Ukrainian Orthodox Church Endorses Ottawa Shevchenko Monument

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada has issued an appeal to its clergy and faithful to financially support the erection of a monument to renowned Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko in the Canadian capital. The Shevchenko Monument is to be unveiled this summer in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of Ukraine's independence from the USSR, the 120th anniversary of the establishment of the Ukrainian Diaspora in Canada, and the 150th anniversary of Shevchenko's death.

Construction of the Shevchenko Monument, which is to be situated on the grounds of Ottawa's Ukrainian Catholic shrine Church of St. John the Baptist (pictured with what with Monument), is already underway and should be completed by June. More here. The official website for the project as a whoel can be found here.

Memorial Served for Taras Shevchenko in Kiev

Patriarch Filaret (Denysenko) of the independent Ukrainian Orthodox Church and his auxiliary, Bishop Ahapit of Vyshhorod, have served a memorial in Kiev's Church of the Nativity for the repose of the famous Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of his reburial in the church. In attendance were several Ukrainian politicians and the famous soccer player Andriy Shevchenko. More here.

Makariv Bishop Serves Memorial at Shevchenko's Grave

At yesterday's commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the death of the renowned Ukrainian writer and poet Taras Shevchenko, auxiliary Bishop Hilariy of Makariv of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church served a memorial at Shevchenko's grave on Chernecha Hill in Kanev. More here. May his memory be eternal!

Shevchenko's writings are seen as being foundational to the formation of a standard Ukrainian language (much as Pushkin's works were for Russian) and the creation of a body of Ukrainian-language literature. Fundraising efforts have begun to construct a church over his grave in Cherkassy province.