Ukrainian ladies have been busy

      North Port Chapter 56 of the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America, commonly known as “Soyuz Ukrayinok” (union of Ukrainian ladies), headed by Ann-Marie Susla of Englewood, held its traditional post-holiday get-together with spouses or significant others last week at St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Parish Center. Members and their guests sat at tables decorated with Ukrainian Christmas attributes, including the “didukh” (a sheaf of different grains, symbolizing wealth — the Ukrainian take on a Christmas tree), and enjoyed delicacies prepared by the volunteer members. In addition to singing carols and “shchedivky” (popular holiday songs other than carols), the members were greeted by the male choir with traditional special holiday and new year’s greetings and well wishes.

    After the very successful get-together, groups of UNWLA members began their traditional home visits of local community members, singing carols and delivering traditional holiday and new year wishes. Our home was visited just as my wife Katrusia got in the car to go to an appointment with her ankle and foot specialist. The carolers, without hesitation, sang the carols and delivered their greetings in our garage, for which we are very thankful.

    At 10 a.m. Tuesday, Chapter 56 will hold its annual general meeting at the Parish Center of St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, 1078

N. Biscayne Drive, North Port. Larissa Shpon of Warm Mineral Springs, the chapter’s correspondence secretary, reminds members that the meeting will be conducted strictly according to the parliamentary procedure and Robert’s Rules of Order, and the UNWLA constitution. Additionally, she notes that membership dues must be paid this month.

                                                          • • •

    St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Religious and Cultural Center (known as the “Oseredok”), having had a very successful traditional “Svyata Vecherya” (Holy Supper) on Jan. 6, will hold a dinner known as “Holodna Kutya” with a special program at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Oseredok, following the Vespers at St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Church, which will begin at 5 p.m. Tickets, at $15 per person, should be ordered from Halya Lisnyczyj at 941-429-2350 or Maria Nikitin at 941-423-1092. All are invited.

    Sunday will be the Feast of Theophany, in honor of Jesus Christ’s baptism by St. John the Baptizer in the River Jordan. The traditional blessings of the waters, in commemoration of this event, will be taking place at both Ukrainian churches after the conclusion of the Sunday divine liturgies.

    From the early years of Christianity, the water consecrated on the day of Epiphany, known as “Jordan Water,” was treated with great reverence and believed to have miraculous and healing powers by Ukrainians and followers of other churches of Eastern tradition. In Ukraine, the faithful would sprinkle the Jordan water on all their buildings and the entire property to chase away “evil forces.” This water is kept in homes for an entire year, until the following year’s blessing, and used to alleviate illnesses.

    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

Locals get ‘EuroMaidan’ update

Parishioners and guests of the North Port’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, St. Mary’s, had a rare opportunity last Sunday to hear a first-hand report about the “EuroMaidan” in Kyiv, and to have their questions about it answered by someone who was there. EuroMaidan is the massive continuous demonstration at Kyiv’s central independence square, Maidan Nezalezhnosty, since Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovych reneged on the often-repeated promise to align Ukraine with the European Union and, in the last minute, refused to sign the association agreement in November.

    The speaker was Petro Rondiak, one of the several very successful American-born businessmen in Ukraine who, with his wife Olya and three children, came to visit his parents, Mrs. and Col. Roman Rondiak, USA (Ret.) of Osprey. Petro Rondiak, who moved around a lot as a child due to his father’s U.S. military career, after working at Raytheon, an aerospace systems supplier, went to Ukraine in 1995 with his wife to run the retail operations of a recently established Ford auto dealership. Eventually, the dealership added Volvo, Land Rover, Jaguar and Porsche to the original Ford brand. Rondiak supports a local school for children with disabilities, the International Women’s Club of Kyiv, as well as the Lions and Rotary clubs of Kyiv.

    The presentation took place after Sunday’s divine liturgy (Mass) at the Parish Center. Rondiak, who himself had spent a lot of time in the Maidan, gave a firsthand description of his own experience as well as an overview of the “inside” of the EuroMaidan, and answered questions of the interested audience.

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    Ukrainian Christians in Ukraine, Greek Catholics and Orthodox, and many outside of Ukraine, including here in North Port, celebrate Christmas on Jan. 7, and today, Synaxis of the Most Holy Mother of God, is the second day of the Christmas holiday.

    While Ukrainians have adapted many Christmas traditions from other countries, there are many ancient, strictly Ukrainian traditions which are growing in popularity after having been suppressed for decades by the atheist Communist regime. Some of these traditions are singing carols in public squares and going house to house; “vertep,” which is either a sculpture composition of the cave where Jesus was born, or a theatrical play; and “didukh,” a sheaf of different grains, symbolizing wealth, placed in the corner of the living room, right under the icons and close to a loaf of bread. The didukh was the Ukrainian take on a Christmas tree, which was not common in Ukraine until relatively recently.

    “Svyata Vecherya,” Christmas Eve supper with 12 meatless dishes, and the tradition of sharing the meal with the less fortunate (“the more people you help to feel the joy of Jesus’ birth, the more joy will come back to you next year”) are the other two traditions now becoming more and more popular.

                                                                          • • •

    More about the year 2014: This year will give use five unique “supermoons,” an event when the moon is very close to Earth and appears on the horizon as a huge disk, even though the distance between Earth and the moon decreases only a bit.

    The next supermoons in 2014 — the first was on Jan. 1 — will be on Jan. 30, July 12, Aug. 10 (appearing larger than all the others) and Sept. 9.

    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

Happy New Year and ‘Veselykh Svyat !’

All is well; we are now in the year 2014. It is my and my wife Katrusia’s pleasure to be able to wish all our relatives, friends and neighbors good health and lots of luck, success in all endeavors and achievements of all goals, including traditional new year’s resolutions, in this new year of 2014, and beyond.

    In addition, my wife Katrusia and I want to wish all our relatives and all our Ukrainian friends “Veselykh Svyat” (happy holidays) of the Nativity of Our Lord, Jesus Christ, which all Christian Ukrainians in Ukraine and many in the western world, including here in Southwest Florida, will be observing in accordance with the Julian calendar next week. The observance will commence Monday, Jan. 6, a strict fast day, with the traditional “Svyata Vecherya” (Holy Supper) consisting of 12 meatless dishes prepared from potatoes, flour, beans, cabbage, mushrooms, fish and fruits. The first dish is the traditional millennia-old “kutya,” consisting of wheat grains with poppy seeds and honey, often with crushed nuts and/or raisins.

    The 12 dishes are in honor of the 12 apostles, although some say that each dish is dedicated to each month of the year.

    The actual “Rizdvo” (Christmas) will be celebrated Tuesday, Jan. 7, to be followed by two more holidays: Synaxis of the Most Holy Mother of God on Jan. 8, and Saint Archdeacon Stephan on Jan. 9.

                                                    • • • 

What will 2014 be like?

    The world will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the start, in August 1914, of “the war to end all wars” — World War I.

    Ukrainians worldwide, and many non-Ukrainians, including Georgians, Russians and others, will celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of the national Ukrainian prophet, poet, artist and revolutionary Taras Shevchenko. According to official decree by the government of Ukraine, nationwide celebrations will take place throughout the year 2014.

    There will be other, less-important commemorations, including many family observances, such as my own 70th anniversary of leaving my family, home and country on July 7, 1944, at the age of 16, ostensibly for a relatively short time. I never saw my father again, as he was deported to Siberia where he died, and was lucky to see my mother and my siblings (who were also deported with my father) 45 years later, after the collapse of the “evil empire.”

    This year, the month of August will have five Fridays, five Saturdays, and five Sundays. This phenomenon occurs only once every 823 years. I am told that the Chinese call it “pocketful of money.” Not being able to speak or understand Chinese, I have to believe it, albeit reluctantly.
                                                      • • •

    The traditional way to eat “Svyata Vecherya” and to perform certain rituals, some of which are remnants of the pre-Christian traditions of ancient Ukrainians, was and still is at home with family. Here in North Port, the Ukrainian American community started a new tradition to have the meal at a church or community hall, due to many elderly people who are unable to prepare the traditional dishes.

    The communal supper at St. Andrew’s Religious and Cultural Center will be served at 6 p.m. Monday, and at St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church Parish Center, at 5 p.m. All are invited to both.

    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

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.

                                                                                                                • • •

    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.

                                                                                                                • • •

    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

‘EuroMaidan’ demonstration in North Port

   The Ukrainian American community in Southwest Florida will stage a peaceful demonstration of support Friday for the protesters and demonstrators in the “Euro-Maidans” in Ukraine. The original and largest demonstration called “EuroMaidan,” with some 200,000 participants last Sunday, is in the Independence Plaza — known as “Maidan” in Ukrainian — in the capital city of Kyiv. It was visited recently by several high-ranking foreign politicians and officials, including our senators, John McCain (Republican) and Chris Murphy (Democrat). Similar demonstrations, all calling themselves Euro-Maidans, are taking place in all large and small cities in Ukraine, and in many cities throughout the world, all demanding resignation of the cabinet of ministers headed by Mykola Azarov, the freeing of all those arrested during the attempted breakup of the demonstration, the punishment of officials who ordered and members of police units who committed acts of violence in an attempt to break up the peaceful demonstration, and snap parliamentary and presidential elections.

    The demonstration was triggered by President Viktor Yanukovych’s refusal, in the last minute, to sign an agreement with the European Union, despite the fact that he was talking constantly about his desire and plan to sign.

    Local residents are being asked to gather at 4:30 p.m. Friday at the corner of South Biscayne Drive and U.S. 41, next to Farley Funeral Home. If possible, prospective demonstrators should wear Ukrainian embroidered shirts/blouses and bring Ukrainian flags.

    The Southwest Florida Ukrainian American community is very busy raising funds for humanitarian aid in support of demonstrators who stay in the EuroMaidan day and night, even when it snows and the temperature drops below zero, and signing petitions to our senators and congressmen asking for their support for the demonstrators seeking human rights and justice in Ukraine.

• • •

    Members of Cpl. Roman G. Lazor Post 40 of the Ukrainian American Veterans met last Friday at St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Religious Center (known as the “Oseredok”). The meeting’s agenda included reports of officers — with the finance officer’s report and discussion that followed taking up most of the time — approving a donation of $300 for EuroMaidan in Ukraine via the United Ukrainian American Relief Committee Inc., and the induction of a new member.

    Post members were shocked by the announcement of the popular finance officer, Col. Askold D. Mosijczuk, M.D., USA (Ret.), that he will be leaving Florida. Post Commander Eugene

A. Tomashosky asked Vice Commander Col. Roman Rondiak, USA (Ret.), to assume the duties of finance officer until the next election. All are wishing Col. Mosijczuk the best of luck in his and his wife’s new location. My wife and I have known his parents and him since he was a teenager in Buffalo, N.Y., and will miss him.

• • •

    The Canadian Press reported that Valj Semerenko of Ukraine won bronze in the 7.5 kilometer women’s skiing on Dec. 14 in Le Grand Bomand, France, during the IBU World Cup Biathlon. Swiss Selina Gasparin won gold, and Finland’s Kairsa Makarainen, silver.

    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

 

Ukrainian American Club throws another successful party

The Ukrainian American Club of Southwest Florida, headed by Daria Tomashosky of North Port, concluded its activities for 2013 with a very popular, traditional Christmas party held last Friday at St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Religious and Cultural Center (known as “Oseredok”). Anna Mariani-Kebus of Port Charlotte, an active member of the Southwest Florida Ukrainian American community, chaired the Christmas Party Committee.

    More than 120 members and guests enjoyed home-cooked and baked delicacies from a sumptuous buffet organized by the party committee, and had a wonderful time. The guest list included the president of the North Port Kiwanis Club, Ken Maturo, and his wife Lauren; president of North Port Area Republican Club, Nathan Worley; His Honor Bohdan A. Futey, federal judge of the US Court of Federal Claims; and national commander of Ukrainian American Veterans, Ihor W. Hron of Osprey.

    The attendees enjoyed a fantastic performance by the North Port High School Chorus, who performed at last year’s processional at Disney’s Epcot and will perform more shows over the next couple weeks. They really wowed the crowd. Mariani-Kebus presented them with a check for $500 from the estate of the recently departed Bohdan Pochmursky. This was followed by a collection initiated by Ihor Hron, which resulted in collection of more than $350. These funds will help to offset the Chorus’ travel expenses to Epcot.

    Another attraction of the party was a performance by the club’s “oldsters” male choir, led by Gene Tomashosky, who was hilarious as director. The group came in wearing reindeer antlers and sang “Jingle Bells.” They really were the hit of the evening.

    Anna (Nusia) Mariani-Kebus and her committee did a superb job in organizing and managing the party, which will be long remembered by all who attended.

• • •

    The monthly membership meeting of Cpl. Roman G. Lazore Post 40 of the Ukrainian American Veterans will take place at 3 p.m. Friday at the Oseredok. This is an important meeting; there will be no meeting in January due to Christmas and other holidays observed by Ukrainians according to the Julian calendar.

• • •

    The traditional pre-Christmas bazaar at St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, chaired by Iwanna Holowaty of Venice, will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Parish Center, 1078 N. Biscayne Drive (corner of West Price Boulevard). In addition to many items for sale, there will be food served all day. The popular Ukrainian dinners will be available from noon to 6 p.m., with takeouts available.

• • •

    The Oseredok will celebrate the Feast of its Patron Saint, St. Andrew, the First Called Apostle, on Sunday. The solemn divine liturgy (Mass) will be celebrated at St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Church, 4100 S Biscayne Drive, at 10 a.m., to be followed by a festive dinner at noon. A special program will be presented during the meal. All are invited.

    Dinner tickets, at $15 per person, can be obtained by calling Maria Nikitin at 941-423-1092 or Halya Lisnyczyj at 941-429-2350.

    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

Ukrainian American Christmas party is Friday

     The traditional and very popular Christmas party of the Ukrainian American Club of Southwest Florida, headed by Daria Tomashosky of North Port, will be held at 6 p.m. Friday at St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Religious and Cultural Center (known as the “Oseredok”), 1400 S. Biscayne Drive, North Port. Christmas party chair Anna Mariani- Kebus of Port Charlotte and members of the committee worked very hard to ensure that this year’s party is as good, if not better, than previous years’.

    In addition to many attractions and surprises, the members will enjoy a delicious potluck dinner consisting of many homemade Ukrainian and American delicacies, including pastries and other desserts.

    Members and guests attending the club’s last monthly membership meeting, held Nov. 20, enjoyed guest speaker Valeriy Palubok, staff biologist at Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, and a video presentation about his and Dr. Eugenie Clark’s (founder of Mote Marine) search for traces of a great Ukrainian scientist and explorer Nicholas Miklukho-Maklay who was exploring Papua New Guinea in the 19th century.

    The business portion of the meeting included the customary reports of offi- cers and the presentation of plans for activities and events for the next several weeks; welcoming new members George and Kateryna Steciuk, who moved to our area from New Jersey; and singing “Mnohaya Leeta” (many, many years) for Dr. Michael Yarymovych of Osprey on the occasion of his patron saint holiday, St. Michael the Archangel.

• • •

    The monthly membership meeting of Cpl. Roman G. Lazor Post 40 of the Ukrainian American Veterans will take place at 3 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Oseredok. This is a change from the customary meetings being held on the first Friday of the month due to the other activities in our community, including the aforementioned Christmas party.

• • •

    The community commemoration of the 80th anniversary of “Holodomor,” the genocidal famine in 1932-33 in Ukraine that took the lives of nearly 10 million men, women and children (approximately 25 percent of the population at the time) will be held Sunday, beginning with a “Panakhyda” (requiem service) for the repose of souls of victims, at 4 p.m. at St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church at Biscayne Drive and West Price Boulevard, North Port. It will be followed by a special program at the Parish Center next to the church. His Honor Bohdan A. Futey, federal judge of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, will be the guest speaker.

• • •

    The traditional pre-Christmas Bazaar, chaired by Iwanna Holowaty of Venice, will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Ukrainian Catholic Parish Hall next to St. Mary’s Church. In addition to crafts and many other items that will be available for sale, the popular Ukrainian American dinners will be served from noon to 6 p.m. Takeouts will be available.

• • •

    The Oseredok will celebrate the Feast of St. Andrew, the First Called Apostle, patron saint of the Oseredok, on Dec. 15 with a festive dinner that will be served following the solemn divine liturgy (Mass) and special prayers at St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Church, which will begin at 10 a.m.

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

Our Neighbors — The Ukrainians

byAtanas Kobryn