In the quiet hours of Sunday morning, August 3rd, the gentle voice of our parish fell silent. After a long and courageous struggle with illness, Father Oleg Karlashchuk, aged 52, passed from this life, leaving behind a community united in grief and gratitude for the years we were blessed to share with him.
Though by ordination he was the youngest priest in our midst, Father Oleg served with the wisdom, compassion, and steadfast faith of a seasoned shepherd. Born in Moscow, educated in Donetsk, and settling in the Netherlands in the early 2000s, his life journey carried him across borders — and into countless hearts. Trained in applied mathematics and working as a network engineer, his mind was sharp, but his heart was sharper still. It was during his studies that he embraced the Christian faith, was baptised, and began the path that would eventually lead him to the altar.
From his arrival in the Netherlands, he wove his life inseparably into that of our parish alongside his devoted wife, Angelika, and their children, Marya and Vassily. He read and served in the altar, studied theology through St. Sergius Institute in Paris, and in 2017 was ordained a deacon by Archbishop Simon of Belgium. In December 2022, he became the first priest ordained under the omophorion of Metropolitan Athenagoras, a moment of both joy and quiet resolve.
Father Oleg’s gift was his ability to meet people exactly where they were. Fluent in Russian, Ukrainian, Dutch, and English, he bridged cultures and united believers from every walk of life. He was a reconciler of disputes, a comforter of the grieving, and a voice of gentle humour even in the face of hardship. His kindness was matched by his integrity — when matters of conscience arose, he stood unwavering. During the war in Ukraine, he opened his home to refugees and joined the call for peace, regardless of the criticism it drew.
The past year brought relentless illness, yet Father Oleg bore it with a faith that never wavered. Even through pain, he returned to us at Pascha, standing at the altar once more, radiant with the joy of the Resurrection. Just this June, he spoke with courage and honesty about facing sickness, offering wisdom forged in suffering.
In losing Father Oleg, we have lost more than a priest — we have lost a father, a brother, and a friend. The echo of his laughter, the warmth of his presence, and the strength of his example will remain with us, even as our hearts ache.
We commend his soul to the Lord he served so faithfully. May his memory be eternal, and may the peace he preached so gently be granted to him in fullness.