Audio archives updated to April 24, 2011

Last Sunday's edition of Nash Holos Ukrainian Roots Radio featured all things Easter.

Recalling the Chernobyl disaster 25 years later

On April 26, 1986, arguably the world's worst nuclear accident took place in Chernobyl (Chornobyl in Ukrainian), about an hour’s drive from Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital.

As it happened behind the Iron Curtain, the Chernobyl disaster occurred under a veil of secrecy. Soviet authorities at first refused to admit anything out of the ordinary had happened at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, even after radioactive fallout was detected in Sweden and elsewhere in Scandinavia.

I recall that time well. I was in university, a newly “born-again Ukrainian” learning about Ukrainian history, and life and politics behind the Iron Curtain. It was, however, the first time I heard of Chernobyl… along with the rest of the world.

I remember those media reports about radioactive fallout

Goodbye to Ken Kostick, Ukrainian Canadian star of Food Network Canada

I was saddened to read this article today announcing the death of Ukrainian Canadian TV personality chef Ken Kostick at age 58. He died Thursday at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto from complications arising after a battle with acute pancreatitis this past February.

The Winnipeg-born celebrity chef was best known

Origins of the word "Easter"

When I decided to jump back on the blogging bandwagon I did so thinking that Ukrainian Easter would be a perfect topic to get started again.

After all, it's one I'm quite familiar with. I grew up steeped in the religious and cultural symbolism of Ukrainian Easter, having belonged to both

Nash Holos audio archives & website updated to April 17, 2011

Featured on the Sunday, April 17, 2011 show:

Ukrainian Catholics and Ukrainian Orthodox will celebrate Easter on same day this year

For Ukrainians, Easter is the major religious holiday, whether they belong to the Ukrainian Catholic church, the Ukrainian Orthodox church, or any other Christian denomination.

Easter is the oldest Christian holiday and the most important day of the church year.

Ukrainian Catholic and Ukrainian Orthodox church services for Easter 2011

Below you will find a list of services in Ukrainian Catholic and Ukrainian Orthodox churches in BC leading up to and including Easter Sunday.

I compiled this list as a courtesy for anyone who is not a member of a Ukrainian Catholic church or a Ukrainian Orthodox Church in BC, for whatever reason, but would like to attend Easter services nonetheless.

Several years ago, as a long– time lapsed Ukrainian Catholic, I felt a strong urge one Good Friday morning to return to church. That was in the days before churches had websites, and I couldn’t reach anyone on the phone to find out the times. So I ended up going to a nearby Protestant church. Which was fine but, it just wasn’t mine.

So I appreciate that it can be a challenge to find a church with a service when you need it, because sometimes the call can come like a hammer on the head, and you need to go *now.* (At least that’s how it was for me.)

Today, with the internet, it’s easier to find information, of course. Still, it can sometimes be like trying to find a needle in a haystack!

Hence this list (extensive but by no means comprehensive) of Ukrainian Catholic church and Ukrainian Orthodox church Easter services in BC. (I have also included the schedule for St Mary the Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Montreal, which is served by Father Ihor Kutash, host of the Ukrainian Christian Heritage feature on Nash Holos Ukrainian Roots Radio program.)

The schedule timeline covers the Paschal Triduum (also called the Holy Triduum or Easter Triduum) which commemorates the events surrounding the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Paschal Triduum starts on the evening of Holy Thursday (the last day of Lent) and ends the evening of Easter Sunday.

Happily, this year Easter falls on the same day on the liturgical calendars of both churches … making the task of compiling this list considerably easier! I hope it will come in handy if you're needing a quick guide to Easter services at a Ukrainian Catholic or Ukrainian Orthodox church in your area. 

Schedule of Ukrainian church services in BC this Easter season:

Grindrod, BC

St. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church
Carlin St. & 3rd Ave.

Holy Thursday, April 21, 2011
4:30 pm – Matins & Passion Gospels
Good Friday, April 22, 2011
2 pm – Exposition of the Holy Shroud
Holy Saturday, April 23, 2011
5 pm – Easter Service – procession, Resurrection Matins, Divine Liturgy, Blessing of Easter baskets


Kamloops, BC

The Most Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church
109 Tranquille Rd.

Holy Thursday, April 21, 2011
7 pm – Matins of the Passion/Strasti
Good Friday, April 22, 2011
3 pm – Vespers of Holy Friday / Plashchanytsia
4:30 pm – Confession, Church open for prayer
Holy Saturday, April 23, 2011
9 pm – Matins of Holy Saturday/Jerusalem Matins
10:30 am – 11:30 am – Confession,
11:30 am – 6 pm– Church open for prayer
Easter Sunday April 24 – Holy Pascha
9:30 am – Paschal Procession, Easter Matins, Divine Liturgy, blessing of Easter baskets

Kelowna, BC

Dormition of the Mother of God, Ukrainian Catholic Parish
1091 Coronation Ave.

Holy Thursday, April 21, 2011
7 pm – Matins
Good Friday, April 22, 2011
1:30 pm – Vesper of Holy Friday (Plashchanycia)
7 pm – Jerusalem Matins
Holy Saturday, April 23, 2011
11 am – 12 pm – Confessions, prayers
Easter Sunday April 24 – Holy Pascha
7:30 am – Paschal Procession, Easter Matins, Divine Liturgy, myrovania, Blessing of Easter Baskets


Nanaimo, BC
St Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church
4017 Victoria Avenue

Good Friday, April 22, 2011
10 am – Vespers
Holy Saturday, April 23, 2011
4 pm – Paschal Matins, Divine Liturgy, Blessing of Easter Baskets


New Westminster, BC

Holy Eucharist Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral 
501 – 4th Avenue

Holy Thursday, April 21, 2011
10 am – Vespers with Divine Liturgy
6pm – Passion Matins
Good Friday, April 22, 2011
12 pm – Vespers with procession of the Holy Shroud (Plashchanytsya)
6 pm – Jerusalem Matins
Holy Saturday, April 23, 2011
10 am – Vespers with Divine Liturgy
5 pm – Service at the Tomb, blessing of Easter baskets
Easter Sunday April 24 – Holy Pascha
7 am – Procession, Easter Matins, Divine Liturgy & blessing of Easter baskets

Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Sts Peter & Paul (KP)
304 8th Street (Tel: 604–291–2001)

Holy Thursday, April 21, 2011
6 pm – Passion Gospels readings
Good Friday, April 22, 2011
6 pm – Burial of Christ commemorative service
Easter Sunday April 24 – Holy Pascha
8 am – Traditional Easter Morning Service
9 am – Divine Easter Liturgy, blessing of Easter baskets, traditional breakfast with music by two Australian musicians (bandura )


Parksville, BC

St Mary The Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox Church
594 Karls Way

Easter Sunday April 24 – Holy Pascha
6 am - Divine Liturgy, Easter Matins, Blessing of Easter Baskets


Penticton, BC

Holy Resurrection Ukrainian Catholic Church
361 Wade Avenue

Good Friday, April 22, 2011
5 pm – Vesper of Holy Friday
Holy Saturday, April 23, 2011
5 pm – Paschal Procession, Easter Matins, Divine Liturgy, Blessing of the Easter Baskets

Prince George, BC

St.George’s Ukrainian Catholic Church.
2414 Vanier Drive

Holy Thursday, April 21, 2011
9 am – Divine Liturgy
7 pm – Matins; Confessions
Good Friday, April 22, 2011
10 am – Vespers, Exposition of the Holy Shroud, Confessions
Holy Saturday, April 23, 2011
9 am – Divine Liturgy, Confessions
Easter Sunday April 24 – Holy Pascha
7:30 am – Resurrection Matins and Divine Liturgy, Anointing with Holy Oil ( Myrovania) and Blessing of Easter baskets


Richmond, BC

The Dormition of the Mother of God Ukrainian Catholic Church
8700 Railway Road

Holy Thursday, April 21, 2011
6:30 pm – Matins
Good Friday, April 22, 2011
12 pm – Exposition of the Holy Shroud (Plashchanycia) Service
Holy Saturday, April 23, 2011
10am – Divine Liturgy, Confessions
Easter Sunday April 24 – Holy Pascha
7 am – Matins and Divine Liturgy
9:30 am – Divine Liturgy, Blessing of Easter Baskets


Surrey, BC

Exaltation of the Holy Cross Ukrainian Catholic Church
13753 – 108th Avenue

Holy Thursday, April 21, 2011
6 pm – Passion Matins
Good Friday, April 22, 2011
2 pm – Confessions
3 pm – Vespers with the Burial Shroud (Plashchanytsya)
Easter Sunday April 24 – Holy Pascha
7 am – Easter Matins, Divine Liturgy, blessing of Easter baskets

Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St Mary
10765—135A Street.

Holy Thursday, April 21, 2011
6:30 pm – Reading of 12 Passion Gospels (Strasti)
Good Friday, April 22, 2011
3 pm – Veneration of the Holy Shroud (Plaschanytsia)
Holy Saturday, April 23, 2011
10 am – Vesperal Liturgy
Easter Sunday April 24 – Holy Pascha
7am – Paschal Matins, Divine Liturgy, Blessing of Easter Baskets


Vancouver, BC

Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Church
154 East 10th Street

Holy Thursday, April 21, 2011
7 pm – Reading of the Twelve Gospels
Good Friday, April 22, 2011
7 pm – Vespers and procession of the Holy Shroud (Plashchanytsya)
Holy Saturday, April 23, 2011
7 pm – Acts of the Apostles
8 pm – Polunoshnytsia (nocturnal prayer).
Easter Sunday April 24 – Holy Pascha
7 am – Procession to the entrance of the church; Paschal Matins
8 am – Paschal Divine Liturgy. Blessing of Paschal baskets following the divine liturgy.

St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church
550 West 14th Avenue

Holy Thursday, April 21, 2011
8:30 am – Divine Liturgy
7 pm – Passion Matins, Confessions
Good Friday, April 22, 2011
11 am – Vespers with placement of the Holy Shroud, Confessions
12– 7 pm – Vigil and Adoration
7 pm – Jerusalem Matins, Confessions
Holy Saturday, April 23, 2011
10 am – Divine Liturgy, Blessing of Easter baskets, Confessions
2 pm – Blessing of Easter baskets, Confessions
7 pm – Sepulcher Service, Blessing of Easter baskets, Confessions
Easter Sunday April 24 – Holy Pascha
7 am – Resurrection Matins, Divine Liturgy
10:30 am – Divine Liturgy, Holy Oil Anointing


Vernon, BC

St. Josaphat's Ukrainian Catholic Church
2210 – 40th Avenue

Holy Thursday, April 21, 2011
10 am– Vespers & Divine Liturgy
Good Friday, April 22, 2011
5 pm Exposition of the Holy Shroud
Holy Saturday, April 23, 2011
10 am – Vespers & Divine Liturgy
Easter Sunday April 24 – Holy Pascha
8 am – Easter procession, Resurrection Matins, Divine Liturgy & Blessing of Easter baskets


Victoria, BC

St Nicholas the Wonderworker
1112 Caledonia Avenue

Holy Thursday, April 21, 2011
7 pm – Vespers & Divine Liturgy
Good Friday, April 22, 2011
3 pm – Vespers of the Entombment
Holy Saturday, April 23, 2011
10 am – Jerusalem Matins
Easter Sunday April 24 – Holy Pascha
8 am – Paschal Matins , Divine Liturgy, Blessing of Easter Baskets

St George's Ukrainian Orthodox Church
1100 Colville (Esquimalt)

Holy Thursday, April 21, 2011
6 pm – The Passions
Good Friday, April 22, 2011
4 pm – Vespers, Veneration of the Holy Shroud
Holy Saturday, April 23, 2011
10 am – Divine Liturgy, Blessing of Easter Baskets


Ukrainian Easter services in Montreal

St. Mary the Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox Church
2246 Boul. Rosemont
Montréal, Québec

Holy Thursday, April 21, 2011
9:30 am – Divine Liturgy
7 pm – Matins of the Lord’s Passion (Strasti)
Good Friday, April 22, 2011
3 pm – Vespers with Procession of the Holy Shroud (Plashchanytsia)
5:30 pm – Jerusalem Matins
Holy Saturday, April 23, 2011
9:30 am – Divine Liturgy
5 pm – Blessing of Baskets
11 pm – Vigil
Easter Sunday April 24 – Holy Pascha
12 am – (Midnight) – Paschal Matins
1 am – Divine Liturgy, Blessing of Baskets, Paschal Breakfast
9 am – Second Paschal Matins
5 pm – Paschal Vespers

The Rt. Rev. Mitred Archpriest Dr. Ihor G. Kutash
Listen to Fr Ihor's Easter message on Nash Holos

Nash Holos audio archives updated to April 10

Both the April 3 and April 10 shows are now available for download at the Nash Holos website.