Socio-Cultural >Religion

St. Vladimir's Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral (Sobor)

Introduction
Perhaps the first things one notices when examining a Christian Orthodox cathedral or church are the onion-shaped domes that are on the roof, as well as the distinctive three-bar cross. The Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral at 2000 Tecumseh Road East in Windsor has been instrumental to the growth of a local Ukrainian community and the preservation of Ukrainian culture, by hosting a number of events including the Carrousel of Nations. However, this was not the first location for the Ukrainian Orthodox community. In fact, the local Orthodox Ukrainian community was originally without their own place of worship. This was not uncommon, and in the early 1900s, many Ukrainian people living in the western parts of Canada (particularly the prairies) were without clergy. In addition, several of these individuals and families had to rely on non-Ukrainian priests or ministers of other Christian faiths, to carry out marriages, baptisms, and funerals.

History
The revival of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Canada originated in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, in 1918. Eventually, the faith would find its way to Windsor, Ontario, and on April 3, 1927, Reverend Father Petro Bilon came to Windsor and performed the first Divine Liturgy (in the basement of a store on Drouillard Road) in the Ukrainian language. During that day, a committee of three people was born with a goal of organizing a congregation of Ukrainian Orthodox people. The committee included Joseph Lysy, Joseph Oliynyk, and Wasyl Turchyn; together they held private meetings in their homes, rented halls, and churches. During this period of time, Windsor had a great deal of industrial unemployment and raising funds for a church proved to be difficult.

In 1936, a request was submitted, and granted under the leadership of Father Dmytro Leshchyshyn, of Winnipeg, Manitoba, for the acceptance to the Consistory of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, and appealing for a resident pastor to conduct and organize local services. During this time, a chapel and hall were erected at Seminole and Hickory followed by a dedication ceremony, held on October 28, 1937. This location was the centre of a great deal of activities, including stage plays and banquets. In addition, during this period, this church saw the organization of numerous groups and organizations comprising a Sunday school, a Ukrainian-language school (Ridna Shkola), a choir (directed by Michael Chaborek), as well as events for the youth members.

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Canada ( U.O.C.C) is one of the autocephalous Orthodox entities within the world commonwealth of Orthodoxy. Further, the Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral (Sobor) of St.Vladimir has been a member of the Eastern Eparchy, within the U.O.C.C., since the construction of the original location in 1927. Eventually the congregation became aware that the location on Seminole and Hickory was not able to keep up with the growing Orthodox community following World War II. For example, the congregation had grown so large that it had an enrollment of 150 children for Sunday school in 1954.

A general meeting was conducted in October 1955 to select a building committee to review possible sites, as well as to kick off a building fund project. Remarkably, by 1962, the land on which to build had been obtained, and the building strategies had been endorsed. In addition, the committee had collected adequate funds to allow for construction of a new church, as well as a cultural-recreation complex, at the present location on Tecumseh Road East. The design of the church was conducted by noted architect, Alexander Lasko. As one might expect, the costs were colossal and were estimated to be $300,000 dollars. The funds primarily came from generous donations, and loans from members, as well as a $150,000 mortgage from the Ukrainian National Association in New Jersey. The erection of the new church began in September 1962, and astonishingly, it was completed in October 1963.

Over the years, the church and hall saw a number of upgrades, including the acquisition of neighbouring land, to develop a parking lot in 1964. Other renovations included the installation of a new wooden floor on the second floor of the auditorium, as well as a fresh coat of paint for the upper hall and classrooms in 1966. October 1967 proved to be an important year since it was the 40th Anniversary of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church which was commemorated with the attendance of Right Reverend Archbishop Michael and Very Reverend Archpresbyter Semen W. Sawchuk.

Other key dates for St. Vladimir's Orthodox Church include the elevation of its status from a church to a cathedral (Sobor) in December of 1970. In addition, perhaps the greatest improvement to the facility included the funding and the eventual installation of the beautiful iconostasis at the front of the Cathedral in January of 1971; the individuals responsible for this stunning display include Vladimir Barac (master carver) and Ivan Stetsenko-Belsky (icon painter). Many traditional Orthodox places of worship require their congregation to stand during the Mass; however, it has been considered an accepted practice to sit during services in North America. With this in mind, St. Vladimir's Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral installed pews in 1974. A ceremony was conducted in 1976 to celebrate the burning of the mortgage, and the continued growth and development of the local Orthodox community.

St. Vladimir's Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral has been home to many events over the years such as wedding receptions, shows, concerts, youth dances, bingos, bazaars, and caroling. In addition, St. Vladimir's Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral is home to a Museum of Ukrainian Decorative Folk Art. The Museum contains artifacts of folk art and cultural heritage of the people of Ukraine, including Easter egg displays, native dress, examples of embroidery, and dolls. In addition, the Cathedral has been directly linked to a number of organizations, such as The Ukrainian Self-Reliance League of Canada (USRL), whose members branch into more groups including the Men's Branch, the Ukrainian Women's Association of Canada (Soiuz Ukrainok Kanad - SUK), the Ukrainian Self-Reliance Association (Tovarystvo Ukraintsiv Samostiinykiv - TUS), and the Canadian Ukrainian Youth Association (Soiuz Ukrainskoi Molodi Kanady - SUMK).

In October 2002, St. Vladimir's Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral celebrated its 75th Anniversary of the first Divine Liturgy, and to commemorate the occasion, a weekend filled with cultural, religious, and social activities took place, as well as with a visit from his Eminence, Archbishop Yurij. As part of the celebration, an establishment of Parish Archives named after Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Frank Kernisky was announced to include records, artifacts, items, photographs, and documents from the history of the parish, people, and events. Also in 2002, a plaque was dedicated in honour of the members of the congregation with a history of military service. In addition, the Ukrainian Women's Organization (Lesia Ukrainka Branch) celebrated its 70th anniversary with a Jubilee Banquet honouring past members.