Bishop Mykola visited Ukrainian Saturday school in Toronto
On Saturday, September 6, Bishop Mykola Cardinal Bychok, Eparch of Melbourne, led a Moleben to mark the beginning of the school year at the St. Nicholas Saturday school in Toronto, Canada.
Bishop Mykola arrived in Canada on September 4 at the invitation of Bishop Bryan Bayda, Bishop of the Eparchy of Toronto and Eastern Canada. As part of this visit, he visited the Ukrainian Saturday school operating at the Patriarch Josyf Slipyj School in Toronto.
On Saturday morning, students, their parents, and teachers gathered at the school to begin the new school year with prayer. During the service, Bishop Mykola was concelebrated by Bishop Bryan Bayda, Fr. Roman Lobay, and Deacon Bohdan Lehman.
Addressing those present, Bishop Mykola emphasised the calling of every Christian to be a witness to Jesus Christ. He stressed that faith is not limited to participation in worship services: “We must preach His Word not only in the church, where we try to come, be filled with the Holy Spirit, good deeds, and good thoughts, so that we may have the strength throughout our lives to truly be His witnesses.” According to the bishop, it is especially important to bear this witness also in educational institutions—to be witnesses not only of faith but also of Ukraine.
The bishop noted the sacrifice and dedication of parents who bring their children to Ukrainian school every Saturday. “I want to personally thank every father and mother who brings their children here. This is your victory. If you don’t bring your child every Saturday—you have lost. Our enemy has won.” He emphasised that the Ukrainian language, culture, and spirituality are a treasure that cannot be lost.
Addressing the children directly, the bishop urged them to appreciate the opportunity to learn their native language and culture and even jokingly appealed to them: “If your parents are a little tired… What should you say? Parents, get up, we want to go to school!”
At the end of the service, Bishop Mykola sprinkled holy water on all those present, blessing the students, parents, and teachers for a successful school year.
catholicukes.au
