Obnova students in Kyiv organized an Epiphany Eve Supper for students and presented a contemporary puppet vertep [Nativity Scene]

According to Rev. Volodymyr Malchyn, head of the above Center, this was the third time that an Epiphany Eve Supper was being held. The supper is attended by students from various higher education institutions in Kyiv whose families live throughout Ukraine.  Anyone who on that day is alone in Kyiv is welcome to join the Epiphany Eve Supper.

“Anyone can volunteer to assist in organizing the Epiphany Eve Supper,” said Halyna Kopystenska, the head of the Kyiv branch of Obnova. Some bring prepared food, others donate funds for the supper, while still others sing and deliver holiday greetings.  This year’s Epiphany Supper was prepared by both female and male participants.

After an initial prayer and blessing of the food by the priest, the students happily sat down around the communal table.  This year’s menu included traditional foods, such as kutia, doughnuts, uzvar, and mushrooms from all regions of Ukraine as well as four varieties of varennyky [pierogies]. The Chaplain of the National University “Kyiv-Mohyla Academy,” Rev. Andriy Zielinski, SJ in his presentation described the essence of the Feast of Epiphany.

The traditional courses, prepared by Obnova members, were very tasty.  However, the members not only proved their cooking skills by preparing a delicious traditional supper, but also delighted the guests with multiple Nativity and Epiphany carols, interspersed with traditional holiday greetings.  The highlight of the evening was a contemporary puppet vertep which was composed in verse and created by Obnova members.  Anna Kholodnytska, the producer of this original show, said that the main theme was the desire of a person to get ready for Christmas in order to experience all of its beauty. According to the author of the scenario, Tetiana Shpeicher, “the idea of making a puppet vertep was born long ago but a busy schedule did not permit work on it.  However, the opportunity to do so happened when the Kyiv members were returning from the Taizé European Meeting in Rome at the beginning of the New Year.  The long bus trip provided ample opportunity for praying, caroling, making plans for the upcoming year, and composing the vertep scenario.

With this vertep Kyiv Obnova members have already visited Bishop Joseph (Milan), auxiliary bishop of the Kyiv Archeparchy and Archbishop Thomas Edward Hallikson, Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine, as well as parishes, priests and laity in the Kyiv Archeparchy.  The association also plans to present the vertep to those on military duty in Kyiv.

Information provided by the Center of Academic Pastorship of Kyiv Archeparchy