Winnipeg, MB: Doors Open event at Cathedral

SOURCE:  Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeggers got a peek into the secret parts of dozens of Winnipeg landmarks Saturday. It's the ninth year Heritage Winnipeg has organized its Doors Open event, which gives people tours through churches, government buildings, historic homes and office towers. The annual event continues today.

Ukrainian Catholic Metropolitan Cathedral of Saints Vladimir and Olga

Where: At 111 McGregor St. in the heart of the historic Ukrainian North End.

Date built: In 1950, but it has a Romanesque feel.

What it was: Now the central cathedral for all Ukrainian Catholics in Canada, it was built on the site of the oldest Ukrainian Catholic church in Winnipeg, a humble wooden structure.

What it is now: Still a vibrant church, the only one in Winnipeg where the entire service is in Ukrainian. Pope John Paul visited in 1984 and Queen Elizabeth II has also stopped by.

What's cool about it: The colourful, exuberant paintings of icons and saints, especially on the traditional screen, called an iconostasis, that separates the nave from the sanctuary. The stained glass windows by Leo Mol depicting the history of Christianity in Ukraine are showstoppers.

Don't miss: The small, quiet but colourful chapel to the right of the sanctuary. That's the Right Rev. Monsignor Michael Buyachok's favourite place in the cathedral and is about to include four new stained glass windows honouring the blessed Nykyta Budka, the first bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Canada. The chapel will be named for Budka.