Our Events
Pysanka Workshop
OLPH will again host workshops for anyone interested in creating pysanky (Ukranian Easter eggs). The workshops are open to all skill levels (children do need a supervising adult) and will be held in February & March at the following dates and times: 2/18 11am-2pm, 2/27 6-9pm, 3/18 11am-2pm, 3/27 6-9pm.
BAZAAR
All are invited to the annual Byzantine Bazaar and Food Festival Saturday, May 6, 10 am - 3 pm, featuring traditional Slavic food for dine-in or take-out: stuffed cabbage rolls, pirohi, sausage; with wide range of ethnic desserts. Imported icons from Ukraine, raffle prizes with Ukrainian Easter Eggs, and fine Catholic books and gift items; and church tours.
Saint Nicholas Day
December 6 th Saint Nicholas is one of the most popular of all Saints in the East, and there are
countless stories that tell of his generosity and intercession for children, especially children who
are poor, orphaned.
Nicholas is the
special patron of our own Byzantine-Ruthenian Catholic Church. The center of monastic
life and the residence of the bishops of our Church was the monastery of Saint Nicholas
in the town of Mukachevo, for at least 900 years.
Christmas Eve ( The Holy Supper)
At the first appearance of a star in the evening sky, the Holy Supper is served. We traditionally have strict fast on Christmas Eve: no meat or dairy products are used, and the main meal is the Holy Supper. Animals are fed before the people, since the animals kept the Child Jesus warm in the manger. The table can be set with straw above and below as reminder of Jesus’ poverty. An empty
place may be set for the Elijah, for he is the prophet who is to come to announce the Messiah. The empty place can also represent the souls of those who have died. The white tablecloth represents the swaddling clothes of the Christ Child. Candles stand for
the Star. Three stacked loaves of bread represent the Trinity. Traditionally, the Supper is split into twelve separate courses (including the desserts) in honor of the Twelve
Tribes and Twelve Apostles.
The traditional ritual of Holy Supper
Blessing of the Rio Grande
Blessed water welcomes us at
baptism, blesses us at our deaths, and should be used throughout our lives. Christ’s great humility in accepting baptism from John’s hands and descending into the waters of the river show us that He comes to redeem us
and restore creation to its original purpose. Because of His presence in the water, and because water is used for Baptism, the Sanctification of Water is
one of the most important and popular rites of the Eastern Churches,Catholic and Orthodox.
