Calgary Ukrainian evacuees find solace at church, congregation numbers triple | 24CA News
Ukrainians in Calgary are celebrating Orthodox Easter this weekend, however for a lot of it’s not as joyful as in years previous because the battle drags on in Ukraine.
Olena Berezenska got here to Calgary final June fleeing the battle in Ukraine. This weekend is her first Easter away from dwelling. She says the homesickness is eased considerably by attending the basket blessing at St. Vladimir’s Ukrainian Orthodox Sobor surrounded by many fellow Ukrainians.
“Before the war, all of my Easters were in Ukraine with my family, my full family. My sister is still in Ukraine and I very miss her,” Berezenska mentioned
Hundreds of individuals lined up for the standard ceremony on Saturday. Since the battle began, the parish council president estimates the numbers attending providers has tripled, with St. Vladimir’s offering a spot for newcomers to really feel much less remoted.
“We also see some families who are not fully in Canada. Part of the family is still in Ukraine and part of the family is here, so there is some anxiety and frustration. So they really need to have a quiet place,” mentioned Olga Matsula St. Vladimir’s Ukrainian Orthodox Sobor parish council president
Newcomers can study English at St. Vladimir’s and get assist discovering a spot to remain, which is one the most important challenges going through evacuees. Matsula says 400 individuals are coming to Calgary from Ukraine each week.
“We have a welcome centre downstairs and we are experiencing a situation where people are desperately coming to the centre saying they don’t really have a place to stay for tomorrow or the day after tomorrow,” Matsula mentioned.
Berezenska mentioned it wasn’t that tough to discover a job or lodging when she arrived right here final June, however she mentioned she’s listening to from new arrivals that it’s harder now.
“It’s a big problem for Ukrainians now and also a big problem to find a job because a lot of people come here,” Berezenska mentioned.
Father Vasyl Hnativ is celebrating his first Easter right here. He moved to Calgary a number of weeks in the past from Kherson, a spot Russian troops pounded with relentless artillery for months.
“I am so grateful to be here and be with Father Patrick,” Hnativ mentioned via an interpreter. “I feel so sorry about it and I pray to God that this war will finish soon,” Hnativ mentioned.
Like so lots of the folks attending the basket blessing on Saturday, Hnativ doesn’t know when he’ll return to Ukraine.
“We are feeling still not Canadian but not in Ukraine so it’s a very complicated feeling. But the people here are great and we met a lot of Canadians that so support Ukrainians and they are so friendly. It helps us to feel better,” mentioned Berezenska.
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
