"Christmas Prosfora" was celebrated in Kyiv with the Head of the UGCC

The primate of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, His Beatitude Sviatoslav (Shevchuk), after the chorus of the Patriarchal Cathedral sang "Eternal God was born!", welcomed all those present at the annual Christmas Unleavened Bread.

""Christmas Prosfora" is a very interesting event. We, while celebrating Christmas, in every place, where the celebration is taking place, are experiencing the little Bethlehem – at the place, where the Christ is born. "Bethlehem" means "the city of bread". And when we want to share the joy of Christmas, we share the blessed Christmas bread, and thus, share the Christmas joy with all, to whom the Lord God sends us. Therefore today, while sharing with you this Christmas Prosfora, we want to share the joy of Christmas, "- said the Head of the UGCC to all guests.

After that, numerous guests were served out with some unleavened bread with honey.

The Archbishop Emeritus, His Beatitude Lubomyr (Husar), was not able to attend the festival, however, he did not deprive the guests of his attention. His Beatitude Lubomyr recorded the video greeting for those, who will come to the thanksgiving carols.

His Beatitude Lubomyr, from the TV screen, reminded the guests about the construction of the Patriarchal Cathedral, and also thanked to all those, who are, by any means, supporting the construction of this spiritual center of the UGCC in Kiev, as a symbol for Ukrainian Greek Catholics worldwide.

"It is a great pity for me, - said the Archbishop, - that there is no possibility for me to be with you this evening, but it does not depend on me entirely. Even though I am away from you physically, I am with you in spirit, I rejoice with you, I sing with you and I sincerely wish the God to reward your sacrifice, your kindness, your generosity to our Church - to our common good".

The Christmas Prosfora is taking place for several years in a row already, and during those years, the regular guests appeared, who already cannot imagine Christmas festivities without it. Here we may see Mr. Ivan Vasyunyk, who is trying to come every year and to share the joy of Christmas with the Head of the Church.

"I used to ask myself - relates to the Information Department of the UGCC Mr. Ivan, - what does it mean for me being the Greek Catholic, which does it mean to be it in Kiev and what does it mean to be a practicing Greek Catholic. Being a practicing Greek-Catholic - means not only going to church with his family every Sunday, but also, at the same time, participating in the development of the Church, being a member of this great social action which is developed by the Church all over Ukraine, as well as, all around the world."

An expert on the religious matters, Victor Yelenskyi, has also visited the Unleavened Bread many times.

"I got to the “Christmas Prosfora" for the first time when the Head of the Church was His Beatitude Lubomyr. It was back then, when I already understood, that such an event is a completely new merit of church and social life. Among those who gather there are: the hierarchy of the Church, politicians, cultural figures, laymen ... And they communicate with each other on the same site. Because one of the problems of our society - the division between the people ...", - considers Viktor Yelenskyi.

The primate of the Church, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, did not deprive anyone with his attention; he approached each guest with a symbolic glass of wine, so as to welcome and to express his respect directly.

The guests were entertained with carols and with the theatrical performances of several associations, who came from different parts of Ukraine: the Patriarchal Cathedral Choir, Choir from the Krylos village, which is in Ivano-Frankivsk region, the choir from Khmelnytsky, Youth Spiritual Theater named after His Beatitude Josaphat Kotsylovskyj from Lviv region. The evening ended with a performance of folk ensemble "Bozhychi".

Moreover, all the attendants were presented with the songs performed by the kids- the winners of the contest devoted to St. Nicholas's Day. And it was on the Unleavened Bread, they received their awards and blessing from His Beatitude Sviatoslav.

Департамент інформації УГКЦ