This year the weather conditions made our concert both Christmas and Theophany, as we had to have it a bit later, on January 21, 2024, the Sunday after the Baptism of the Lord.

The Christmas concert was organized by the Sunday School of St. Barbara’s Cathedral, and conducted by Mary Holden.

The children’s choir of St. Barbara’s Cathedral led by Irina Trutnieva opened the concert with the Troparion to the Nativity of Christ.

Sasha and Anya Bogatirevich performed one of the dearest childhood songs – ‘A little fir was born in the forest’.

Then the audience could enjoy a real play, with the decorations and actors in wonderful costumes – ‘The Christmas Night’, by a lot of young students of the Sunday School. Though very young, the actors tried to do their best to be heard in every corner of our church hall, and performed really very well!

The Christmas carols were sung by the joint children’s choir of all ages in Ukrainian, Russian, and English, with the rest of the people joining them eagerly.

The instrumental part of the concert was opened by Christian Semirson, who performed a piece on the piano, called “The Three Kings”, about the Magi of the Nativity of Christ.

Then we were again enjoying the violin music, by our talented parishioners, the sisters Lidia and Very Burtovoi, who performed “Dobriy Vechir” (“Good Evening to you”) and “We wish you a Merry Christmas”, and “Shedrik”.

After the continuous applause the President of the parish council and the host of the matinee, Roman Lopushinsky, invited everyone to the generous festive table prepared by the parishioners and the Sisterhood of the Varvara Cathedral with the help of all our parishioners and guests who brought and shared their best dishes and desserts.

After the festive meal the Rector of St. Barbara’s Cathedral F. Igor, on behalf of all the parishioners, gave thanks to the Sisterhood, the volunteers, and the parishioners for decorating the place and organizing the meal and also catering during the lunch, and to the Sunday school for presenting such a good concert program!

Then all the people were performing our favorite Christmas carols, reinforced this time with the Cathedral Choirs led by Irina Trutnieva.

While the carols were sung, the special gifts for children were brought into the hall.

Then Santa Claus, a very authentic and joyous one came, with a good verse or a funny adage for every child and their parents, and the clergy, who he was giving generous Christmas gifts!

We want to thank everyone who humbly labored for the sake of this really joyous event! May God bless you with good health and the Peace from Above!