View source for Priest Michael and Dobrodijka Orysia Kopchuk



[[File:The-Rev.-Fr.-Michael-KOPCHUK 2.jpg]]  [[File:OrysiaKKopchuk 2.png]]

'''Priest Michael Kopchuk (1933-2025)'''

and

'''Dobrodijka Orysia (born Maruschak ) Kopchuk) (1941-2025)'''

==Early life of Michael Kopchuk==

On 7 November, 1933, Michael John Kopchuk was born in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melville,_Saskatchewan Melville], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saskatchewan Saskatchewan], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada Canada].  He was born to John (†1963) and Julia (†1969) Kopchuk.  Michael was the second-youngest of the children.  

He and his siblings (Peter (†1931), [https://www.veterans.gc.ca/en/remembrance/memorials/canadian-virtual-war-memorial/detail/2634789 John] (†1943), George (†1986), Philip (†1988), Katerena (†1973), Mary (†1994), Paraska (†2003), Stefanya) were baptised as [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Introduction_to_Orthodox_Christianity Orthodox Christians] in the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Ukrainian_Orthodox_Church_of_Canada Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada], and they were raised in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the [https://www.uocc.ca/parish/st-mary-the-protectress-parish-6/ Saint Mary Protectress parish], and in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_Ukraine Ukrainian culture].  


[[File:Saint Mary The Protectress Ukr Orthodox Church SK S0A 2P0 Melville SK 2.jpg]]  

'''Saint Mary the Protectress Church, Melville'''


In 1939, at the age of 6, Michael fell asleep in a field during the summer, and he suffered such a severe sunstroke that he was hospitalised for a time.  He had a very high fever.  Thus, he missed the day when [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_VI King George VI] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Elizabeth_The_Queen_Mother Queen Elizabeth] stopped in Melville on their [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/1939-royal-tour trans-Canada royal tour].  

After he graduated from high school, Michael moved to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winnipeg Winnipeg], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manitoba Manitoba].  There, he found employment with the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Pacific_Railway Canadian Pacific Railway] (CPR)  so that he could save money towards his further education.

It was during this time that Michael met his future wife.

==Early life of Orysia (Iris) Maruschak==

On 18 October, 1941, Orysia Maruschak was born in [https://mhs.mb.ca/docs/municipalities/franklin.shtml Franklin Municipality], [https://www.roadonmap.com/ca/where-is/Senkiw,Manitoba Senkiw], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manitoba Manitoba], Canada. 
She was born to Michael (†1955) and Anna Marushchak (†1992).  

She and her siblings, John (†2008), Marie (†2015), [https://passages.winnipegfreepress.com/passage-details/id-266230/MARUSCHAK_PETER Peter] (†2019), Wasyl (Bill) (†2022) were baptised as Orthodox Christians in the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada, and they were raised in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and in Ukrainian culture. 

Orysia received the nickname Iris by the time she began her schooling. 

Iris went to school for a time in Senkiw (a 1-room school, as did her siblings) (about 18 km distant from Gardenton).  Then the family moved to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gardenton,_Manitoba Gardenton], Manitoba.


[[File:Stmichaelsukrainianorthodox21 2.png]]  

'''Saint Michael Orthodox Church, Gardenton'''

==Bereavement==

In 1955, Iris's father, Michael Maruschak, reposed in Christ.


'''Move to Winnipeg'''

Following the repose of her father, Iris and her mother moved to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winnipeg Winnipeg].  

It was only a few years later that Iris met her future husband.

==Marriage==

In 1958, Michael Kopchuk and Orysia (Iris) Maruschak met each other on a blind date.  

They became friends, and after a year, they were [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Marriage crowned in marriage] on 24 October, 1959.  

Soon, they received from the Lord 2 children, Valentina (1960), and Gregory (1961).

==Higher education==

In 1963, Michael enrolled in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_River_College_Polytechnic Red River College] in Winnipeg, from which he received a Teacher’s Diploma in 1964.  

Iris had part time jobs, and she kept busy with the Orthodox Church wherever they lived.  Amongst her skills, she would teach classes on making [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egg_decorating_in_Slavic_culture Ukrainian Easter Eggs] (Pasenka, Pysanki).

Michael played the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandolin mandolin], and the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Violin violin], and his musical gift was not a small part of his life.

In 1970, after having taught for some time, Michael Kopchuk entered the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Manitoba University of Manitoba’s] [https://umanitoba.ca/education/ Faculty of Education].  From there, he received a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bachelor_of_Education Bachelor of Education] (BEd) degree in 1974.  

Immediately afterwards, he enrolled again in the Faculty of Education, in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postgraduate_education Graduate Studies].  

In 1975, Michael received a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Master_of_Education Master of Education] (MEd) degree.

As a teacher, he taught [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industrial_arts Industrial Arts] primarily, and his specialty was [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodworking woodworking].  In addition, he taught [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Driver's_education driver education] for at least 2 decades.  

Already in 1973, the family had begun moving frequently.  Michael taught in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cranberry_Portage Cranberry Portage] (in Northwest Manitoba), and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virden,_Manitoba Virden] (in Southwest Manitoba) ; in [https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/quesnel Quesnel] (in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Columbia_Interior north-central] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Columbia British Columbia]), and in [https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/surrey Surrey] ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lower_Mainland Lower Mainland of British Columbia]).  Iris worked for many years in order to supplement the family income.

==Further education==

By the time the family had moved to Surrey, Michael had understood that he had a call to serve as a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Presbyter  priest], and he began to prepare to study at [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Winnipeg_MB_Saint_Andrew%E2%80%99s_College_1932 Saint Andrew’s College] in Winnipeg, Manitoba.  He took summer courses at Saint Andrew’s College as part of his preparation.  


[[File:St andrews.jpeg]]  '''Saint Andrew's College'''


For a time, Iris remained in Surrey, and she continued working while the family moved to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carberry,_Manitoba Carberry], Manitoba, where they lived during part of this time.

As things developed, the many experiences that Michael had had with people in a wide variety of circumstances prepared him for future pastoral service.

==Ordinations==

On 2 June, 1991, Michael Kopchuk was ordained to the Holy [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Deacon Diaconate] in [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Winnipeg_MB_All_Saints_Ukrainian_Orthodox_Church_1924 All Saints Ukrainian Orthodox Church] in Winnipeg, Manitoba by [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Yurij_(Kalistchuk) Bishop Yurij (Kalistchuk)].

On 6 October, 1991, Deacon Michael Kopchuk was ordained to the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Presbyter Holy Priesthood] at [https://www.uocc.ca/parish/ukrainian-orthodox-parish-of-st-mary/ Saint Mary's Ukrainian Orthodox Church] in [https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/surrey Surrey], British Columbia, by [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_John_(Stinka) Archbishop John (Stinka)]. 

==Pastoral service==

Priest Michael Kopchuk began a pattern of service which was typical of pastoral service for clergy in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada at the time.

Father Michael was assigned to serve first in [https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/kamsack Kamsack], Saskatchewan and District (August, 1992 - July, 1994).  As was the case most of the time, his assignments included several temples in various settlements.  

During this time, in 1993, Father Michael Kopchuk graduated from Saint Andrew’s College with a Diploma in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theology Theology].

Then he was transferred to serve at [https://www.uocc.ca/parish/all-saints-parish-10/ All Saints Church] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyas,_Saskatchewan Hyas], Saskatchewan, and in the District (August, 1994 - August, 1996).

Next, he was transferred to serve at [https://www.uocc.ca/parish/5229/ Saint Volodymyr's Church] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_Sudbury Sudbury], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ontario  Ontario] (August, 1996 - July, 1999).  He also cared for [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sault_Ste._Marie,_Ontario Sault Sainte-Marie]. 

Then he was transferred to serve in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regina,_Saskatchewan Regina], Saskatchewan, as Priest-in-Charge of [https://www.uocc.ca/parish/st-michael-parish-6/ Saint Michael's Church], and of [https://www.uocc.ca/parish/st-volodymyr-parish-5/ Saint Volodymyr's] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moose_Jaw Moose Jaw], and of [https://www.uocc.ca/parish/st-michael-parish-3/ Saint Michael's] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candiac,_Saskatchewan Candiac] (August, 1999).  

Following this, he was assigned to serve in the [https://www.uocc.ca/eparchy/central-eparchy/ituna-wadena-foam-lake-region/ Ituna-Wadena Parish District], Saskatchewan (August, 2000 - July, 2004).

Then he was transferred to serve in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Frances Fort Frances], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ontario Ontario] (August, 2004 - June, 2006).

After this, he was transferred again to serve as a supply priest for the [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Western_Eparchy_of_the_Ukrainian_Orthodox_Church_of_Canada Western Diocese] with responsibility for [https://smhg.ca/senior-care/long-term-care-centre/ Saint Michael’s Nursing Home] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmonton Edmonton], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberta Alberta], and congregations of [https://www.uocc.ca/parish/sts-peter-and-paul-parish-7/ Saints Peter and Paul] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onoway, Onoway], [https://www.uocc.ca/parish/sts-peter-and-paul-parish-9/ Saints Peter and Paul] at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seba_Beach Seba Beach], and [https://www.uocc.ca/parish/st-elias-parish-2/ Saint Elias] at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirit_River,_Alberta Spirit River] (17 June, 2006 - 15 June, 2007).

This was adjusted so that he would serve as supply priest for the [https://www.uocc.ca/about/parishes/?wpv_view_count=3176&wpv-eparchy=edmonton-district&wpv-parish-location=0&wpv_post_search=&wpv_filter_submit=Submit&wpv_sort_order=asc Edmonton Deanery] and attached to [https://www.uocc.ca/parish/st-andrews-ukrainian-orthodox-sobor-parish/ Saint Andrew’s Sobor] in Edmonton (15 June, 2007).

In Edmonton, he served for a time with his son Deacon Gregory Kopchuk at the [https://www.shepherdscare.org/location/kensington-village/ Kensington Shepherds Care Mission.]  


[[File:FrMichaelKopchuk 1.png]]  '''Father Michael'''

==Retirement==

Then, Father Michael Kopchuk retired.  For many years thereafter, he and Dobrodijka Orysia often attended [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Edmonton_AB_Holy_Trinity_Canadian_Orthodox_Church_1955 Holy Trinity Orthodox Church] in Edmonton, Alberta, unless he had another assignment.


[[File:Archpriest Michael Kopchuk (2) 2.jpg]]  '''Father Michael at Holy Trinity Church'''


Meanwhile, they had continued to live in their own residence until the health of Dobrodijka Orysia began to weaken significantly.  Then, she went into long-term care.  Later, she entered [https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/cc/ccfd/FacilityInfo.aspx?id=1001999 Saint Michael’s Long Term Care Centre].  

By this time, Father Michael, who had endured an increasing amount of pain for many years, was ready to join her in this facility.  Indeed, they were grateful to be able to be together again.  

During all these years, Father Michael received the following awards from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada :
  •	[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Nabedrennik Nabedrenik], in 1998, by [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Wasyly_(Fedak) Metropolitan Wasyly (Fedak)] ;
  •	[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skufia Scufia], in  1998, by Metropolitan Wasyly (Fedak) ;
  •	[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Kamilavka Kamilavka], in  2001, by the [https://www.uocc.ca/about/administration/ Council of Bishops] of the UOCC.  

In 2025, the health of both Father Michael and Dobrodijka deteriorated noticeably.

==Repose==

On Thursday, 31 July, 2025, Dobrodijka Orysia Kopchuk fell asleep in the Lord at the Saint Michael Long Term Care Centre in Edmonton, Alberta.  

On Wednesday, 6 August, 2025, at 7:00 p.m., in the  North Central Chapel of the [https://www.serenity.ca/ Serenety Funeral Services], the [https://archbishop-of-ottawa.org/content/panikhida-adult-faithful Pankhida for a Lay-person] was served by the [https://www.uocc.ca/clergy/the-rt-rev-protopresbyter-victor-lakusta/ Protopresbyter Victor Lakusta].  The family gave the eulogies.

On Thursday, 7 August, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., in the North Central Chapel of the Serenety Funeral Services, the [https://archbishop-of-ottawa.org/content/burial-services-over-orthodox-lay-persons Funeral Service for the Burial of a Lay-person] was served by the Protopresbyter Victor Lakusta.  The family (Valentina Anderson, Gregory Kopchuk, and Murphy Kopchuk) gave the eulogies.

Refreshments were served afterwards on the premises.  

Following the completion of the funeral obsequies, the body of Dobrodijka Orysia Kopchuk was interred at [https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/1996735/evergreen-memorial-gardens Evergreen Memorial Gardens] in Edmonton.

==Repose==

On Thursday, 23 October, 2025, Priest Michael Kopchuk fell asleep in the Lord at the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Alexandra_Hospital_(Edmonton) Royal Alexandra Hospital] in Edmonton, Alberta.

On Tuesday, 28 October, 2025, at 7:00 p.m., in the North Central Chapel of the Serenity Funeral Services, the [https://archbishop-of-ottawa.org/content/panikhida-adult-faithful Pankhida] was served by the [https://www.uocc.ca/clergy/the-rt-rev-protopresbyter-victor-lakusta/ Protopresbyter Victor Lakusta].  The family gave the eulogies.  

On Wednesday, 29 October, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., in the North Central Chapel of the Serenity Funeral Services, the [https://archbishop-of-ottawa.org/content/burial-services-over-presbyter-or-over-bishop Funeral Service]  was served by the Protopresbyter Victor Lakusta.  The family (Valentina Anderson, Gregory Kopchuk, and Murphy Kopchuk) gave the eulogies.

Refreshments were served afterwards on the premises.  

Following the completion of the funeral obsequies, the body of Priest Michael Kopchuk was interred next to his wife at [https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/1996735/evergreen-memorial-gardens Evergreen Memorial Gardens] in Edmonton.

Father Michael and Dobrodijka Kopchuk were survived by Father Michael’s sister Stefanya (born Kopchuk) Staffa ; their children, Valentina (her husband, Neil, their children Nicholas, Terry, and Kyle Andreson, grandchildren Hunter Anderson Andronick, Carson Anderson, and great-grandchild Eden Andronick ; Gregory, and his children Tatiana Mijajkovic, Yuliana Kopchuk, Liliana (Murphy) Kopchuk, and granddaughter Avalana Shepherd ; sister-in-law Anne Griffiths ; and other nieces and nephews.    


==References==

[https://www.serenity.ca/obituaries/Iris-Katarina-Kopchuk?obId=43819709 Serenity obituary for Dobrodijka Orysia Kopchuk] 

[https://www.serenity.ca/obituaries/Michael-Kopchuk?obId=46226976  Serenity obituary for Priest Michael Kopchuk] 

[https://www.uocc.ca/clergy/the-rev-fr-michael-kopchuk/ UOCC listing] 


'''Additional information :'''

Yereniuk, Prof. Roman, “[https://uocc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Short-History-of-the-UOCC.pdf A Short Historical Outline of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada (UOCC)]” 
[https://www.uocc.ca/about/history/ A Brief History of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada].
 
[https://www.uocc.ca/ Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada website]   

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Ukrainian_Orthodox_Church_of_Canada Orthodoxwiki article about the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada]

[https://www.patriarchateofconstantinople.com/index.html Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople web-site]  

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecumenical_Patriarchate_of_Constantinople Wikipedia article about the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople]   

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Church_of_Constantinople Orthodoxwiki article about the Patriarchate of Constantinople]    
[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Patriarch_Bartholomew_(Archontonis) Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis)] 

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_John_(Theodorovych) Metropolitan John (Theodorovych)]   

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Ilarion_(Ohienko) Metropolitan Ilarion (Ohienko)]   

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Andrew_(Metiuk) Metropolitan Andrew (Metiuk)]  

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Boris_(Yakovkevych) Archbishop Boris (Yakovkevych)]   

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Patriarch_Mstyslav_(Skrypnyk) Bishop Mstyslav (Skrypnyk)]   

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_John_(Stinka) Metropolitan John (Stinka)]   

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Yurij_(Kalistchuk) Metropolitan Yurij (Kalistchuk)]  

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Bishop_Ilarion_(Rudnyk) Metropolitan Ilarion (Rudnyk)] 

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Job_(Getcha) Archbishop Job (Getcha)] 
 
[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Bishop_Andriy_(Peshko) Bishop Andriy (Peshko)]    

[https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/ukrainian-canadians/ Canadian Enyclopaedia article about Ukrainian Canadians] 

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukrainian_Canadians Wikipedia article about Ukrainian Canadians]  

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/List_of_parishes_in_Alberta_(Canada) Orthodoxwiki list of parishes in Alberta] 

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/List_of_parishes_in_British_Columbia_(Canada) Orthodoxwiki list of parishes in British Columbia]  

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/List_of_parishes_in_Manitoba_(Canada) Orthodoxwiki list of parishes in Manitoba]  

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/List_of_parishes_in_Ontario_(Canada) Orthodoxwiki list of parishes in Ontario]  

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/List_of_parishes_in_Saskatchewan_(Canada) Orthodoxwiki list of parishes in Saskatchewan] 




[[Category:Clergy]]  [[Category:Alberta]]  [[Category:British Columbia]]  [[Category:Manitoba]]  [[Category:Ontario]]  [[Category:Saskatchewan]]  [[Category:UOCC]]  [[Category:EP]]  [[Category:ADOCA]]