Sacramental mysteries
The Holy Mysteries of the Church are physical signs that confer and reveal an invisible reality. It is through the Holy Mysteries that one participates in the life of Christ. Here is what the Catechism of the Ukrainian Catholic Church says about the Holy (Sacramental) Mysteries:
“The saving and sanctifying action of the church is accomplished in seven Holy Mysteries…through these sacred actions of the Church, Christ grants the grace of the Holy Spirit. Through these Mysteries the Church sanctifies the faithful on their journey to the fullness of life in Christ. Through visible signs (e.g., water, chrism, bread and wine, the laying on of hands) Christ builds up his Church in the Holy Mysteries. In the liturgical actions of the Mysteries it is God’s grace that acts, and believers enter into God’s life. By participating in the visible form of a Mystery, that is, through the liturgical action, we become partakers of God’s salvific action of grace. “The unbeliever, hearing of a laver, counts it merely as water: but I behold not simply the thing which is seen, but the purification of the soul which is by the Spirit. (St. John Chrysostom)” The external form of the rite and its material expressions are vital as they signify our deification and manifest the first fruits of transfigured nature.” (405)
Baptism
Baptism is the first mystery of Christian Initiation. In baptism, the Church welcomes a newly enlightened member into its midst. Baptism is the inauguration of a new life: a life in Christ.
Lessons from the Catechism of the Ukrainian Catholic Church
“The Father reveals and grants us eternal life through his Son in the Holy Spirit. This life of the new creation becomes accessible to us not only after death, but even now. Through the Holy Mysteries of Baptism and Chrismation, along with the Eucharist, we are united to Christ. In Him, we become heirs of divine life, bearers of the Holy Spirit, who reveals to us the full truth of Christ. The Spirit leads us along the paths of Christ’s commandments and prays within us: “Abba! Father!” (Rom 8:15). Through these Holy Mysteries we become members of the Body of Christ and temples of the Holy Spirit.” (409)
“In his conversation with Nicodemus, Christ speaks of the inauguration of the new life as a process of being “born anew” or “from above” (see Jn 3:3). This new birth is a birth of “water and the Spirit” (Jn 3:5). Performed by water in the liturgical rite, it becomes a reality through the Holy Spirit’s power. Baptism is for us the beginning of the fullness of life for which we were created…In Baptism, God not only saves us from sin, but also grants us the inestimable treasures of new life.” (410)
Baptism at Our Parish
Baptisms are a joyous occasion not just for the family but also for the parish community. Baptisms are an occasion for the entire parish to celebrate and welcome a new Christian and parishioner. As such, it is ideal if the baptism occurs within the context of the Sunday Divine Liturgy so that the entire parish community may be present for the initiation of a new member of the Body of Christ. While this is the ideal, a convenient date and time can be arranged with the priest.
Baptism comes from the Greek word baptisma (βάπτισμα) which means “to immerse.” In our parish, baptisms are done by immersion in water. This may conjure up feelings of fear and worry in the mother of the child, but there is nothing to be concerned about. The child is not fully immersed in the water -just up to his/her shoulders – and then water is gently poured over the head by the priest.
After the baptism, the child is clothed in the white Baptismal Garment (sometimes called the kryzhmo). Speak to the Parish Priest if you are looking to purchase a Baptismal Garment or if you are unsure if what you have is acceptable.
If you would like to have your child baptized in our parish, please complete the following form and contact the Parish Priest (pastor.stsvowindsor@gmail.com) to set up an interview.
Godparents / Sponsors
The role of Godparents in the life of the newly baptized cannot be understated. Godparents are chosen by the parents in order to help them raise and educate the newly baptized in the faith. With this in mind, the Church mandates that Godparents must be active and practicing members of the Catholic Church. At minimum, one Godparent must be Catholic while the second Godparent can be Orthodox. If it happens that the second Godparent is a baptized Christian but not Catholic or Orthodox, then they, along with the Catholic Godparent, can be a Christian Witness at the baptism. If you are unsure or confused about how and who to choose, speak to the priest.
Please read the following before choosing Godparents and you can also pass this along to them so that they can better understand their role in not only the baptism but also in the life of their soon-to-be Godchild.
Chrismation
Chrismation is the second mystery of Christian Initiation. Through the anointing with Holy Chrism, the newly baptized receives “The Seal of the Gift of the Holy Spirit.” The one anointed by the Chrism receives the coming of the Holy Spirit just as the apostles received it at Pentecost.
Lessons from the Catechism of the Ukrainian Catholic Church
“As the Paschal mystery of the Death and Resurrection of Christ finds its completion in the sending of the Holy Spirit on the apostles, so our rebirth in Christ is sealed by the gift of the Holy Spirit. Chrismation is the seal of the gift that we received in Baptism. It manifests that every baptized person receives the coming of the Holy Spirit, as did the apostles at Pentecost. This anointing by the Holy Spirit indicates that every Christian is born to new life in Christ and becomes a child of the Father in order to take part in the royal, priestly, and prophetic ministry of Christ for the salvation of the world. This is emphasized in the prayer of consecration of Holy Chrism on Great and Holy Thursday:
“Send, O Lord, your Most Holy Spirit upon this Chrism and make of it a royal anointing, a spiritual anointing by which kings, high-priests, and prophets had been anointed, and all of their successors – bishops and presbyters and all who until this day have received rebirth in the font of regeneration…Make this Chrism to be the Descent of the Holy Spirit.’” (424)
Just as after Christ’s baptism in the Jordan the Holy Spirit led Christ in His salvific mission, and just as the Spirit leads the Church community since the descent on the apostles at Pentecost, so also in the Mystery of Chrismation the Holy Spirit grants to every Christian the capacity to discern and realize the foundational calling (vocation) of his or her life for the salvation and transfiguration of the world. (427)
Chrismation at Our Parish
For a newly baptized child or adult, Chrismation immediately follows Baptism. The priest anoints the forehead, eyes, nose, mouth, ears, breast, hands, and feet of the newly baptizes child or adult, using the Chrism consecrated by the Bishop on Great and Holy Thursday. While Chrismating, the priest repeats the words, “The Seal of the Gift of the Holy Spirit.”
For those converting from a Christian tradition in which they were validly baptized, Chrismation is the means by which they become a new member of the Ukrainian Catholic Church. They are chrismated with the Chrism in the same way a newly baptized child or adult is chrismated.
Eucharist
Holy Eucharist is the third mystery of Christian Initiation. The newly baptized, born with Christ and filled with the Holy Spirit, receives the Body and Blood of Christ as nourishment. While Baptism and Chrismation are received only once, Holy Communion is received throughout one’s life because in and through this Mystery, the Christian grows in the grace received in Baptism and Chrismation
Lessons from the Catechism of the Ukrainian Catholic Church
“The Mystery of the Eucharist (Holy Communion) is the third of the Mysteries of Christian Initiation. In the Eucharist the newly baptized, who was born in Christ and filled with the Holy Spirit, receives the communion of the Body and Blood of Christ at the holy Eucharistic table. But unlike Baptism and Chrismation, which we receive only once, we receive the Mystery of the Eucharist throughout our lives, since it is through this Mystery that we grow in the grace received in Baptism and Chrismation – the grace to be sons and daughters of God. For this reason our Church offers Communion to the newly baptized.” (431)
“The Holy Eucharist most fully manifests and creates our communion both with God and with others. All who have communion with Christ become ‘one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another’ (Rom 12:5). In other words, we become one Church. ‘Because there is one [Eucharistic] bread, we who are many are one body [of Christ], for we all partake of the one bread’ (1 Cor 10:17). We profess this same truth in the Anaphora of Saint Basil the Great when we ask God to ‘unite all of us who share in this one bread and cup with one another into the communion of the one Holy Spirit.’ Saint John of Damascus teaches:
‘Participation is spoken of; for through it we partake of the divinity of Jesus. Communion, too, is spoken of, and it is an actual communion, because through it we have communion with Christ and share in his flesh and his divinity: [at same time] we have communion and are united with one another through it. For since we partake of one bread, we all become one body of Christ and one blood, and members one of another, being of one body with Christ.’” (433)
Eucharist at Our Parish
Unlike the Holy Mysteries of Baptism and Chrismation which are only received once, Holy Eucharist may be received by the faithful regularly after their Christian Initiation. In our Church, we commune faithful, practicing Catholics who are properly disposed to receive the Most Holy Eucharist.
The Divine Liturgy is celebrated every Sunday morning, on Major Feast days, and on various other feasts and weekdays. Please consult the Parish Calendar or Current Bulletin for exact dates and times.
During the Great Fast, one may receive the Eucharist every Wednesday evening at the Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts.
For those who are sick or shut-ins, one of the priests is always ready and willing to visit and bring the Holy Eucharist to those who cannot come to Church to receive the Eucharist.
Repentance
Repentance or Confession is one of the two Holy Mysteries of Healing. In our human weakness and weakened capacity to always choose the good, we sin. In order to make us whole again, Christ offers us His forgiveness in the Holy Mystery of Repentance and Confession.
Lessons from the Catechism of the Ukrainian Catholic Church
“The Holy Mystery of Repentance (or Confession) is a marvelous manifestation of God’s love and mercy towards us sinners. This is because the Lord does not reject us and does not turn away from us when we, having been washed of our sins in Baptism and endowed with divine grace, sin again through malice or weakness. Indeed, the Lord awaits our repentance. He forgives us if we repent and confess our sins” (see Luke 15:12-32). (449)
“In the celebration of the Holy Mystery of Repentance, the Church actualizes the words of the Lord to the apostles: “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained” (John 20:22-23). Every priest continues the apostolic ministry in the Mystery of Repentance when he absolves the faithful of their sins and reconciles them with the Church. The priest pronounces the prayer of absolution (the loosing from the bondage of sin) and every penitent thereby receives Christ’s forgiveness.” (450)
Repentance at Our Parish
In grade two, parish children receive catechetical instruction for their First Confession and Solemn Holy Communion. From that point on, they may avail themselves of the Holy Mystery of Repentance as frequently as needed, just like adults may.
Confessions are available every Wednesday evening from 5:30pm – 6:00pm. They may also be heard upon request.
During St. Philip’s Fast (Advent) and during the Great Fast (Lent), our parish invites a visiting priest to hear confessions before the great feasts of Christmas and Pascha.
It is important for anyone who desires to go to confession to properly prepare to receive this Holy Mystery. One method of preparation is an examination of conscience in order to bring to mind the ways you may have fallen and sinned in word, deed, or thought. An examination of conscience can be found below along with the Order of Holy Confession in English and Ukrainian.
Anointing of the Sick
Anointing of the Sick or Holy Anointing is one of the two Holy Mysteries of Healing. Just as Christ healed and forgave the sins of those whom He encountered in His earthly ministry, so too does the Church by continuing this mission in the Holy Mystery of Anointing, imploring God for the healing of soul and body through the prayer of the Church and in the anointing of the sick person with Holy Oil.
Lessons from the Catechism of the Ukrainian Catholic Church
“Sending the twelve apostles to preach the Gospel, Jesus “gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness: (Mt 10:1). He promised that healings would accompany their preaching: “They will lay their hands on the sick and they will recover” (Mk 16:18). Following Christ’s example, the apostles also enjoined prayers for the afflicted: “Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven” (Jas 5:14-15). The Church continues the Apostolic Tradition: it celebrates the Mystery of Holy Anointing for the healing of soul and body, and for the forgiveness of sins.” (464)
“The Mystery of Holy Anointing is performed collegially, by the prayer of the whole Church, for the healing of soul and body. Its purpose is to strengthen trust in God and bestow forgiveness of sins as well as physical recovery. This is why the Mystery is administered to the sick and not only to the dying. By the power of the grace of the Mystery of Holy Anointing, the sick person becomes capable of seeing their illness in the light of Divine Providence and receives the strength to bear their illness and overcome it. By changing his or her attitude toward the illness, the afflicted person joins their own suffering to the salvific sufferings of Christ.” (466)
Anointing of the Sick at Our Parish
Anointing of the Sick is readily available for anyone who is healing or recovering, who is preparing for surgery, who is physically and/or spiritually suffering or is gravely ill. Speak to one of the priests about receiving this Holy Mystery.
Anointing of the Sick is ideally served in Church, with the family of the one receiving anointing present for the service. However, the Mystery can be served at home, in the hospital, at the nursing home, or wherever the sick person lays.
Every year, during Holy Week, we have the Anointing of the Sick service in Church for all to receive this Holy Mystery.
Marriage
Marriage or Crowning is one of the two Holy Mysteries of Service. Christ, through the Church, blesses the union of one man and one woman who come together in love and in fidelity to one another and create a domestic church, a Christian family.
Lessons from the Catechism of the Ukrainian Catholic Church
“God created human beings male and female: “By you, O God, a woman is joined to man as a helpmate and for the continuance of the human race…you blessed them, saying: ‘increase and multiply and rule the earth.’ Through wedlock you made the two of them one body.” In the Church, the marriage union is a Holy Mystery in which the man and woman manifest the new life in Christ. A Christian marriage is not only a natural relationship, a shared life and experience; it is an occasion of sanctification. Marriage is a Holy Mystery (Sacrament) in which by the grace of the Holy Spirit a man and a woman are united into one body and create a domestic church. The family union created by marriage is a community of persons, which, according to God’s plan, is an icon of the relationship of the Persons of the Most Holy Trinity.” (471)
“Marriage is based on the fact that the married couple mutually complements one another. The Church gives witness to this in a prayer of the Rite of Crowning: “Holy God, you created man from the dust and from his side fashioned a woman as a suitable helpmate for him, for such was the good pleasure of your majesty that man should not be alone on earth.” In their gender differentiation, a man and woman complete one another, creating an indissoluble union of one body.” (472)
Marriage at Our Parish
It is a great joy to have a man and a woman make a lifelong commitment to each other by getting married. When an engagement happens, the couple along with their families and friends begin a long planning process that culminates in one very important and meaningful day. Unfortunately, most couples think about and plan everything except the Church service first and then expect the Church to adjust to their plans.
It cannot be overstated that before deciding on a date or making arrangements with a hall, caterer, photographer, etc, the young couple MUST contact the Church first. The couple should contact the Parish Priest in order to set an appointment for the prenuptial investigation. The Church must first determine whether they man and woman are free to marry and if there are any other ecclesial issues that need to be worked out before the wedding can proceed. PLEASE CONTACT THE CHURCH FIRST!
One requirement for being married in the Ukrainian Catholic Church is marriage preparation. The Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Toronto and Eastern Canada has an Eparchial marriage preparation program which happens once a year (usually February) in the GTA. This program is required for all couples wanting to marry and may be supplemented with one or two sessions with the Parish Priest.
The Marriage service of the Ukrainian Catholic Church is beautiful. Below, you can find a description of the symbolic elements found in the Rite of Crowning.
Holy Orders
Holy Orders is one of the two Holy Mysteries of Service. Through the Mystery of Holy Orders, a man is set apart for a particular and specific ministry within the Church. Holy Orders fall into two categories: the Minor Order and the Major Orders.
Lessons from the Catechism of the Ukrainian Catholic Church
“In His love for humankind, God the Father “so loved the world that he gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world in order to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him” (Jn 3:16-17). The Son of God, Jesus Christ, calls himself the Good Shepherd: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (Jn 10:11). Christ fulfills in himself God’s promise of the one Shepherd for the People of God: “I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd” (Ez 34:23). Christ passes on his pastorship to his chosen apostles whom he called, and also to their successors. This he does so that through them he would continue to remain in the Church and lead it.” (485)
“A vocation to the priesthood is God’s gift to an ecclesial community and at the same time the fruit of the spiritual life of a community – the family and the parish. That is why the Church prays ceaselessly for good and holy vocations to the priestly ministry. The Church provides appropriate preparation for those called by God. This is so that they can be open to receive the grace of the priesthood – to serve God’s people. During this preparation, the candidate grows in the spirit of prayer, knowledge of the Church’s teaching, and skill in leading others on the path of salvation. Responsibility for the preparedness of the candidate to the priesthood lies with the bishop, who entrusts him with a ministry in the Church. The ecclesial community, for its part, upholds him in his ministry.” (499)
Holy Orders at Our Parish
It is exceedingly joyful for a parish community to witness the calling of one of its own parishioners to ordained ministry. The Church, through its teaching, preaching, and worshiping of Christ prays for more men to be called to Holy Orders and encourages those who, feeling they are called to serve the Church among the ordained ministry, to explore this calling more deeply.
If you believe that God is calling you to serve Him and the Church in the ordained ministry, please speak to your Parish Priest.
Funeral
Remembrance of the deceased is an essential part of our faith. At every Divine Liturgy, the priest prays for the founders and benefactors of the parish and for all who have fallen asleep since time began. At the moment of death, the Church offers the funeral prayers for the remembrance of the deceased and in order to console the family at the time of death. When praying memorial prayers, the Church remembers the deceased both individually and collectively. These memorial prayers are served on the anniversary of death and also on specific days during the Church year.
Lessons from the Catechism of the Ukrainian Catholic Church
“In funeral rites and memorial services, the Church asks the merciful God to forgive the deceased their sins and to grant their souls ‘repose in the land of the living, in the place of light, where all the saints and righteous have their rest.’ For this the Church also makes ‘atonement for the dead, so that they might be delivered from their sin’ (2 Mc 12:45).” (510)
“A Christian funeral is always filled with hope for the person’s resurrection in the flesh. This is why the body of the deceased is censed, sprinkled with holy water, and otherwise shown reverence; and it is why it is carried solemnly to the church and cemetery. Those participating in the funeral procession accompany the deceased with their joint prayers to the place of burial. The hope of Christians for eternal life is expressed in the singing “Everlasting memory” which refers to God’s “remembrance” of the person. To be embraced by that memory is to remain in eternal life.” (512)
Funerals at Our Parish
When someone dies, it is important that we honour the deceased with a Christian burial. It is important that you contact the Parish Priest to let him know that the person has died and then contact a local funeral home to begin making the funeral arrangements. Most of the local funeral homes are familiar with our funeral customs but if they are unsure, they can always contact the Parish Priest who will answer any questions they may have.
Traditionally, visitations, memorial services, and funerals were all done at the Church. This also meant that the body of the deceased stayed in the Church from the evening before the funeral until the funeral day itself. While this rarely practiced in North America nowadays, if the family so wishes, the visitation and memorial services on the evening before the funeral may be served at the Church with the body remaining in Church overnight until the day of the funeral.
Customarily, a Panachyda (short memorial service) is served the evening before the funeral. On the day of the funeral, we serve the Order of Burial. While our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters have a Mass for the Deceased, our tradition does not have a Divine Liturgy or Eucharist attached to the funeral service. The Order of Burial, which is heavily based in the Psalms and various hymns of death written by the Church Fathers, is the service that we serve on the funeral. This service is an honest meditation on life and death that not only honours the deceased but also reminds the living of how precious and short life is and how life is meant to be spent in communion with God.
Near the end of the service, there is the “Final Kiss” or “Final Farewell” which is the last opportunity for those gathered for the funeral to pay their respects to the deceased. After the singing of “Everlasting Memory” (“Вічная Пам’ять”), the body is processed out of the Church and to the cemetery for the internment. After the internment, there is traditionally a memorial luncheon (tryzna) where family and friends can share memories about the deceased.
Memorial Services
Memorial services are customarily served on the 3rd, 9th, and 40th day after death as well as on the yearly anniversary of death. At the time of death, you can arrange to have a Divine Liturgy and Panachyda served on or about the 40th day after death. This is a great opportunity for family and friends to come together and remember the deceased.
There are also 6 Saturdays throughout the Church Year, known as All Souls Saturdays, that are days of general commemoration of the deceased. On the eve of these days (Friday evening), a Parastas is served in our parish with the commemoration of the deceased. In our parish, we have a book where each family is encouraged to write in the names of deceased family members and during the Parastas, the Priest reads all the names of the people in the book.