Orthodox Sermons & Articles

January 31, 2000. Canada. Edmonton International Airport.

Two pairs of wide opened eyes are looking for the right line to stand in before they can enter the airport. Tsunami of strange and unheard before words has smashed remaining until then secure feeling of survival instinct. All of a sudden, unknown to them words on countless boards, signs and in loud private conversations, surrounded them, threatening to take away every piece of so much needed courage. Survival instinct gave up its positions so quickly that they had no time for their mind to initiate comforting thoughts.

Couple of strange people in strange land probably looked scared when officer at the Passport Control booth asked them about the purpose of their visit to Canada. Only few months later, will they learn the meaning of those words of a smiling officer. At the time of their arrival, they had no concept of what everybody wanted from them. They understood word “Passport” which sounded similar in their mother tongue.

Thanks God, those two Ukrainians remembered quick key phrase, “It will go, somehow”. All of a sudden, their mind pulled out another well learned slogan, “People survived wars. And we will definitely survive this!” Finally, after receiving such ‘comforting’ support from well memorized key phrases, their survival instinct has retracted and retained its positions.

Two scared people were not so nervous anymore, as they thought. However, they still had no idea why their hearts were racing and pumping so much blood into their faces. They knew that someone they never met had to pick them up at the airport. What they did not know was how that ‘someone’ will identify them. Poor foreigners! They did not realize that just about anyone could identify them as strangers, even if they were somewhere in the middle of a thousand people crowd! The good people that were waiting for the pair of strangers in the Arrival area of the airport succeeded. For the very first time, Ukrainian Orthodox Priest from Transcarpathian region and his wife have met their new parishioners. New Canadian experience has started.

Excerpt from my unwritten book “Canadian experience”

Ten years ago my wife Maria and I landed in Edmonton. The day before, when we arrived to Toronto, Ontario, and some eight years and three months after the January 31^st of 2000 would make a whole book of memoirs. Almost every day was an experience on its own. There were two of us to land in Canada, but on the day of our departure from the country of dreams, four passengers with last name Shandra boarded the airplane. Our children, Ivanko and Christina were born in Canada. Canada was the country for our dream to come through. We thank God for that!

So, this note is to mark the beginning of our 10 years old experience. We have made many friends, discovered many beautiful places, were overtaken by open harts of good Canadian people. We remember all of you, dear friends and parishioners! Our hearts are full of appreciative expressions and thankful thoughts for giving us great opportunity to explore new world and learn so much about peaceful people of Alberta! Our friendship is the most excellent achievement and the highest reward! Thank you, friends, for letting us into your hearts!