On Saturday, December 7, 2024, at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, His Grace Bishop Mykola Bychok, Eparch of the Eparchy of Saints Peter and Paul of Melbourne for Ukrainian Catholics in Australia, New Zealand, and Oceania, was elevated to the dignity of Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church by His Holiness Pope Francis.
The ceremony took place in St. Peter’s Basilica and began with a short prayer and a reading from the Gospel of Mark. In this passage, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, ask Jesus to allow them to sit at His right and left in His glory. Then Jesus called them and said to them, “You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:42–45).
Following the Gospel reading, Pope Francis delivered a homily, emphasising that the cardinal’s ministry must have Jesus Christ and His teachings as its centre, foundation, and primary focus.
After the homily, the formal ceremony of creating the new cardinals began. Pope Francis declared: “Dear brothers and sisters, we are about to carry out an agreeable and solemn task of our sacred ministry. It chiefly concerns the Church of Rome, but it also affects the entire ecclesial community: we will call certain of our brethren to enter the College of Cardinals, so that they may be united to the Chair of Peter by a closer bond our apostolic ministry. Having been invested with the sacred purple, they are to be fearless witnesses to Christ and his Gospel in the City of Rome and in faraway regions. Therefore, by the authority of almighty God, of Saints Peter and Paul and our Own, we create and solemnly proclaim Cardinals of Holy Roman Church these brothers of ours.” He then read the names of the newly proclaimed cardinals.
The new cardinals recited the Profession of faith and took an oath of fidelity, pledging to remain faithful to Christ and His Gospel for the rest of their lives. They also promised to remain obedient to the Holy Apostolic Roman Church and the Holy Father and to join the ranks of the Roman clergy, working closely with Pope Francis and his canonical successors.
Each cardinal received a scarlet biretta, symbolising the dignity of the cardinalate and their readiness to defend the Christian faith with courage, even to the point of martyrdom. They also received a cardinal’s ring, signifying their love for the Church, which is strengthened by the love of the Prince of the Apostles. Additionally, each cardinal was assigned with the title/deaconry of titular church in honour of Almighty God and Saints Peter and Paul. Bishop Mykola received the title of Basilica of Santa Sofia, which will now be his cardinal seat in Rome.
It is worth noting that, as Bishop Mykola belongs to the Eastern Catholic Church, his vestments differed somewhat from the traditional attire of the other cardinals. He wore a purple robe in the old Kyivan tradition, adorned with embroidered images of Saints Peter and Paul. On his head, he wore a black koukoul in accordance with Ukrainian monastic tradition, styled after the 17th-century Brest Union and trimmed with a thin red border.
On this day, in addition to Bishop Mykola Bychok, 20 new cardinals were created.
As part of the Consistory for the Proclamation of New Cardinals, there is a tradition known as a “courtesy visit” to the new cardinals. Immediately after the Consistory, clergy and faithful from around the world who had come to Rome to share in this joyous event with Bishop Mykola had the opportunity to meet the newly proclaimed cardinal in the Hall of Blessing (Aula della Benedizione), located at the entrance to St. Peter’s Basilica.https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?
As it happened right after the Tuesday morning Divine Liturgy, two of the clergy, actually two visiting priests from Italy and Winnipeg, offered to help the brothers. One of the priests is already a Knights while the other will be initiated on the following Sunday.
In the larger photo: Left to Right: Fr. Mykhailo Postoliuk, Br. Rodney Giddens (the Council Financial Secretary), Fr. Volodymyr Lyupak (still vested), and Deputy Grand Knight Br. Dan Roxas
(* Just a bit of trivia - The New Westminster Council 1393 of the Knights of Columbus, established back in 1907, is the third oldest council in Canada – only after Montreal and Victoria!)
Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski and Vicar General Father Mykhailo Ozorovych, represented our Eparchy, upon the invitation of representatives of the Canadian Bible Society (CBS), to discuss past collaboration as well as future needs and plans.
To begin with, sincere gratitude was expressed to the Senior Manager of the CBS, Majd Alajji and the Society’s regional Director for British Columbia and the Yukon, Rev. Matthew Francis - for their providing a good number of Ukrainian language Bibles and illustrated Children’s Bibles for the great number of Newcomers from Ukraine. These Bibles have been distributed to all our parishes throughout British Columbia and have been offered to all families and individuals for their home use and their parish Bible studies.
Much was discussed about the many immigrant communities throughout Canada from many various countries who have made their way to settle in Canada for a myriad of reasons – mostly war and social unrest. It was fascinating to learn about the similarities in the experience and needs of the different ‘diaspora’ groups as well as the uniqueness of each community.
It was interesting to learn that the amazing coloured Children’s activity Bible – Біблія для дітей 2 - now in two volumes, was designed and published from the Ukraine branch of the Bible Society and other language groups would like to develop something similar.
For more information about the Canadian Bible Society, click [HERE]
To learn about the Ukrainian Bible Society, click [HERE]
Every year on the fourth Saturday in November, Ukraine, Canada and the world commemorate Holodomor Memorial Day. We gather in our communities to remember and honour the millions of victims of the Holodomor.
In 1932-33, the Soviet Communist regime of Joseph Stalin committed genocide against the Ukrainian people. Turning food into a weapon, the Communist regime attempted to destroy the Ukrainian nation. The Communist regime confiscated all grain and food, and sealed Ukraine’s borders. Any resistance was brutally crushed. The Ukrainian people starved.
In 1932-33 the Communist regime murdered millions of Ukrainians for their desire to speak their own language, practice their traditions and live free in their own land.
This year, as we mark the 91st commemoration of this genocide, we remain united in remembrance. The ruthless Russian aggressor is committing yet another genocide of the Ukrainian people and is deliberately attempting to destroy the Ukrainian state, language, culture and traditions. As Ukrainian Canadians, we remain one with the Ukrainian people in protecting our history, identity, and sharing the truth.
We unite in memory of all who, during the Holodomor and throughout the centuries, were lost to a nation. We unite in honour of Holodomor survivors with whom the community was blessed; their will to survive and their hope for a brighter future. We unite in sharing the stories of the People of Truth, who tried to alert the world. We unite in honour of the women and men who throughout history defended Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. We unite in recognition of the bravery and resilience of the Ukrainian people who today defend their country and the freedom of Europe from Russia’s genocidal war of aggression.
Мay the Memory of the Victims Be Eternal. Вічная Пам’ять.
On Saturday, November 23 all Canadians to urged to pause and remember.
● At 19:32 (7:32 p.m.) local time pause for a moment of silence wherever one may be to honour the memory of the victims.
● Light a candle of remembrance in one's home.
● Post photos of your candles on social media with your thoughts of remembrance.
● Request local churches to toll their bells at 19:32 in honour of the victims.
An additional purpose for our prayer and fasting prior to Christmas…
“… I invite everyone to dedicate the pre-Christmas fast to special prayer and fasting for the victory of our people over the darkness of war. Let us pray for our military, for all those who cry, grieve and suffer today and are is such need for this coming of the long-awaited Savior who will bring with Him His peace, His heavenly peace. Today I invite you to join in prayer on the Rosary every evening at 8:00 pm.* I invite everyone to join in the prayer vigil of unceasing prayer that now resounds throughout our church. Let us deeply experience this time of preparation together so that we may fully accept the gift of salvation that Christ will bring us in His Nativity!”
(*that is 10:00 AM in the Eparchy of New Westminster)
- The concluding appeal of His Beatitude Sviatoslav following his video message on the occasion of the 1000th day of the merciless full-scale war waged by Russia against Ukraine.
Важлива мета нашої молитви та посту перед Різдвом...
«… Я запрошую усіх той передріздвяний піст посвятити особливій молитві і посту за перемогу нашого народу над темрявою війни молімося за наше військо ко за всіх тих хто сьогодні плаче сумує і страждає і так потребує цього приходу довгожданного спаситель який з собою принесе мир свій Небесний мир сьогодні запрошую кожного дня до спільної молитви о 8 годині вечора* на вервиці запрошую усіх до стати до молитовної сторожі безперервної молитви яка лунає У нашій церкві давайте разом глибоко переживемо цей час приготування щоби в повні прийняти дар спасіння яке принесе нам Христос у своєму різдві.»
(*це 10:00 ранку в нашій Єпархії Нью-Вестмінстера)
- Заключне щире звернення Патріарха Святослава після його відеозвернення з нагоди 1000-го дня нещадної повномасштабної війни, яку Росія веде проти України.
(*це 10:00 ранку в нашій Єпархії Нью-Вестмінстера)
On behalf of all the clergy, faithful parishioners, and the entire of the Eparchy of New Westminster, we extend our most heartfelt and joyful congratulations on your birthday!
As you celebrate this special day, we also give thanks to God for the blessing of your leadership during your first year of service in our Eparchy. Your unwavering faith, pastoral care, and tireless dedication have enriched our spiritual lives and brought renewed strength and vision to our community.
Your ministry inspires us to deepen our relationship with Christ and live out our faith with greater courage and love. You have shown us what it means to lead with humility, wisdom, and compassion, and we are truly grateful for your guidance.
May our Loving Lord continue to bless you abundantly with good health, joy, and boundless grace. May the Blessed Mother shelter you under her protective mantle, and may St. Michael the Archangel always be at your side, strengthening you in your episcopal mission.
We pray that the Holy Spirit fills you with His gifts, that your light continues to shine brightly, and that God grants you many joyful years of fruitful service in His vineyard.
With deepest gratitude and prayers, The Clergy, Parishioners, and Faithful of the Eparchy of New Westminster
Recent Comments