NATIVITY OF CHRIST | РІЗДВО | CHRISTMAS 2024

Dear PARISHIONERS + FRIENDS

We look forward to a joyous celebration of The Nativity of Christ and Theophany. Below is the schedule of services. Invite your friends and neighbours!

This year will be our first with our new Pastor Fr. Tom. Together, we continue to do what we have been taught- come to the services (bring your children), sing the carols together and maintain your traditions at home. As we celebrate here - we continue to pray for peace in Ukraine and all our homelands. May the joy of the feast be with you and yours.

ДОРОГІ ПАРАФІЯНИ та ДРУЗІ

Чекаємо радісного свята Різдва Христового та Богоявлення. Нижче наведено розклад богослужінь. Розкажіть друзям і сусідам. Ласкаво просимо всіх!

Цей рік буде нашим першим з нашим новим парохом о. Томою. Ми разом продовжуємо робити те, чого нас навчили – приходити на богослужіння (приводьте дітей), разом колядувати та зберігати свої традиції вдома. Святкуючи тут – продовжуємо молитися за мир в Україні та на всіх наших батьківщинах. Нехай радість цього свята буде з вами та вашими.

UPDATE: Liturgy for ST STEPHAN is cancelled due to Funeral services for +Bishop Stephen. Liturgy will be served at 9am at Dormition of the Mother of God parish in Mississauga prior to the First Parastas for a Hierarch.

ОНОВЛЕННЯ: Літургія на СВЯТОГО СТЕФАНА скасовується у зв’язку з парастасом новопреставленого +єпископа Стефана. Літургія буде відслужена о 9 ранку на парафії Успіння Пресвятої Богородиці в Міссісаузі перед Першим Парастасом для Архієрея.

FROM THE PASTOR | ВІД ПАРОХA

RESOURCES

FASTING ON CHRISTMAS EVE A LESSON

(available on the parish calendar):

ON THE EVE OF THE NATIVITY (Dec. 24th) we keep a strict fast in the following way: No food is eaten before the Vesperal Liturgy (3 PM), those un- able to attend this service are obligated to keep the fast in solidarity until nightfall. From of old there is a pious custom on Christmas Eve of not eating anything until the appearance of stars. Church books instruct that after theVesperalLiturgy“The faithful prepare a meal cooked with oil. Fish is not eaten, but we drink wine, giving thanks to God.”According to Ukrainian custom, it is accepted to prepare a more lavish meal without meat or dairy products, and to eat abundantly [In some places fish is also eaten]. Besides the kutya (boiled wheat and poppy seeds in honey), a decortion of stewed fruit is prepared with dried plums, pears, cherries, apples and other fruit. These dishes express symbolically the birth (the decoction is usually prepared in times of childbirth), and death of the Saviour (the kutya is cooked for funerals and services for the dead). Though wine is allowed with dinner, it is proper to drink modestly, not being weighed down before returning to church for Great Compline (8PM). -i.r.g.