On Saturday, December 16, 2023 supporters of our Seminary, were welcomed to Saint Sophia Ukrainian Orthodox Theological Seminary, Somerset, NJ for the Annual “Christmas at the Seminary” Fundraiser. The fundraiser and open house is held annually as a meet and greet with the current student body, while also raising funds for daily needs. People from local parishes, from Western PA and all the way as Chicago, IL and Georgia came to help and participate at this joyful event.

The Seminary Choir conducted by Deacon Roman Marchyshak performed several Christmas Carols in Ukrainian and in English, that were able to amaze and touch all the people present there with the joy of the Christmas Carols. All the seminarians worked tirelessly to perform a professional and heartfelt presentation that counted with the voices of Deacon Paulo Vysotskyi, Deacon Andrii Vatrych, Subdeacon Maksym Zhuravchyk, Subdeacon Andrii Akulenko, Subdeacon Mykola Stefanyk, Subdeacon Yurii Izhyk, Subdeacon Nicholas Worobey, seminarian Bohdan Bodnar, seminarian Marian Meleshko, seminarian Marian Koval, seminarian Nicolas Laliberté and the part time student Mykola Myhovych.

We cannot forget Dobrodijka Oksana Pasakas for organizing the event and the menu, with the help of Pani Anna Krykh, Pani Maria Morozovska, Dobrodijka Olena Shak, Olena Lymar and the wives of the seminarians who also contributed to the menu.

With the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Antony, the presentation of the event was led by V. Rev. Vasyl Pasakas, the Dean of the Student Life of the Seminary.

The singing encompassed this historic house so much that after the break for a Lenten meal, Deacon Roman with his violin together with Walter Syzonenko with his accordion and accompanied by seminarian Volodymyr Lymar with his flute and Roman Shak continued in the cheerfulness of a Christmas carol sing-along in the seminary living room.

We are grateful for all that made an effort to come visit us, talk and meet the students. Also grateful for those that sent their donations as way to support the future of our church.

Photos by Subdeacon Mykola Stefanyk