WINNIPEG – Over the Pentecost weekend, Winnipeg’s clergy, monastics and faithful convened for memorial services, uniting in prayer for departed bishops, clergy, religious and the soldiers who have given their lives for the freedom of Ukraine.
On Saturday, June 7, the All Souls’ Saturday preceding Pentecost, a Panakhyda service was held at Holy Family Cemetery. This day holds special spiritual significance, as the Church calls the faithful to fervent prayer for those who have passed into eternity.
The service at the graves of the deceased bishops and archbishops was led by three bishops: His Grace, Most Rev. Lawrence Huculak, OSBM, Metropolitan of Winnipeg; His Grace, Most Rev. Stefan Soroka, Metropolitan-Archbishop Emeritus of Philadelphia; and His Excellency, Most Rev. Andriy Rabiy, Auxiliary Bishop of Winnipeg. They were joined in prayer by priests of the Archeparchy of Winnipeg, the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate, and numerous faithful.
This cemetery is the final resting place of Bishop Vasyl Ladyka, the second Bishop of Canada; Bishop Cornelius Pasichny, OSBM; Bishop Michael Hrynchyshyn, C.Ss.R.; Metropolitan-Archbishop Michael Bzdel, C.Ss.R.; and Bishop Michael Kuchmiak, C.Ss.R, and others
Following the main service, prayers continued at individual gravesites. Metropolitan Lawrence led a Panakhyda for the departed priests and brothers of the Order of Saint Basil the Great (OSBM). Metropolitan Stefan offered prayers for the repose of the souls of the Redemptorist priests and brothers (C.Ss.R.), and Bishop Andriy presided over a service at the graves of the Sisters Servants, thanking them for their many years of dedicated service.
The commemorations continued the following day, Sunday, June 8, on the Feast of Pentecost, with a Panakhyda for the blessed repose of the defenders of Ukraine. A Panakhyda was held at All Saints Cemetery at the symbolic mound erected in memory of Ukraine’s freedom fighters. The service was led by Bishop Andriy Rabiy, concelebrated by Reverend Fathers Ihor Shved, Vasyl Hoi, and Yaroslav Buduykevych. Despite a heavy downpour, approximately fifty people gathered under umbrellas to pay their respects. In a touching tribute, members of the Ukrainian Youth Association (CYM) laid a wreath at the memorial.
Reflecting on the significance of the prayer event, Bishop Andriy pointed out a parallel between the feast of Pentecost and the sacrifice of Ukrainian soldiers.
“Today, on the great Feast of the Descent of the Holy Spirit, when the fire of divine grace descended upon the Apostles, we stand at this symbolic grave in memory of the sons and daughters of Ukraine who gave the most precious gift—their lives—for our freedom and yours,” the bishop remarked. He emphasized that the same gifts of the Holy Spirit—love, truth, and profound courage—that empowered the Apostles are manifested daily by Ukrainian defenders in their fight for independence.
The Bishop described the valour of modern soldiers as a “living Gospel written in blood,” fulfilling Christ’s highest commandment: “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).
“Let us pray for the souls of the fallen soldiers and for their families, that the Lord may comfort them in their sorrow,” Bishop Andriy urged. “Let us pray for our soldiers who, at this very moment, stand in defense of Ukraine. And let us pray for our homeland, that washed in blood and tears but strengthened by the sacrifice of its finest children, it may achieve a just peace and victory.”
Through these memorial events, the faithful and clergy reaffirmed their unbreakable unity in prayer for their deceased bishops, clergy, and religious, and expressed their deep respect for the heroes who sacrificed their lives for a free Ukraine.
May their memory be eternal!
