January 25, 2014
Nyack, NY: Holy Virgin Protection Church’s Parish School holds Nativity "Yolka"

On Sunday, January 12, the parish school at Holy Virgin Protection Church in Nyack, NY held its annual children’s Nativity "Yolka" celebration. The clergy, children, and adult guests who had gathered began the event with the traditional singing of a prayer, followed by Christmas carols in Russian and Ukrainian. Parish rector and school directory (principal) Archpriest George Larin addressed children and adults alike with warm words of festal and congratulatory greetings. Those in attendance were treated to a wonderful musical performance of the Russian folk tale "The Flying Ship." The script was written by Irina Serdtsev and Matushka Elizaveta Temidis and Nina Arlievsky; Yuliya Lenin served as director and production designer, while Protodeacon Serge Arlievsky worked as sound engineer and handled special effects. The play was accompanied by Russian folk melodies, with music by M. Dunayevsky, E. Doga, and V. Vysotsky.

The children and adults gathered together to sing around the Christmas tree, until the long-awaited Grandfather Frost ("Ded Moroz") arrived and presented gifts to all of the parish students.

A free buffet luncheon was offered for all of the Nativity celebration’s participants and guests, who sincerely thanked Fr. Serge Arlievsky and all of his assistants at the parish school for organizing the delightful performance and Nativity "Yolka."

Photos by Matushka Elizabeth Temidis

Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese