The Feast Of St. Nicholas

photos

The singing of the Koledy took place at St. Matthew Slovak Lutheran Church in Wilkes-Barre on Sunday, December 6, 2009. It was a beautiful sunshiny day. A nice group of people joined in singing our beautiful Slovak carols.

We were pleased to see new faces that had read about the hymn sing in the newspaper. Our prayer is that we can continue the hymn sing each year because our Slovak churches are closing and we won't hear the traditional Slovak hymns in the new non-ethnic parishes.

A member of the barbershop chorus once told us that you couldn’t be unhappy while you are singing. We proved that on Sunday when we raised our voices in song and praise to God. The program included:

Advent hymns – Poslany Je Anjel, Pride Kristus, Spasitel Nas

Songs of joy – čas Radosti, Dnešný Deň Sa Radujme, Veselost Velika, Dnes Sa Kristus Narodil

Shepherd Carols – čo Je To Za Svit, Do Hory Do Lesa, Pastieri Vstávajte,

Povedzte Nám Pastierovia

And some of my favorites – čo To Za Krásne Dietaťko, Jak Si Krásne,

Prišli Sme Ku Tebe Jezuľiatko, Veselost Velika, Z Panenky Pán Ježiš, Sväta Noc 

Do you remember going to services on New Year’s Eve (na posledny den v roku)? Singing Pan s časov, Bože Milý brought back some memories. Services were always held na posledny den v roku to close the old year. In the song, we ask God to give his mercy and blessing to the old and the young. We ask especially for the young so they would perpetuate our wonderful Slovak Heritage. And of course we had to sing, Veseľ Sa ľudské Stvorenie to bring in the New Year. You can find Slovak hymns on our čas Radosti: A Time of Joy cd and audio cassette.

We were pleased to have Darina Tuhy accompany us at the grand piano. She played O Sanctissima and then played five variations. Lovely, Lovely, Lovely! Bernadette Yencha led the singing.

The traditional Vinš was given by Helen Savinski in Slovak and in English. Magdalen Benish’s read one of her favorite Christmas stories. Mary Migatulski read the humorous Night before Christmas Slovak Style. Closer to Christmas you can find some of these stories on the Folktales & Legends page.

 What would a Slovak Hymn Sing be without a visit from St. Nicholas?  He arrived in full bishop’s regalia and made sure everyone received some “gold coins” – chocolate, that is.

The Slovak reception featured makovnik, orechovnik, and chocolates. The afternoon was a wonderful preparation for the busy days we’ll all have in anticipation of Jesus’ Birthday. We are looking forward to doing it again next year.

Vesele Vianoce a Požehnany Nový Rok Prajeme!

Photos

These photos and many others on this website are taken by Paul Yanosik. Thank you, Paul.