Spilna Koliada 2024 at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church
On the morning of December 29, 2024, St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church in Edmonton was filled with festive joy and the beautiful sounds of Ukrainian Christmas music during our Spilna Koliada 2024 event. This heartwarming celebration followed the 10:00 AM Divine Liturgy and brought together the community for a special Christmas concert.
We were thrilled to welcome Bozhi Dity, the Saint Nicholas Church Choir, and the Feyeria Bandura Group as our esteemed performers. Their exceptional music created a truly unforgettable experience for all who attended.
Bozhi Dity, in addition to their presence, honored the tradition of Ukrainian New Year’s Day by performing the traditional wheat sowing ceremony.
This beautiful custom is believed to bring prosperity for the coming year, and as the children scattered wheat, they wished everyone a fruitful and abundant year ahead. Although they did not perform carols, their participation added a meaningful and symbolic touch to the celebration.
The Saint Nicholas Church Choir
and Feyeria Bandura Group
took the stage, filling the church with the stunning melodies of Ukrainian Christmas carols. These carols, known as “Koliadky,” are an important part of Ukrainian holiday traditions. Rooted in both the Christian and folk heritage, Koliadky are sung to celebrate the birth of Christ and to bring blessings of health, happiness, and prosperity for the new year. Children and adults alike take part in singing these carols, spreading joy and goodwill as they visit homes during the holiday season. The practice of going from house to house, especially on New Year’s Day, is a cherished tradition in Ukraine, where carolers (often in costume) offer songs and blessings in exchange for small gifts or treats, helping to ensure a good harvest and abundant blessings for the coming year.
We are incredibly grateful to all the performers for sharing their time and talent with us. The music and traditions that filled St. Nicholas Church on this festive morning truly made the season come alive, and we thank them for helping us celebrate this special occasion.
As we reflect on the joy of Christmas and look forward to the blessings of the new year, the parishioners of St. Nicholas Church would like to extend our warmest wishes to everyone: Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2025! May this season bring you peace, joy, and prosperity.
We look forward to continuing our tradition of hosting events that celebrate Ukrainian culture and heritage. Stay tuned for more updates on future performances and community gatherings at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church!
Thank you for being part of this wonderful celebration. We hope to see you at our upcoming events!
