Brother
Passivus Peter Stadnyk, OSBM
(1907-2004)
With profound sadness, the Basilian Order bids farewell to Brother Passivus Peter Stadnyk, OSBM, who died on Monday, February 9, 2004 at Mary Immaculate Hospital, Mundare. Brother Passivus (in Ukrainian Pasyw) was the last living pioneer Basilian missionary to Canada. He was also the oldest living Basilian in the world.
Peter Stadnyk was born on February 5, 1907, in the Village of Spas Dolyna, Western Ukraine; the son of Michael Stadnyk and Paraskevia Greliuk. His family was known for their piety and boasted of two religious vocations: Brother Pasyw and his sister Anna. She entered the Congregation of Myrrh-bearers (Myronosytsi) and, after much suffering, died a holy death "in the odor of sanctity". Her cause was much promoted by Father Andrew Truch, OSBM, before the Second World War.
Young Peter entered the Basilian Order at Krekhiv, Ukraine on February 7, 1924 and professed temporary vows on September 21, 1925. At that time, he received the monastic name of Passivus, which means one who suffers. Legend said that St. Passivus was a small child who had been martyred by a Roman soldier. As he died, the child cried out: "I am a Christian!" Passivus' relics were discovered in the catacombs and were given to the Basilian Monastery at Krekhiv, where they were venerated. Brother Pasyw was very dedicated to his patron saint and to the memory of his saintly sister. He also resembled both of them very much in the tremendous sufferings which he endured throughout his lifetime.
The Basilian missionary priests in Canada were in dire need of religious brothers to assist them in their arduous work. Brother Pasyw, together with Brother (Deacon) Adrian Karpa and Father Sophronius Djakovych arrived in Canada on July 5, 1926. Brothers Pasyw and Adrian professed their Solemn Monastic Vows, on August 16, 1931, in Mundare, Alberta. That same year, after great sufferings, Father Djakovych met his untimely death. Brother Pasyw sought to emulate Djakovych and kept his memory alive to future generations of Basilians.
Pasyw Stadnyk's was a master carpenter and craftsman, capable of fine woodwork. He oversaw the construction of the Basilian Farm Monastery (1935), the monastery carpentry shop, the adjacent Guest House (Basiliada), and an addition to the Mundare monastery (1961). He built and designed altars in the Basilian churches in Mundare Church and Monastery, tabernacles in the Basilian chapels of Edmonton and Mundare, icon screens and other furnishings in Glen Cove, Vegreville, and the Mundare Monastery.
He applied his trade in Mundare (1926-1943, 1957-1959; 1961-1966 and 1975-1990) in Grimsby, Ontario (1943-1950; 1966-1975), in Toronto as an assistant to the Director of Basilian Press (1950-1957), in Glen Cove, Long Island. (1959-1961). He also performed the duties of sacristan and gardener, during his monastic life.
During his last years, Brother Pasyw spent his time in prayer for his brother Basilians and for the Ukrainian Catholic Church, which he loved. He was an example of fidelity and mortification. His loving nature, good honour and Christ-like suffering endeared him to all.
During the last ten years of his life, Brother Pasyw resided at Mary Immaculate Hospital in Mundare. When able, he attended the Divine Liturgy daily and received frequent visits and from his Basilian confrères and from the good Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate.
On June 29, 2003, at the Centennial of the Mundare Pilgrimage 'Vidpust', Brother Pasyw unveiled the statue commemorating the Basilian Pioneer Missionaries, on which his name was also inscribed. Despite his extreme frailty, he recognised his name and the figures of pioneer Fathers Filas, Kryzhanovsky and Dydyk. After unveiling the monument, he folded his hands in prayer.
Monastic Parastas was celebrated on Friday, February 13, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. at Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church, Mundare. Father Modeste Gnesko preached a beautiful sermon-eulogy on the life of Brother Pasyw— a model Basilian missionary. Pontifical Funeral Divine Liturgy Saturday was celebrated February 14, 2004 at 10:00 a.m. Bishop Lawrence Huculak, OSBM officiating assisted by Basilian Fathers and Brothers. Interment followed at Sts. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church Cemetery.
Monument
erected to the memory of the Basilian Pioneer Missionaries, Mundare, Alberta,
June 2003.