SPEECH AT THE CONCERT IN TORONTO

Your Excellencies, Your Worship Mayor Crombie, the Honourale Minister Dr. Haidasz, Senator Yuzyk, Honourable Minister Mr. Yaremko, Distinguished Members of Government, Reverend Fathers and Sisters, Distinguished Guests and Honoured Friends:

It is with great expectation that I have been looking forward to visit your great and glorious city and to meet with old friends and making new ones. Although five years have passed since the first visit to Canada, my memories of it have ever remained fresh and inspirational.

I have come here as the chief hierarch from Ukraine to the Ukrainians who have made their homes among you. Driven from their homeland by political and economic oppression, they came to your friendly land, bringing with them their good will and the wealth of their ancient heritage which they desired to share with you. Together with their children they have enriched this great country through their work, creativity, and the warmth of their hearts and spirit.

I thank you for the kind welcome you have given them and the thousands of other immigrants who have found new homes and hope among you. Canadians are esteemed by all nations, especially by our mother country Ukraine, for their defence of the civil and religious liberties of all men, and for their generous assistance to the needy, the suffering and the persecuted throughout the world.

May the risen Christ continue to bless your country and your families abundantly, so that you may continue to speak and act in the cause of truth, justice, peace and love, and the brotherhood of men.