On Christmas Eve, January 6, 2016, in the Transfiguration of the Lord Temple, Archbishop Alexander in concelebration with Bishop Vasyliy and Bishop Nicholas made the solemn thanksgiving service, during which five loaves, wine, oil, wheat, kutia (sweet grain pudding, Ukrainian traditional Christmas dish), fish and other gifts of God were blessed to celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. At the end of prayer bishops, priests and faithful bowed before nativity scene thanking to the Lord for His birth in this world for the salvation of the mankind.
«Thy nativity, O Christ our God, has shown to the world the light of wisdom...»
At the end of the fest, according to the Christian tradition, the Holy Meal started. At first, everybody tasted kutia, cooked by each hostess based on own preference and own recipe. The clergy congratulated all the faithful on the holiday, wished peace and welfare, that the star of Bethlehem lightens the way of each person to Heavenly Father and the gifts of Saint Spirit descend upon His faithful.