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Вічная Память - Everlasting Memory
+ARCHPRIEST PAUL HARRILCHAK- fell asleep in the Lord on March 12, 2025. A talent and influence on our parish singing ...
If you look at the introduction to many of the books printed in Brampton by +Fr. Roman Galadza, you will inevitably come across the name Paul Harrilchak. In the 1960’s, Fr. Paul and Fr. Roman both attended Saint Basil’s Ukrainian Catholic Seminary in Stamford CT, and the Catholic University of America in Washington D.C.. There they would meet and study together with future brothers Elias, Stavros, and Marc, founding members of New Skete Monastery, Cambridge, NY. Fr. Paul would have a profound influence on Fr. Roman’s liturgical approach and outlook. Fr. Paul helped Fr. Roman fall in love with singing services like vespers. Many of the services and melodies so dearly cherished by the St. Elias Community were first sung by a handful of enthusiastic seminarians over sixty years ago. His composition of the Good Friday doxasticon “You were naked and cold in death” and his setting of the Paschal Hymn of Light “In the flesh You fell asleep” are lovingly preserved and have been sung each year by generations of young people at St. Elias.
Though he became part of the OCA after his years at St. Vladimir’s, he remained a lover of Galician Chant and the particularities of the Ruthenian recension. His book on the Mystery of Confession is a beautiful testament to his creativity and talent. His publication of the Divine Liturgy is truly fascinating for lovers of liturgy and liturgical chant alike.
Fr. Paul was ahead of his time. His talents, like those of his contemporaries in seminary, were not always understood or appreciated. But that love and enthusiasm endures, and Fr. Paul’s influence will continue to be felt. The little gifts that we have inherited from him will continue to be sung, and by doing so we will continue to give thanks to God for such a brilliant man and for his presence in Fr. Roman's life. Archpriest Paul was pastor of Holy Trinity Church (OCA), Reston, Virginia. He fell asleep in the Lord on March 12, 2025. I.R.G.
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