Merry Christmas — ‘Veselykh Svyat !’

 With a heartfelt gratitude to the Almighty God for graciously granting my life and health to be able to welcome this day of His Only Begotten Son’s birth, my wife Katrusia, I and wish everybody the merriest Christmas ever. We wish all an enjoyable and safe holiday, good health and loving, friendly gatherings of families and friends. Let us all, to use the words from a hymn of the divine liturgy (Mass), “lay aside all cares of life” for at least this one day.

    In our prayers, let us not forget our men and women in uniform, many of whom will not be able to enjoy a decent holiday meal while defending our freedom in faraway places away from home, and a multitude of individuals suffering from natural and manmade disasters in our country and in Syria, South Sudan, Philippines and many other places. Let us not forget the Ukrainian students and their supporters demonstrating in the freezing weather in Kyiv’s Maidan against their oppressive, tyrannical and corrupt government.

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    The Ukrainian Weekly, an English-language newspaper published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., a nonprofit association, in Parsippany, N.J., ran an article in the Nov. 24 issue titled “Sarasota: A tropical and cultural paradise with a vibrant Ukrainian community.” The almost full-page article includes three photographs: A view of Siesta Key Beach in Sarasota, St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in North Port, and the “Ukrainians on Parade” float at the 50th anniversary celebration of North Port in 2009.

    This superb article was written by Venice resident Dr. Jurij Baranowskyj, a member of Cpl. Roman G. Lazor Post 40 of the Ukrainian American Veterans, St. Mary’ Ukrainian Catholic Parish and other organizations. He is also in charge of public relations for the Men’s Social Club based in Sarasota.

    After describing the “beautiful, white, sandy beaches,” Dr. Baranowskyj goes on to describe the many cultural offerings, “the fast-growing city of North Port” that is “home to a vibrant and active Ukrainian community” with “social and cultural clubs, and established churches of the Catholic, Orthodox, Pentecostal and other Christian denominations.” After continuing with detailed descriptions of the “diverse area with big-city amenities,” the state of Florida’s 500th anniversary, etc., Dr. Baranowskyj writes, “So, baby boomers, empty-nesters, retirees, come to Sarasota — to vacation, to work, to build, to live part-year, full-year or retire.”

    Dr. Baranowskyj deserves thanks and congratulations for writing the article, and The Ukrainian Weekly for publishing it.

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    The peaceful demonstrators in support of “EuroMaidan’” in Kyiv, Ukraine, last Friday at the intersection of South Biscayne Drive and U.S. 41 in North Port appreciate the support of all who joined the demonstration, as well as many people who drove by and signaled their support, sounding their horns.

    Individuals or organizations wishing to contribute toward the humanitarian aid for the students demonstrating in Kyiv should mail their tax-deductible contributions to the United Ukrainian American Relief Committee Inc., 1206 Cottman Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111, with a notation in the memo line for “Humanitarian Aid for EuroMaidan.”

    Atanas Kobryn covers the Ukrainian community for the North Port Sun. He can be emailed at atanask@aol.com. 

Our Neighbors — The Ukrainians

by Atanas Kobryn