Christmas with thoughts of Ukraine

For many Ukrainians living in Ireland, this will be the fourth Christmas spent far from home — under the shadow of a war that continues to shape every aspect of their lives. For them, Christmas is one of the greatest and most revered Christian holidays; however, for those who have fled the war, in particular to Ireland, it is a sad time, far from home and from their dearest ones.

A family celebration, when traditionally the whole family gathers together, under the new circumstances, is no longer the same. And there are many cases when, at the Christmas table, the father and husband is missing — the one who is either defending his Motherland from the enemy or has been killed, leaving his wife and children alone. And his place at the table remains empty, with a plate set for him.

Yet, despite everything, the parishioners of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Sligo are preparing for Christmas to celebrate the birth of our Saviour. They lift up their prayers to Him and their hope that peace will come to Ukraine.

When we left Ukraine, everything changed. For me, the Christmas season is first and foremost family — my mother’s home, the family circle, when relatives gathered from all corners of our country. Before, it was very joyful, full of emotions that were shared among everyone. Carollers and vertep groups would come to visit. Here, of course, this does not exist.

Zoriana Fedorenko, wife of Fr Taras Fedorenko

Still, I try to transfer and recreate at least a little of the Christmas traditions here in Ireland. The children come to us for the traditional Christmas Eve supper. On the one hand, it is one of the most joyful holidays for us as Christians — the birth of our Saviour. But we are human, and our humanity cannot be taken away from us.

Anxiety, worry, stress from being far from home, from knowing that there is a brutal war of survival going on there. That Putin wants to destroy everything Ukrainian and dreams that not a single Ukrainian remains alive. How can one celebrate under such conditions? Moreover, now that my mother is gone, Christmas is perceived somewhat differently than it was at home.

We managed then to convey the Christmas spirit — at least a little to immerse ourselves in memories of how it was in Ukraine in peaceful times”

Last year, we managed to organise carolling throughout our parish. Together with the church choir, we went around Sligo to those who had signed up at church. We sang carols for our parishioners and then, in the end, gathered at our home with Fr Taras. This year, we will definitely repeat it. We managed then to convey the Christmas spirit — at least a little to immerse ourselves in memories of how it was in Ukraine in peaceful times.

On December 27 at 1pm, we have an invitation for the Sligo church choir to take part in a joint performance of Ukrainian Christmas carols at the Cathedral in Letterkenny. The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church is organising this event, where various ensembles and choirs from all over Ireland will participate.

We do not have our own church building. Every Christmas, the UGCC in Sligo celebrates the Liturgies in different churches. We would like to put up a Christmas tree and a Nativity scene, so that children could admire them and we could convey at least a little of the Christmas atmosphere.

Parishoner Tanya Gryshchenko

The mood is like everyone else’s — there is none at all. The longer the war lasts, the less joy there is with each passing year. In the first and second years, there was hope that everything in Ukraine would be fine, but now that hope is almost gone. We prepare as we did at home. We try to make sure that there are twelve Lenten dishes for the Holy Supper. What is hard to find in Irish shops, we look for in Polish or Lithuanian ones.

Christmas in Ukraine is a family holiday, when everyone gathers together at mom’s and dad’s place. And now, far from home, we sing carols with our relatives only via video calls. It is sad and painful. We invite friends and acquaintances to visit. At Christmas, one wants to go home the most.

Here we have introduced a new Christmas tradition. I prepare gifts for Irish friends and acquaintances, sew Christmas decorations, and bake cookies.

We cook traditional food — Lenten Christmas dishes: borshch, several kinds of varenyky (traditional Ukrainian dumplings filled with potatoes. Cabbage), kutia (made from cooked wheat grains mixed with honey, poppy seeds and nuts), mushroom and fish soups, uzvar (drink made from dried fruits, Lenten stuffed cabbage rolls, and pampushky. We always traditionally leave food for the deceased, for those relatives who are no longer with us.

There is no joy, because there is trouble at home. But we place our hope in God.

Parishoner Oksana Lavruk

Together with my friends, I sing in the church choir of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, and we have also united into a music group called ‘Malvy,’ performing from time to time in Sligo. At Christmas, we were invited to perform for the Irish in the church after the Holy Liturgy.

Here in Ireland, I constantly follow Ukrainian news. My soul aches so much from what is happening there that it cannot be put into words. How can we celebrate when my loved ones are sitting in their homes for hours without electricity and under shelling?!

Our whole family prays a lot for Ukraine, especially the Rosary to the Mother of God every Friday. My grandson Tymofii, eight years old, can recite any prayer you ask him. Now we are learning the texts of Christmas carols for Christmas.

We try to observe Ukrainian Christmas traditions. We have already decorated the Christmas tree and adorned our home with garlands. During the Holy Supper on Christmas Eve, we first all pray together, light a candle, and set the table with twelve traditional Lenten Christmas dishes, and then we sing carols.

We will celebrate with thoughts of Ukraine, asking God for Victory and for peace. Ukraine does not leave our minds day or night. We miss our native land very much.

Parishoner Nadiia Neroznak

I myself am from eastern Ukraine, from Poltava. Our Christmas traditions are not preserved as strongly as in the West of the country. But nevertheless, for us it is a great holiday, just like welcoming the New Year. First and foremost, during the Christmas holidays, we set the table with various delicacies.

At Christmas, we will all gather together and roast a turkey. Back home in Ukraine, we did not cook this bird for such an occasion; we adopted the tradition here from the Irish people. We will not invent anything special. On the 24th, we will go to the Roman Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, and on Christmas Day itself, we will go to the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.

Russia continues to attack civilians almost daily. One brother lives in Poltava in a high-rise building, on the eighth floor. I worry very much about my relative

Given the circumstances at home, one can only dream that everyone in Ukraine survives. Two brothers remained in Ukraine with their families; they are now in great danger. After all, Russia continues to attack civilians almost daily. One brother lives in Poltava in a high-rise building, on the eighth floor. I worry very much about my relatives.

I wish peace would come sooner and that everyone would be alive and healthy. That is the one and greatest wish. And, of course, to finally see those dearest to us. I would like to thank the Irish people for their solidarity and support. May God bless Ireland!