Is it possible to celebrate Ukrainian Christmas in the community?

For Ukrainians in Calgary, there are numerous and varied opportunities to celebrate Ukrainian Christmas within the community, from traditional church services to cultural events that bring people of different generations together to celebrate their shared traditions. **The Ukrainian community in Calgary, which numbers over twenty thousand people, including many recent refugees from Ukraine, has created a strong network of religious, cultural, and community organizations that provide opportunities to celebrate Christmas according to Ukrainian traditions. These opportunities are especially important in the current context, where the war in Ukraine has forced thousands of people to leave their homes and seek a new life in Canada, where they strive to maintain their cultural and spiritual ties.

Ukrainian Christmas in Calgary is celebrated in the context of complex historical changes taking place in Ukraine itself. Starting in 2023, many Ukrainian churches and communities switched to celebrating Christmas on December 25 instead of the traditional January 7, symbolically distancing themselves from Russian influence. This transition has created a unique situation in Calgary, where some organizations and churches now offer celebrations on both dates, allowing the community to choose the way they wish to celebrate that best suits their beliefs and traditions. This flexibility demonstrates the Calgary Ukrainian community's desire to be inclusive and supportive of all members regardless of their religious or cultural preferences.

The Ukrainian community in Calgary not only preserves traditional forms of celebration, but also actively adapts them to Canadian conditions, creating a unique Ukrainian-Canadian experience. This is evident in the combination of authentic Ukrainian elements with the practical needs of life in a multicultural Canadian city, where Ukrainian traditions interact with other cultures and adapt to the local climate, social structures, and legal framework. The result is a vibrant and dynamic cultural space where the Ukrainian Christmas experience is constantly evolving, preserving its essence while taking on new forms of expression.

Church celebrations and religious traditions

Religious events remain at the heart of Ukrainian Christmas celebrations in Calgary, with several major churches offering a full range of Christmas services and traditional rituals.

St. Stephen's Ukrainian Catholic Church

St. Stephen's Ukrainian Catholic Church is one of the most active in organizing Christmas celebrations:

  • Holds solemn services on both December 24-25 and January 6-7
  • Ensures that all members of the community can participate regardless of their calendar preferences
  • Organizes a traditional Christmas Eve dinner with twelve dishes
  • Provides special support for newcomers during their first Christmas in a new country

St. Vladimir's Church

St. Vladimir's Church, a Ukrainian Orthodox cathedral in Calgary, plays a special role in preserving Orthodox traditions:

Innovative approach for 2023-2024:

  • Christmas services on both dates - December 25 and January 7
  • Recognition of the complexity of the transition period
  • Support for the diverse needs of believers
  • Special attention to new refugees from Ukraine

Additional programs:

  • English language programs for newly arrived Ukrainians
  • Combination of cultural and religious events
  • Comprehensive support system for adaptation to life in Canada

Assumption Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Serves as an important center for the Greek Catholic community in Calgary:

Language accessibility:

  • Traditional services in Ukrainian and English
  • Participation of both first and subsequent generations of Ukrainians

Educational programs:

  • Sunday schools for children
  • Learning about Ukrainian Christmas traditions
  • Caroling, making decorations, preparing Christmas Eve meals
  • Critical importance for passing on cultural heritage

Special support programs

The Ukrainian Humanitarian Aid Committee at St. Vladimir's Church coordinates:

  • Organization of communal Christmas dinners for people without families in Canada
  • Traditional elements: preparing kutia, caroling together
  • A touching tradition of leaving an empty place at the table
  • Of particular importance for families whose loved ones remained in Ukraine during the war

Cultural organizations and community events

Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Calgary Branch

Acts as a coordinating center for organizing large-scale cultural events:

Calgary Ukrainian Carol Festival:

  • Hundreds of participants and spectators annually
  • Celebration of traditional Ukrainian music and songs
  • Performances by local choirs, individual performers, and dance groups
  • Traditional carols and shchedrivkas + modern interpretations
  • Participation of newly arrived Ukrainians with authentic regional traditions

Association of United Ukrainians of Canada

Organizes the traditional Calgary Hopak Ensemble:

History and composition:

  • Exists since the 1920s
  • Includes a choir, orchestra, and dance group
  • Comprehensive cultural experience of Ukrainian Christmas

Special programs:

  • Theatrical performances of the vertep - traditional Ukrainian Christmas theater
  • The story of the birth of Christ through a combination of biblical and folk elements
  • Especially popular with children
  • Passing on religious and cultural traditions to the younger generation

Contemporary choral initiatives

Pereveslo Choir

Founded at the beginning of the Russian aggression in Ukraine:

  • Represents a new generation of Ukrainian cultural initiatives
  • Performs traditional carols and contemporary songs about war and resistance
  • Charity concerts to support Ukraine and local refugees
  • Master classes in Ukrainian caroling

Korinnya Choir

Over thirty years of activity:

  • Specialization in authentic Ukrainian folk songs
  • Educational concerts with explanations of historical and symbolic meanings
  • Collaboration with local schools and cultural centers
  • Introducing Ukrainian traditions to the wider Canadian community

Traditional Christmas fairs and markets

Ukrainian Christmas Bazaar

An annual event at St. Vladimir's Cultural Center:

Assortment of goods:

  • Embroidered shirts and ceramics
  • Pysanky and Christmas decorations
  • Traditional Ukrainian dishes

Popular dishes:

  • Vareniki made according to traditional recipes
  • Various sweets: gingerbread and honey cakes
  • Proceeds go to support the Ukrainian community and charity

Ukrainian Christmas pie bazaar

At Uspenska Church - a traditional event for Ukrainians and Canadians:

Specializing in Christmas dishes:

  • Various types of varenyky: with potatoes, cheese, cabbage, and fruit
  • Stuffed cabbage rolls with various fillings
  • Various types of bread and sweets
  • Master classes on preparing traditional dishes

Ukrainian Association of Calgary - Christmas Fair

Combining trade with cultural events:

Cultural program:

  • Performances by local Ukrainian artists
  • Demonstrations of traditional crafts: pysanka (Easter egg painting) and weaving
  • Interactive activities for children: Ukrainian games and songs

Special features:

  • Participation of newly arrived Ukrainian artisans
  • Modern Ukrainian goods and interpretations of traditional crafts
  • Cultural exchange between different waves of Ukrainian emigration
  • Integration of newcomers into the local Ukrainian community

Food traditions and culinary culture

Kalina European Food Store

The real center for preparing for Ukrainian Christmas in Calgary:

Traditional Christmas dishes

Symbolic dishes:

  • Kutia - made from wheat grains, poppy seeds, honey, and nuts
  • Kalach - traditional Christmas bread with a hole (symbol of prosperity and harmony)
  • Uzvar - a drink made from dried fruits (an essential part of Christmas Eve dinner)

Vareniki:

  • Eleven different types
  • Traditional with potatoes and cheese
  • Less common varieties with fruit and sweet fillings
  • Especially popular during the Christmas holidays

Kalina's cuisine

Authentic Ukrainian recipes:

  • Full range of traditional Christmas dishes
  • Enjoy a traditional Christmas without having to cook

Stuffed cabbage rolls with various fillings:

  • Rice with beef
  • Rice with mushrooms
  • Rice with bacon
  • Rice with fried onions in oil
  • Reflection of regional variations of traditional dishes

Specialties:

  • Potato pancakes (made by hand by our Ukrainian head chef)
  • Served with sour cream
  • Popular among Canadians who are discovering Ukrainian cuisine

Additional services

Catering services:

  • For public Christmas events
  • Orders for churches and cultural organizations
  • Traditional Ukrainian Christmas banquets for large groups
  • Especially valuable for shared Christmas Eve dinners

Educational activities:

  • Master classes on preparing traditional Ukrainian Christmas dishes
  • Training for both experienced chefs and beginners
  • Basics of Ukrainian cuisine

Ukrainian style deli

Special ingredients during the Christmas season:

  • Different varieties of poppy seeds for making kutia
  • Special types of honey and nuts for Christmas desserts
  • Special types of cheese and sausage for the Christmas table

Expert advice:

  • Staff from Ukraine
  • Detailed advice on preparing traditional dishes
  • Explanation of the symbolic meaning of elements of the Ukrainian Christmas table

Educational programs and cultural transmission

Sunday schools at Ukrainian churches

Critical role in passing on traditions to the younger generation:

St. Stephen's Church

Special Christmas programs for children ages 3-12:

  • Learning traditional Christmas carols
  • Making Christmas decorations according to Ukrainian traditions
  • Preparation for participation in Christmas performances

Symbolic elements:

  • Didukh - a sheaf of wheat (symbol of the spirit of ancestors)
  • Traditional Christmas dishes and their religious significance

“Sadok” Program

At St. Josaphat's Cathedral in Edmonton (serving families from Calgary):

Age group: children from 19 months to preschool age

Educational environment:

  • Ukrainian-speaking environment
  • Rich in Ukrainian culture, religion, and traditions
  • Strong foundation of Ukrainian identity
  • Resistance to assimilation pressures of a multicultural society

Activities:

  • Ukrainian Christmas carols
  • Staging of a nativity play
  • Learning to prepare simple Ukrainian Christmas dishes

Ukrainian dance schools

Calgary Hopak Ensemble

Children's dance classes for children aged 4-13:

  • Learning more than just dance techniques
  • Cultural context of Ukrainian traditions
  • Learning traditional Ukrainian Christmas dances
  • Preparation for Christmas concerts

Christmas performances:

  • Theatrical elements
  • Telling the story of Ukrainian Christmas through dance, music, and drama

Language programs for adults

Programs for newly arrived Ukrainians

St. Vladimir's Church:

  • “Survival English” programs for Ukrainian refugees
  • Use of holiday traditions as a context for language learning
  • Discussion of differences between Ukrainian and Canadian traditions
  • Help with adapting to local customs
  • Preserving one's cultural identity

Of particular importance since 2022:

  • Significant increase in the number of Ukrainian refugees in Alberta
  • First Christmas in a new country for many

Special features of celebrations during wartime

Since 2022, Ukrainian Christmas in Calgary has taken on special significance in the context of the war in Ukraine, with celebrations combined with deep sorrow and solidarity with the Ukrainian people.

Religious aspects

Church communities organize:

  • Special prayers for Ukraine during Christmas services
  • Charity gatherings for material assistance
  • Prayers for peace in Ukraine
  • Memorial elements to honor the fallen defenders of Ukraine

Symbolic meaning:

  • The tradition of leaving an empty place at the Christmas table
  • A new, painful meaning for families with loved ones who have died or are in the war zone

Charitable initiatives

Ukrainian Canadian Congress:

  • Special Christmas concerts for charity
  • Proceeds go towards:
  • Purchase of medical equipment
  • Drones for the Ukrainian army
  • Support for orphanages in Ukraine
  • A unique experience of “Christmas solidarity”

Support for refugees

Calgary Committee for Assistance to Ukrainian Evacuees:

Special events:

  • Shared Christmas dinners for those who have no family in Canada
  • Psychological support for people with war trauma
  • Practical assistance in organizing communication with relatives in Ukraine

Technological support:

  • Virtual connection with families in Ukraine
  • Celebrating together even without physical presence

Cultural changes

Christmas carols and concerts:

  • Contemporary songs about war and resistance alongside traditional melodies
  • The Pereveslo choir has created a special Christmas program
  • A combination of traditional carols and contemporary Ukrainian songs
  • Powerful emotional events to share joy and pain
  • Space for collective grief and hope

Intercultural exchange and integration

Ukrainian Christmas celebrations in Calgary are becoming increasingly open to the wider Canadian public, creating opportunities for intercultural dialogue and understanding.

Inclusive initiatives

Churches and cultural organizations:

  • Special invitations to non-Ukrainians to participate in Christmas events
  • Explanation of Ukrainian traditions in English
  • Creation of an inclusive atmosphere
  • Special importance due to increased attention to Ukraine

Multicultural events

Partnerships with other cultural communities:

  • Participation in multicultural Christmas events
  • Presentation of Ukrainian traditions alongside other cultures
  • Demonstration of common and unique elements of different traditions
  • Integration into the broader Calgary community

Educational initiatives

Educational institutions in Calgary:

  • Inviting representatives of the Ukrainian community to give presentations
  • Context of the current situation in Ukraine

Programs include:

  • Demonstrations of traditional Ukrainian Christmas dishes
  • Teaching Ukrainian Christmas carols
  • Explanation of the symbolism of Ukrainian Christmas traditions
  • Raising awareness of Ukrainian culture among young Canadians

Commercial initiatives

Restaurants and cafes in Calgary:

  • Special Ukrainian Christmas menus in December and January
  • Collaboration with Ukrainian organizations or chefs
  • Introducing the wider public to Ukrainian cuisine
  • Creating economic opportunities for the Ukrainian community

Charitable nature:

  • Part of the proceeds goes to support Ukraine
  • Assistance to local Ukrainian refugees

Conclusion

The opportunity to celebrate Ukrainian Christmas in the Calgary community not only exists but thrives thanks to a variety of religious, cultural, and community organizations working together to preserve and promote Ukrainian traditions. From traditional church services and Christmas Eve dinners to modern cultural events and charitable initiatives, Calgary's Ukrainian community has created a comprehensive network of opportunities for celebration that serves the needs of both long-time community members and newly arrived refugees.

This network not only preserves authentic Ukrainian traditions, but also adapts them to modern realities, creating a vibrant and dynamic cultural space where Ukrainian Christmas continues to evolve while preserving its spiritual essence and cultural significance. Especially in the context of the war in Ukraine, these celebrations have become not only cultural events but also acts of resistance, solidarity, and hope that strengthen Ukrainian identity and create strong ties between Ukrainians in the diaspora and their homeland.