God-loving Bishops, Very Reverend Clergy, Venerable Monastics,
Dearly Beloved Brothers and Sisters,
in Ukraine and throughout the world
And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby
wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.
(Luke 2:12).
Christ is born! Glorify Him!
Beloved in Christ!
Today the whole universe welcomes the Savior born among us: angels sing, shepherds worship, kings travel with a star. The peace of God descends upon a confused and troubled humanity, which receives the light of hope that shines over the whole world from lowly Bethlehem! Christmas is the feast of God—Jesus the Creator, “through whom all things were made”—approaching man, his creation. What an incomprehensible mystery! The Word of God becomes incarnate in his own image: God becomes man, created in his image and likeness. He becomes one of us, lives next to us, shares all that we have, takes on human weaknesses and suffering, so that we can feel His unwavering closeness and live in the joyful awareness that at every moment “God is with us!”
In the Nativity of Christ, the infinite God limits Himself, the Almighty enters into the frailty of a newborn child “Though he was in the form of God, he did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men” (Phil. 2:6–7). God the Father, through His Son in human flesh, offers Himself to humankind by the power of grace of the Holy Spirit. Indeed, it is this Divine self-limitation that opens the door for us to God’s limitlessness in love and power. Through Him, man is granted access to the fullness of life in Christ: both to the fullness of human dignity and greatness, and to the fullness of communion with eternity. For, as the Apostle Paul teaches, our loving Father, in giving us Jesus, willed “that in Him all the fullness should dwell” (Col. 1:19).
Coming to us in the form of a servant, the Lord plunges into the darkness of human indifference and hatred, into each person’s pain and suffering: the child and old man held captive under torture, the father and mother who weep over a lost child. As a Child, He weeps with the families who have lost loved ones from Russian missiles and wipes away the tears of those who have lost everything—their relatives, property, city, or village.
However, He plunges into our darkness to become our Light and, where evil sows death, to open up heaven, so that those who weep can, together with the shepherds, receive the tidings of joy from the angel who proclaims this Christmas night: “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger” (Lk 2:10-12).
Celebrating Christmas means accepting the joy that comes not from men but from God; not from earth but from heaven; not from human success but from divine self-sacrifice for our salvation.
For us today, celebrating Christmas means also becoming capable of self-limitation, in order to open a place in our hearts (our homes and our parishes) for Jesus with Mary and Joseph. Self-sacrifice out of love for God and neighbor brings heavenly joy, because we create a place of life and salvation for those who are threatened with injury or death by the cruelty of war. Joy is born from our becoming participants in the protection and preservation of human life, especially of the weakest and least protected among us. If today you are looking for a sign, a signal and a direction marker to where to find joy, harken the angelic words: “And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby… ”
So that this joy does not pass us by, let us sacrifice something of ourselves for the sake of the weakness of our neighbor! Like shepherds, let us leave our “comfort zone”, let us hurry to the Bethlehem of today, which may be not far from us: among the weak and vulnerable in our home, city, or village. Let us visit them, seeking that joy, and sharing what we ourselves have already received. Then our caroling will become all-powerful, dispelling the darkness on earth and opening the heavens for God's light among us.
Today, celebrating Christmas in Ukraine is both a challenge and a Christian feat! The enemy of the human race is trying to plunge us into cold and darkness, not only physical darkness, depriving us of electricity and heat, but also into the darkness of despair, disbelief, manipulation, and trading away the fate of our people in vain attempts to appease the criminal.
What is happening every night in Ukrainian cities and villages goes far beyond the limits of war, as understood in the civilized world. Before us is not just a war, but a deliberate, systematic, calculated, and technologically sophisticated mass murder of innocents: women, the elderly, and children, whom the enemy burns alive in their own homes every night with missiles and drones. Today, Ukraine is like that weeping mother, about whom the prophet speaks: “A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more” (Jer. 31:15).
But amidst this darkness, the heavenly light of Christ breaks through. So let us celebrate boldly and joyfully, because celebrating Christmas in Ukraine is to be victorious! And abroad, it means standing, covering our sisters and brothers in Ukraine with prayer and sharing in the victory. Among us, in Ukraine and abroad, is born our Savior – Christ! They want to plunge us into darkness and cold, but we warm and illuminate each other with open hearts, in which so much room has been found for the Baby Jesus!
In self-limitation and self-sacrifice, even in the midst of exhaustion and fatigue, we have learned to restore strength and resilience by believing that “God is with us.” His weakness strengthens us, His poverty enriches us! Our rich Christian experience of faith today can enrich and gladden the whole world:
Let us all rejoice together today:
Christ was born in a poor cave!
He became man in the last days,
All of you be comforted on earth.
(“Vozveselimsia vsi razom nyni”)
But in order to celebrate Christmas every day, each one of us must make a personal choice. One of our combat commanders said to every Ukrainian: “The war will not end without you!” So also today – the self-sacrifice of Christmas requires the participation of everyone according to their calling and responsibility. The joy of Christmas will not come without you, son or daughter of our Church and our people, no matter where you live and what you do. Everyone must make their choice for the sake of Life—the Baby Jesus, who was born among us in a poor cave, laid on a bed of hay in a manger!
On this bright day of Christmas, I greet each of you with the warmth of God's unwavering closeness. I embrace those who are far from their homeland, whom the war has separated from their closest relatives, wives who are waiting for their husbands to return from the front, and children who pray that their father will return home as soon as possible.
I especially greet our little children, who are already hurrying from home to home singing ancient carols to bring Christmas greetings! May these little heralds of Ukraine's victory not leave us empty-handed!
With deep gratitude in my heart, I greet our military, volunteers, doctors, energy workers, and rescuers. You are the bearers of hope, tirelessly protecting, supporting, and preserving the lives of our long-suffering people.
I greet those who are at the front, in the occupied territories, in hospitals. I especially send Christmas greetings and best to those who have lost their homes, and to those who have given shelter – physical and spiritual – to those in need, in Ukraine or abroad. May you feel at least a little bit of home comfort and Christmas joy.
With Christ’s Nativity I embrace those who mourn the loss of the dead and those missing in action, those who care for the wounded in hospitals, and those who work to return the captives and forcibly deported.
From the bottom of my heart, I extend my fatherly blessing to all of you and wish everyone, from the youngest to the oldest, the joy of God's children, a delicious kutia, a merry celebration of Christ’s Nativity and a happy, victorious, peaceful, and blessed year ahead. Let us renew our ability to shine and warm one another with the light of Christmas, with carols, and prayer. Then no darkness or cold will ever overcome us!
Christ is born! Glorify Him!
† SVIATOSLAV
Given in Kyiv
at the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ,
on the day of our father, St. Nicholas of Myra in Lycia, the Wonderworker,
the 6th of December in the 2025th Year of our Lord
On Saturday, December 20, 2025, at the Cathedral of the Holy Eucharist in New Westminster, a pre-Christmas performance titled “The Blue Bird” was presented by the students of the eparchial Ukrainian school “Ridne Slovo” (“Native Word”).
Together with their teachers and with the active support of parents, the children offered a warm and joyful artistic event, in which the talents, sincerity, and inspiration of students of all ages were beautifully revealed. The festive atmosphere filled the church with the spirit of anticipation of the Nativity of Christ, with joy and hope.
After the performance, a special pre-Christmas Divine Liturgy was celebrated for all who wished to participate, and there was also an opportunity to prepare for Christmas through the Sacrament of Confession. This spiritual moment became a natural continuation of the celebration and an invitation to experience more deeply the time of the Nativity Fast.
The Eparchy sincerely thanks the students, teachers, and parents for their shared work, creativity, and love for the Ukrainian language and tradition, which they were able to express through art. Events like this are an important witness to a living faith, the unity of the community, and the nurturing of Christian and national values among our youngest members.
May this pre-Christmas celebration become a sign of light, peace, and hope in the hearts of our children and their families.
Передріздвяна вистава «Синій птах» у катедрі Пресвятої Євхаристії
У суботу, 20 грудня 2025 року, в Катедрі Пресвятої Євхаристії в місті Нью-Вестмінстер, відбулася передріздвяна вистава «Синій птах», підготовлена учнями єпархіальної української школи «Рідне Слово».
Діти разом зі своїми вчителями та за активної підтримки батьків подарували присутнім теплу й радісну мистецьку подію, у якій яскраво проявилися таланти, щирість і натхнення учнів усіх вікових груп. Атмосфера свята наповнила храм духом очікування Різдва Христового, радості та надії.
Після завершення вистави для всіх охочих була відслужена особлива передріздвяна Божественна Літургія, а також надана можливість приготуватися до Різдва через Таїнство Сповіді. Цей духовний момент став природним продовженням святкової зустрічі та нагодою глибше пережити час Різдвяного посту.
Єпархія щиро дякує учням, педагогам і батькам за спільну працю, творчість і любов до рідного слова, які вони зуміли передати через мистецтво. Такі події є важливим свідченням живої віри, єдності громади та плекання християнських і національних цінностей серед наймолодших.
Нехай це передріздвяне дійство стане добрим знаком світла, миру та надії в серцях наших дітей і їхніх родин.
Coldstream, North Okanagan Regional District, British Columbia
As part of a prayerful journey through the communities of the UGCC Eparchy of New Westminster for pre-Christmas missions, Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski visited the Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery of St. Nicholas in Coldstream (North Okanagan, British Columbia). During the visit, the Bishop and those accompanying him, offered a panakhyda for the departed, remembering those who rested on this sacred land.
The trip took place together with members of the Eparchy — Igor Darmokhid and Volodymyr Mykhalyshyn — and became part of a broader prayer journey from New Westminster through the communities of Kelowna, Kamloops, Vernon and Grindrod.
Brief historical background
The Cemetery and pioneer church of St. Nicholas in Coldstream is an important spiritual and historical center of the Ukrainian presence in British Columbia. The chapel, built in 1936, is a heritage building and a testament to the faith of the first Ukrainian settlers of the North Okanagan. It stood as a place of prayer, hope and memory for generations of the faithful who cherished their Church tradition far from their homeland.
A place of silence, prayer and responsibility
A cemetery is a space where peace and reflection are closely intertwined with prayer. It is here that a person is especially aware of the value of life, community, yes, mortality, but also eternity. At the same time, the challenges of modern life require new and responsible approaches even to such deeply spiritual matters.
In this context, the possibilities of developing the cemetery territory are being considered. Even the possibilities of expanding its boundaries and arranging a columbarium, for example. Such steps could help to respond to the complex organizational needs of the laity, parishioners and the faithful living in the surrounding communities and throughout the Eparchy.
Bishop Michael emphasized the importance of planning in advance for our eventual repose in the Lord and our journey into eternity. This is surely an act of love for one’s neighbors and responsibility to one’s family and the Church. “Wise preparation is not fear of death, but conscious trust in God and concern for those who will remain after us,” His Excellency noted, urging the faithful to consider such issues in a spirit of prayer, peace, and Christian hope.
This visit was not only a tour of a historical site, but also an opportunity for joint reflection on the past, present, and future of our church community in the light of faith, memory, and responsible service.
Eparchies and dioceses have official or principal cemeteries where the faithful can find a suitable resting place among fellow pilgrims on the journey of life, including men and women who have dedicated themselves to their pastoral ministry, nuns, priests, bishops. As the Church has been active here on Canada's west coast for well over a century, it is not too soon to consider the establishment of an eparchial cemetery.
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Цвинтар св. Миколая Української Католицької Церкви
Coldstream, North Okanagan Regional District, British Columbia
У межах молитовної подорожі громадами Єпархії УГКЦ Нью-Вестмінстера Владика Михайло Квятковський відвідав український католицький цвинтар св. Миколая у Coldstream (Північний Оканаган, Британська Колумбія). Під час візиту Владика та ті, хто його супроводжував, відслужили панахиду за усопших, вшановуючи пам’ять тих, хто упокоївся на цій священній землі.
Поїздка відбулася разом із парафіянами храму — Ігорем Дармохідом та Володимиром Михалишином — і стала частиною ширшої молитовної дороги від Нью-Вестмінстера через громади Келовни, Кемлупса, Вернона та Ґрінроду.
Коротка історична довідка
Цвинтар та піонерська церква св. Миколая у Coldstream є важливим духовним та історичним осередком української присутності в Британській Колумбії. Каплиця, збудована у 1936 році, є пам’яткою спадщини та свідченням віри перших українських поселенців Північного Оканагану. Вона поставала як місце молитви, надії та пам’яті для поколінь вірних, які плекали свою церковну традицію далеко від Батьківщини.
Місце тиші, молитви і відповідальності
Цвинтар — це простір, де спокій і роздуми тісно переплітаються з молитвою. Саме тут людина по-особливому усвідомлює цінність життя, спільноти та вічності. Водночас сучасні життєві виклики потребують нових, відповідальних підходів навіть до таких глибоко духовних справ.
У цьому контексті розглядаються можливості розвитку території цвинтаря, зокрема розширення його меж та облаштування колумбарію. Такі кроки могли б допомогти відповісти на складні організаційні потреби мирян, парафіян і вірних, які проживають у навколишніх громадах та по всій єпархії.
Владика Михаїл наголосив на важливості заздалегідь планувати наш остаточний упокій у Господі та нашу відходу до вічності. Це, безумовно, акт любові до ближніх та відповідальності перед своєю родиною та Церквою. «Мудра підготовка – це не страх смерті, а свідома довіра Богові та турбота про тих, хто залишиться після нас», – зазначив Його Преосвященство, закликаючи вірних розглядати такі питання в дусі молитви, миру та християнської надії.
Цей візит став не лише оглядом історичного місця, але й нагодою для спільного роздуму про минуле, теперішнє і майбутнє нашої церковної спільноти — у світлі віри, пам’яті та відповідального служіння.
Єпархії та дієцезії мають офіційні або головні кладовища, де вірні можуть знайти відповідне місце спочинку серед товаришів-паломників з життєвого шляху віри та разом із чоловіками та жінками, які присвятили себе своєму пастирському служінню, монахинь, священиків, єпископів. Оскільки наша єпархія вже наближається до століття свого існування, створення єпархіального кладовища назріло.
The Parishes of Sts. Peter and Paul in Grindrod [where we have been holding an Eparchial Pilgrimage for the last couple of years] and Holy Trinity in Kamloops held “Missions” on the weekend of December 13-14 as part of their preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Father Andrzej Wasylinko, Parish Priest of Kamloops was also substituting at the time for Fr. Andriy Werbowy at Grindrod, and therefore facilitated the events in both parishes.
Bishop Michael was invited to lead the missions, especially as an extraordinary or visiting confessor and to preach a special pre-Christmas homily for the occasion at the Eucharistic Liturgy. Those who wanted, had the opportunity to make their “Christmas confession” prior to the Divine Liturgy as the congregations prayed a Rosary or sang hymns.
Being the weekend of the Sunday of the Holy Forefathers, Bishop Michael spoke of how the Lord set His plan of salvation if motion from the very beginning. From fall of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:15) through the Old Testament prophets (e.g. Isaiah 7:14; Micah 5:2) to the Angel mentioned in the infancy narratives (Luke 2:9ff), the Lord gave us messages and promises about the coming of the Christ. The Lord continues to give us direction and guidance in our personal spiritual journeys by means of the Scriptures, by our living the teachings of His Church and through our prayer and even an interior voice in our consciences and in our hearts. As the feast of the Nativity was approaching and would soon be followed by the conclusion of the Jubilee Year, Bishop Michael asked everyone to consider allowing the grace of our Lord to move us to rededicate ourselves to our uncompromised living of the Faith. By our lives we can bring great joy and hope into our families and to the people of the world that so desperately hunger for that which the Lord can give through us.
Both parishes offered fellowship meals afterward where everyone could enjoy wonderful food and just talk and share among brothers and sisters in Christ.
The parish in Kamloops even had an additional surprise! Good Saint Nicholas also visited the parish at the luncheon and offered gifts to the children (of all ages) that were gathered there.
12 грудня Генеральне консульство України в Едмонтоні радо вітало у своїх стінах Єпископа Нью-Вестмінстерської єпархії, Владику Михайла Квятковського, а також представників активної української громади провінції Британська Колумбія. Основною темою зустрічі стало посилення співпраці з духовними та громадськими осередками Західного узбережжя Канади, а також залучення громади до організації виїзних консульських обслуговувань громадян.
Під час бесіди Владика поділився своїми враженнями від високого рівня взаємодії та взаємопідтримки українців в Альберті, висловив надію на плідну співпрацю та благословив подальші ініціативи. У свою чергу дипломати відзначили згуртованість, активність і щиру небайдужість української громади Нью-Вестмінстера.
On December 12, the Consulate General of Ukraine in Edmonton had the honor of welcoming Eparchial Bishop of New Westminster Michael Kwiatkowski along with representatives of the active Ukrainian community of British Columbia. The main focus of the meeting was to strengthen cooperation with spiritual and community organizations on Canada’s West Coast, as well as to involve local Ukrainians in facilitating mobile consular services.
During the discussion, the Bishop shared his impressions of the strong interaction and mutual support demonstrated by Ukrainians in Alberta, expressed hope for fruitful cooperation, and offered his blessing for future initiatives. In turn, the diplomats highlighted the unity, engagement, and sincere dedication of the Ukrainian community of New Westminster.
Saint Nicholas, the holy Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, paid a visit to most of our parishes across the Eparchy. St. Nicholas waited until the day after his Saturday January 6th feast day to make his rounds to the parishes. Well, he was up all night throughout the world on Friday night (so children around the world could wake up on Saturday morning to gifts left in their homes by the kind Archbishop) so if he rested on Saturday, that’s understandable. Then, as a pastorally astute leader in the Early Church for many years, he knew that he would probably meet up with many, many, more people on Sunday. But he did it! He changed his vestments, it seems, several times, as he travelled around the Eparchy of New Westminster. However, he did manage to visit the parishes from the far reaches and crisscrossing across the land. On the island and on the mainland. In the hills and down by the sea. In the cities and the villages.
Here are a few snapshots of some of the St. Nicholas visits to our parishes around the eparchy…
СВЯТИЙ МИКОЛА ВІДВІДУЄ НЬЮ-ВЕСТМІНСТЕРСЬКУ ЄПАРХІЮ!
Святий Миколай, славний архієпископ Мир Лікійських, відвідав більшість наших парафій по всій єпархії. Святий Миколай чекав до наступного дня після свого свята, 6 січня, щоб здійснити свій тур по парафіях. Що ж, він не спав усю ніч, мандруючи по всьому світу в п'ятницю ввечері (щоб діти всього світу могли прокинутися в суботу вранці з подарунками, залишеними в їхніх домівках добрим архієпископом). Тому, якщо він відпочивав у суботу, це зрозуміло. Крім того, як пастирсько-проникливий лідер у Ранній Церкві протягом багатьох років, він знав, що, ймовірно, зустрінеться з набагато більшою кількістю людей у неділю. Але він це зробив! Здається, він кілька разів змінював своє облачення, подорожуючи єпархією Нью-Вестмінстера. Однак йому вдалося відвідати парафії з найдальших куточків і перетнути всю територію. На острові та на материку. У горах і біля моря. У містах і селах.
Ось кілька знімків з візитів Святого Миколая до наших парафій по всій єпархії…
12 грудня Генеральне консульство України в Едмонтоні радо вітало у своїх стінах Єпископа Нью-Вестмінстерської єпархії, Владику Михайла Квятковського, а також представників активної української громади провінції Британська Колумбія. Основною темою зустрічі стало посилення співпраці з духовними та громадськими осередками Західного узбережжя Канади, а також залучення громади до організації виїзних консульських обслуговувань громадян.
On December 12, the Consulate General of Ukraine in Edmonton had the honor of welcoming Eparchial Bishop of New Westminster Michael Kwiatkowski along with representatives of the active Ukrainian community of British Columbia. The main focus of the meeting was to strengthen cooperation with spiritual and community organizations on Canada’s West Coast, as well as to involve local Ukrainians in facilitating mobile consular services.
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