OUR 75TH ANNIVERSARY
Gratitude is one of the most essential virtues we can cultivate in life — gratitude toward God, our parents, our families, our loved ones, and all those around us. Yet it is especially important to remember and honour our ancestors and mentors. For our parish community, expressing gratitude to those who laid the foundation of our Cathedral, built it through sacrifice, and nurtured its spiritual, cultural, and social life remains a sacred duty. Without their dedication, the flourishing community we cherish today would not exist.
By the grace of God, on September 28 and 29, our Parish joyfully commemorated its 75th anniversary — a remarkable milestone in our history. The celebrations, united under the theme “75 Years of Prayer, Worship, Charity, Fellowship, and Community,” unfolded over two memorable days filled with faith, fellowship, and festivity.
The first day of celebrations on Saturday, September 28, featured a Gala Banquet and silent auction, which proved to be a resounding success. The day opened with a Vespers Service at the Church, presided over by His Eminence Bishop Andriy, Bishop of Toronto and the Eastern Eparchy, who set a reverent and joyful tone for the weekend.
The Gala began with a lively cocktail hour, offering guests an opportunity to connect and socialize while enjoying the captivating tsymbaly music of Roman Tykajlo. Distinguished guests included Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, Bay Ward Councillor Theresa Kavanagh, as well as longstanding benefactors and friends of the parish. Among them were representatives from St. Volodymyr’s Cathedral in Toronto, led by Parish President Greg Blysniuk, Taras Pidzamecky, President of the Ukrainian Credit Union, and Damian Snih, President of Buduchnist Credit Union Financial Group. Numerous members of Ottawa’s Ukrainian community were also in attendance, demonstrating the strong bonds of unity across generations.
Throughout the evening, greetings were offered by Bishop Andriy; Father Dr. Yaroslav Buciora, Dean of St. Volodymyr’s Cathedral in Toronto; Andrii Bukvych, Minister-Counsellor of the Embassy of Ukraine to Canada; our Parish President Viktor Stetskevych; and Father Taras Kinash, Dean of our Cathedral. Messages of congratulations were also received from His Eminence Metropolitan Ilarion, Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, and from the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of Canada. A particularly moving moment came with the presentation of a Blessed Certificate to Mrs. Doreen Keir, our most generous benefactor, in recognition of her invaluable contributions to the Church Renovation Fund.
Guests were further engaged through a silent auction, featuring a wide range of carefully curated items assembled by the 75th Anniversary Celebration Committee over the course of many months. The banquet concluded with a spirited concert, showcasing the rich cultural talents of Ottawa’s Ukrainian community. Performers included the duo Kateryna Romanenko and Tamara Osadcha, singer Sofia Zaika, the duo The Sharms, and the announcement of the auction winners.
On Sunday, September 29, the anniversary celebrations reached their spiritual peak with a Solemn Divine Liturgy. The service was presided over by Bishop Andriy, together with clergy including Very Reverend Archpriest Father Dr. Yaroslav Buciora, Dean of St. Volodymyr’s Cathedral in Toronto; Father Yaroslav Yasinskyy, Dean of St. Mary the Protectress Church in Montreal; and Very Reverend Father Yevhen Ruditch, Dean of St. George Church in Lachine, Quebec. During the Liturgy, prayers were offered for our parishioners, as well as for the founders whose vision and sacrifices established our spiritual home.
Continuing a cherished tradition, all parishioners and guests gathered following the service for a group photograph, a visual testimony of unity and continuity. A festive luncheon, generously provided by Duke Fine Foods, was then served in the church hall, bringing together parishioners, guests, and clergy in joyful fellowship. Warm greetings were delivered by many honoured guests, including Member of Provincial Parliament Chandra Pasma. With deep respect and appreciation, Father Taras also presented Metropolitan Certificates to parishioners who have dedicated years of service to the spiritual and communal life of our Cathedral. Among the honourees were Jenny Dutchak, Larissa Mason with Oxana Genina and the choir, Viacheslav Tatovessian, Jennifer Okhrimtchouk and her family, Angie and Michael Reshitnyk, Natalka and Dean Mason, Liza Malarek, Bohdan Shumsky, Oleh Belkin and Vera Hutzuliak, Halyna Beznaczuk and John Smyrnew, Olena and Viktor Stetskevych, Daryna Stavnycha and Pavlo Ignatusha, Denis Pototsky, Olena Baran, Myron Oleskiw, Inna and Alex Artyshchuk, and Viktoria and Yevhen Petrov. Additional certificates will be conferred upon other parishioners who have likewise contributed immensely to the life and growth of our Cathedral.
Following the luncheon, the spirit of celebration continued with vibrant performances by local artists and ensembles. Audiences enjoyed the Ukrainian men’s choir “Akord,” our Church choir, the women’s duo “Mandrivnytsi,” the female folkloric group “Kolizhanky,” and soloists Anya Korzh and Roman Tykajlo. These cultural offerings underscored the close connection between faith, heritage, and community life that has characterized our parish for decades.
The anniversary festivities concluded with heartfelt thanks to the 75th Anniversary Celebration Committee — Natalka Mason, Larissa and Petro Bayrachny, Father Taras Kinash, Angie Reshitnyk, Halyna Beznaczuk, Olena and Viktor Stetskevych, Tamara Rudenko, and the many parishioners whose dedication and efforts made this milestone event possible. Their hard work ensured that the celebrations not only honoured the past but also inspired hope and unity for the future.
