Photos © Oleh Kandyba  All rights reserved.
 

St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Shrine -- one of Ottawa's
most striking landmarks.

Even though it was the middle of the week, the Shrine was filled with people of all ages praying and remembering. Three Catholic and two Orthodox priests conducted the Service.

His Excellency the Ambassador of Ukraine, Dr. Yurij Scherbak and most of the Ukrainian Embassy staff were in attendance. Not visible in this picture was Mr. Eugene Czolij, the President of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress.

The Ottawa Branch of Plast -- the Ukrainian scouting movement, were highly visible in full regalia, and displaying the colours of 101-st Troop named after Volodymyr Ivasiuk.

Fr. Cyril Mykytiuk, the Parish Priest
of the Shrine delivered the main sermon.

Fr. Nicholas Czurak, of the Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary reads from the Gospel.

His Excellency Dr. Yurij Scherbak addressed the attendees, and read a very moving prayer, which he had written and dedicated to the memory of Chornobyl. Fr. Nicholas Czurak, Fr. Cyril Mykytiuk, Fr. Maxym Lysack of the Christ the Saviour Orthodox Church and Fr. Andriy Chirovsky, Rector of the Sheptytsky Institute look on.

Fr. Andrij Onuferko of the Sheptytsky Institute delivered a very warm, lively and interesting sermon specially tailored for the younger members of Plast.

After the Service, many of the attendees gathered in the Parish Hall to meet with Mr. Eugene Czolij, the President of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress. Here, the members of the 101-st Troop meet the President for the first time, and capture the moment in a group photo.

In a fast-moving and entertaining speech Mr. Czolij reported on the work of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress over the past 60 years in pursuing various issues of interest to all Ukrainain Canadians, and described plans for the near future.

Mr. Czolij announced that the UCC was celebrating its 60-th anniversary. He encouraged the audience to financially support the UCC's work by donating at least $60, and thereby becoming members of the 60 Club.

The high point of the evening came when Mr. Czolij presented Volunteer Service Awards to those who had worked so long and hard in promoting and advancing the work of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress in the Ottawa Community. Appearing from left-to-right are: Olha Sametz, Halyna Michaelchuk, Irena Bell, Helen Henry, Eugene Czolij, Marta Wynnyckyj, Teodor Shumovsky, Julia Woychyshyn, Volodymyr Shelest, Volodymyr Mushka, and John Woychyshyn. Absent: Boris Sirskyj and Zenon Yankowsky.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!