Metropolitan Wasyly (Fedak)

Metropolitan Wasyly (Fedak) (1909-2005)

Wasyl’ may be spelt Vasyl, Vasil, Vasili, Wasyly, Basil, William, and sometimes Walter.

Early life of Wasyl' Fedak

On 1 November, 1909, Wasyl’ Fedak was born to Wasyl' Fedak and his wife Anastazia Fedak in Kadobivtsy, Bukovina, Ukraine (at that time, a Romanian region, and part of the Austro-Hungarian empire).

Move to Canada, 1912

Together with his parents and 5 siblings, Wasyl’ emigrated to Canada in May, 1912, and he settled in Sheho, Saskatchewan.

Wasyl’ completed his primary and secondary education in Sheho.

Teaching career

In young adulthood, Wasyl’ took the necessary courses and he became a teacher, a career that lasted for 14 years.

He began his teaching assignments in the Saskatchewan school system.

Marriage, 1932

In 1932, he was married to Paraskeviya Tymofij.

After their marriage, they received from the Lord 3 sons : Eugene, Jaroslaw, Emil.

Higher education

From 1941 to 1944, Wasyl' studied at the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada’s seminary (Saint Andrew’s College in Winnipeg, Manitoba).

Ordinations, 1944

On 27 September, 1944, Wasyl’ Fedak was ordained to the Holy Diaconate.

On 1 October, 1944, Deacon Wasyl’ Fedak was ordained to the Holy Priesthood.

Pastoral service

Immediately, Priest Wasyl’ Fedak was assigned to serve as the pastor of the parishes in the area of Sandy Lake, Manitoba, and he travelled also to Menzie, Vista, Angusville, Glen Elmo, Oakburn and Rossburn, Manitoba. In addition, he organised new parishes at Oakburn, Sandy Lake, Sich and Angusville, Manitoba.

In 1948 Father Wasyl’ was assigned to serve in Grimsby, Ontario, but he also served parishes in Oshawa, Long Branch, Waterford and Saint Catharine’s, Ontario. Due to his efforts, the parish in Welland joined the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada (UGOCC). He also travelled to Ottawa and Kirkland Lake in Ontario, and to Rouyn and Noranda in Québec.

In 1951, he was assigned to Saint Volodymyr’s Church in Hamilton, Ontario, which later became a "sobor" (a large or important Temple, usually where many can gather).

Saint Vladimir Sobor, Hamilton, Ontario

He served this parish for 29 years, and he saw the parish grow from 47 to 500 families. In fact, it became one of the most developed parishes in the UOCC. This growth may be said to have come about largely because of his kind, sensitive, paternal, pastoral disposition and behaviour. This disposition was evident both in his own family and in his parish family. As with other notable pastors, he knew and remembered the important details of the lives of his parishioners, just as he did those of his own wife and children.

Bereavement, 1976

In April, 1976, Father Wasyl’s heart felt deep sorrow, sorrow shared with his children and other family-members, when his wife, Dobrodijka Paraskeviya, reposed in the Lord.

After her repose, the Funeral Service for the Burial of a Lay-person was served in Saint Volodymyr's Sobor in Hamilton, Ontario.

Continuing pastoral service

In 1977, Mitred Archpriest Wasyl’ Fedak was elevated to the dignity of protopresbyter.

Father Wasyl’ did not limit his activities to his parish responsibilities alone. For example, for 20 years, he served as the national chaplain of the Canadian Ukrainian Youth Association. He was locally and regionally active in and near Hamilton as well. In recognition of his constructive involvement, he was inducted into the Hamilton Gallery of Distinction, and he received honours from the Provincial Government of Ontario.

In 1978, an extraordinary "sobor" (Church Council) of the UGOCC chose him to be a candidate to become a bishop.

Monastic tonsure, 1978

In 1978, Protopresbyter Wasyl’ Fedak was tonsured to be a monk, and he was given the name Wasyly.

The Hieromonk Wasyl’ (Fedak) was immediately elevated to the dignity of archimandrite.

Episcopal ordination, 1978

On Sunday, 16 July, 1978, at Holy Trinity Metropolitan Cathedral in Winnipeg, Archimandrite Wasyly (Fedak) was ordained to the Holy Episcopate by Metropolitan Andrew (Metiuk) ; Archbishop Boris (Yakovkevych) of Edmonton and the Western Eparchy ; and Archbishop Nicholas (Debryn) of Toronto and the Eastern Eparchy.

Episcopal service

Bishop Wasyly (Fedak) was given the title of Vicar-Bishop of Saskatoon and the Central Eparchy of the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada. This is the usual title given to a vicar-bishop to the metropolitan (Metropolitan Andrew).

In 1981, following the repose of Archbishop Nicholas (Debryn), Bishop Wasyly became the Acting Bishop of Toronto and the Eastern Eparchy.

Saint Volodymyr Cathedral, Toronto, Ontario

In 1982, Bishop Wasyly became the Bishop of Toronto and the Eastern Eparchy.

In 1983, Bishop Wasyly (Fedak) was elevated to the dignity of archbishop.

Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, 1985

In 1985, after the repose of Metropolitan Andrew (Metiuk), the 17th Sobor of the UGOCC chose Archbishop Wasyly to become its Metropolitan and Primate, with the honourific title “His Beatitude” (he was the last hierarch to hold that title in the UGOCC, because only Primates of autocephalous and autonomous Churches traditionally hold that title).

Primatial service

As the Primate, he was the spiritual leader of the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada, and the chancellor of Saint Andrew’s College, the Church’s seminary. He was known to be very close to the Church’s youth, who affectionately called him “the Met”. He was a strong leader, who was known to be very kind. He had something in common with all the Church’s membership throughout the country (due to the fact that he was born in Ukraine, grew up in Saskatchewan, and was a parish priest in Ontario for more than 30 years).

Holy Trinity Metropolitan Cathedral, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada Consistory Office, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Renaming of the UGOCC ; entry into the Patriarchate of Constantinople, 1990

In 1990, the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada was officially renamed “The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada” (UOCC) by an Act of Parliament.

In 1990, under the leadership of Metropolitan Wasyly, the 18th Sobor of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada in Winnipeg decided to enter into Eucharistic Union [which means in this case "to be in communion with", "to be able to serve the Divine Liturgy together with", "to be a part of the canonical Orthodox Church"] with the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople (Istanbul). This decision also changed the relationship with the other Orthodox dioceses and parishes in Canada in a positive way.

Metropolitan Wasyly oversaw the UOCC’s membership in the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the Americas (which later became the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America. During this time, the UOCC also became a member of the Canadian Council of Churches.

In 1993, Metropolitan Wasyly (Fedak) was made an Officer of the Order of Canada.

In 1993, Metropolitan Wasyly led a delegation to visit Ukraine, which had proclaimed its independence and sovereignty in 1991. This was an opportunity to become better acquainted with the hierarchs and the complex situation of the Orthodox Church in Ukraine. He felt it his duty to contribute to the establishment of one, recognised, local Orthodox Church in his ancestral homeland, and he was glad to see his brothers and sisters choosing an open and democratic form of government and society.

In 1995, Metropolitan Wasyly initiated the establishment of the Permanent Conference of Ukrainian Orthodox Bishops Beyond the Borders of Ukraine. He participated in the creation of a Conference of Orthodox Bishops of Canada and an Orthodox-Roman Catholic Dialogue in Canada.

As metropolitan, he also worked closely with the World Congress of Free Ukrainians and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress.

Visit of Patriarch Bartholomew I (Archontonis) to Winnipeg, 1998

On 27-28 May, 1998, Metropolitan Wasyly hosted a visit of Patriarch Bartholomew I (Archontonis) to Winnipeg at the Feast of the Ascension of Christ.

Patriarch Bartholomew was given an Honourary Doctorate degree at Saint Andrew’s College, University of Manitoba. On the Feast of the Ascension of Christ, the patriarch concelebrated the Primatial Divine Liturgy at Holy Trinity Metropolitan Cathedral. During a banquet, in response to a speech by Metropolitan Wasyly (Fedak),

 Patriarch Bartholomew spoke of the bonds between Constantinople and the pious of Ukraine.  Identifying the 20th century 
 as a 'sinful and murderous century par excellence', he spoke of the suffering unleashed during these years.  He said 
 that 'human weakness and the mistakes of the Orthodox themselves' are to blame for the disunity that exists in the 
 Ukrainian Church.  Repentance and reconciliation will pave the way to unity, he intoned, adding, 'we pray that the 
 problems will soon be overcome'.

On 1 November, 1999, Metropolitan Wasyly (Fedak) was fêted by a special moleben and banquet at the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The evening was well-attended by the faithful of the Church who came to fête the metropolitan on the occasion of his 90th birthday and the 55th anniversary of his ecclesial vocation. There were 6 bishops who attended the event that was led by Archbishop John (Stinka) of the Western Diocese of the UOCC. Other bishops in attendance but not serving included Bishop Georgije (Djokic) of the Serbian Orthodox Church (Canadian diocese) ; Bishop Seraphim (Storheim) of The Orthodox Church in America (Canadian diocese) ; Archbishop Mark (Petrovtsiy) of the Russian Orthodox Church ; Metropolitan Mikalay of the Belarusian Autocephalous Orthodox Church ; Metropolitan Michael Bzdel of the Ukrainian Catholic Church ; Bishop Stefan Soroka of the Ukrainian Catholic Church. Because of inclement weather elsewhere, 3 expected bishops could not attend : Metropolitan Sotirios (Athanassoulas) of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Canada ; Archbishop Antony (Scharba) of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA and Bishop Yuriy (Kalistchuk) of the UOCC's Eastern Diocese.

The Moleben of Thanksgiving was celebrated by Archbishop John, 16 priests and 4 deacons in the presence of the honoree, hierarchs, priests, deacons and more than 350 faithful. The responses were sung by the Cathedral Choir directed by Dr. John Mayba. At the end of the moleben, Archbishop John turned to Metropolitan Wasyly with a pastoral address, in which he stated : "We are gathered here to honour you as our pastoral father-metropolitan and wish you many years of health, happiness and God's blessing".

Repose, 2005

Metropolitan Wasyly fell asleep in Christ on 10 January, 2005, in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

The Funeral Services for the Burial of a Hierarch took place at the Holy Trinity Metropolitan Cathedral in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The hierarchical funeral service commenced on Friday evening, 21 January. On Saturday, 22 January, the Hierarchical Memorial Divine Liturgy was served. It was led by Archbishop John (Stinka) of Edmonton, the locum tenens of the metropolitan see and by Archbishop Yurij (Kalistchuk) of Toronto, together with 6 other visiting hierarchs.

Noteworthy was the presence of Metropolitan Iakovos (Garmatis) of Chicago, Illinois, who represented the Ecumenical Patriarch, Bartholomew I ; and of Archbishop Mark (Petrovtsiy) of Kashira (UOC-MP), who was the official representative of Patriarch Aleksy II and the Moscow Patriarchate.

Also present were many clergy of the UOCC and many Orthodox Christians of various nationalities.

After the Service for the Burial of a Hierarch, the body of Metropolitan Wasyly was interred at Glen Eden Cemetery in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

As was reported in the "Ukrainian Weekly" in February, 2005, it was felt that the repose of Metropolitan Wasyly impoverished his brother bishops, together with Mitred Archpriest William Makarenko (Chair of the Presidium (Executive Committee) of the Consistory of the UOCC), the members of the Presidium and Full Consistory of the UOCC, and his spiritual children – the clergy and laity of the UOCC.

The repose of Metropolitan Wasyly was felt most deeply by his sons : Justice Eugene Fedak ; Jaroslaw Fedak, and Emil Fedak, along with their families ; his sister, Irene Melnyshuk ; his niece and care-giver, Nadia Hudyma ; and his personal secretary, Priest Cornell Zubritsky.

— Bishop of Saskatoon (UGOCC) 1978-1982. Preceded by : Bishop Boris (Yakovkevych). Succeeded by : Bishop John (Stinka).

— Vicar-Bishop of the Central Eparchy 1978-1982.

— Bishop of Toronto (UGOCC) 1982-1983.

— Archbishop of Toronto (UGOCC) 1983-1985. Preceded by : Archbishop Nicholas (Debryn). Succeeded by : Bishop Yurij (Kalistchuk).

— Archbishop of Winnipeg, (Primate) Metropolitan of the UOCC 1985-2005. Preceded by : Metropolitan Andrew (Metiuk). Succeeded by : Metropolitan John (Stinka).

Reflections

An indication of the pastoral and paternal disposition of Metropolitan Wasyly (Fedak) is that it is sad about him that during the years of his service as a bishop, no cleric was disciplined through suspension. It is averred that he managed to talk everything through in difficult situations, and to bring things to a peaceful resolution.

Amongst the many signs of affection and appreciation that demonstrate the gratitude of the Faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada is the very visible name of the Metropolitan Wasyly Learning Centre at the Saint Volodymyr Cathedral in Hamilton, Ontario, where he served for many years.

Honours

Metropolitan Wasyly (Fedak) received various honours and awards :

• An honourary Doctorate of Divinity from Saint Andrew’s College

• An honourary Doctorate of Canon Law from the Ukrainian Free University in Munich

• The Centenary Medal and the Shevchenko Medal from the Ukrainian Canadian Congress

• The Governor General’s Medal in honour of Canada’s 125th Anniversary

• The Queen Elizabeth II 50th Anniversary Medal

• The highest award of the Governor General of Canada, the Officer of the Order of Canada Medal

• Induction into the Hamilton Gallery of Distinction

• Honours from honoured by the Provincial Government of Ontario

Hamilton Symposium on the 20th Anniversary of the Repose of Metropolitan Wasyly, 2024

On 10 January, 2025, the Hamilton Deanery of the Eastern Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, together with the Saint Volodymyr Sobor in Hamilton, Ontario, commemorated the 20th anniversary of the repose of Metropolitan Wasyly on 1o January, 2005, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. A special event, including a Symposium, was organised at the Saint Volodymyr Sobor in Hamilton, under the theme "Metropolitan Wasyly (Fedak) : His Legacy and Contribution to UOCC". His family members and invited guests spoke about Metropolitan Wasyly who had served at this parish as a priest from 1951 to 1978.

The Parastas/Panikhyda held at the Saint Volodymyr Sobor in Hamilton, led by Bishop Andriy (Peshko) together with 10 clergy of the Eastern Eparchy, and this was followed by a luncheon prepared by the Ukrainian Women’s Association/Hamilton Branch. Afterwards, the Symposium was opened by Metropolitan Ilarion II (Rudnyk) who attended this occasion from Edmonton, Alberta.

2024 Symposium

In his introductory message, Metropolitan Ilarion emphasised his personal connection with the Metropolitan Wasyly of blessed memory, and his role in the life of the UOCC between 1978 to 2005. According to Metropolitan Ilarion, Metropolitan Wasyly of blessed memory was an individual of exceptional inner peace, who had an encouraging vision of hope even in the most difficult situation. His role in the development of the UOCC in those years was instrumental in the development of the recognition of the UOCC in World Orthodoxy.

The next 2 presenters, sons of Metropolitan Wasyly (Jaroslaw and Emilian Fedak) shared their experiences from the perspective of family and children. Both of them emphasised the role of the Church in forming and crystalising the character of their father. In order to understand their father, we have to look at him through the lens of achievements and challenges faced by every specific parish, and later the UOCC. The prism of their father’s life experience could be understood as their foundation of who they are today. The many challenges facing the family combined with many moves never deterred their father from his personal determination and devotion to the Church.

The next speaker, Father Wasyl Makarenko, conveyed his working relationship with Metropolitan Wasyly while he held the position as the chairman of the presidium of UOCC for 10 years. In so many ways, Metropolitan Wasyly was a man of complete dedication to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, and as a bishop with an exceptional ability of listening and understanding the human condition. He was an icon of patience towards his own priests and a model against authoritarianism and privilege of power. His pastoral approach to administration combined the epitome of compassion and love towards every human being. His daily personal interaction, whether it was with the staff of the Consistory Office, or with random people at the airport, presented him always as cordial and empathetic.

The last presenter, Father Jaroslaw Buciora, researched the subject of recognition of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople on 1 April, 1989. We have to recognise the fact that Metropolitan Wasyly achieved in his tenure what all of his predecessors could not : Eucharistic Communion with the family of all the Local Orthodox Churches in the world. In order to reach this moment, Father Jaroslaw looked at the authentic correspondence between Metropolitan Wasyly with the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the representatives of the Ecumenical Throne in North America. Although Metropolitan Wasyly could not personally attend the event on 1 April, 1989 in Constantinople due to a medical emergency, he completed his task of having World Orthodoxy recognize our Church with the presence of Bishop Yuriy (Kalisthuk). The journey of the UOCC, commencing in 1918, towards a full Eucharistic recognition by the Ecumenical Patriarchate was achieved during his leadership.

"Vichnaya pamyat" (Memory Eternal) to Metropolitan Wasyly, whose name and contribution to the life of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada continues will be fostered for many generations of believers to come. [21 January, 2025]

References

Orthodoxwiki biography

Wikipedia biography

Hamilton parish biography

Ukrainian Wikipedia biography

Russian Wikipedia biography

Additional information :

Sametz, William, “My father the priest : the life and times of the Very Reverend Dr. Peter Sametz : founding missionary priest of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada” (Toronto : Hypertex Plus, 2008). ISBN : 9780969670056.

Tarasar, Constance J, ed., "Orthodox America 1794-1976 : Development of The Orthodox Church in America" (Syosset, NY : The Orthodox Church in America Department of History and Archives, 1975). ASIN : B000ZLZAUE.

Trosky, O, “The Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church in Canada” (Winnipeg : Bulman Bros, 1968). ASIN : B0006DWYPA

Yereniuk, Prof. Roman, “A Short Historical Outline of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada on the Occasion of the 90th Anniversary of the Church (1918-2018”

Yuzyk, Paul, “The Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada, 1918–1951” (Ottawa : University of Ottawa Press, 1981). ISBN 10 : 2760309274 ; ISBN 13 : 978-2760309272.

‘His Beatitude Metropolitan Wasyly’ in “Ukrainian Orthodox Word” (Obituary)

"Memorable Manitobans : Wasyly Fedak (1909-2005)"

"Ukrainian Weekly", 1999 : Yereniuk, Dr Roman, "Metropolitan Wasyly honored in Winnipeg for double anniversary", p. 4

"Ukrainian Weekly", February, 2005 : obituary for Metropolitan Wasyly

Winnipeg Free Press obituary for Metropolitan Wasyly by Mary Wiebe

UOCC web-site : "A Brief History of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada"

Orthodox Research Institute article about the history of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada by Dr. Oleh Krawchenko

Findagrave reference to Metropolitan Wasyly (Fedak)

Glen Eden Memorial Gardens grave marker

Patriarch Bartholomew I (Archontonis)

Metropolitan Sotirios (Athanassoulas)

Metropolitan Andrew (Metiuk)