“All our life is a pilgrimage, a continuous journey towards God,” Bishop Mykola Bychok during the Ukrainian Catholic National Pilgrimage in Canberra
June 11, 2023
On June 10–11, 2023, in Canberra, Australia, the Ukrainian Catholic National Pilgrimage to the St. Volodymyr Church took place. This event brought together believers of all ages from different parts of the country for communal prayer, worship, and fellowship.
The pilgramage began on Saturday, June 10, from the local Ukrainian parish of St. Volodymyr, where a festive Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was held, presided over by Bishop Mykola Bychok, together with priests and deacons. An icon of St. Volodymyr was placed before the festive altar, capturing the special attention of the faithful. The choir’s singing accompanied the worship, and the aroma of incense filled the church, creating an atmosphere of holiness and contemplation. It was a special liturgy during which the attendees could experience a profound spirituality and concentration.
In his sermon, Bishop Mykola Bychok, Eparch of Melbourne, addressed the congregation with the following words: “A pilgrimage is a movement in one direction, aimed at spiritual renewal. Although our pilgrimage will take place in one location at the St. Volodymyr’s Church, we embark on a spiritual journey together as the travelling Church of Christ. In fact, our entire life is a pilgrimage, a continuous journey to God. We are all pilgrims on this earth, seeking meaning, purpose, and ultimately unity with our Creator. Thus, the church becomes not only a destination but also a reliable companion on the journey to eternal pilgrimage. In the travelling church, we are called to be active participants, not passive spectators. We are called to participate in prayer and ministry, allowing these actions to transform us from within. Like pilgrims, we are constantly growing, learning, and developing in our faith, just as during a physical journey.”
After the worship service, the faithful had the opportunity to gather for a communal meal organized by SYM members for the participants of the pilgrimage. It was a time of fellowship, exchanging news, and meeting with friends and relatives. The grand church and its surrounding landscape created a special atmosphere of peace and joyful tranquillity.
The pilgrimage also served as a platform to express support for the Ukrainian people in Ukraine, who have been fighting for their independence and sovereignty in recent years. Ukrainians in Australia feel a deep solidarity with their compatriots and hope for a peaceful and stable resolution.
“This Ukrainian Catholic National Pilgrimage holds great significance for our community. We demonstrate our unity, celebrate our culture and traditions, and support our homeland in Ukraine,” said one of the participants of the pilgrimage.
The program of the pilgrimage also included various activities catering to the needs of different age groups, including folk singing and activities organized for children (2–18 years old), youth (18–40 years old), and adults (40–101 years old). This created opportunities for interaction and communication among participants of different age groups.
Later, the attendees gathered for the Great Vespers, during which the faithful turned to God in prayer and communal singing. This was followed by the TESE Prayers, which are a special method of prayer aimed at deepening spirituality and unity in the Christian community. Finally, the faithful gathered around the bonfire for communal prayer and singing.
On the following day, Sunday, June 11th, the pilgrimage commenced with the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, led by Bishop Mykola Bychok, accompanied by the clergy and numerous faithful. During the spiritual sermon, the Melbourne Eparchy reflected on the life of Blessed Martyr Volodymyr Pryima, the patron of the pilgrimage. “On June 26th, 2013, Blessed Volodymyr was proclaimed the patron of laity for the Ukrainian Catholic Church worldwide. And this is not accidental, because he was faithful to Christ until the end. In September 2014, when His Beatitude Patriarch Sviatoslav visited Canberra on a pastoral visit, he declared the St. Volodymyr Church in Canberra as a place for pilgrimage in the Melbourne Eparchy and entrusted us with a relic of Blessed Volodymyr for veneration.
What was so special about the life of Blessed Volodymyr Pryima? What can he teach us, the Christians of the 21 st century in Australia? He was an ordinary person, a father of four children, serving as a cantor in the Church. We do not see anything extraordinary in his life, everything was simple and ordinary, just like in our own lives. However, there was one characteristic that was distinctive in him — he carried out these simple things excellently, demonstrating his love for God and neighbour. Ultimately, it was this love that became decisive in the final moments of his earthly life, as he placed God at the centre of his life.”
During this Liturgy, the location for the pilgrimage in Canberra was announced with a Plenary Indulgence, which holds significant spiritual value. There was also a blessing of icons of Blessed Martyr Volodymyr Pryima, the patron saint of laity. These icons will be distributed to all parishes and missions in Australia and New Zealand, where they will travel from home to home. Thus, everyone will have the opportunity to pray in their own homes to the Almighty God through the intercession of Blessed Volodymyr and seek all necessary graces to be faithful Christians today.
Following the prayers, there was a communal meal and the official closing of the pilgrimage. The faithful gathered for the conclusion of the events and farewell words.
The Ukrainian Catholic National Pilgrimage to the Church of St. Volodymyr in Canberra in 2023 became a significant event in the life of the Ukrainian community in Australia. It reminded us of the importance of unity, understanding, and preservation of our spiritual traditions, as well as the universality and power of faith that unites us all, regardless of our origins or place of residence.