Dormition of the Righteous St. Anne. Today we celebrate the feast day of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St. Anne. This church stands as a testament to faith and community in Scarborough. Let’s delve into the story of St. Anne’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church. It began with a small group and a big dream.
In June 1958 eighteen people and two priests envisioned a Ukrainian Orthodox Church. They wanted it right here in Scarborough. Five months later they bought property. Monthly services started in a home. It was on this very land. Reverend Zaparyniuk traveled from Oshawa to lead those early services.
By June 1960 Reverend Tsukornyk started St. Anne’s Sunday school. The congregation grew steadily. More children joined the Sunday school. By 1964 the church building was complete. In May they held their first Mother’s Day concert. Over thirty children participated in the memorable event.
St. Anne’s Sunday school changed over the years. Sometimes they held only two classes a month. At other times they needed two classes due to many children. One class was for children under eight. It took place in the classroom. Another class was for children nine and older. It was held in the hall.
Many dedicated teachers shared their talents. They taught music and dancing. They instructed in arts and drama. They even held Easter pysanky workshops. Pysanky are intricately decorated Easter eggs. They also taught paska workshops. Paska is a traditional Easter bread.
Today St. Anne’s continues to offer Sunday school classes. The community gathers to celebrate faith and heritage. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St. Anne has been serving the Orthodox community since 1958. It is a member parish of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada. This extends from British Columbia to Quebec.
The church thrives under the guidance of Bishop Andriy. The pastoral work of Reverend Father Volodymyr Feskiv also helps. St. Anne’s seeks to realize Christ’s Living Church. All are welcome in peace and love.
In August the parish celebrated the Dormition of the Righteous St. Anne. The church was filled with people and beautiful flowers. Roses and white daisies adorned the icon of St. Anna. The smell of incense filled the air. It added a sense of solemnity to the Divine Liturgy. Afterward everyone enjoyed a delicious lunch in the church hall.
The annual parish picnic is another highlight. A professional chef from Ukraine once cooked traditional cuisine. He used a cooking tripod dating back to the 6th century BC. Children enjoyed crafts games and prizes. A soccer match completed the day. The picnic has become a community event. Local families from the neighborhood join in.
The Sunday School continues to thrive. It welcomes young new families each year. St. Anne’s recognizes the importance of learning the word of God. They also value building friendships. They want to strengthen bonds within the church family. To celebrate the end of the school year they organized a trip to an ostrich farm. Children and parents enjoyed the fresh air games picnic and farm animals.
St. Anne’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church is more than a building. It is a vibrant community. It is a place of worship and fellowship. It is a testament to faith and tradition. The community continues to plan many activities. They glorify God’s name through these events. We invite you to visit their website for upcoming events.