. Metropolitan Ilarion participated in the congress opening ceremonies and offered prayer and called upon God’s blessing on the congress. His Eminence and Fr. Cornell, along with numerous faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada who attended as delegates on behalf of a variety of community organizations, attended plenary and workshop sessions throughout the congress. Over the course of the weekend, the congress was honoured with visits from various dignitaries, representing all levels of Canadian government, and official representatives of Ukraine; this included keynote addresses from Special Representative to Ukraine the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs the Honourable Anita Anand and Lt. General the Honourable Roméo Dallaire. His Grace Bishop Andriy of Toronto joined the congress at the awards banquet on Saturday evening, closing the banquet with a prayer and blessing. On Sunday morning, the last day of the congress, Fr. Cornell was joined by Fr. Dr. Alexander Laschuk, of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, for a Moleben’, during which specials petitions were offered for the much-suffering people of Ukraine and for the end of the war and the restoration of a just and lasting peace.

Please see photos below: