Deacon Meletius Michael Ostap,
OSBM
(1920-2003)
It
is with great sadness that the Basilian Fathers and Brothers bid farewell
to Deacon Meletius Michael Ostap, OSBM, who passed away peacefully at the
age of 83 years, on Friday, November 7, 2003, at Mary Immaculate Hospital
in Mundare, Alberta.
Deacon Meletius was born on February 1, 1920 in Komarno, Manitoba, the son of John and Anastasia (nee Shymkiw) Ostap. He entered the Basilian Order on November 5, 1937 and began his novitiate on May 5, 1938. He professed temporary vows on June 21, 1939 and solemn perpetual vows on November 15, 1942.
He served the entire 66 years of his religious life in Mundare, at Sts. Peter & Paul Monastery and for a few years at Sacred Heart Monastery, fornmely located on the Basilian farm. For over sixty years, he sewed the religious habits for the Basilian Fathers and Brothers in Canada, and sometimes for Basilians in the United States and abroad. He also served as porter and performed the duties of sacristan in the parish church and monastery. For many years he served as a pastoral assistant in Sts. Peter & Paul's Church. He assisted in the sale of religious goods.
Brother Meletij was well-versed in the traditional monastic and church chants and taught them the new recruits. During the monastic prayers, especially matins & vespers, he often lead the singing as 'proto-psalter'. He was also a long-time member of the Mundare Parish Choir.
Bishop Neil Savaryn, OSBM ordained Brother Meletius to the permanent diaconate on June 3, 1973, at St. Basil the Great Church in Edmonton. Deacon Meletius assisted in the celebration of the Divine Liturgy as a Deacon, distributed Holy Communion and preached the word of God. He was very zealous in blessing homes with holy water after the Feast of Theophany (Jordan) as well as celebrating Graveside Services, blessing the graves, at various cemeteries.
Deacon Meletius was a faithful and God-fearing monk. He performed his monastic duties very conscientiously and was a hard worker. He was blessed with a kind and gentle personality. Over the years, he advised many a new candidate to the Order with and lovingly welcomed their visiting families. When he learned that he had an inoperable cancerous tumor, he was resigned to the will of God dispite his strong will to live. He met his death as a true Christian and member of the Basilian Order. God grant him eternal peace vichnaja pamjat!
Deacon Meletius is survived by two brothers, Peter and William (Janet) both of St. Catharines, Ontario. And his cousin Anne Lisowick, of St. Nicholas Parish, Winnipeg. He was predeceased by his parents, John and Anastasia.
Monastic Parastas was celebrated on Wednesday, November 12, 2003 at 7:00 PM. at Sts. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church, Mundare. Pontificial Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Bishop Lawrence Huculak, OSBM assisted by Basilian Fathers, on Thursday, November 13, 2003, at 10:00 AM, at Sts. Peter & Paul Church, Mundare. Deacon Meleti was buried in the Mundare Parish Cemetery, alongside his fellow Basilians, who had gone before him.