The coat of arms of Bishop Mykola Bychok

In the shield, there is a white Y shape, with purple crosses on its 3 sides. In the upper red field, there is a silver thorn flower with a golden heart and leaves, accompanied by a golden sphere on each side and at the bottom. In the left green field, there is a golden Trident with a cross on the middle prong. In the right blue field, a golden cross, sponge, and lance emerge from a golden three-hump hill, with the All-Seeing Eye above them in a white triangle. The shield is placed on a purple mantle lined with ermine and topped with a golden bishop’s mitre with red lining. On each side, there is a golden bishop’s staff and a processional cross. The black motto on a golden ribbon reads: “Пресвятая Богородице, спаси нас” (Most Holy Mother of God, save us).

The Y shape with purple crosses represents the omophorion as part of the liturgical vestments of a bishop. The Trident with a cross is traditionally used by UGCC (Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church) Eparchies outside of Ukraine (in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom) to emphasise the Ukrainian church tradition, and the green color specifically represents Australia and Oceania. The golden cross, lance, and sponge on the three-hump hill, as well as the All-Seeing Eye, are the emblem of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer. The thorn flower has a dual significance: 1) as an associative symbol for Ternopil; 2) as a symbol of the Passion of Christ. The three golden spheres are attributes of St. Nicholas. The motto consists of prayer words that indicate the special veneration of the icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help by the Redemptorists (CSsR).

Biography