Obituary for
Most Reverend Bishop Severian Steven Yakymyshyn, OSBM
MOST REV. BISHOP SEVERIAN YAKYMYSHYN, OSBM (1930-2021)
Most Rev. Bishop Severian Yakymyshyn, OSBM died peacefully after a brief stay at St. John Hospice in Vancouver, BC on Monday September 6, 2021.
Born Stefan Yakymyshyn, on April 22, 1930 at Plain Lake, AB, he entered the Basilian Noviciate in Mundare, AB on March 16, 1945 and made his Solemn Profession of Vows in the Basilian Order of St. Josaphat on January 1, 1953 in Rome, Italy. He was ordained a priest in Rome on May 19, 1955 and received a STD in Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome in 1958.
He was appointed the second Bishop of the Eparchy of New Westminster on January 5, 1995, ordained a Bishop in Vancouver on March 25, 1995, and diligently served as Bishop of the Eparchy until his retirement on June 1, 2007. Prior to his Episcopal Ordination, he served in various pastoral appointments in Alberta (Mundare, Borschiw, Krakiw) and Ontario (Ottawa, Kingston, and Smithfalls).
Bishop Severian also served within the Basilian Order as Master of Novices, Director of the Basilian Press, Provincial Consultor of the Canadian Province, and as both General Bursar and Consultor for the Basilian Order in Rome, Italy. During his 16-year residency in Rome (1979-1995), as Superior of the Basilian Monastery in Rome, he influenced the lives of numerous young Basilians from several Provinces around the world through his fatherly mannerisms.
Bishop Severian was proud of his involvement as General Bursar with the reconstruction and renovation of several monasteries in the newly independent Ukraine, having provided invaluable practical building and planning advice. Those who knew him personally could count on his simple and direct approach to life, his strong dedication to service within the Basilian Order and the hierarchy of the Church. Having completed his service as Bishop of New Westminster, Bishop Severian returned to the Basilian community, residing at the Monastery of the Protection of the Mother of God in Vancouver, BC, where he continued to engage in pastoral work.
Monastic Parastas will be celebrated on Wednesday, September 15 at 7:00 p.m. at Holy Eucharist Cathedral in New Westminster, BC.
A Memorial Divine Liturgy will be celebrated on Thursday, September 16 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, Vancouver, BC.
Funeral Divine Liturgy will be celebrated on Monday, September 20 at 10:00 a.m. at Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Mundare, AB, with interment to follow in the Basilian Section of Sts. Peter & Paul Cemetery in Mundare, AB.
Donations in memory of Bishop Severian Yakymyshyn, OSBM may be made to the “Education of Basilian Priests Fund” c/o Basilian Fathers, 737 Bannerman Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R2X 1J9.
God grant Bishop Severian eternal rest all the saints repose! May his memory be eternal!
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Most Reverend Bishop Severian Steven
Yakymyshyn OSBM 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Edmonton, Province: Alberta