Mennonite Emigration from Ukraine to Canada Began in 1923

On April 28, 1923, a group of Mennonite immigrants departed from Hortica, now known as Upper Khortitsa, in what is today Ukraine. This marked the beginning of a significant emigration movement that would see thousands of Mennonites leave the Soviet Union over the next several years. The group, numbering around 726 people, traveled by train across the border with Latvia and then embarked on a transatlantic journey to Canada.

The journey concluded in July 1923, when the 121 Mennonites arrived in Canada and settled in the provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba. These early settlers were welcomed by other Mennonite communities already established in the country. The arrival of these immigrants marked the beginning of a broader wave of Mennonite emigration from Ukraine, which would continue for nearly a decade.

According to Mennonite historian Natalie Wenger, by 1923, approximately 1,342 residents from the Khortitsa region had emigrated. By 1926, an additional 350 Croatian Mennonites left the Soviet Union. The Soviet regime had officially banned Mennonite emigration, creating significant challenges for those wishing to leave. However, concerns for relatives living abroad allowed some families to depart between 1927 and 1929.

Natalie Ostrzewa-Wenger notes that from 1923 to 1929, a total of about 12,000 Mennonites left Ukraine. This exodus was driven by a combination of political repression, economic hardship, and the desire for religious freedom. The Mennonites who settled in Canada brought with them their traditions, community structures, and a commitment to peaceful living.

The emigration of Mennonites from Ukraine to Canada has left a lasting legacy. The first Mennonites in Zaporizhzhia and their settlements, such as the village of Shengvis, are part of a broader narrative of displacement and resettlement. These communities in Canada continue to preserve their heritage while contributing to the cultural and social fabric of their new homeland.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Ukrainian)