Ukrainian Catholic ChurchAustralia, New Zealand and Oceania
Celebration of the 60 years of the Cathedral in Melbourne
October 22, 2023
Saturday, October 21, became a special day for the faithful of the Eparchy of Melbourne as they celebrated the 60 years of the blessing of this Cathedral. On this important day, the Cathedral of the Saints Apostles Peter and Paul was filled with the faithful and guests who came to join in a collective celebration of prayer.
The Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was presided over by Bishop Mykola Bychok, in concelebration with the Apostolic Nuncio to Australia, Archbishop Charles Balvo, as well as the priests and deacons of the Eparchy of Melbourne who had come from all corners of Australia. The Cathedral Choir, one of the most ancient initiatives associated with the Cathedral, adorned the Liturgical prayer with their beautiful singing.
In his homily, Archbishop Charles expressed gratitude to Bishop Mykola for the invitation to this special occasion and shared his childhood memories connected to the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in America. The Apostolic Nuncio then went on to talk about the life journey of the apostles Peter and Paul, emphasizing the differences in their calling and understanding of Christ, as well as the strong unity of faith and love for God. ‘May our faith be strong and steadfast, regardless of trials,’ Archbishop Charles concluded.
At the conclusion of the Liturgy, Bishop Mykola thanked all those present and also acknowledged the important role of the faithful and clergy who have served at the Cathedral from its inception. He emphasized the contributions of Bishop Ivan Prasko, the founder of the Eparchy of Melbourne and the builder of the Cathedral, and Bishop Peter Stasiuk, who followed in his footsteps and contributed to the development of the Eparchy. ‘Today, I want to express special gratitude to His Excellency Charles Balvo, the Apostolic Nuncio in Australia, for coming to share in the joy of this celebration and to convey the blessings and best wishes from His Holiness. He has also shared His festive Word of God,’ added Bishop Mykola.
On the occasion of the celebration, a video message was also delivered to the faithful by Bishop Peter Stasiuk, Bishop Emeritus of the Melbourne Eparchy. In his address, he expressed gratitude to God for the blessings bestowed upon Australia and the Eparchy of Melbourne and called upon everyone to reflect on the future: ‘The future of our Eparchy and the cathedral parish depends on you. These 60 years have been successful. I believe it will continue to be so in the future.’
An important part of the celebration was the festive dinner and concert that took place at the Ukrainian House in Essendon after the Liturgy. During the concert, greetings to the parishioners and clergy of the Cathedral were presented by various organizations and communities. Natalia Barker, Chair of the Parish Council, presented certificates of appreciation to individuals who have actively supported and contributed to the preservation and development of the Cathedral over the past 20 years.
At the conclusion of the celebration, Father Andriy Mykytyuk, the administrator of the Cathedral, expressed heartfelt gratitude to everyone for their presence, prayers, support, work, and contributions. He emphasized that the Cathedral is not just walls but people who together create a living community in Christ.
