Activities for Youth

Sunday school

For children aged 4 - 12 years, Sunday 10am - 11am.

The Sunday School room opens at 9:30am. We invite you and your children to arrive earlier than 10am, go up to church to light a candle, pray together and then come down to class.

Please use the cloak room at the main entrance to hang jackets and store wet foot wear. A sweater and indoor shoes might be a good idea as the church can be cool in winter months.

For more information, please contact Dobrodiyka Olya at olya.kovalchuk@gmail.com.

Parish Youth Program

Every Friday, our parish offers sports activities for children and youth, aged 7-17 years, from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm in our church hall.

In order to ensure the safety of all participants, we will be alternating Fridays by age category, as follows:

• The first session, on Friday, 23 September, will be open to children aged 7 – 12 years.
• The following Friday, 30 September, youth aged 13 – 17 years are invited to participate.

This schedule will continue to alternate between these two age groups throughout the remainder of the year, so that each group meets every second Friday.

What are the activities?

Various sports activities will be offered. This will include soccer, fitness class, historical fencing (with foam swords and padded armour), and more.

What do you need to participate?

Clean indoor running shoes and appropriate clothing for physical activity. Please also bring your own water bottle.

Do I need to register?

There is no requirement to register. Just come on the Friday that is hosting your child’s/youth’s age category.

In the coming months we hope to offer further programs, however this will require additional volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering with the Youth Program or have any questions about the program and/or volunteering, please contact our Youth Program Coordinator, Phil Staniewski, at pstaniewski@gmail.com or by phone 613-277-8404.

Important: If your child/youth has any medical concerns or allergies, please advise Phil before they attend.

Sunday school has been a part of parish life from the very earliest years. In the beginning the women of the local branch of Ukrainian Women's Association of Canada played a leading role together with the Ukrainian school teachers, Dobrodiyky, and mothers of the parish. By the mid-60s classes were taught by Mary Mack, Mrs. H. Trischuk, Doreen Keir, Gloria Prokopovich, Olga Sametz, Ms. C. Dorofi, Mr. M. Zabolotny, and Dobr. L. Gorgitsa. Through the 80s Dobr. Genia Bozyk took an active role in Sunday school in addition to her work in the Ukrainian School. After 1992, Halyna Michaelchuk and Liza Malarek assisted in the Sunday school program, along with many others from the parish.

Sunday School is currently under the direction and guidance of Dobr. Jennifer Okhrimtchouk and Suzanne Soroka. The program includes religious studies, singing, concerts, and participation in church and special services such as communion, holding candles, readings, and prayers. Through the years, children have been encouraged to take an active part in the parish by learning about the Ukrainian Orthodox faith and participating in Liturgical services. Throughout, the young people in the parish continue to be encouraged to actively live their faith and culture.

Every baptised Orthodox Christian is called to a ministry in the church. To be an altar server in the Orthodox Church is a special ministry in which one becomes a witness of the mysteries of the life of the Church. From the very inception of our parish in Ottawa, we were always blessed with the dedicated men and boys who served in the altar. Today we have a small dedicated group who continue to assist in the altar and ensure that prayers and the flow of services are not interrupted.

Basic Responsibilities of Altar Servers:

• Arrive early for services, by at least 9:50am. This will give you time to prepare & vest without rushing. Late entry distracts the priest from his duties/prayers (e.g. Preparing the Holy Gifts at the Table of Oblation during proskomedia)
• DO NOT talk or whisper in the sanctuary or during processions, unless it is to ask an important question about your duties. Giggling & laughing are not appropriate.
• The Sanctuary is Holy, and access to it is restricted to very few men. Do not abuse the privilege you have been given by being disrespectful or by entering the Sanctuary unnecessarily.
• Be alert for hand signals & other instructions given by the priest. When an instruction is given follow it immediately.
• When you are not performing any tasks follow the service in your service book.
• Never walk in front of the Holy Altar.
• Clean up the sanctuary after service according to the instructions of the priest.