Groundbreaking publication can help us live the faith

This summer, I was in Ukraine for the launch of Chrystos Nasha Pascha (Christ Our Passover), a book that’s making a major impact in the Ukrainian Catholic Church (UCC).

The publication of this book is groundbreaking. It is the first catechism commissioned by our Synod of Bishops, and signed by our Patriarch. Unlike earlier catechisms which were basically translations of Roman Catholic books, Chrystos Nasha Pascha is uniquely our own and brings us, in Patriarch Sviatoslav’s words, “to the highest level of teaching.” This work clearly conveys our Church’s distinctive identity and provides a much-needed resource for clergy and laity alike.

The book’s content (rooted in Scripture and writings of the Church Fathers) is divided into three parts: The Faith, Prayer and Life of the Church. Topics covered include liturgical practices, the Holy Sacraments, icons, the “Domestic Church” and personal prayer. Addressing the challenge of living our faith in a secular society, the Catechism provides much needed instruction on dealing with contemporary moral issues and the role of the Christian individual in society.

At the book launch in Lviv there was much excitement as authors of the Catechism and members of the Patriarchal Catechetical Commission, headed by Bishop Peter Stasiuk, presented Chrystos Nasha Pascha to the gathered bishops, priests and catechists.

As we begin the second year of Soul Food, our eparchial bulletin and blog, I am very pleased to share this news about this valuable new resource. Our editorial team will be turning to it in the coming months as we continue our mission of providing informative content on living our faith in modern times.

Chrystos Nasha Pascha has been published in Ukrainian with an English translation underway. The Ukrainian edition is available at The Basilian Press in Toronto (phone: 416-234-1212).


Iryna Galadza is Director of the Toronto Eparchy Catechetical Resource Centre, a teacher, mother, grandmother, and wife of Mitred Archpriest Roman Galadza, pastor of St. Elias Church, in Brampton, Ontario.

Fall feast celebrates victory of the Cross

The Elevation of the Holy Cross, commemorating the discovery of Christ’s Cross by St. Helen, is celebrated on Sept. 14/27.

Legend says that St. Helen found three crosses near Jerusalem, underneath a beautiful and fragrant basil plant. Jesus’ Cross was identified when a deceased man, whose funeral procession passed by the cross, was resurrected. A portion of the Cross was placed in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, built on the site.

To mark this Holy Day we fast (no meat, fish or dairy), even if it falls on a Sunday. The weekend before, special Epistle and Gospel passages are read during the Divine Liturgy.

Traditionally, there is an all-night Vigil on the Eve of the Feast. A cross, adorned with basil leaves and flowers, is placed on the Altar. During morning services, the priest raises the cross above his head and makes the sign of the cross as the congregants chant Kyrie eleison (Lord have mercy). Then, all sing: “Before Thy Cross, we bow in worship O Master, and Thy Holy Resurrection we glorify,”

For Christians, the Cross is both a reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins and a powerful symbol of the victorious Resurrection over death. Therefore, as we begin the fall season and look ahead to the various duties or “crosses” that we might be called to bear – whether taking care of elderly parents or ensuring children’s catechism lessons are learned – let us accept them with Christian joy and enthusiasm.