OYK Toronto Easter Luncheon 2011

By Iris Sopinka

Easter and springtime are both glorious and analogous events.  Springtime is the time of year when Mother Nature awakens and everything she embraces is given new life.  Easter is the observance and celebration of Jesus’ triumph of life over death, symbolizing the triumph of our souls over evil.

On May 1, the Ukrainian Women’s Organization (OYK), Toronto Branch, celebrated Easter with its annual traditional Spilne Sviachene or Community Easter Luncheon, held at the Ukrainian National Federation Community Centre. However, this year, the presence of fifteen Ukrainian military officers stationed at Camp Borden made the afternoon a very special one. Scattered at different tables throughout the Trident Hall were handsome, young men dressed in military uniform.

In her opening remarks, Lydia Lelyk, President of the UWO, Toronto Branch, welcomed the guests warmly and asked them to stand for a moment of silence to remember the women members who had passed away in the previous year. 

Zenon Chwaluk, an “honorary” member of OYK, was the able Master of Ceremonies and started the celebration with an Easter poem. Throughout the program, he amused and entertained the guests with his lighthearted jokes and witty comments.  Zenon went beyond the call of duty and into the role of altar boy as he assisted Father Ostap Chorniy with the traditional Easter Blessing with Holy Water,  and all singing Chrystos Voskres iz Mertvykh. Fr. Chorniy has been present at this function for many years and feels very much at home at the UNF Hall.

Getting together at Easter with the community is a very important event for the members of UWO and UNF for several reasons. This is an opportunity to be with friends who uphold the same traditions, speak the Ukrainian language and want to pass their faith onto the next generation.  Being together and practising these traditions reinforces the commitment to the organization and strengthens our identity.  The Boyan Choir, under the capable direction of Natalia Fuchylo, delightfully sang Easter hailky and spring vesnianky, reminding us that some of our Ukrainian traditions have pagan roots.

At my table were seated Paulina Zahrebelny, a former National President of UWO for 17 years and Jean Hook, a life-time OYK Member. When I looked at her, a flashback came to me of her late husband Bohdan, for this couple was always together. I mentioned this to her and she replied that she really missed him and showed me a picture she kept in her wallet of them together on their Wedding Day. Perhaps, in a way, he never left her.  We were delighted that Jean Bedry was with us at the Sviachene. Mrs. Bedry celebrated her 100^th Birthday last July.  UWO President, Lydia Lelyk, presented her with a bouquet of flowers and all the guests greeted her with a resounding rendition of Mnohaya lita.  A conversation with a military officer who sat next to me ensued about the use of the Ukrainian language in the military. He reassured us that Ukrainian was the language of communication as well as the language used in letters and memos in the Ukrainian Armed Forces.  All the officers conversed in Ukrainian and were not hesitant to reply with information when asked questions. Freedom of speech has become a way of life for them.  Petro Kowalczyk, President of UNF Toronto West Branch mentioned that the visiting officers were billeted by members of their Branch over the Easter Holidays, so that they could share the joy of celebrating the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus in a very warm and friendly atmosphere. Talk about a strong community! We should all be proud to belong to an organization such as UWO and UNF!

PHOTOS

1 - L. to R.: Ukrainian military officer guest, Iris Sopinka Chwaluk and Zenon Chwaluk

2  - Centenarian Mrs. Jean Bedry (seated) and standing (right to left): Lydia Lelyk, Kim and Brad Weaver, Mrs. Bedry’s granddaughter with her husband

3 - UWO National Executive and Toronto Branch members at Spilne Sviachene 2011