KYIV, Ukraine – In a message marking the anniversary of their country's December 1991 referendum on independence from the Soviet Union, Ukrainian Catholic bishops said Ukrainians had a "right and sacred duty" to defend themselves against "Russian aggression," but should also avoid yielding to alarm and panic.

OTTAWA – The graves of at least a dozen Ukrainians who died while interned in a remote camp in Quebec during the First World War are slowly fading into the forest landscape.

Running a small business is a lot like making babka: It takes time, effort and patience but the end result is something truly sweet.

EDMONTON – Ukrainian Catholics are celebrating the completion of a $1.4-million restoration of St. Josaphat’s Cathedral, a spiritual and historic landmark in downtown Edmonton for nearly 80 years.

LVIV, Ukraine – Olesia Kuzo of Sacramento, California, prepares the traditional Ukrainian Christmas play called vertep. Her three daughters and children of relatives and friends will take part. Kuzo adapted and remade three different scenarios and conducted the rehearsals.

WINNIPEG, Manitoba - Archbishop Michael Bzdel, who served as metropolitan for Ukrainian Catholics in Canada for nearly 13 years, died April 3 at his home in Winnipeg. He was 81.

He became metropolitan after his ordination as archbishop March 9, 1993. He served in the position until his retirement in January 2006.

Born to Ukrainian immigrants in Wishart, Saskatchewan, July 21, 1930, Archbishop Bzdel was the 11 of 14 children in his family.