THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM

Young UNA'ers

• Andrew Myron Kuropas, son of Stefko and Lesia Kuropas of Schaumburg, Ill., is a fifth-generation member of the UNA. He was enrolled by his father, the UNA's first vice-president. Andrew's grandfather is former UNA Vice-President Myron B. Kuropas. One of his great-grandfathers is former UNA Vice-President Stephen Kuropas. His other great-grandfather, Michael Waskiw, was a longtime secretary of UNA Branch 88 in Kerhonkson, N.Y. His great-great grandfather, Victor Mehal, was one of the founding members and first secretary of UNA Branch 137 in Easton, Pa. One of Andrew's grandmothers, Lesia (Waskiw) Kuropas, was Miss Soyuzivka in 1957. His other grandmother, Larissa Dijak, is the present chair of the UNA District Committee in Boston.
  
  
• Katerina Anna and Kyra Alexa Huxel, daughters of Alexa and Shawn Huxel of Jersey City, N.J., are new members of UNA Branch 155. They were enrolled by their great-grandmother Anna Farbanec.

Branch 242 hosts St. Nicholas

MAIZEVILLE, Pa. - Under the sponsorship of Branch 242, headed by Joe Chabon, branch secretary, the Youth Group of St. Michael's/St. John's churches held its annual Christmas Play on Sunday, December 13, 1998, here at St. John's Church.

Parish youth from St. John's church, St. Michael's church in Frackville, and St. Nicholas's church in Mahanoy City participated. The Rev. John Seniw, pastor of St. Michael's and St. John's churches, welcomed the audience.

The theme of this year's Christmas play centered around the traditional Christmas Eve, or Sviatyi Vechir, a fast day in remembrance of the hardships that Mary and Joseph had endured as they traveled to Bethlehem. Hay was placed on the table to signify the hay used in the manger. A candle was lit and family members sang "Boh Predvichnyi."

Traditional Ukrainian-embroidered tablecloths, serving bowls and dishes were used to serve the holy supper's 12 dishes in commemoration of the 12 apostles. Honey, garlic and salt were passed around to each family member. The garlic symbolizes the bitterness of the night: the honey, the sweetness of God, which tempers the bitter; and the salt to brings zest in life.

After the holy supper, the cast re-enacted what happened that holy night. Youths dressed as angels, shepherds, wise men, Mary and Joseph, and the little drummer boy acted out events surrounding the birth of Jesus. Finally the cast sang "Nebo i Zemlia" upon the arrival of St. Nicholas.

St. Nicholas greeted the 50 children and gave each child a three-bar gold cross on a chain and a candy cane treat. The children's gifts were donated by the Ukrainian National Association's Home Office in Parsippany, N.J.

Immediately following the play and the gift-giving, parishioners and their families were treated to a bountiful meal prepared by the Sacred Heart Society of Maizeville.

- Joe Chabon, Branch Secretary

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, January 10, 1999, No. 2, Vol. LXVII

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