Ancient Faith, Living Tradition
We are Ukrainian Greek Catholics: fully Catholic, shaped by the Byzantine tradition, and rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Our faith is lived through the Divine Liturgy, the sacraments, Scripture, prayer, icons, fasting, feast days, family life, and service to others. It is ancient, but not distant. It is received, lived, and passed on from generation to generation.
Stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught.
2 Thessalonians 2:15
Faith Handed On
Our faith begins with Jesus Christ and is nourished by Scripture, prayer, the sacraments, and the living Tradition of the Church.
For Ukrainian Catholics, tradition is not simply memory or custom. It is the living faith handed on through the Church: in the Divine Liturgy, in family prayer, in icons and chant, in fasting and feasting, in the teaching of parents and catechists, and in the witness of parish communities.
We receive this faith with gratitude. We live it in the present. We pass it on with love.
Who Are Ukrainian Catholics?
Ukrainian Catholics belong to the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, an Eastern Catholic Church in communion with the wider Catholic Church.
This means our faith is Catholic, and our way of worship, prayer, theology, music, calendar, and sacred art is Byzantine. We share the same faith in Christ, the Holy Trinity, the sacraments, and the Gospel, while living that faith through the spiritual heritage of the Christian East.
Ukrainian Catholic identity includes more than ancestry. It includes a way of praying, worshipping, fasting, celebrating, serving, and forming families in faith. Ukrainian language and culture are precious parts of this heritage, but you do not need to be Ukrainian to pray with us or be welcomed in our parishes.
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Psalm 34:8
The Divine Liturgy
The Divine Liturgy is the heart of our Church. It is the central prayer of Ukrainian Catholic parish life, where we gather to hear the Word of God, offer praise and thanksgiving, and receive the Holy Eucharist.
In the Divine Liturgy, the whole person is drawn into prayer. We hear Scripture. We sing. We stand. We make the sign of the cross. We see icons. We smell incense. We receive Christ. The beauty is not decoration; it helps the heart enter the mystery of God.
If you are new, you do not need to know every response or custom before you come. Come, listen, pray as you are able, and let the prayer of the Church carry you.
The Sacraments: Christ Present in the Life of the Church
The sacraments are encounters with Christ in the life of the Church. Through them, God heals, strengthens, forgives, nourishes, blesses, and calls His people.
In the Ukrainian Catholic Church, we celebrate the sacraments through the Byzantine tradition:
- Baptism - new life in Christ
- Chrismation - the seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit
- Holy Eucharist - communion with Christ
- Confession - forgiveness and healing
- Marriage - the crowning of a couple's life in Christ
- Holy Orders - service through ordained ministry
- Anointing of the Sick - prayer, healing, and strength in illness
In our tradition, Baptism, Chrismation, and the Holy Eucharist are usually celebrated together for infants. This shows that Christian life is received as a whole: new birth, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and communion with Christ.
The sacraments are not isolated ceremonies. They belong to parish life, pastoral care, family faith, and the journey of becoming more fully alive in Christ.
Icons, Prayer, and Sacred Beauty
Icons are one of the most visible signs of Byzantine Catholic worship. They are not decoration, and they are not idols. Icons are windows into heaven.
We venerate icons because they depict Christ, the Mother of God, angels, and the saints. Our worship belongs to God alone. When we honour an icon, we honour the holy person shown in it and the God who is glorified in His saints.
Sacred beauty teaches the faith. Icons, incense, candles, chant, vestments, processions, and gestures help us pray with the whole person: body, mind, heart, and soul.
For many people, icons become a doorway into prayer. They help us remember that heaven is not far away. In Christ, heaven has come near.
How Are Ukrainian Catholics Different?
Many visitors are curious about how Ukrainian Catholics relate to Roman Catholics, Orthodox Christians, and other Christian communities. These questions are welcome.
The simplest answer is this: Ukrainian Catholics are Catholic Christians who live the faith through the Byzantine tradition.
Ukrainian Faith, Language, and Heritage
Ukrainian spiritual heritage is not simply cultural decoration. It carries prayer, memory, family identity, music, language, and a way of living faith.
For generations, Ukrainian Catholic families in Alberta have passed on the faith through the Divine Liturgy, parish life, feast days, fasting traditions, prayer before icons, songs, food, stories, and the care of grandparents, parents, priests, catechists, and communities.
Today, this heritage serves both those whose families have been here for generations and those newly arrived from Ukraine. English-speaking families, Ukrainian-speaking newcomers, mixed families, and people new to the tradition all have a place here.
We honour Ukrainian heritage because it helps carry the faith. We welcome all people because the Gospel is for everyone.
Come and see.
John 1:39
New to the Divine Liturgy?
If you are visiting for the first time, you may wonder what to do, where to stand, what to say, or whether you will understand everything. That is normal.
You are welcome to come and simply pray. You may stand with the community, listen to the chant, follow the prayers as you are able, and ask someone afterward if you have questions. Children are welcome. Questions are welcome. Newcomers are welcome.
If you are not Catholic or are unsure about receiving the Holy Eucharist, speak with the priest. He will guide you with care and respect.
The best way to understand the Divine Liturgy is to experience it.
Come and See
The Ukrainian Catholic faith is not only something to read about. It is something to pray, sing, receive, and live.
We invite you to visit a parish, attend the Divine Liturgy, speak with a priest, explore our resources, and discover the beauty of the Byzantine Catholic tradition.
Come and see. There is a place for you here.