# UKRAINIAN CANADIANS HONOURED AT REMEMBRANCE DAY AT NEW WESTMINSTER

- Link: https://nweparchy.ca/2025/11/ukrainian-canadians-honoured-at-remembrance-day-at-new-westminster/
- Published: 2025-11-11T20:25:49-08:00
- Author: Website

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The **Eparchy of New Westminster** commemorated Remembrance Day with a Divine Liturgy
and Panakhyda at Holy Eucharist Cathedral and by participation at the ceremonies
at City Hall.

[**Remembrance Day**](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/defence/caf/militaryhistory/remembrance/remembrance-day.html)
in Canada is a national holiday that takes place annually on November 11^(th) to
honour and remember the men and women who served in the Royal Canadian Armed Forces-
especially those who died in battle during one the many conflicts and wars in which
Canada was involved over the years.

A Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the Cathedral church of the Holy Eucharist in
the morning with the intention for the fallen heroes. Both Ukrainians who served
in the Canadian armed forces were remembered as well as the many Ukrainian soldiers
who have more recently given their lives on the battlefields of Ukraine defending
against the Russian invasion. In his homily, Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski, spoke about
prayer for those who boldly stepped forward to put themselves in harms way to defend
right and freedom and to defend their country and their families from injustice 
and destruction. The Lord declared that “_greater love than this no man hath, that
a man lay down his life for his friends_” (John 15:13) and, the Bishop explained
that soldiers certainly fit that category of people willing to give their lives 
for their countrymen…. and not a few are actually called to make that sacrifice.
A **panakhyda** (requiem service) for the deceased was prayed following the Liturgy.
The “[**Heroes of Their Day Pokrova Icon**](https://www.ucclf.ca/heroes-of-their-day)”
depicting Ukrainian Canadian military service men and women, and which is permanently
enshrined in the cathedral, was brought over and placed at the tetrapod for these
Remembrance Day services.

Following the church services, those who could, made their way to the **New Westminster
City Hall** for the civil ceremonies. One of the highlights of the ceremony was 
the laying of wreaths at the cenotaph memorial of the Canadian soldiers. There Bishop
Michael laid a wreath on memory of the **Ukrainian Canadians** who died in military
service. At an armoury near City Hall there is a memorial to two Canadian military
heroes, one being Ukrainian-born [**Seargeant Filip Konowal**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filip_Konowal)
who received the rarely awarded **Victoria Cross** “for gallantry in the face of
the enemy”.

Following the ceremonies, the regular forces, militia, cadets groups and  scouts
marched back to the armoury in a colourful parade to the delight of those gathered
in the streets. **A video of the parade** can be seen **[**[**HERE**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3Foc2NFynM)**]**.

This famous Canadian poem was recited at the City Hall ceremonies…

[**In Flanders fields**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_Flanders_Fields)** **

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,That mark our
place; and in the skyThe larks, still bravely singing, flyScarce heard amid the 
guns below.We are the Dead. Short days agoWe lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,Loved,
and were loved, and now we lieIn Flanders Fields.Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throwThe torch; be yours to hold it high.If ye break
faith with us who dieWe shall not sleep, though poppies growIn Flanders Fields.

- John McCrae

[**В полях фламандських**](https://uk.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A3_%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%BB%D1%8F%D1%85_%D0%A4%D0%BB%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B4%D1%80%D1%96%D1%97)****

В полях фламандських квітне мак
Поміж хрестів — скорботний знакПо нас; а жайвір 
серед хмарНам шле свій спів — останній дар,Ледь чутний тут крізь грім атак.

Бо ми, полеглі в цих полях,Ми, що кохали, нині — прах,Жили — і приняли ударВ полях
фламандських.

Ідіть у бій, забувши страх,
Нам світоч випав з рук, відтак —Вам підіймати цей тягар!
Якщо загасне віри жар —Наш сон розвієтся, як мак,В полях фламандських...

- Іван МикКрей

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