Holy Nativity in the Monastery
Holy Nativity in the Monastery
There are the foreshadowings of the feast in the weeks before: the hymns which look forward to the feast. And then a special canon is read at Small Compline once the Forefeast begins.There is also the general cleaning of all of the monastery. Monastics and seminarians join in this work. There is the preparation of the traditional aspic of fish for the Nativity Day luncheon. There is also the decoration of the tree for the trapeza hall.Then the day of the Eve of Nativity arrives. There is general preparation for Communion with all encouraged to go to Confession. On the Eve, we have Royal Hours, followed by the Liturgy of St. Basil, which begins with Great Vespers. At the end of this service, we glorify the feast by having the icon brought out of the altar to the center of the church, and we all join in in singing the troparion and the kontakion. On the Eve, we only have one meal, when the first star comes out. It is our tradition for all the monastics to wear their rassas and klobuks for this formal meal. Presents from the Abbot are presented to all the brotherhood as well as the employees, workers and teachers in the seminary.In the evening, we have the vigil for Nativity itself, which consists of Great Compline and Matins. Despite the inclement weather, the church was filled with the faithful. On the day itself, the Divine Liturgy was especially festive with the antiphons and all the special hymns sung on this day.At the end of the service, all were welcome to a festal meal. After the meal, all were invited to the Abbot’s office for a reception. At first, a small moleben is served, and then there is caroling with both Russian, Ukrainian and American carols. Thereupon Vladyka hands out sweets to everyone.In our monastery we always celebrate three days of the feast with hierarchal services. Archpriest Sergei Kotar and Matushka Maria invite all to their Nativity celebration at their home.On Saturday, January 10th, the local children gather to have a Christmas party (Yolka). And thus the monastery’s Nativity celebration is celebrated, with great joy and love for our Incarnate Saviour.
Eve of Nativity
Nativity
Reception and Caroling
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