St Edmundsbury Cathedral in Bury St Edmunds hosts special event to celebrate Ukrainian Christmas

A cathedral in Bury St Edmunds is hosting a special event to celebrate Ukrainian Christmas.

The St Edmundsbury Cathedral service, supported by Suffolk Refugee Support, is open to Ukrainian families, host families and guests from across Suffolk.

The service, on January 6, will begin with the Ukrainian liturgy and blessing of the Bishops and continue with the Nativity Performance 'VERTEP' and Ukrainian Christmas Carols. Some of the carols to be performed include Nova Radist (New Joy), Dobryi Vechir Tobi (Good Evening), Sleep Jesus Sleep and Heaven and Earth are Now Celebrating.

Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, High Sheriff of Suffolk, is also supporting the event. He said: “This a chance for the Ukrainians living amongst us as our guests in Suffolk to be together at this hallowed time of year.

"The service has been put together entirely by our Ukrainian friends, wonderfully supported by St Edmundsbury Cathedral and Suffolk Refugee Support.

"It will be a time for prayer, for taking comfort and solace in each other’s company, and a celebration of Christmas and all that goes with it, especially for families with loved ones far away.

"It is a privilege to be associated with this event and our Ukrainian friends, whose courage I greatly admire.”

The Rev Canon Philip Banks, Canon Precentor at St Edmundsbury Cathedral added: “We're delighted to be able to host this event at the Cathedral, beginning with Ukrainian Christmas Liturgy and prayers.

"The peoples of Ukraine continue to be at the forefront of our prayers. We hope and pray that this gathering, at the traditional time of Christmas celebration for so many Ukrainians, will be a way of bringing people together from across Suffolk for mutual support and encouragement, comfort and joy.”

Tickets can be booked here.

The service starts at 5pm. Doors open at 4pm.