2025 Praznyk at Nanaimo Parish of the Archangel Michael
It was an amazing and inspiring parish feast (praznyk) at St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Parish in Nanaimo, BC. on Sunday, 9 November 2025. It was a prayerful and uplifting time of prayer and reflection and fellowship — as all “praznyks” are — but the additional inspiration was the number of participants! The annual event brought together all the parishioners and many guests from their sister parishes on the island from Victoria and Courtney and others as well.
Sisters Janice and Angelica of the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate also came from New Westminster. There was literally ‘standing room only’ in the church and the two wings of the reception hall were filled! It was very uplifting experience as it was an obvious sign of the great revival and growth of the parish over the last couple of years.
Bishop Michael also travelled from New Westminster to attended the praznyk. His joy was visible as he heartily thanked everyone for making the effort to come celebrate the feast and show their support for the parish and commitment to the new pastoral and spiritual growth that is obviously happening on Vancouver Island. During his homily he spoke to some of the themes that the two Gospel readings of the day suggested (Sunday Lk. 16:19–31 / Feast Lk. 10:16–21). The first was that Angels are an important part of God’s divine “structure” of creation and of His plan for our salvation. He spoke of how the Lord used angels throughout history as defenders and messengers and how our own guardian angels serve as powerful protectors and guides for each of us. The parable of the rich man and Lazarus, he said, is a clear lesson to us to use the wonderful God-given gift of life to the best of our ability to help fulfil the mission of Christ’s Church upon earth and to show compassion and support to those we encounter — especially those in desperate need.
At the close of the Divine Liturgy a joyful welcoming occurred for a young family man who had recently joined the Church and the parish. Parish Priest Fr. Stepan Vytvytsky presented two beautiful icons and with a certificate noting his reception of the Mysteries (Sacraments) of Penance and the Holy Eucharist.
Besides being one of only three pilgrimage destination churches throughout the Eparchy for the Jubilee Year of Hope. St. Michael’s is also becoming a well-known centre of veneration of holy relics. Relics are a significant aspect of religious piety in Christian tradition. The Catechism of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, Christ — our Pascha, especially in the section on “The Veneration of Saint’s Relics (615–620)”, offers a good explanation about the reverence for relics of the saints and how they are incorporated in Church life. One of the newest relics presented in the parish were not that of a saint, but nuggets of rock from the renowned Sanctuary of Saint Michael the Archangel in Gargano, Italy where apparitions of the patron of the Parish, St. Michael the Archangel were reported from the 6th century. Bishop Michael blessed with the relics all who came forward seeking healing and peace in their hearts.
The reception was a ‘potluck’ dinner with so many foods prepared with love and representing a vast variety of ethnic foods, styles and versions. Borsch for everyone and then salads, meats, vegetarian dishes and mouthwatering desserts. There was something for everybody and enough for everyone. The large crowd didn’t leave “12 baskets full” of leftovers, but everyone went home very satisfied!
May the Archangel Michael continue to watch over and protect the parish and may our loving Lord continue to bless our Nanaimo Parish with growth and success year by year.
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