# 2025 PRAZNYK AT NANAIMO PARISH OF THE ARCHANGEL MICHAEL

- Link: https://nweparchy.ca/2025/11/2025-praznyk-at-nanaimo-parish-of-the-archangel-michael/
- Published: 2025-11-10T16:58:27-08:00
- Author: Website

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It was an amazing and inspiring parish feast (praznyk) at [**St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Parish**](https://stmichaelnanaimo.ca/)
in Nanaimo, BC. on Sunday, 9 November 2025. It was a prayerful and uplifting time
of prayer and reflection and fellowship – as all “**[praznyks](https://thebyzantinelife.com/praznyk/)**”
are – but the additional inspiration was the number of participants! The annual 
event brought together all the parishioners and many guests from their sister parishes
on the island from Victoria and Courtney and others as well. Sisters Janice and 
Angelica of the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate also came from New Westminster.
There was literally ‘_standing room only_’ in the church and the two wings of the
reception hall were filled! It was very uplifting experience as it was an obvious
sign of the great revival and growth of the parish over the last couple of years.

**Bishop Michael** also travelled from New Westminster to attended the praznyk. 
His joy was visible as he heartily thanked everyone for making the effort to come
celebrate the feast and show their support for the parish and commitment to the 
new pastoral and spiritual growth that is obviously happening on Vancouver Island.
During his homily he spoke to some of the themes that the two Gospel readings of
the day suggested (Sunday [**Lk. 16:19-31**](https://biblia.com/bible/rsvce/luke/16/19-31)/
Feast [**Lk. 10:16-21**](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2010%3A16-21&version=RSVCE)).
The first was that Angels are an important part of God’s divine “structure” of creation
and of His plan for our salvation. He spoke of how the Lord used angels throughout
history as defenders and messengers and how our own guardian angels serve as powerful
protectors and guides for each of us. The parable of the rich man and Lazarus, he
said, is a clear lesson to us to use the wonderful God-given gift of life to the
best of our ability to help fulfil the mission of Christ’s Church upon earth and
to show compassion and support to those we encounter – especially those in desperate
need.

At the close of the Divine Liturgy a joyful welcoming occurred for a young family
man who had recently **joined the Church and the parish**. Parish Priest Fr. [Stepan Vytvytskyi](https://stmichaelnanaimo.ca/2024/04/about-our-priest/)
presented two beautiful icons and with a certificate noting his reception of the
Mysteries (Sacraments) of Penance and the Holy Eucharist.

Besides being one of only three pilgrimage destination churches throughout the Eparchy
for the Jubilee Year of Hope. St. Michael’s is also becoming a well-known centre
of veneration of holy relics. Relics are a significant aspect of religious piety
in Christian tradition. The Catechism of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, [**Christ – our Pascha**](https://eeparchy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Christ-our-Pascha-Catechism-of-the-Ukrainian-Catholic-Church-by-Comission-for-the-Catehism-z-lib.org_.pdf),
especially in the section on “The Veneration of Saint’s Relics (615-620)”, offers
a good explanation about the reverence for relics of the saints and how they are
incorporated in Church life. One of the newest relics presented in the parish were
not that of a saint, but nuggets of rock from the renowned [**Sanctuary of Saint Michael the Archangel**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanctuary_of_Monte_Sant%27Angelo)****
in Gargano, Italy where apparitions of the patron of the Parish, St. Michael the
Archangel were reported from the 6^(th) century. Bishop Michael blessed with the
relics all who came forward seeking [**healing and peace in their hearts**](https://catholicexchange.com/st-michaels-holy-cave/).

The reception was a ‘potluck’ dinner with so many foods prepared with love and representing
a vast variety of ethnic foods, styles and versions. Borsch for everyone and then
salads, meats, vegetarian dishes and mouthwatering desserts. There was something
for everybody and enough for everyone. The large crowd didn’t leave “[**12 baskets full**” of leftovers](https://biblehub.com/matthew/14-20.htm),
but everyone went home very satisfied!

May the Archangel Michael continue to watch over and protect the parish and may 
our loving Lord continue to bless our Nanaimo Parish with growth and success year
by year.          

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