www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life The Christian East & West Ukrainian Eparchies - America and Canada

I am new to the Eastern Catholic Church, and was wondering about the state of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in America and Canada.

What are the Ukrainian Eparchies like in the USA and Canada?
Which ones are good, and maybe not so good?
i.e. Which ones are faithful to the traditions of the Christian East, and which are more Latinized?

I'm not entirely sure if this question has an answer.

The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Eparchies in the diaspora are as faithful and upholding of their spiritual and cultural traditions as any other Eparchy or Diocese. Having attended many different parishes throughout both Canadian and American Eparchies, I can comfortably say that you are 'safe' where ever you go. Now it is true, that to one degree or another, local circumstances (social, political, etc.) have allowed certain Americanizations or Latinizations to creep into thier course of discipline, practice, and worship, all are striving to preserve the purity of faith and worship to the extent they can.

Uki,

I am going to agree with novocilman. I have lived in both the Chicago Eparchy and the Philadelphia Archeparchy. Both are good Eparchies with good people-- good Christians.

In regards to best preserving and striving for purity in Eastern Tradition, that is harder to say. There are several "flagship parishes" in every Eparchy, but to give you a difinitive answer, I would probably say the Eparchy of Toronto. And I say this for a variety of reasons:

The Sheptytsky Institute, a high percentage of married clergy, a rising number of deacons and minor orders, St. Elias Parish, St. Nicholas Parish, excellent priets with big hearts, etc.

As I said every Eparchy has its pros and cons but Toronto is a good Eparchy for a more encompassing Eastern thought and practice, in my opinion.

Hope that helps. And, Vitayemo!

Cheers,
-uc

It is formaly known as 'The Toronto and Eastern Canada Eparchy' and includes the provinces of Ontario (Toronto), Quebec, New Brusnwick, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland & Labrador. There are church members in all of these provinces, but only Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia have parishes with churches.
http://images.google.com/imgres?img...%2Bbreton%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D [images.google.com]

The original church was consecrated by UGCC bishop Nykyta Budka who was martyred by the Soviets.

I.F.

Dear Jean,

Yes, I understand that is the very BEST eparchy of the UGCC and not even other EC churches can come close to it!

I also hear they have lots of traditional parishes and are simply wonderful all around.

That eparchy is to be highly recommended, or so I've heard!

Alex

What can we say, Pan Doktor...
I will second the kudos for the Eparchy of Toronto.
DD

novocilman:

what are the "certain Americanizations" to which you refer?

Yes both Diak and Alex are correct - there is something very special about the UGCC Toronto (& Eastern Canada) Eparchy. When we visit Montreal (ah I love that French city) we often attend this church:


http://www.quebec-ukraine.com/gr/e/e3_st_esprit_fr.html

http://www.quebec-ukraine.com/i/egl/m/st_esprit_int2.jpg

http://www.quebec-ukraine.com/i/egl/m/st_esprit_int1.jpg

Absolutely some of the most facinating religious paintings (I did not say icons). They are slowly working on getting rid of the Latinizations such as those statues of Jesus and Mary. What is most facinating is the fresco on the ceilling of the church. There are no other churches with such beautiful paintings. Next time I travel North I will ask them to improve the pictures of this church.

I.F.

Of course, as it is the eparchial home of St. Elias...

Hmm, interesting...Although I knew of the Eparchy of Toronto's existence, I haven't heard much about it (apart from St. Elias, the Sheptytsky Institute, Holy Spirit Seminary). I once met Bishop David Motiuk of Winnipeg, and I know one or two other priests from the Archeparchy. Winnipeg sounds like it is doing well...

To cut to the point, I am discerning a vocation to the priesthood. I am fully committed to the traditions and purity of the Christian East, while at the same time respecting the Latin West. Therefore, I suppose I'm looking for an eparchy where I will fit in. This is important to me because I am very committed to the Eastern Church, its ways, its traditions. Therefore, when I live it out, I would like to do so as best as I can (weak man though I am).

Since I am not living in America or Canada, I cannot see the situation for myself. Therefore, any help or advice will be much
appreciated!!!
I am coming from Europe, which does seem to be heavily Latinized.

Is there anyone from Australia??? What's that eparchy like? I once met a priest from there...a very nice man, and very Eastern Catholic!

The general manner of deportment (such as dressing casually for the Divine LIturgy in flip-flops, g-strings showing from the tops of women's slacks, halter tops, etc.), behavior (no sense of the sacred, lack o0f respect and reverence during LIturgical servcies), not to mention a sever lack of catechetical education or sense of ecclesial history and its relevance to our time. Just things like that. The 'American' attitude reflected in worship.

Almost nothing could be more timely for me today! THANKS!

I noted in the last issue of the Philadelphia Archeparchy's newspaper that they have some married priests. I think that this is great but it been my understanding that married clergy stayed in the old country. Is this no longer the case? What happened?

I think that the brief article in the paper on the demographics of the Philadelphia Archeparchy indicated an uncommon openness that I greatly appreciate. I wish that every Church did this.

Our local (Oregon) Ukrainian Church uses the Filioque. That church has a wonderful priest and a wonderful community. I came away from Liturgy yesterday feeling blessed, just flying!

Anyway, today I got an e-mail from Holy Transfiguration Skete (Ukrainian Catholic) saying, "While we cannot speak for the Ukrainian Catholic Church in the United States, we can say that our monastery does not use the Filioque, and we have not seen it used in Hierarchical Divine Liturgies celebrated at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedrals of Chicago and Philadelphia."

So--what is different in Philadelphia and Chicago and Oregon?

Be well.

bob r.

I know for a fact that the Rector of Immaculate Conception Metropolitan Cathedral in Phildelphia is married and has children. He is originally from Ukraine.

http://ukrcathedral.com/demkivbio.html

This is really great. THANKS!

But I have these questions remaining about how married clergy function in the US and the use of the Filioque--can you answer?

And I want to repeat my point about the Archeparchy's demographics article: it shows an uncommon and healthy openness.

There are times when I'm at the UGCC or reading the Phladelphia UGCC press and I get ecstatic.

THANKS!

bob r.

The Ukrainian Eparchy that covers Australia and New Zealand has recently removed the filioque from the creed. Also there are number of married priests here with both the Ukrainian and Melchite Eparchies. They started by having married men ordained overseas and then started to ordain them in the country with the full support of the Latin Bishops. I would not be surprised if baptism by emersion is next.