Published January 20. 2025 02:45PM
A little bit of snow did not deter the annual tradition of the Ukrainian Christmas Eve Dinner on Sunday at the Ukrainian Homestead in Lehighton. In fact, the snow added to the atmosphere.
“The snow came at a perfect time, just in time for our Christmas Dinner,” exclaimed Taras Penkalskyj of Lehighton.
The Ukrainian Catholic Church follows the Julian calendar. Christmas is celebrated on Jan. 7. New Year’s Day is Jan. 13.
The Rev. Evhen Moniuk, pastor at St Vladimir Ukrainian Catholic Church, Palmerton, led the dinner with a chant and a prayer in the Ukrainian language. Then the guests enjoyed a traditional Ukrainian Christmas Dinner, which included Kutia, a dish made from boiled wheat, honey, poppy seeds, nuts and fruit.
There was also borshch (soup), Holubtsi (cabbage rolls), pierogies, fish, and sweets like Christmas cookies and candies.
The Ukrainian Homestead, Lehighton, hosted the annual Christmas Eve Dinner on Sunday. From left are: Paul and Lisa Stecyna, Lansdale; and Ihor and Mariya Pilynsky, Mahoning Township. JAMES LOGUE JR./SPECIAL TO THE TIMES NEWS
The Ukrainian Homestead, Lehighton, hosted the annual Christmas Eve Dinner on Sunday. From left are: Taras and Lisa Penkalskyj, Lehighton; Christine and Peter Bakboychuk, Lehighton; and Father Evhen Moniuk, Pastor at St Vladimir Ukrainian Catholic Church, Palmerton. JAMES LOGUE JR./SPECIAL TO THE TIMES NEWS
The Rev. Evhen Moniuk, Pastor at St Vladmir’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, Palmerton, offers a chant and a prayer to start the traditional Christmas Eve Dinner at the Ukrainian Homestead, Lehighton.