WINNIPEG — In the solemn stillness of Good Friday evening, April 3, the nave of Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM) Ukrainian Catholic Church became a spiritual center point between the darkness of the tomb and the hope of the Resurrection. The faithful gathered for Jerusalem Matins, a service of profound sorrow and mystical beauty, presided over by Bishop Andriy Rabiy, alongside the parish pastor, Fr. Vasyl Hoi.
The service, which functions as the funeral liturgy for our Lord Jesus Christ, was elevated by the powerful, resonant voices of the Hoosli Ukrainian Male Chorus, who sang the traditional responses with a depth that stirred the souls of all in attendance.
Jerusalem Matins is perhaps one of the most poignant services in the Ukrainian Catholic tradition. It takes place before the Plashchanytsia (the Burial Shroud), which symbolizes the body of Christ lying in the tomb. The heart of the service lies in the Lamentations, composed of verses from Psalm 119 and poetic verses that contemplate the mystery of God’s death. The theology of this service is paradoxical: while we mourn the death of the Savior, the hymns already begin to whisper of His victory.
The atmosphere of the evening was greatly enriched by the Hoosli Ukrainian Male Chorus. Known for their preservation of Ukrainian choral traditions, the choir brought a particular solemnity to the Good Friday responses. Under the vaulted dome of BVM Church, the deep bass tones and intricate harmonies of the men’s choir mirrored the “sighs of the earth” described in the liturgy. Their rendition of the traditional melodies—ranging from the mournful to the majestically hopeful—provided a “sonic icon” for the congregation to gaze upon. The presence of a male choir in this context is historically significant, echoing the monastic traditions where these ancient chants originated.
As the service concluded, the flickering candles around the Plashchanytsia served as a reminder: even in the depth of Good Friday, the light of Christ cannot be extinguished.
Bishop Andriy Rabiy, Father Vasyl Hoi and Hoosli Ukrainian Male Chorus (2026)
Department of Communications at the Archeparchy of Winnipeg
