Toronto ON Saint Volodymyr Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral 1926

Toronto, Ontario, Saint Volodymyr Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral

Oakville, Ontario, All Saints of Ukraine Chapel, and the Saint Volodymyr Cultural Centre, 2011

Volodymyr may be spelt Vladimir, Valdemar, Waldemar, Uladzimir. The etymological history (world ruler) makes a relationship with the name Robert.

Prehistory

The seed of the Orthodox Christian Faith was sown on Canadian land, not by missionaries (they came afterwards, at the request of the newcomers) but by simple peasants who came from Ukraine, who were searching for a better life, and who established themselves for the most part on the Canadian prairies. It is indeed on this simple but, at the same time, deep faith of the Ukrainian peasant-pioneers that the Orthodox Christian Faith began to be established in Canada.

It is to be kept in mind that in the process of the immigration of the newcomers to Canada, they landed first in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Québec City, Québec, or in Montréal, Québec. Any travellers who passed to the western parts of Canada, would very likely have passed through Toronto, Ontario, en route, since the railway route there passed through Toronto. Of course, as in Montréal, some of the newcomers found work in Toronto, and they stayed.

Most of the first Ukrainian settlers came to Canada from 2 regions in Western Ukraine. Many were from “Halychyna” (Galicia). There, they belonged to the Greek Catholic church). Others were from Bukovyna (where they belonged to the Romanian Orthodox Church). The “Halychany” (Galicians), settling in Canada, were visited occasionally by priests of the Roman Catholic Church. However, the Vatican (Roman Catholic Church headquarters) wished to attach these new Canadians to the western form of the Roman Catholic church already in existence in Canada. This would simply assimilate them. The “Bukovinians” arriving in North America usually incorporated themselves into the “Russian Orthodox Mission” which was already in existence. There arose amongst the Ukrainian immigrants a desire to have the possibility of using the Ukrainian language. This desire would have been understood by the “Bukovynians” who had been raised with worship in the Romanian language. At that time in Canada, the language available in the “Russian Mission” was Church Slavonic.

The first 2 Orthodox Christian temples that were established in Toronto were Saint George’s Greek Orthodox Church (1909), and Christ the Saviour Russian Orthodox Church (1915). At first, any Ukrainian newcomers were able to attend one of these parishes.

Establishment of the parish

After World War I, a larger number of Ukrainian immigrants arrived in Toronto, and a movement began to establish a Ukrainian Orthodox congregation in the city.

On 31 October, 1926, the parish was founded as a legal entity. The community began to meet in various places.

In 1935, the congregation bought the site at 400, Bathurst Street, on which to build the church. They also acquired the large building at 404, Bathurst Street, to be used until the church itself was completed. Soon, the parish choir had been established.

The choir, 1940

The construction took some time to accomplish. The commencement of World War II in 1939 caused further delays. However, after its conclusion, more refugees arrived from Ukraine, and this enabled the construction to proceed towards completion.

The design of the new building, in “Byzantine Revival” style, was prepared by the architect James Harold Haffa, Jr.

In 1947, the construction was under way. It was Archbishop Mstislav (Skrypnyk) who laid the foundation stone of the new building in central Toronto. In that year, he was newly-arrived in Canada, where he briefly led the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada.

Laying of the corner-stone

Opening the new temple

In November, 1948, the new church was officially opened as Saint Vladimir’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Archpriest P Fotiy

The Archpriest P Fotiy was the first priest to serve this parish, and he continued to serve the parish for nearly 30 years.

Elevation to cathedral

In 1951, the parish was chosen as the seat for the ruling Archbishop of Toronto and Eastern Canada, and thus, elevated to the rank of cathedral. The first archbishop to serve was Archbishop Michael (Khoroshy), who had recently arrived in Canada from Europe.

The cathedral, 1956

Saint Vladimir Institute

In 1951, the Saint Vladimir Institute (later, Saint Volodymyr Institute) was established in Toronto. This community and complex houses a student residence, museum, library, theatre, as well as meeting and reception rooms. It includes the offices of the "Ukrainian Canadian Research and Documentation Centre". The institute offers a variety of cultural and educational programs and makes space available for other associations to sponsor events. It is affiliated with the Ukrainian Self-Reliance League.

The Saint Volodymyr Institute is located at 620 Spadina Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 2H4.

Saint Volodymyr Institute, Toronto

Visit of Metropolitan Ilarion I (Ohienko)

In 1957, Metropolitan I (Ohienko) visited the cathedral parish as part of the celebration of his 75th birthday, and in recognition of the completion of his translation of the Holy Bible in the modern Ukrainian language. On this occasion, there was a gathering of the Eastern Eparchy at the cathedral.

Entrance of Metropolitan Ilarion and Archbishop Michael

Litiya for Taras Shevchenko

Metropolitan Ilarion, Archbishop Michael, and clergy

Archpriest Yurij Ferentsiv

In 1976, Archpriest Yurij Ferentsiv began his long period of service, which was in the midst of the second term of service in Toronto of (by then) Metropolitan Michael (Khoroshy).

Archbishop Nikolai (Debryin)

In 1978, Archbishop Nikolai (Debryn) began his service in the Eastern Eparchy in Toronto.

Archbishop Wasyly (Fedak)

In 1982, Archbishop Wasyly (Fedak) succeeded Vladyka Nikolai as Archbishop. He served as archbishop until 1985, when he was chosen to serve as Metropolitan of Winnipeg, ]https://www.uocc.ca/eparchy/central-eparchy/winnipeg-region/ the Central Eparchy], and Canada.

However, he continued to hold the responsibility of the Eastern Eparchy until the election of his successor in Toronto.

Archpriest Roman Bozhyk

In 1984, the Priest Roman Bozhyk began his 11 years of pastoral service in the Cathedral.

Saint Volodymyr Ukrainian Cemetery, Oakville, Ontario, 1984

In 1984, Saint Volodymyr Cathedral established the Saint Volodymyr Ukrainian Cemetery (also known as West Oak Memorial Gardens) in Oakville, Ontario.

Saint Volodymyr Ukrainian Cemetery is located at 1280 Dundas Street West, Oakville, Halton Regional Municipality, Ontario, L6M 4H9.

Saint Volodymyr Ukrainian Cemetery, Oakville

Renaming of the cathedral, 1988

In 1988, as part of the celebration of the Millennium of Christianity in Ukraine, the cathedral was renamed Saint Volodymyr Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral. In general, it is referred to as "Saint Volodymyr Cathedral of Toronto".

The change from "Vladimir" to "Volodymyr" was in accord with the currently accepted Ukrainian spelling of the name.

Ukrainian Cultural Centre in Oakville, Ontario, 1988

In 1988, as a further celebration of the Millennium, the cathedral parish completed construction of a new Ukrainian Cultural Centre in Oakville, Ontario. Also known as the Saint Volodymyr Event Centre, it served as a site for weddings, corporate functions, social banquets, and other gatherings,

It is located at 1280 Dundas Street West, Oakville, Ontario, L6M 4H9.

Ukrainian Cultural Centre

Re-naming of the UGOCC, 1990

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

The UOCC entered into Eucharistic union with the Patriarchate of Constantinople, 1990

In 1990, the 18th Sobor of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada in Winnipeg, Manitoba, decided to enter into Eucharistic Union with the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople (Istanbul). This decision also changed the relationship with the other Orthodox dioceses and parishes in Canada in a positive way.

Archbishop Yurij (Kalistchuk)

In 1991, Archbishop Yurij (Kalistchuk) was given the responsibility of serving the Eastern Eparchy.

Archpriest Bohdan Sencio

In 1996, Archpriest Bohdan Sencio was given the responsibility of the pastorate of the cathedral parish.

Visit of Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, 1998

On 31 May, 1998, Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis) visited Canada, and in Toronto, he served a pan-Orthodox Patriarchal Divine Liturgy at Maple Leaf Gardens (with 17 bishops, 70 priests, and 19,000 faithful). The cathedral parish was part of the preparation of this historic visit.

In 2010, Archbishop Yurij (Kalistchuk) was elected to serve as Metropolitan of Winnipeg and Canada.

In 2011, Bishop Andriy (Peshko) was given the responsibility of serving as bishop of the Eastern Eparchy.

All Saints of Ukraine Chapel, Oakville, Ontario, 2011

Built in 2011 by the parishioners of the Saint Volodymyr Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Toronto, the Chapel of All Saints of Ukraine began to serve many parishioners in the Mississauga, Burlington, Oakville, and Milton communities.

The Chapel is located in the Saint Volodymyr Cultural Centre in Oakville, Ontario.

All Saints of Ukraine Chapel Interior

Centennial of the UOCC, 2018

In 2018, the 100th anniversary of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada was marked at an extraordinary sobor (assembly) at the cathedral in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

The purpose of the sobor was to celebrate 100 years of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada. The celebrations were attended by Ukrainian Orthodox faithful from across Canada and beyond.

The Sobor began on Thursday, 9 August, 2018, with a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy in the Chapel of Saint Petro Mohyla Institute, presided by Bishop Andriy (Peshko) of the Eastern Eparchy, with the responses sung by the Clergy led by Father Michael Lomaszkiewicz. This was followed by an All-Canada Clergy Conference.

Centennial Clergy Conference

All gathered for Vespers at the Mohyla Institute Chapel and this was followed by a wine and cheese reception as the delegates and guests registered for the Extraordinary National Council.

The celebrations continued for a year.

Archpriest Jaroslaw S. Buciora

In 2020, Archpriest Jaroslaw S. Buciora was given the responsibility of serving as dean of the cathedral parish.

He came to be assisted by Priest Vasyl Kobrii, and Deacon Kostyantyn Yastreb.

2020-2021 Coronavirus-19 virus restrictions on parishes

In early 2020, the Covid-19 virus made its appearance in Canada, and it quickly became a world-wide pandemic. Because of the rules governing gatherings that were laid down by the provincial and city governments, the parish stopped any further services after 8 March, 2020. Including the rules regarding social distancing, the decreasing numbers permitted for any gathering, and the considerations regarding the health of all concerned, this and other parishes were required to close for a time.

As elsewhere, there was some controversy about the legal requirements.

Parking-lot 2020-2021

By 2021, the original building at 404 Bathurst Street had been demolished, and the space transformed into a parking-lot for the cathedral.

Election of Metropolitan Ilarion (Rudnyk), 2022

Election of a nominee by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada

On 15-19 June, 2022, the 24th Sobor of the Ukrainian Orthodox of Canada was convened "on-line". This conference-meeting was convened thus instead of convening physically (as customarily) in Winnipeg, Manitoba. There were 6 cathedrals in Canada where this meeting took place simultaneously through a computer-network : in Winnipeg, Manitoba (Holy Trinity Metropolitan Cathedral) ; Vancouver, British Columbia (Holy Trinity Cathedral) ; in Edmonton, Alberta (Saint John's Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral) ; in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (Holy Trinity Cathedral) ; in Toronto, Ontario (Saints Vladimir and Olga Cathedral) ; in Montréal, Québec (Saint Sophie Cathedral).

There was a total of 205 delegates, which was near the average attendance for such sobors.

In the course of the work of the Sobor, there was the necessary election in order to nominate to the Holy Synod of the Church of Constantinople a candidate for election as Archbishop of Winnipeg and Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, who would succeed the Retired Metropolitan Yurij (Kalistchuk).

There were 3 candidates who were considered : Archbishop Job (Getcha), Bishop Ilarion (Rudnyk), and Bishop Andriy (Peshko). The final choice of the members of the sobor was Archbishop Job (Getcha). He had received more than the minimum required 51% of the votes, and there was no subsequent voting required.

The election by the Sobor (Assembly) of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada then had to be confirmed by the Holy Synod of Bishops of Constantinople (as is described in the Consistory By-laws).

Upon having received the nomination (with accompanying documents) from the Sobor of the UOCC, the Holy Synod of the Church of Constantinople elected Vladyka Ilarion (Rudnyk) to become Archbishop of Winnipeg and Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Canada.

The Holy Synod of the Church of Constantinople elected Archbishop Job (Getcha) to become Metropolitan of Pisidia, in west-central Türkiye (Turkey), north of Lycia, and east of Ephesus.

Confirmation of election in Constantinople/Istanbul, 2022

On 29 August, 2022, Vladyka Ilarion (Rudnyk) was at the Phanar in Constantinople for the purpose of the first confirmation of the election in June, 2022. He co-served the Divine Liturgy with Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis) in the Cathedral of Saint George at the Phanar.

Enthronement as Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, 2022

On Saturday, 19 November, 2022, at 9:30 a.m., in Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the Enthronement Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was served. Metropolitan Ilarion (Rudnyk) presided at the Divine Liturgy. He was assisted by Bishop Andriy (Peshko), many priests, several deacons, subdeacons and Altar-servers. Present also were Metropolitan Archbishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas), Exarch of Canada for the Patriarchate of Constantinople, and Retired Metropolitan Yurij (Kalistchuk), Former Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada.

Metropolitan Ilarion (Rudnyk) at the Phanar, Istanbul, 2023

On Sunday, 2 July, 2023, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis) was present and praying during the Divine Liturgy at Saint George's Cathedral in the Patriarchate compound. He gave the blessing that Metropolitan Ilarion (Rudnyk) preside ("horostasia") over the Divine Liturgy. Metropolitan Job (Getcha) of Pisidia, Bishop Athenagoras (Ziliaskopoulos) of Nazianzos, and the Honourable Roman Nedilskyi, General Consul of Ukraine in Constantinople were also present and praying with the congregation of the Faithful.

Change of calendar for the UOCC, 2023

On 1 December, 2023, in accordance with the resolutions of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, Metropolitan Ilarion II (Rudnyk) announced that, effective that day, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada moved to use the New (Revised Julian) Calendar. He allowed that for a brief period of time, a parish might remain on the Old (Julian) Calendar.

It seems that subsequently, John's Cathedral in Edmonton, Alberta, was the first to adopt the New (Revised Julian) Calendar.

However, a previously-existing group of persons began to encourage resistance to the immediacy of this change. It was their understanding that the process would be determined ultimately and finally at the next general sobor of the UOCC. Therefore, on 16 December, 2023, Metropolitan Ilarion issued a formal letter concerning the situation, together with a letter of support sent to him by his predecessor (Retired Metropolitan Yurij (Kalistchuk)). He called the resisters to repentance.

Saint Volodymyr Cathedral

Cathedral interior

Particular parish information

The Cathedral Parish of Saint Volodymyr is part of the Toronto Region of the Eastern Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canda. The bishop is Bishop Andriy (Peshkov).

This parish follows the Revised Julian (New) Calendar.

The Altar Feast-day of this parish is the Feast of Saint Volodymyr of Kyiv (15 July).

In 2026, the dean of the cathedral parish was Archpriest Dr. Jaroslaw S. Buciora

The second priest was Priest Vasyl Kobrii.

The dean emeritus (retired) was Protopresbyter Bohdan Sencio, attached.

The deacon was Deacon Kostyantyn Yastreb.

Address :

Saint Volodymyr Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral

400, Bathurst Street

Toronto, Ontario

M5T 2S6

Telephones : (416) 603-3224 ; (416) 603-1443

E-mail : office@stvolodymyr.ca

Web-site : https://www.stvolodymyr.ca/

Facebook

Youtube

Mailing address :

Saint Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral

406 Bathurst Street

Toronto, Ontario

M5T 2S6

The Chapel of All Saints of Ukraine in Oakville, Ontario (1988), is an extension of the cathedral parish.

Address :

1280 Dundas Street West

Oakville Ontario

L6M 4H9

Event Centre Web-site : https://sveventcentre.com/

Directions :

Toronto is accessible by various domestic and airlines through Pearson International Aeroport in Mississauga.

Toronto is accessible from within Canada by VIARail, and from the USA by Amtrac.

Saint Vladimir's Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral is accessible by the Toronto Transit Commission, and street-cars (trams) and buses stop along Bathurst Street.

Saint Vladimir's Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral is accessible by car, and there is some parking available adjacent to the cathedral.

From Highway #401 :

From the east :

Take the exit for Highway #404/Don Valley Parkway, and follow the directions for the Don Valley Parkway south (do not go north). Follow the Don Valley Parkway to and through its merge with the Gardener Expressway West. Take Exit #146 from the expressway for Bathurst Street. Turn left from Lakeshore Boulevard onto Bathurst Street northwards, and drive past Dundas Street West. The cathedral is on the left, before Nassau Street.

From the west :

Take the exit for Highway #427 South (do not take the exit for north), and follow this route southwards until the merge with the Gardener Expressway East and Lakeshore Boulevard. Do not follow the QEW westwards. Take exit #153 from the expressway for Bathurst Street. Turn right from Lakeshore Boulevard onto Bathurst Street northwards, and drive past Dundas Street West. The cathedral is on the left, before Nassau Street.

Archpriest Dr. Jaroslaw S. Buciora, Dean

Priest Vasyl Kobrii

Protopresbyter Bohdan Sencio

Deacon Kostyantyn Yastreb.

References

Wikipedia article about Saint Volodymyr’s Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, Toronto, Ontario

Orthodoxwiki article about Saint Volodymyr’s Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, Toronto, Ontario

Additional information :

“Collection of Material Relating to the 50th Anniversary of the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada, 1918-1968” (Winnipeg : Consistory of the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada, 1968).

Perin, Roberto, “Toronto Churches and Immigrant Integration in the Postwar Period”.

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.

Yereniuk, Prof. Roman, “A Short Historical Outline of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada (UOCC)”

A Brief History of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada

Wikipedia article about Saint Volodymyr’s Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, Toronto, Ontario

Saint Volodymyr Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral web-site

Saint Volodymyr Event Centre, Oakville, Ontario, web-site

Orthodox World reference for Saint Volodymyr Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, Toronto, Ontario

UOCC Eastern Eparchy Parishes listing

Wikipedia article about the Eastern Eparchy of the UOCC

Orthodoxwiki article about Saint Volodymyr’s Cathedral, Toronto, Ontario

UOCC Eastern Eparchy Toronto Region Web-site

Internet Encyclopaedia of Ukraine article about Ukrainians in Toronto, and about Saint Volodymyr Cathedral

Internet Encyclopaedia of Ukraine article about Ukrainians in Toronto, and about Saint Volodymyr Cathedral Ukrainian Museum of Canada Toronto Branch