Ukrainian Catholic ChurchAustralia, New Zealand and Oceania
Christmas Carols in the Cathedral
December 17, 2023
On Saturday, December 16, Bishop Mykola Bychok took part in the Parish Carol, which was organised in the Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul in Melbourne. Such meetings are organised every year before Christmas and are another opportunity for the whole parish to come together.
From time immemorial, our people glorified the newborn Christ with carols. On Christmas Day, Ukrainians went from house to house, bringing others the good news about the birth of the Saviour, as well as wishing their owners joy, peace, and God’s blessing. Ukrainians in Australia do not forget this ancient Ukrainian tradition and gather together for a joint carolling.
Bishop Mykola Bychok started the Christmas Carols, who greeted everyone present and drew attention to the fact that the Christmas Carol is our Christmas prayer, with which we glorify Christ, with which we pray, and through which we get to know Jesus, the Holy Family, the Three Wise Men, and all other participants in the Nativity of Christ, which we mention in carols. “Christmas is a joyful feast because we celebrate the coming to earth of God’s son, who saves the world. Although today this joy is peculiar to us because we also sympathise and empathise with our brothers and sisters in Ukraine, who are now defending their independence and giving the most valuable thing — their lives. However, Christmas is the holiday that shows us that God is with us. He is not apart from us,” emphasised Bishop Mykola.
Those present had the opportunity to listen to carols in a wonderful performance by the Cathedral Choir and the Men’s Ensemble “Homin” under the direction of Mr. Volodymyr Holovko. The “Rodyna” and “Singing Group” ensembles were also pleased with their singing, and Andriy-Lev Mykytyuk played several pieces on the saxophone. The creative teams performed both popular and little-known carols. The participants of the celebration had the opportunity not only to listen but also to sing together with Fr. Andrii Mykytyuk, the administrator of the Cathedral, who was the host of the entire celebration.
In the courtyard of the church, the parish community treated the attendees to delicious kutya and other goodies.
We hope that this wonderful tradition will continue and that Ukrainians in Australia will gather together for many years to sing carols and glorify God.
