On Sunday January, the 13th on the eve of the great feast of Circumcision of the Lord Jesus Christ, the day of remembrance of st. Basil the great and the Julian (Old) New Year there was a Christmas concert “Yolka” for children with pot luck at the basement of the St. Barbara Cathedral.

The concert was opened by the President of the Cathedral Board Mr. Roman Lopushinsky, who gave the floor to the young host of the party – Katya Udot. She announced and introduced the young Christ glorifiers; Scarlet Rubal was first to sing the Christmas carols, first solo and together with Katya.

Then a Christmas and New Year verse was recited by the boy Christen, and Roman Lopushinsky invited everyone to sing the well-known for the community Christmas carols: “Joy to the world”, “Away in a manger”, “Come all ye faithful”.

Katya welcomed more artists to the improvised scene: Daria Protsenko recited the verse “Почему же Новый год”; another poem about the New year was presented by the boy Andrew. The smallest participants carried on – a little girl Katya and a very small – Lyova Harper.

And again, all the people present were singing one of the favourite carols – “Silent Night”, followed by the Ukrainian – “Bog Privichniy” and “Nebo i zemlya”.

The Moldavian community presented a carol in Moldavian with f. Vitaly’s family singing.

Then the hostess of the concert performed another Christmas song – “Silver bells” and Mr. Roman announce the approaching of the special guest of the party – St. Nicholas, or Santa Clause, who, to the delight of all people revealed himself shortly, bringing a lot of different presents for all the children, and not only for them. Calling for him the people were singing a “Jingle bells” song.

After the common prayer everyone was invited to help yourself with a wonderful meal cooked and served by the Ladies’ Aid and the volunteers, and brought from the bounties of the parishioners’ homes.

While all the people enjoying the dinner, the children were given the presents from the hands of the real Santa Clause sitting by the beautiful decorated Christmas tree; many people were taking photos with him and the happy children. Very nice presents were given by the Santa to the Ladies’ Aid, the priests and the servants of the cathedral.

The community sung the Christmas troparion and kontakion and thanked to the organizers and the artists of such a pleasant and memorable event.

f. Yevheniy Protsenko,
photos by Olha and Michael Protsenko