The great feast of Christ’s Nativity is celebrated with great solemnity in Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY.

During the forefeast, all the monastery and seminary buildings are thoroughly cleaned. Every evening, at Compline, a special canon is read to prepare the brethren for the upcoming feast. Christmas trees are set up in the monastery refectory, in the bishop’s office, and in the seminary dormitory. Lights are set up on bushes and trees around the belltower, church, and refectory. On the Eve of Nativity, all church coverings are changed to white. In the kitchen, one of the fathers prepares the main traditional Christmas dish, aspic fish (kholodets).

All residents of the monastery and seminary are expected to partake of the Sacraments of Confession and Holy Communion on the eve and the feast day itself. This year, due to the feast falling on a Sunday, Royal Hours were served on Friday. On Saturday, the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom was celebrated, followed by Great Vespers for Holy Nativity. During the eight Old Testament readings, praises were sung. No lunch was served on this day, the custom being to wait until the first star appears in the heavens before eating. A formal supper was served with all of the brethren dressed in their formal habits. Presents from the abbot were handed out. Traditional dishes of kutia and stewed, dried fruit ‒ among other dishes ‒ were served.

All then gathered in church for the All-Night Vigil. Despite the inclement weather, many pilgrims joined the brethren, seminarians, and neighbors for this glorious service of special and joyous hymns.

The following morning saw the meeting of the bishop and his vesting, followed by the Hours and the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great. The choir under the direction of Hierodeacon Methodius (Pranic) did a wonderful job of singing. The church was decorated with boughs, many flowers, especially donated poinsettias from the Clark Foundation in Cooperstown.

Liturgy was followed by a festal meal, at the end of which a reception was held in the office of Bishop Luke. It started with a short moleben and the singing of carols, organized by Protodeacon Michael Pavuk, family and neighbors, who during the next few days were prepared to bring the joy of Nativity to some of the monastery’s neighbors.

Thanks to God’s mercy, everyone felt joy due to the coming of snow after a very rainy season so far, and we all thank God for His great mercy in being able to celebrate the Nativity of our Lord Incarnate with the singing of beautiful hymns and partaking of His great bounty and community.

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