For children aged 5-14 years olds and divided to junior group (5-9) and teens (10-14).

The class is from 12:00 PM to 12:45 PM (during the Fellowship hour). Please arrive at 11:50 in the classroom. We encourage all the children to attend the service with their parents. Please note that if needed, we have a designated play area with a volunteer in the Hall. Volunteers are welcome to assist with the coordination of this area.

Please use the cloak room at the main entrance to hang jackets and store wet footwear. A sweater and indoor shoes might be a good idea as the church can be cool in winter months. Parents may be asked to volunteer one Sunday to lend a helping hand with the children. How often will depend on how many children sign up.

For more information, please contact Dobrodiyka Olya at uoc.ottawa.programs@gmail.com.

HISTORY OVERVIEW

Sunday school has been a part of parish life from the very earliest years. In the beginning, the women of the local branch of Ukrainian Women's Association of Canada played a leading role together with the Ukrainian school teachers, Dobrodiyky, and mothers in the parish. By the mid-60s classes were taught by Mary Mack, Mrs. H. Trischuk, Doreen Keir, Gloria Prokopovich, Olga Sametz, Ms. C. Dorofi, Mr. M. Zabolotny, and Dobr. L. Gorgitsa.

Through the 1980s, Dobr. Genia Bozyk took an active role in Sunday school in addition to her work in the Ukrainian School. After 1992, Halyna Michaelchuk and Liza Malarek assisted in the Sunday school program, along with many others from the parish. During the past 20 years, the program was run by Dobr. Jennifer Okhrimtchouk and Suzanne Soroka.

The Sunday School still operates today under Dobr. Olha Kinash and continues to focus on religious studies, singing, concerts, and participation in church and special services such as communion, holding candles, readings, and prayers. Throughout the years, children have been encouraged to take an active part in the parish by learning about the Ukrainian Orthodox faith and participating in Liturgical services and continue to be encouraged to actively live their faith and culture.

Every baptised Orthodox Christian is called to a ministry in the church. To be an altar server in the Orthodox Church is a special ministry in which one becomes a witness of the mysteries of the life of the Church. From the very inception of our parish in Ottawa, we were always blessed with the dedicated men and boys who served in the altar. Today we have a small dedicated group who continue to assist in the altar and ensure that prayers and the flow of services are not interrupted.

Basic Responsibilities of Altar Servers:

• Arrive early for services, by at least 9:50am. This will give you time to prepare & vest without rushing. Late entry distracts the priest from his duties/prayers (e.g. Preparing the Holy Gifts at the Table of Oblation during proskomedia)

• DO NOT talk or whisper in the sanctuary or during processions, unless it is to ask an important question about your duties. Giggling & laughing are not appropriate.

• The Sanctuary is Holy, and access to it is restricted to very few men. Do not abuse the privilege you have been given by being disrespectful or by entering the Sanctuary unnecessarily.

• Be alert for hand signals & other instructions given by the priest. When an instruction is given follow it immediately.

• When you are not performing any tasks follow the service in your service book.

• Never walk in front of the Holy Altar.

• Clean up the sanctuary after service according to the instructions of the priest.

To register, contact Fr. Taras via email: priestkinash@yahoo.com

Join our online advanced Bible Study group for deeper exploration of Scripture and Orthodox teaching. To sign up or learn more, please contact Father Taras.