Holiday events for St. Nicholas Day took place in virtually all Ukrainian communities in the USA. For example, in Bridgeport, members of the 73rd branch of the Union of Ukrainian Women of America held a Christmas market, the funds from which will go to help the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In Charlotte, at the Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a family holiday was held with children's performances, a fair and a meeting with St. Nicholas. And in Warren, the community gathered for the sixth time for the traditional event "St. Nicholas is coming - meet a miracle!" with concerts, workshops and the participation of Heroes of Ukraine.
This was reported by the organizers of the events.
In the church of St. John the Baptist in the city of Bridgeport, Connecticut, a celebration of St. Nicholas Day took place within the framework of which the 73rd branch of the Union of Ukrainian Women of America organized a charity Christmas market.
The members of the department prepared traditional homemade cookies and other holiday pastries. According to the organizers, all funds raised will be directed to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine, humanitarian needs in their homeland, and assistance to those who find themselves in difficult life circumstances.
The SUA thanked all participants and visitors of the event for their support and concern, as well as Father Ivan Mazuryk for his spiritual care and active participation in the life of the community.
The organizers noted that such initiatives demonstrate the strength of the unity of the Ukrainian diaspora and its readiness to support Ukraine in times of war.
St. Nicholas Day, combined with an open Christmas market, was also held on the territory of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Charlotte, North Carolina. A bright family holiday took place here, and the event itself gathered a large number of visitors and became a real center of the Ukrainian spirit.
The program included children's performances, games, contests, a meeting with St. Nicholas, as well as a festive fair with traditional Ukrainian dishes.
The festive event took place with the blessing of the rector of the church, Father Maksym Zhuravchyk, who also told the audience the story of St. Nicholas. Active community members prepared the children's performances, and Volodymyr Mazurok played the role of St. Nicholas.
The host of the event was Svitlana Bulanyuk, musical accompaniment was provided by Artem Getmanenko and Ruslan Kyrienko. A special atmosphere was created by a street rukhanka, conducted by Viktoriya Brechka and Max Chyzhevsky.
The guests of the holiday were offered borscht, varenyky, pampushki, sweets and other traditional Ukrainian dishes prepared by community members.
The organizers expressed their gratitude to all volunteers, vendors and partners, in particular East Coast Truck Repair, Charlotte for Ukraine, Ukrainian Federal Credit Union, PLAST Ukrainian Scouting Organization in Charlotte, Toloka USA and Ukraine House Charlotte.
In addition, in Warren, Michigan, at the St. Josaphat Church, the annual festive event “St. Nicholas is Coming – Meet a Miracle!” took place organized by the 142nd branch of the Union of Ukrainian Women of America. The event has been gathering the Ukrainian community for the sixth year in a row.
The event featured a rich program: a festive concert and a theatrical fairy tale with the participation of children, a meeting with St. Nicholas and the presentation of gifts. The event was also attended by Heroes of Ukraine – Denys “Wolverine” Hayda, Oleho “Bonya” Bonchinsky, together with volunteer Oleksandr Tkachenko. There were also six master classes at the “St. Nicholas Workshop”, and of course, a festive feast with traditional Ukrainian dishes.
The organizers expressed their sincere gratitude to everyone who contributed to the creation of this day – sponsors Ukrainian Selfreliance Michigan FCU, Selfreliance Federal Credit Union, and the Hoverla football club. The holiday united the community around Ukrainian traditions and became another confirmation of the power of unity in the diaspora.
Photo: Oksana Lukiv, Lyudmila Melnichenko, Oksana Khomchak
Author: Inna Mikhno