Reverend Ivan Trush

Reverend Ivan Trush has been affiliated with the Ukrainian Youth Ensembles since their inception in 1985, as their chaplain and spiritual advisor, as well as being an avid member of the Orion Male Choir. To this day, he continues to be a model of excellence and commitment as he exhibits exemplary attendance at rehearsals in spite of the fact that he resides in Hamilton. Reverend Ivan was part of the Ukrainian Youth Ensembles’ historic trip to Ukraine in 1990, concelebrating Divine Liturgies with His Excellency Bishop Isidore Borecky and taking part in the three-week concert tour. He is truly an important member of this musical organization.

Reverend Ivan Trush, the son of Mykola and Anhelyna (nee Szul), was born on February 10, 1954 in the village of Banie Mazurskie in north-eastern Poland. In 1947, his parents were forced to leave their nativeland, Lyubachiv, an action known as “Akcija Wisla”. After completing his elementary and high school education, Reverend Ivan continued his studies at the Metropolitan Seminary of Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski in Warsaw, and was ordained by Bishop Julian Wojtkowski, Bishop of Olsztyn, in his home village of Banie Mazurskie. From 1981-1984, Reverend Ivan Trush worked as a priest in Poland and from October 8, 1984 has served the Ukrainian community in Ontario: associate pastor at the Church of the Holy Protection in Toronto, pastor of both Holy Protection and Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ parishes in Thunder Bay, and currently pastor of Holy Spirit U.C.C. in Hamilton.

The Ukrainian Youth Ensembles are very grateful that the Lord has blessed them with the spiritual guidance of Reverend Ivan Trush- chaplain, advisor, mentor, and friend. May his deep spirituality and wisdom continue to be a source of inspiration to this large and diverse musical family.