RT. REV. MITRAT ROMAN DOBRIANSKY

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RT. REV. MITRAT ROMAN DOBRIANSKY Peacefully on Wednesday, June 19, 2002 at Holy Family Nursing Home, Rt. Rev. Mitrat Roman Dobriansky fell asleep in the Lord at the age of 94 years. Mitrat Roman Dobriansky was born on April 1, 1908 in a little town in W. Ukraine called Chernylyvtsia, in Horodenka area. His father Rev. Volodymir Dobriansky and mother Olha Zalucka passed on to him religious and cultural treasures since he was a little boy. He completed elementary school with honours in the town of Kolomeya, and went on to higher studies. When he completed his theological studies, again with honour, he was ordained a priest on May 15, 1932 by His Excellency Bishop John Liatyshewsky. His first assignment was at Chortkovi, where he was assistant priest. From 1935 to 1944, he was a spiritual leader and parish priest at Dobrovliany in Zalishchyky. Here Father Dobriansky built a huge church, a parish cultural centre, and began the foundation of a Ukrainian bursa. He had given many retreats and missions in almost every town and village and organized 60 sadoks for children. In 1945, he received a certificate of posting to St. Barbaras Church in Vienna. In 1948, he came to Canada and served as pastor in communities in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. He was the parish priest at Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Winnipeg for over 40 years, where he also started a childrens sadok which continues to flourish in religious and Ukrainian values in our children. During his seventy years of priesthood, he built four churches in Canada. He was the founder and directed Ukrainian Park for 20 years. He was the Chaplain of the Ukrainian Catholic Brotherhood, St. Nicholas Fraternal Society and of Prosvita Institute. In 1961, he received the Papal honour of "shambelyan" from his Holiness Pope John 23rd, and in 1973, Cardinal Joseph Slipyj bestowed upon him the title of Mitrat. Mitrat Roman Dobriansky had a heart of gold, even though his heart stopped beating and his hard working hands went to rest. He will never be forgotten and sadly missed by his nephews, Rev. Roman Dobriansky and family of Edmonton, Rev. Taras Kouch and family of Winnipeg; and numerous nephews and nieces with their families in Canada, U.S.A., Ukraine and Europe. Also many friends in Winnipeg, Saskatoon and Toronto. Mitrat Dobrianskys family extends their many thanks to Holy Family Nursing Home and especially all the staff on Unit 5A for their loving, compassionate and caring nature which proved to be a great comfort to Father in his last days. Priestly Parastas will be celebrated 7:00 p.m. Monday, June 24, with his Grace Most Rev. Michael Bzdel C.Ss.R. and the clergy of the Archeparchy officiating at Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church, 965 Boyd Ave. Funeral Divine Liturgy will be celebrated 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 25, also at the church with His Grace Most Rev. Michael Bzdel C.Ss.R. and the clergy of the Archeparchy officiating. Interment to follow in All Saints Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made for Divine Liturgies for the repose of Mitrat Roman Dobrianskys soul, or to other religious and national charities. May God Grant Him Eternal Rest. VICHNAYA PAMYAT KORBAN FUNERAL CHAPEL 956-2193

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 23, 2002