# 2026 EASTER PASTORAL LETTER OF THE UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC BISHOPS OF CANADA

- Link: https://nweparchy.ca/2026/03/2026-easter-pastoral-letter-of-the-ukrainian-catholic-bishops-of-canada/
- Published: 2026-03-29T19:35:04-07:00
- Author: Website

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**2026 PASTORAL LETTER**

**OF THE UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC BISHOPS OF CANADA**

**ON THE OCCASION OF THE FEAST OF**** ****THE RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD**

To the Reverend Fathers, Religious Sisters,

Venerable Monastics, Seminarians, & Brothers and Sisters in Christ!

Christ is Risen! Indeed, He is Risen!

Dearly Beloved in Christ!

As we approach the great feast of Easter, which our Catechism rightly describes 
as the “feast of feasts” (_Christ our Pascha_, 559), we want to engage in joyful
preparation. Yet, for many of us, the desire for the natural happiness of the season
is clouded by the war in Ukraine, other looming conflicts, and the social and moral
uncertainty within our own society.

At such a time, we may come to feel powerless, whether in our own personal lives
or gathered with others in the society in which we presently find ourselves. We 
are somewhat like the Lord’s disciples at the time of the Passion—standing at a 
distance, confused and afraid, observing an unthinkable turn of events. Or we are
like the Mother of God, the women, and John at the foot of the cross, standing helplessly
and gazing upon the King of Kings, Who sacrifices all out of His love for us. However,
no matter what we may be feeling in the present day, history tells us that dark 
times do eventually pass and even the most barbarous wars always end.

Our comfort, however, is not derived from waiting for an inevitably better wave 
of human civilization. We derive peace from the light of our Christian faith. Christ
clearly gives us a message of hope and new life. He demonstrated this through His
life-giving Passion and Resurrection, which we celebrate especially during this 
season. This message of hope and courage is found in His living Word and pervades
the teachings of His Church. We are invited to learn this message well and to participate
in its salvific power by sharing it throughout a world that so desperately needs
to hear it today.

One of the most dramatic and impressive liturgical practices that we have in our
Church year happens in the wee hours between Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday. We
enter a darkened church, venerate the _plashchanytsya_ (burial shroud of Christ),
and contemplate that sad mystery of the Lord’s plan for our salvation. The shroud
is taken away to the sanctuary and we exit the church, leaving behind the trappings
of death and sorrow—the cross of execution, the tomb, and the mournful purple coverings.
As we are leaving, the cantors begin to solemnly chant the hymn that speaks of the
angels already singing about the Resurrection of the Saviour. We ask the Lord if
we upon the earth may join them in their song, as our own souls cry out to enter
into that joy.

We process around the church in the chilly darkness before sunrise. We stand at 
the closed doors of the church and proclaim, repeatedly, our faith and trust in 
the Resurrection. After the priest resolutely knocks thrice on the doors, they are
flung open and we joyfully enter into a new reality. The tomb is moved aside, and
the somber trimmings are replaced by bright candles, flowers, and embroidery. The
whole congregation boldly and joyously sings the proclamation: Christ is risen! 
Death is conquered! And the grave will never be an end to life. Our Lord, by His
own love and sacrifice, has won this for us.

May each of the faithful throughout our Church and beyond have such an uplifting
experience! May our Easter morning experience—as grandiose or humble as it may be—
give each of us the joy and hope that we need for our times. Lately, not a few have
wondered if we are passing through the challenges described in the 24th chapter 
of Matthew’s Gospel, where the Lord speaks of times of darkness and turmoil. Nevertheless,
in this Paschal season, let us allow ourselves to also contemplate the 28th chapter
of hope and courage. For we are called to always remember that our Lord came into
our hopeless world to lead us into the light of a new and resurrected life with 
Him, where suffering passes and death is no more. “… for Christ our God has taken
us from death to life, and from earth to heaven!” (_Ode 1_, Canon of Pascha).

The blessing of the Resurrected Lord be upon all of you!

Sincerely Yours in the Risen Lord,

**+ Lawrence** Huculak, OSBM

Metropolitan Archbishop of Winnipeg

**+ David** Motiuk

Bishop of Edmonton

**+ Bryan** Bayda, C.S.s.R.

Bishop of Toronto

**+ Michael** Kwiatkowski

Bishop of New Westminster

**+ Michael** Smolinski, C.S.s.R.

Bishop of Saskatoon

**+ Andriy** Rabiy

Auxiliary Bishop of Winnipeg

**+ Michael** Wiwchar, C.S.s.R.

Bishop Emeritus of Saskatoon

_Given on__ __March 28, 2026_

_On __Lazarus Saturday and __commemoration__ of __venerable Hilarion_