Voice of Ukraine

From Lyuda (Day 319): Dear brothers and sisters, Yesterday we had a nice completion of a Christmas season. As we gathered with our group of refugees in the café a local folk musicians came to play for us. It was such a joy to sing Christmas carols and Ukrainian folk songs. There are many carols very joyful and happy proclaiming the new era that came with the birth of Savior who was born from the virgin. In the old times these carols were widely performed all over Ukraine.

During the time of the Soviet Union time the godless rulers worked hard to make people forget their traditions trying to substitute the main holiday with pagan celebration of the New Year and fairy tale images.

But people still remember these songs, they were passed from mouth to mouth, from grandmothers to mothers and from mothers to children. The folk songs are beautiful, too. One of them which I love very much is “Cheremshyna”about a shepherd taking his sheep home in the evening. He walks through the wood listening to birdsong enjoying the smell of blooming cheremshyna (bird cherry bushes) and from the other side his girl-friend is walking to meet him. Their date place is near the river where the shepherd stops to let his sheep drink cool water.

Yesterday evening our music group were preparing for the worship and also they planned the new program for this month. Vika, the girl from our youth group, is learning playing the guitar and is very exited to be a part of our music group. The music style of our group is changing, they learn many new hymns. They stayed in the church till late and Sergey stayed with them. We are glad that Veronica, the girl who came back to the church after her long absence, is also showing interest and wants to help with sound system. Ivan is teaching her to do it.
We wish you to have a good worship today.
In Christ,
Lyuda