Michael Khoroshy
Metropolitan Michael, (secular name Theodot Nykyforovych Khoroshy; 10 July 1885, in
Ukraine
Theodot Khoroshy began his early education in his village. Later he moved on to the pedagogical seminary in the town of
In December 1912, Bishop Nicodemus ordained young Theodot a deacon.
During the next few years, he translated the Liturgical Psalter into Ukrainian.
On April 24, 1920, Bishop Dimitrius (Verbitsky) ordained him a priest, and in the following months he was appointed Dean of a church in Ternivka, in the Cherkasy region.
After the formation of the non-canonical Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church joined its ranks.
Due to his clerical work, in 1923 Fr. Theodot was appointed the Dean of the Cathedral of Cherkasy.
At this time the
Episcopacy
In November 1942 Bishop Michael was elevated to archbishop of the Kirovohrad Diocese. Archbishop Michael was transferred to the Mykolayiv Diocese due to pressure from German authorities[citation needed]. By the conclusion of the war in 1945, Archbishop Michael had travelled widely across Europe: to Odessa, Akerman, Galac, Vienna, Warsaw, and throughout Germany and Slovakia. He was allowed to continue his pastoral work for the Ukrainian Orthodox, particularly amongst captives, expatriated workers, and refugees. With the blessing of Metropolitan Polikarp, Archbishop Michael was given the responsibility to look after the Ukrainian Orthodox flock in Bavaria, with its headquarters in Munich.
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada
Within a few years, with Metropolitan Polikarp's blessing, the Consistory of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada invited Archbishop Michael to become her ruling bishop. On May 14, 1951, Archbishop Michael came to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (the Church's Headquarters). However, with the arrival of Metropolitan
In 1970, Metropolitan Ilarion had become ill, and Archbishop Michael became "Acting Primate" of the UOCC. When Metropolitan Ilarion reposed in March 1972, Archbishop Michael was elected Primate of the Church and was installed as Metropolitan in 1973. However, during the XV Sobor in 1975, Michael resigned as Metropolitan, stating that he wished to remain as the head of the Eastern Diocese.
Metropolitan Michael died on May 5, 1977, in Toronto, at the age of 91. Buried in the Prospect Cemetery in Toronto.
Metropolitan Michael always had a keen concern for the spiritual education of his faithful and especially of the children. He wrote theological works, translated the Psalter, the Horologion (the Book of Hours), and a number of other works into Ukrainian. He also composed music for the services of vespers, matins, and the Divine Liturgy. He was a confessor of the Orthodox Faith and a zealous archpastor. Metropolitan Andrew (Metiuk) said at his graveside: "He was a great intercessor before our Lord God, and for his people and his Church."
Sources
- 1997 Rydna Nyva-UOCC Church Calendar