St. Volodymyr's Parish

Ever since he was a young boy, Father Nikola wanted to be a priest. On Sunday, 3^rd August, 2014, his dream was fulfilled. Bishop Peter Stasiuk ordained him a priest at Ss Peter and Paul Cathedral at North Melbourne. He is Australia’s newest priest. Fr. Nikola was ordained in the presence of his relatives and parishioners of the Cathedral. Fr. Alexander Kenez was the archdeacon for the ordination. Fr. Andriy Mykytyuk and Fr. Peter Struk assisted. Two deacons, Edward Kostraby and Justin McDonnell, lead the prayers. Subdeacon Michael Zylan, who will be ordained in a week, also assisted. Fr. Simon Ckuj acted as the Master of Ceremonies.

To see photo go to https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.743070789086014.1073741845.543143552412073&type=1

Fr. Nikola Segedi’s parents, Vladimir and Marija, could not attend the ceremony which was video-taped especially for them.

Fr. Nikola is Ruthenian. His ancestors came from the Transcarpathian region. There are a few hundred Ruthenians in Australia and about 90 live in Melbourne. Ruthenians have their own dialect. Now they have a priest who can speak their language.

The North Melbourne parish under the direction of Vice President Eugene Hawryszko prepared a beautiful lunch for everyone at the parish hall. Eugene was the MC for the programme.

Bishop Peter Stasiuk thanked Nikola’s family for fostering his vocation. He added that “religious vocations come from good Christian families”.

In his speech to those present in the parish hall, Fr. Nikola remembered his parents who could not be present at the ordination. He went on to say “This ordination ceremony is only the beginning of a long service which is yet to come. It is the duty of every pastor to take care of and to instruct his flock about the mysteries of the church in order to fulfil the Divine plan transmitted to us through the scriptures and the traditions of the church”.