SACRED BEAUTY FOR A CAUSE CAMPAIGN

Marianna Savaryn, née Ciupka, is a Canadian-Ukrainian iconographer whose work brings together rigorous traditional formation, a lifelong devotion to the Byzantine Christian tradition, and a deep commitment to faith, education, and community. Her icons are both devotional and educational, and her work has contributed to the ecclesial art in communities across Canada.

From an early age, Marianna was drawn to the beauty and spiritual depth of icons. As an artist, she pursued her studies in Toronto, the USA, and Italy. While singing with the renowned Vesnivka Choir at St. Nicholas Church in Toronto, Marianna began studying the icons that surrounded her, an encounter that awakened a lifelong vocation to the study and practice of sacred iconography. Through these experiences, she encountered the rich liturgical, musical, and artistic heritage of her Ukrainian Catholic tradition—an influence that would shape the course of her life.

Her vocation was nurtured by her family heritage, particularly the example of her grandfather, Rev. Fr. Hryhoryj Ciupka, and her father’s godmother, Yaroslava Lomaga, who painted icons in her later years. Their example helped kindle in Marianna a profound appreciation for the sacred image as both a work of art and an expression of faith.

Following the ancient tradition of apprenticeship, Marianna undertook almost a decade of study under the guidance of Rev. Fr. Juvenalij Mokrytsky, a renowned Ukrainian Greek Catholic Studite monk and iconographer.

Through this work and influence, she developed a deep respect for the discipline, theology, symbolism, and prayer that lie at the heart of traditional iconography.

 Marianna’s connection to Ivan Franko Homes is deeply personal and spans generations. Her father currently resides at the IFH Winston Churchill Campus, while her grandparents made their home at the Royal York Rd. residence for ten years. Her brother, Gregory, currently serves on the IFH Board of Directors and has been a devoted volunteer in the IFH community for many years.

It is from this enduring family connection that Marianna’s most recent contribution has emerged.

Through Sacred Beauty for a Cause, Marianna is gifting a curated collection of 35 of her icons to become part of the permanent collection of Ivan Franko Homes. These sacred works will be thoughtfully displayed throughout the IFH Campus of Care, opening towards the end of 2026.

In this way, Marianna’s gift brings together art, faith, and family heritage, offering residents, staff, families, and visitors a place for contemplation, spiritual reflection, and connection with the sacred.

The collection is more than a gift of artwork. It is an offering of faith—shaped by generations of family, years of artistic discipline, and a lifelong vocation to make the beauty of the sacred visible.