It was a pleasure and privledge to attend Living Hope Church's Russian Christmas celebration today, in Centerville. We were invited to the special service, as the church supports missions in Ukraine... Russia's next-door neighbor. We know quite a bit about Ukraine as it's border is near the city in Russia, where we adopted Karis from (Bryansk). Our coordinator, in Russia, was from Kiev, Ukraine and was taking college courses there while working with us. Additionally, we became all too familiar with the Ukrainian train, as we accessed it going to and from Moscow.
We enjoyed a fabulous lunch, all Russian-Ukrainian food, the majority prepared by our very good friends the Stefaniuks. Who would have ever guessed when I met Marisa Stefaniuk, a fellow mom at our wonderful school, that we would have so much in common, a couple of years into our friendship. Quick explanation... her husband has Ukrainian roots; Marisa, as a young girl, traveled to Russia on a missions trip; and a few months after she and I met at a local coffee shop, to discuss our writing hobbies, my husband and I were led to adopt from Russia. So glad God put Marisa and her family in our path. I wonder what more we have in common, after the events of today.
Speaking of today, we learned about an organization called World Light Foundation. www.worldlightfoundation.com President and Founder, Natalya Skala from Ukraine now living in America, spoke and celebrated Christmas with us. She was a true light indeed. We, also, heard about a hosting program the church is involved with which brings Ukrainian orphans to our area, each summer, for about three weeks.
So now... what does God have in store for our family? Being present at today's festivities was no fluke. Our family's busy schedule actually permitted it. It's time to seek prayer... time to ask God what He has for us in 2012. I'm quite certain it's not another adoption, but I would never say never, if that's what He was asking.
Whatever it is, I'm sure it will be exciting. Stand by for updates...
So, for more about Russian Christmas... a good explanation from http://russian-crafts.com/customs/christmas.htm
Thirteen days after Western Christmas, on January 7th, the Russian Orthodox Church celebrates its Christmas, in accordance with the old Julian calendar. It's a day of both solemn ritual and joyous celebration.
After the 1917 Revolution, Christmas was banned throughout Russia, along with other religious celebrations. It wasn't until 75 years later, in 1992, that the holiday was openly observed. Today, it's once again celebrated in grand fashion, with the faithful participating in an all-night Mass in incense-filled Cathedrals amidst the company of the painted icons of Saints.
Christmas is one of the most joyous traditions for the celebration of Eve comes from the Russian tradition. On the Eve of Christmas, it is traditional for all family members to gather to share a special meal. The various foods and customs surrounding this meal differed in Holy Russia from village to village and from family to family, but certain aspects remained the same.
An old Russian tradition, whose roots are in the Orthodox faith, is the Christmas Eve fast and meal. The fast, typically, lasts until after the evening worship service or until the first star appears. The dinner that follows is very much a celebration, although, meat is not permitted. Kutya (kutia), a type of porridge, is the primary dish. It is very symbolic with its ingredients being various grains for hope and honey and poppy seed for happiness and peace.
Once the first star has appeared in the sky, the festivities begin. Although all of the food served is strictly Lenten, it is served in an unusually festive and anticipatory manner and style. The Russians call this meal: "The Holy Supper." The family gathers around the table to honor the coming Christ Child. A white table-cloth, symbolic of Christ's swaddling clothes, covers the Table. Hay is brought forth as a reminder of the poverty of the Cave where Jesus was born. A tall white candle is place in the center of the Table, symbolic of Christ "the Light of the World." A large round loaf of Lenten bread, "pagach," symbolic of Christ the Bread of Life, is placed next to the Candle.
The meal begins with the Lord's Prayer, led by the father of the family. A prayer of thanksgiving for all the blessings of the past year is said and then prayers for the good things in the coming year are offered. The head of the family greets those present with the traditional Christmas greeting: "Christ is Born!" The family members respond: "Glorify Him!" The Mother of the family blesses each person present with honey in the form of a cross on each forehead, saying: "In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, may you have sweetness and many good things in life and in the new year." Following this, everyone partakes of the bread, dipping it first in honey and then in chopped garlic. Honey is symbolic of the sweetness of life, and garlic of the bitterness. The "Holy Supper" is then eaten (see below for details). After dinner, no dishes are washed and the Christmas presents are opened. Then the family goes to Church, coming home between 2 and 3 am. On the Feast of the Nativity, neighbors and family members visit each other, going from house to house , eating, drinking and singing Christmas Carols all the day long.
Merry Christmas (again) all!
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