Spreading Christmas Cheer This Holiday Season

Throughout December, children from both Mission of Innocents program sites performed at Christmas events across Edinburgh and Glasgow. 

Alongside AUGB Edinburgh and the Hibernian Community Foundation, they put on a play to celebrate St. Nicholas Day. At the Granton Parish Church in Edinburgh, their voices brightened the room with holiday songs during a tree lighting ceremony. They also sang at the Carols for Peace event at Glasgow City Chambers in partnership with AUGB Glasgow. A special thank you to Father Vasyl at the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Edinburgh for hosting performances for our children on St. Nicholas Day and Christmas.

As the culminating event, both programs joined forces to perform Vertep, a traditional Ukrainian nativity play, at the Ukrainian Parish of the Presentation of our Lord Jesus Christ in Glasgow located at St. Michael’s Catholic Church. More than 50 children and 20 adults participated in this event, showcasing traditional costumes and cultural elements, such as folk instruments, the Christmas star, and the musical composition. At the conclusion of their performance and to the surprise and delight of the children, our Founder, Joyce Landry, presented them all with Christmas gifts!

Our Edinburgh site program Director, Nataliia Pidruchna (right), distributing gifts

As a special treat for the children that participate in the community choir in Edinburgh, the Royal Lyceum Theatre graciously extended an invitation to a performance of Snow Queen. The children and their families were thrilled to experience the show, which concluded with an enchanting flurry of “snow”-fall inside the theatre. We are grateful to the Lyceum for offering complimentary tickets for our families.

“Snow” falling inside the Royal Lyceum Theatre

Looking forward to a joyful 2024! Thank you to all that made 2023 a special year for Mission of Innocents.