On January 12, the Sunday following the Nativity of Christ, when the Church also commemorates St. Joseph the Betrothed, King David, and James, the Brother of the Lord, the St. Barbara Cathedral in Edmonton hosted its annual Children’s Christmas Concert. This joyful event marked the continuation of the sacred festive season of Christmastide.

This year, the organizers, the Children’s Sunday School of St. Barbara Cathedral, transformed part of the hall into a stage complete with theatrical decorations. Another section of the hall was arranged for the audience, creating an authentic theater atmosphere.

The event began with a poetic Christmas greeting by Maria Zhurova, the head teacher of the Sunday School. Following this, the students presented a theatrical performance depicting the Nativity story. With a beautifully adorned icon of the Nativity, a manger, animals, angels, shepherds, the Magi, Joseph, Mary, and the Christ Child, the children brought the sacred events to life.

Co-hosts Arina Shumilina and Maria Zhurova alternated between poetic and prose presentations, narrating each scene of the Nativity story. The performance included traditional children’s Christmas hymns, during which the participants, dressed in costumes, danced and formed a circle around the manger.

Musical accompaniment was provided by Nikolai Semizhon, while Elena Ivanova and Svetlana Semizhon assisted the children on stage. The participants included:

• Kirill Holden (Angel), Yegor Plachkov (Angel), Ksenia Holden (Sheep), Daria Holden (Donkey),
• Evlampia Demyanchuk (Shepherd), Kirill Plachkov (Shepherd), Varya Holden (Star),
• Christian Semizhon (Wise Man), Georgiy Shumilin (Wise Man), Daniil Semizhon (Wise Man), and Alexandra Semizhon (Little Star).

The highlight of the evening was the performance by the St. Barbara Cathedral Church Choir, directed by Irina Trutneva. The choir graced the stage with their exquisite vocal mastery, performing a selection of well-loved and rarely heard carols. These ranged from solemn and melodic to humorous and folk-style compositions, as well as those inspired by liturgical hymns. Between the carols, poetry readings were interspersed, and Irina, on behalf of the choir, extended heartfelt Christmas greetings to the Father rector and all attendees. The audience joined the choir in singing the carol “Rejoice and Be Merry.”

The concert concluded with Anastasia Shubina, who had held the large Nativity icon throughout the performance, playing the cheerful and festive “Frosty the Snowman” on the piano.

The rector of the cathedral, Archpriest Igor Kisil, expressed gratitude on behalf of the parish to everyone who worked diligently to prepare and present this wonderful Christmas event. He then invited everyone to a festive meal.

Parishioners and guests sang the Christmas troparion together, after which the hall was transformed into a dining area with the help of the parishioners and the Sisterhood. The festive table featured an array of dishes, appetizers, desserts, and beverages.

At the end of the meal, Roman Lopushinsky, President of the Patriarchal Parishes, thanked the Sisterhood—Margarita, Alexandra, Matushka Natalia, Matushka Anna, Olga, Oksana, Olga, and Marina—as well as all the assistants, Sunday School teachers, and performers. He also encouraged everyone to stay for a surprise and gifts.

As is tradition, Santa Clause (portrayed by Mikhail Demyanchuk) made an appearance, delighting all the children and clergy with beautiful Christmas and New Year’s gifts.

Christ is Born! Let us glorify Him!

Happy 2025 Year!