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OUR LIFE Monthly, published by Ukrainian National Women’s League of America Vol. LVIII DECEM BER 2001 Editor: TAM ARA STADNYCHENKO FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT M erry C h ristm a s to a ll w ho c e le b ra te on th e 2 5 th o f D ecem b er In the spirit of the holiday season, I would like to begin by sharing some good news. Nina Kovalska, Ukraine’s Ambassador to the Vatican, was honored by the Italian Cultural and Social Association as “extraordinary woman of the year 2001” for the work that she has done in promoting Ukrainian- Italian relations. From the National Board of the UNWLA and all our members we would like to extend our congratulations to the Ambassador on all her accomplishments. I would also like to remind our readers that Ambassador Kovalska was one o f the speakers at the XXV UNWLA Pre-Convention Program in Chicago in 1999. The Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord, celebrated on December 25, commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. It is the most popular holy day of the church year and marked by Ukrainians with special and unique traditions. The observance of this day as the birthday of our Savior, and of the Epiphany, which falls 12 days later, is traditionally and historically related to pagan celebrations of the winter solstice. The origins of the pagan and Christian celebrations are closely linked; both are part of our rich and splendid heritage. Christmas on December 25 is first known to have been celebrated in Rome in the 4th century, when it commemorated the birth of Christ; there was as yet no Epiphany. In the eastern part of the empire, a festival on January 6 commemorated the manifestation of God in both the birth and Baptism of Jesus. Many Ukrainians celebrate the Christmas of the homeland on January 6 and the Christmas of the United States on December 25 - a kind of double Christmas. In Ukraine, Christmas celebrations begin with Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Another two days of celebration follow. The Ukrainian National Women’s League has always tried to keep with tradition, but on this continent it is quite impossible to maintain such an extended holiday schedule. It is also difficult to stay true to every part of the tradition that was brought to this country by our parents, grandparents and great grandparents and practice it as we were taught. One of the things the UNWLA does do to preserve our wonderful Christmas traditions is to hold pageants and plays for children and other traditional programs for families. We also remember that Christmas is a time of hospitality. More than two thousand years ago, one innkeeper after another turned away Joseph and Mary because
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