# ORDINATION OF DEACON CHRISTOPHER CHIU

- Link: https://nweparchy.ca/2026/05/ordination-of-deacon-christopher-chiu/
- Published: 2026-05-18T23:48:40-07:00
- Author: Website

**_“May the Lord from Zion bless him, and may he see the good fortune of Jerusalem
all the days of his life.”_** (from the ordination ceremony)

On the Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, 17 
May 2026, a wonderful event took place at our parish church in Richmond. Subdeacon**
Christopher Chiu** was ordained to the diaconate at a Divine Liturgy and ceremony
which was anticipated by considerable preparation.

Deacon Christopher was ordained to [**minor orders**](https://nweparchy.ca/2025/05/subdeacon-christopher-chiu-receives-minor-orders-on-sunday-of-the-myrrhbearers/)
just over a year ago at the Eparchial Cathedral of the Holy Eucharist in New Westminster.
Since then, he continued his program of studies and preparation until he, together
with his parish priest, Fr. **Richard Soo**, SJ, decided upon this date for ordination
and to begin the diaconal ministry in his parish.

The [**Dormition of the Mother of God**](https://richmond.nweparchy.ca/) Parish 
in Richmond, British Columbia, known throughout the lower mainland as the [**Eastern Catholic Church**](https://easternchurch.wordpress.com/),
is truly as stated on the parish website, “a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, & multi-
generational congregation, rejoicing in the fullness of Christian faith & worship”.
An example of this is that the Epistle was read in English as well as Mandarin and
Cantonese. The joy and family spirit of the parish was experienced by all throughout
the liturgical services and the reception that followed in the parish centre.

To lead the responses and propers the well-trained singers and readers of the parish
were joined by some singers and servers from other parishes in the area for an inspiring
full hierarchical Divine Liturgy and ordination ceremony at which the congregation
joyfully shouted “[**Aksios!**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axios_(acclamation))”
for Deacon Chris. The reception that followed included an all-you-could-possibly-
eat buffet of excellent Chinese food, Ukrainian cakes and warm fellowship.

Among the congregation were, of course, Deacon Christopher’s wife **Joyee** and 
three daughters, several family members who came for this special occasion, as well
as Sisters **Angelica** and **Janice** of the **Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate**
and friends. The vast majority of the capacity crowd, were, of course, the parishioners
who were thrilled and grateful that one of their own was called and _agreed_ to 
serve Christ’s Church in the diaconal ministry.

Most Reverend [**Michael Kwiatkowski**](https://nweparchy.ca/bishop-elect-michael-kwiatkowski/),
the bishop of the **Eparchy of New Westminster**, expressed his joy at having the
opportunity to pray with the vibrant parish community and to ordain Deacon Christopher.
In his homily he spoke extensively about vocations to clerical ministry and consecrated
life. He invited all present to pray for vocations, but also to look into their 
own hearts and ask if the Lord might not be calling some of them. He said that he
hoped that every parish would one day have at least one deacon to enhance the pastoral
life and liturgical prayer.         

Among the clergy were Father [**Joe Ostopowich**](https://nweparchy.ca/2024/06/rt-rev-joe-ostopowich-named-archpriest/),
Fr. **Alan Wizinsky** and Subdeacons [**Ryan Bjorgaard**](https://nweparchy.ca/2024/10/axios-to-subdeacon-ryan/)
and [**Adrian Kopystynski**](https://www.facebook.com/UkrainiancatholicBritishColumbia/posts/adrian-kopystynski-has-obtained-his-certificate-for-lectors-in-the-eastern-chris/2481031098700999/).
The parish priest, Fr. Richard Soo, oversaw the preparations and served as the Archdeacon
for the ordination rite. Father Richard will soon also receive a recognition for
his many years of dedicated and ongoing priestly ministry when elevated to [**Archimandrite**](https://nweparchy.ca/2026/05/hieromonk-very-rev-fr-richard-soo-sj-will-be-elevated-to-the-dignity-of-archimandrite/)
later this month.

The whole eparchy joins with those gathered at Richmond in exclaiming **Axios!**
Please keep Deacon Christopher in your prayer as he begins this new important service
of diaconal ministry!

__________________________________

P.S. **A UNIQUE CROSS**. The parish has a special place in its heart for the people
of China and Hong Kong in particular as they pray at every liturgy for peace and
justice in Hong Kong and for the freedom of several activists in particular. The
hand cross presented to Bishop Michael when he entered the church and which he used
for most of the service, is extremely special. As one parishioner from Singapore
explained: it is the cross that was used at the St. Francis Chapel on the square
during the “[**Umbrella Movement**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umbrella_Movement)”
protests in Hong Kong (nine months after the “Maidan” movement in Ukraine) and on
the back of the Cross is the Umbrella logo and the Chinese text that reads, “we 
want general universal suffrage” that signifies that they want to vote for candidates
of the people’s choosing, not the authority’s choosing. It was given to parish pastor
Fr. Richard to bring back to Canada as the parish was already so involved in uniting
many people in praying for peace and justice.

_[all photos: Volodymyr Mykhalyshyn]_

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