# Our Eparchy

- Link: https://nweparchy.ca/our-eparchy/
- Published: 2026-01-04T01:03:06-08:00
- Author: Website

# About Our Eparchy

Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of New Westminster

## Our Mission

>  "To proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the Byzantine-Ukrainian tradition,
> serving the spiritual needs of the faithful while preserving and sharing the rich
> heritage of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Western Canada."

The Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of New Westminster is the westernmost eparchy of 
the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Canada. Founded on June 27, 1974, we serve
the faithful across British Columbia, Yukon, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut—
a territory spanning nearly five million square kilometres of Canada's most diverse
and breathtaking landscapes.

As an Eastern Catholic Church in full communion with Rome, we celebrate the Divine
Liturgy according to the Byzantine Rite, maintaining the ancient traditions of Ukrainian
Christianity while serving communities from Vancouver's urban parishes to mission
stations in Canada's northern territories. We are called to be a living bridge between
the ancient faith of Kyiv and the contemporary spiritual needs of our faithful in
Western Canada.

## Our Territory

### The Westernmost Eparchy in North America

The Eparchy of New Westminster encompasses one of the largest and most geographically
diverse ecclesiastical territories in the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church—from the
Pacific coastline and temperate rainforests of British Columbia to the Arctic tundra
of the northern territories.

 **4,866,474 km²** Total territory served—larger than the entire European Union

 **British Columbia, Yukon, NWT & Nunavut** Four provinces and territories, countless
communities

 **Founded June 27, 1974** The youngest UGCC eparchy in North America

## Our Eparchy at a Glance

7,200

Faithful

16

Parishes

13

Priests

1

Permanent Deacon

2

Seminarians

4

Religious

Source: Annuario Pontificio 2024 (Official Vatican Directory)

## Our Place in the Universal Church

 The Eparchy of New Westminster is part of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (
UGCC), one of the largest Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy
See. Our Church maintains the Byzantine liturgical tradition while recognizing the
Pope as the supreme head of the Catholic Church.

## Our Dual Mission

###   Spiritual Mission

As an Eastern Catholic Church, we are entrusted with the sacred responsibility of
bringing souls to Christ through the Byzantine liturgical tradition—the same tradition
that brought Christianity to the Ukrainian people over a thousand years ago.

 * Celebration of the Divine Liturgy and Holy Mysteries
 * Catechesis and faith formation for all ages
 * Pastoral care and spiritual accompaniment
 * Training and formation of future clergy
 * Ecumenical dialogue and interfaith cooperation

###   Cultural Mission

In the diaspora, the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church plays a unique role in preserving
Ukrainian language, culture, and identity. Our parishes serve as vital community
anchors—especially significant during times of crisis in Ukraine.

 * Preservation of Ukrainian language and heritage
 * Support for newcomers and refugees from Ukraine
 * Cultural education through schools and programs
 * Community gatherings and traditional celebrations
 * Humanitarian aid coordination for Ukraine

## Understanding Our Tradition

### Eastern & Western Catholicism: One Church, Two Lungs

 As Saint John Paul II observed, "The Church must breathe with her two lungs—Eastern
and Western."

Byzantine (Eastern) Rite

Roman (Western) Rite

Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

Holy Mass

Iconography & Icon Screen (Iconostas)

Statuary & Stained Glass

Married priesthood permitted

Celibate priesthood

Leavened bread (prosphora)

Unleavened bread (host)

Baptism, Chrismation & Eucharist together

Baptism, then Confirmation, then First Communion

Julian or Revised Julian Calendar

Gregorian Calendar

 Both traditions are fully Catholic and in communion with the Pope. We share the
same faith while expressing it through our distinct liturgical heritage.

The Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of New Westminster welcomes all who seek to encounter
Christ through the beauty of Byzantine worship and the warmth of Ukrainian hospitality.

 [Find a Parish Near You](https://nweparchy.ca/parishes-old/)

Statistics last updated: January 2025 • Source: Annuario Pontificio 2024