On Saturday, July 5, a Panakhyda (memorial service) was held at St. Michael’s & All Saints Cemetery in Chemainus to mark the one-year anniversary of the falling asleep in the Lord of Fr. Steven Basarab.
The service was prayerfully led by Fr. Yuriy Vyshnevskyy and Fr. Joe Ostopowich, Fr. Stepan Vytvytskyi.
Family members, parishioners, and friends gathered to remember Fr. Steven’s life and ministry — a life marked by dedication, humility, and unwavering love for the Church and her people. His presence and service touched many hearts, especially in the Vancouver Island region where he ministered faithfully for many years.
In the Panakhyda prayers, we asked the Lord to grant Fr. Steven rest among the righteous, and to comfort those who continue to mourn his passing.
We carry the memory of Fr. Steven with deep respect and affection. His spiritual fatherhood, kindness, and quiet strength continue to live on in the hearts of those he served.
May our prayers rise like incense, and may his soul dwell in peace and light. Вічная пам’ять! – Memory eternal!
The Holy Father Leo XIV received the bishops of the Synod of Bishops of the UGCC in audience. After speaking, the Pope asked the Ukrainian bishops to sing the “Our Father” in Ukrainian, which he was very pleased to hear on Saturday. His Beatitude Sviatoslav handed over to Pope Leo the lists of prisoners of war. From the Synod, the Pope received a gift of an icon of Archangel Michael, the patron saint of Kyiv.
“Pilgrims of Hope” Gather Again in Faith and Fellowship June 27–28, 2025
With hearts full of gratitude and joy, nearly 100 pilgrims from across British Columbia and Alberta gathered in Grindrod for the 2nd Annual Eparchial Pilgrimage. This year’s event was united under the Jubilee Year theme: “Pilgrims of Hope.”
A special focus of this year’s pilgrimage was the 150th anniversary of the martyrdom of the Blessed Martyrs of Pratulin. A spiritual highlight was the presence of first-class relics of the Pratulin Martyrs. Pilgrims had the opportunity to venerate the relics, pray a specially prepared Moleben in their honour, and listen to their inspiring story, movingly shared by Fr. Andrzej Wasylinko.
The first day of the pilgrimage was filled with meaningful and engaging activities. Pilgrims were divided into four small discussion groups by language and age, allowing for deeper conversations on the Jubilee Year’s significance and the heroic witness of the Blessed Martyrs who gave their lives for their fidelity to the Catholic Church.
The beautiful evening of prayer, which has begun with the Festal Vespers and Lytia dedicated to Sts. Peter and Paul, concluded by a torch-lit procession to the cemetery for a Panakhyda (memorial service) led by Grindrod Pastor Fr. Andriy Werbowy. This prayerful moment of remembrance and unity deeply touched all who attended. The evening ended with a joyful campfire gathering, complete with singing, storytelling, and spiritual reflections led by Fr. Andriy Chornenkyi and Fr. Yuriy Sakvuk. Children delighted in roasting marshmallows, while youth sang together around the fire, embodying the warmth and fellowship of the community.
The second day began with the Blessing of Water, followed by the Main Pilgrimage Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m., celebrated by Fr. Mykhailo Ozorovych, who represented Bishop Michael as the main celebrant and homilist. A particularly joyful moment came at the conclusion of the Liturgy, when the community honoured Sr. Angelica Hodowansky on her 90th birthday—a testament to her 73 years of faithful monastic life and prayerful witness.
Pilgrims were once again blessed to venerate the relics of the Blessed Martyrs of Pratulin, and also had the rare opportunity to venerate an Icon of Christ the Pantocrator, blessed by Pope Leo in Rome and brought to Grindrod by Fr. Ozorovych.
Although Bishop Michael could not be physically present due to his participation in the Synod of our Church in Rome, his support and spiritual presence were felt deeply throughout the pilgrimage. He remains one of the strongest advocates for making this annual pilgrimage a lasting tradition in our Eparchy.
We extend heartfelt thanks to the Grindrod parish community (that celebrated their Praznyk last Saturday), whose tireless efforts, joyful hospitality, and deep faith helped make this year’s pilgrimage both spiritually enriching and memorably joyful.
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