# UKRAINIAN AMBASSADOR VISITS NEW WESTMINSTER CATHEDRAL

- Link: https://nweparchy.ca/2025/07/ukrainian-ambassador-visits-new-westminster-cathedral/
- Published: 2025-07-21T14:11:57-07:00
- Author: Website

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On Sunday morning, 20 July 2025, the parishioners of Holy Eucharist Cathedral in
New Westminster were pleasantly surprised to have join their congregation Ukraine’s**
[Ambassador to Canada - Her Excellency Yuliya Kovaliv](https://canada.mfa.gov.ua/en/governance/yuliya-kovaliv)**.
The Ambassador, with her entourage and local dignitaries – including the President
of the **[Ukrainian Canadian Congress](https://www.ucc.ca/)**  Vancouver, **Elvira
Mruchkovska** and the President and Vice-president of the **[Ukrainian National Federation](https://unfcanada.ca/)**
Vancouver, **Svyatoslav Lashkevych** and **Volodymyr Mykhalyshyn**, respectively.

**Bishop Michael** welcomed the Ambassador, saying that her presence was not only
a joy and an honour for the whole congregation, but certainly a comfort especially
for the many newcomers who will be pleased to have a representative of the Government
of Ukraine visit them. The Ambassador did meet with the clergy following the Divine
Liturgy and then mingled and chatted with all those who came to the auditorium for
post-service refreshments and fellowship.

Ambassador Yuliya Kovaliv was appointed as Ukraine’s chief diplomat to Ottawa only
a month after Russia shocked the world by escalating it’s 8-year “hybrid” war with
Ukraine by initiating a brutal full-scale invasion that has not let up for over 
three years. As hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians were dying and millions being
driven from their homes, Her Excellency Kovaliv played a key role in representing
Ukraine’s needs to the Canadian government and people. Yesterday, while not denying
Ukraine’s ongoing need for social and material support to regain peace and sovereignty,
she unequivocally acknowledged the great support that Canada offered and continues
to offer Ukraine and to the many refugees that fled to Canada. In her conversation
with Bishop Michael, she did express her hope that the Ukrainian Community in Canada,
perhaps especially the faith leadership, would continue to keep in the forefront
the need for an end to the war and a just peace that would bring a stop to the horrific
destruction that has been visited upon Ukraine and which **_continues daily to this
very moment_**.

Ambassador Yuliya Kovaliv is nearing the end of her term of service in Canada. The
Ukrainian Community on Canada’s Westcoast is grateful for the mutual collaboration
that was possible over the last three and a half years for the good of Canada-Ukraine
relations and for the wellbeing of newcomers who settled in the territory of our
Eparchy. One gesture of acknowledgement came later in the day from the Ambassador
who presented a certificate of gratitude to the Eparchy’s “**[Ridne Slovo](https://en.ridneslovo.ca/)**”
Ukrainian School that has been serving and supporting Ukrainian families in the 
area for over 10 years now.

Congregation wishes Ambassador Kovaliv Many Years! Mnohaya Lita! **[[HERE](https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=ukrainian+ambassador+visits+eparchy&mid=57F010CCCC84D75601AA57F010CCCC84D75601AA&mmscn=stvo&FORM=VIRE)]**

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