Under God’s Blue Sky

By Volodymyr Kish

It was about as nice a summer Sunday morning as one could have wished for.  The Sun was spreading its warmth and blessing on a green and lush piece of woodland that, though just a little ways removed from the concrete and the bustle of the city, might as well have been a world away - reminding us how beautiful and peaceful nature can be.  A pleasant little stream lazily meandered its way through the canopy of trees, completing the natural trinity of God’s blue sky, the verdant earth and life-giving water.

It was there in that little piece of earthly Eden in the countryside a little northeast of Oshawa that I found myself on this Sunday morning taking part in the annual outdoor church services held by Oshawa’s St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Orthodox Parish.  An improvised altar had been set up underneath a number of tall and stately trees whose age no doubt exceeded that of most of the parishioners.  It was here that Rev. Hladio held sway, somehow curiously in harmony with the rustic natural surroundings despite his colourful priestly robes.  In the shade of a nearby maple tree, the church choir held forth, their voices seemingly richer and more sparkling in the open air, assisted in their efforts by an auxiliary chorus of neighbourhood birds, eager to join what must have been for them a kindred endeavour.

The scent of holy incense intermingled with the rich scent of pine, grass and the rest of those mysterious but intriguing fragrances one finds when walking through fields and woods after a refreshing rainfall.  It was a feast for the senses, the natural merging with the mystical. 

I had the sense that this is what it must have been like in the early days of the Church, before there were temples and church buildings of any kind, when the Apostles gathered with the faithful in the open air, in market squares, in courtyards, in gardens or on hilly slopes.  Somehow, it all seemed so much more real and intimate and, dare I say it – natural.

After the church service, this pastoral scene became the venue of the Parish’s annual picnic.  The scent of incense was quickly replaced by the aroma of sausages and burgers on the grill.  The solemn liturgical chants were replaced by the laughter of children at play and the energetic conversations of adults regaling each other with their latest adventures or discussing the latest political or religious controversies.

Leo Choloniuk, who together with his wife Val own these beautiful few acres of paradise, wanders the grounds playing host and delighting our table with the story of how in 1958 while playing for the local Strila soccer team, he once scored six goals in one game, establishing a new provincial record.

Pleasantly sated after multiple visits to the tables laden down with the bounty of many a parishioner’s kitchen, Fr. Hladio brought out his guitar and those assembled indulged in a Ukrainian’s favourite past time: singing.  From old folk songs whose origins are lost in the distant mists of Ukraine’s history to the more modern creations of contemporary Ukrainian songwriters, the melodies rustled through neighbouring trees and were carried downstream by the adjacent creek.

I don’t know whether many urban parishes are able to partake in experiences such as this, but I am sure glad that ours can. 

Like any parish, we have our ups and downs; we have our disputes and misunderstandings; we have our generational rifts and differences of opinion over everything ranging from language to the contents of the church bulletin.  The stresses of maintaining a parish in an era of declining membership are not easy.

However, for at least one day, there are no disagreements, no arguments.  Any worries about the future are set aside.  All sins are forgiven and for at least this one day, under God’s blue sky, we are one family, grateful to be alive and enjoying each other’s company.