Voices of Christmas: Ukrainian Christmas Carols Festival Celebrated at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

January 12, 2026

On Sunday, January 11, 2026, the Festival of Ukrainian Christmas Carols took place at the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchial Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Eleven groups participated, joined by hundreds of people who came to share in the joy of Christmas.

The cathedral’s rector, Father Roman Pitula, delivered the opening remarks. He welcomed all the guests and participants to the beautiful cathedral, where everyone could gather to celebrate Christmas together, rejoice in the newly born King Jesus, and glorify Him through beautiful Ukrainian carols.

The program opened with a performance by the Choir of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchial Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Philadelphia, PA. They performed the Christmas carols called "This joy has appeared to us" (Tsya radistʹ nam sya yavyla) and "A new joy has come" (Nova radistʹ stala) in a new arrangement, conductor is Roman Sheremet.

This was followed by a performance by Youth and Sisters Servants of the Incarnate Word, Nativity scene Ukrainian Catholic Parish of the Assumption of the BVM, Perth Amboy, NJ.

Next, the audience heard a performance by the Choir of St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Parish, Philadelphia, PA, with the carols "Oh Lado Lado" and "Let's cheer up" (Vozveselimsya). The director of the choir is Olesia Nakonechna and the performance was conducted with the gaudiness of Yaryna Yakubyak.

The program then continued with a performance by Flute Quartet "The Sounds of Silver", NJ, the director is John Wernega. They performed "Good evening to you" (Dobryy vechir tobi) and "Shining above the sun" (Vozsiyavyy nad sontsi).

This was followed by performances by the Choir of St. Michael The Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Parish, Jenkintown, PA. They presented carols called "Oh, the dawn has risen" (O ziyshla zorya) and "All around the World" (Po vsʹomu svitu) under the guidance of Daria Kobetska.

The celebration continued with a performance by Evangelical Church Singers, Vineland, NJ. The director is Viktor Pokidiuk. They sang "Oh, the dawn has risen" (O ziyshla zorya) and "All over the world" (Po vsʹomu svitu).

Next, the audience heard a performance by Choir of Christ the King Ukrainian Catholic Parish, Philadelphia, PA with the carols "Good evening to you" (Dobryy vechir tobi) and "God is born" (Boh sya rozhdaye).

This was followed by a choir from choir "Boyan" of the Ukrainian Catholic Parish of the Assumption of the BVM, Perth Amboy, NJ, under the direction Alla Korostill, who performed "Shchedryk" (Carol of the Bells) and "Christ is Born".

Another highlight of the program was a performance by Choir of the United Baptist Church, Warminster, PA. The director is Ivan Verenchuk. They performed "How gently the music sounds" and "Come, everyone." (Pryyditʹ usi).

Following them, Quinton School Chorale (aka Wildcat Chord Ringers), Quinton, NJ performed. The director is John Wernega. They presented "Shchedryk" (Carol of the Bells) and "Generous evening" (Shchedryy vechir). Under the guidance of John Wernega, the children learned to sing in Ukrainian and delivered an outstanding performance, despite having no Ukrainian roots, which greatly impressed the audience.

The evening continued with the voices of Male Choir "Dzvin", Philadelphia, PA. They performed the carols "Nativity of Christ" (Rozhdestvo Khrystove) and "God is Eternal" (Boh Predvichnyy) under the direction of Vasyl Hrechynsky.

At the end of the program, Archbishop Borys addressed the audience. He thanked Father Roman for organizing the Festival, expressed his gratitude to all the participants and choirs for their performances.

In his remarks, Archbishop Borys reflected on the meaning of truth, witness, and Christian responsibility. He noted that a Ukrainian soldier had given up his health to protect the truth and emphasized that Christians, too, must be ready to go where there is falsehood and bear witness. At the same time, he stressed the importance of discernment — knowing when the right time has come and how to act, with what strength, attitude, and inner posture. He reminded the faithful that Jesus Himself showed that everything has its proper time, including the moment when He would give His life for humanity.

Turning to the spiritual message of the Feast, Archbishop Borys encouraged the faithful, after the holidays, to seek their own time and calling and to go to those who need them, close to where they live. He pointed to Christ’s own example, who went to the poor.

The Archbishop also explained the deeper meaning of the call to repentance. He said that to “repent” or “convert” does not merely mean to feel sorrow, but to change one’s heart. Referring to the Greek word metanoia (Greek: μετάνοια), which means “change,” he described repentance as transforming the inner chaos of a person’s life and aligning it with God’s truth. When this happens, he said, the inner life becomes harmonious, no longer divided or in conflict, but directed toward God.

The concert concluded with a performance by all the participants and guests with the carol "A new joy has come" (Nova radistʹ stala) and the prayer for Ukraine "God the Great One" (Bozhe Velykyy Yedynyy).