Ukrainian pastor Father Roman Galadza of Brampton’s St. Elias has died

Father Roman Galadza, one of Brampton’s most notable and recognizable faith leaders and father of Canada’s ambassador to Ukraine, has died on the 53rd anniversary of his ordination.

A pastor at Brampton’s St. Elias The Prophet Ukrainian Catholic Church, Galadza was a pastor at St. Elias since 1976. A pastor for more than 50 years, Galadza died peacefully with his family close by on Tuesday morning (Aug. 1) according to the Interfaith Council of Peel.

“Father Roman has been a spiritual leader in Brampton and across Canada. May he rest in heavenly peace,” the council said in a post on Twitter.

A proud member of the city’s Ukrainian community, Galadza was also the father of Canada’s ambassador to Ukraine, Larisa Galadza.

The Galadzas took concerns about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to Brampton City Council in April of 2022 as Brampton’s Ukrainian community raised funds for humanitarian efforts in Ukraine.

Roman was ordained on Aug. 1, 1970, in Toronto before heading to St. Michael the Archangel Church in Welland where he served for five years before moving to Brampton to start St. Elias Parish.

He died on the 53-anniversary of his ordination as a pastor.

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said he was saddened to learn of the pastor’s death and expressed his condolences to the city’s Ukrainian community and the Galadza family, calling him “a true advocate for the Ukrainian community in Brampton.”

Roman is survived by his wife Irene, his children and several grandchildren.