The Catalog of Good Deeds

Orthodox Christians in Eastern European countries, including Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Slovakia, etc., have a unique tradition related to the celebration of the Nativity of Christ. Groups of young people and children go from house to house singing special Christmas carols, called kolyadki and asking for sweets and cakes in return. Most of the carols praise the Mother of God and Child Jesus; other songs are dedicated to popular saints, such as St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. The children often carry a pole mounted star as a symbol of the Bethlehem Star, which led the wise men from the east to the manger of Jesus.

The Monastic Choir of St. Elisabeth convent decided to support this folk tradition by recording a Christmas album. The album consists of two parts – the Akathist to the Nativity of Christ and ten Christmas carols. “Silent Night” (track No. 12), probably one of the most recognizable carols in Western Christianity, became very popular among the Orthodox Christians too. Other carols are well-known in Eastern Europe and represent an inherent part of the cultural heritage in this part of the world.

The tradition of singing kolyadkas dates back to pre-Christian times, when people celebrated the winter solstice and prayed to the winter deity in the hope of collecting abundant harvest later in the year. As a result, some “rigid” Christians denounce this custom as having pagan roots. From this point of view, singing kolyadkas becomes a controversial if not a sinful act. Is that so?

Back in the 4th century AD the Church chose December 25 as the day of the Nativity of Christ, the exact date of Jesus’ birth being unknown to early Christians. The Church fathers wanted people to cease worshipping a solar deity on the day of the winter solstice and pray to the Sun of righteousness, the Lord Jesus, instead. It is just one example of how the Church adopted a pagan festival and transformed it into one of the greatest Christian feasts. The same is true of other traditions, which have been borrowed from paganism and changed according to the doctrines of the Church.

Naturally, all Church choirs should carefully select the carols they are going to perform at Christmas. Of course, it is better to avoid the songs with ambiguous or dubious texts. In my opinion, although the track No. 8 “Moon Was Walking in the Sky” is beautifully arranged, however, its text is rather questionable.

The album does help create a cheerful atmosphere of Christmas in my home. But, let’s hope this is not the last album of Christmas carols recorded at St. Elisabeth Convent. Apart from the Monastic Choir there is also the Festive Choir that is yet to create its own Christmas album.

Listen to a preview of the "Akathist to the Nativity" album on the Catalog of St. Elisabeth Convent.

By Vladimir Sypchu,

the chorister from the parish of

the Entry of the Most Holy Mother of God
into the Temple, Minsk

The Catalog of Good Deeds, 2018

The Advent Season, which began for us on November 15/28, is a time for anticipating the "Good News" of the Lord's Birth. As with all things in life, Scripture reminds us that we must be careful of being "in the world, but not of the world". This is especially true of the celebration of Christmas. Many lament that the stores are decorated for Christmas from the end of October - an example of the over-stressing and "early-stressing" of this great Christian Holy Day. But what do we do in our homes? I have noticed that on the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving, people begin to put up their decorations and turn on their Christmas lights and trees.

Our Orthodox Advent tradition gives us some guidelines of which many of us perhaps are not aware. Within this 40-day preparation period, a slow progression of events and remembrances unfolds. This is seen in the general attitude, hymnology, prayers, and fasting practices which begin to intensify on the Feast of St. Nicholas (December 6/19), and progress through the feasts of St. Spyridon (December 12/25), St. Daniel (December 17/30) and St. Ignatios (December 20/Jan-uary 2). The latter is specifically called "the day of preparation". What do you think this tells us?

Add to this the tradition of the "Twelve Days of Christmas" that begins on Christmas Day, and runs to January 5/18, the day before Theophany, the next great feast. The 'food fast' is most intense on the 12 days preceding December 25/January 7, and there is no fasting on the 12 days after Christmas, not on Wednesday or Friday! Again, what do you think this tells us?

It is interesting to note that historically we do not have an exact date of Jesus' birth. The date of His Nativity was specifically selected by the early Church to coincide with the pagan celebrations held in late December. They were rather riotous and foolish in nature, not becoming of a follower of Christ. Thus this date had a dual purpose: (1) to mark the Lord's coming to earth in human form, and (2) to do it at a time which would help defeat an attitude and lifestyle which went against the Lord's teachings. The early Church leaders knew that these Christians struggled with the temptation to return to their former ways. Once again, what would you think this tells us? The Orthodox tradition is clearly not to "pre-celebrate" Christmas, but rather to withhold the celebration until the designated time. Once it arrives, we are to celebrate it joyously, not with over riotous activity as did the pagans. Some 40 or 50 years ago here in America, people decorated their Christmas trees on Christmas Eve. Slowly, through the influence of merchants and media, we started to put up our decorations and trees earlier and earlier each year. As a result, we take them down earlier and earlier, not waiting for the Theophany observances of January 5-7 [January 18-20], which are specifically part of the 12-day cycle beginning on Christmas.

Every year there are more and more parties held during the height of the Christmas Fast, instead of during the festive period of December 25-January 5 [January 7-18]. On the day after Christmas we hear people say that Christmas is over, and the Christmas trees are out on the curb. Since they have pre-decorated and pre-celebrated and feasted, in their minds "it's over", when really it should just be beginning.

I offer the following practical applications of our Orthodox theology and practice:

- Do decorate, but don't pre-decorate. Use the December 6-20 [December 19-January 2] guide as a starting point.

- Do celebrate, but don't pre-celebrate. Use the December 25-January 5 [January 7-18] time frame for your festivities.

The Scriptures instruct us: "In all things be not like the pagans, but rather calm, joyful in praise and giving of love to glorify Christ who came for us." Since we Christians are called to be "in the world, but not of the world", we are to transform the world and not have the secular world transform us. Secularism has crept into our Christmas observances. It is up to us as individuals to purify the celebration. This begins with our families, our households, doing the more proper and fitting things and teaching others to do likewise by example. I urge you to plan for a Christmas observance that will hold true to our Orthodox view and pattern for celebration.

By Fr. Andrew George,

taken from “Orthodox Family Life”

Source: http://www.theologic.com/oflweb/xmas/precele.htm

A teacher and his disciple were walking in the garden on a warm summer day. They relished the silence and the beautiful flowers and trees.

“Can you see, my friend, how this world of flowers is like ours?” the teacher asked his disciple.

“What are you talking about, Master? How can flowers be like humans?” The disciple exclaimed in surprise.

“Of course, they are, you’ve got to look more attentively. Flowers have their own characters, too.” The teacher led his disciple further into the garden.

The teacher and his disciple were treading a narrow path until they saw a wonderful rose, a thistle, and a raspberry bush.

“Look at these plants. They are different but they have one thing in common—they all have thorns. Many people also have thorns, i.e., envy, hypocrisy, anger, and bad thoughts. Look at the rose. It’s wonderful and pleasant to look at but you can’t touch it or caress its petals. It will sting your hand with its thorns. That’s what proud people are like: they regard themselves better than anyone else. They want other people to praise and honor them all the time but they always forget that they’ll wither like roses. What will remain of them?

Here is the thistle. It is an ugly-looking plant that is always willing to sting everyone with its thorns and catch onto their clothes. The same is true of people who like to gossip and to be envious. They are fond of libeling others and carrying the unfavorable gossip around. If you don’t want to listen to them, they’ll stick to you like thistle, and you’ll have a hard time getting rid of them. Everyone willing to preserve his or her mind and thoughts clean keeps away from people like these. Thistle will wither away, and what will remain?

Look at this raspberry bush. It has thorns, too, but it also grows juicy berries that taste so sweet! Likewise, there are people who know their weaknesses but try to give others whatever good that they have. They do it not because they want to please someone or to achieve honors but because they have plenty of goodness inside. Why not share it with others?”

“Master, your parable is so admirable!” the disciple said.

“Let’s have some raspberry jam, my dear,” the teacher suggested. They went to the teacher’s home and had tea together.

Be like raspberry people! Share your goodness and make enough raspberry jam for everyone.

By Sister Natallia (Bunde)

St. Elisabeth Convent

One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. (John 1:40-41).

Holy Apostle Andrew was Apostle Simon Peter’s brother. He hailed from Bethesda and was a fisherman like his brother. His name may surprise us because it has Greek origin. Ἀνδρέας means ‘manliness, courage’. It is yet another point in case, which proves heavy Hellenic cultural influence in Galilee, which led the Jews to take foreign names in order to facilitate their dealings with foreigners who couldn’t pronounce Hebrew personal and place names. The Hebrew name of this apostle remains unknown.

According to the Gospel, Andrew was the first to recognize Jesus from Nazareth as Messiah and bring his brother Simon to Him. The Orthodox Church calls Apostle Andrew ‘First-Called’ and traditionally credits him with the institution of the Church of Constantinople. We know little about Apostle Andrew: he is mentioned in the Scripture just a couple of times. Nevertheless, we can infer from these mentions that Peter's brother was quite close to the Lord. Thus, when Philip agreed to introduce to Jesus some Hellenists who wanted to talk with Him, he tells Andrew about it first (cf. John 12:22).

It is common knowledge that after his immensely prolific apostolic ministry Apostle Andrew was crucified in the Greek city of Patras on an X-shaped cross. Although Gospel texts reveal very little about this saint, many nations love him and tell a lot of stories and legends about him. Here are five such stories to mark his commemoration day.

1. According to Georgian legends, Apostle Andrew was the first to preach about Christ in their land, prior to Saint Nino, Equal-to-Apostles. This affirmation of apostolic roots of the Georgian Church helped the Orthodox Georgians to feel more confident in their interaction with the Patriarchate of Antioch, which ruled over the Georgian Church for a while.

2. A legend from Cyprus tells us that a ship on which the Apostle traveled strayed off its course in the vicinity of Cyprus and almost ran aground. However, Apostle Andrew hit a rock with his rod and a holy spring ran out of it, the waters of which healed the captain of that ship.

3. There is a legend in Romania (although it is contested by contemporary scholars) that Apostle Andrew visited Dobrogea where he was fighting wild beasts and snowstorms until he finally made his way to a certain cave. He struck the wall of the cave with his rod, and all of a sudden winter gave way to spring: snow cover melted, and he baptized the locals in the water.

4. Scotland venerates Saint Andrew as the patron saint of this land. The Scottish flag even has a white St. Andrew’s Cross on blue background. A legend has it that the king of Picts and Scots led his army into a battle against an army of Angles. The Scottish army was heavily outnumbered, so the king vowed that if his army defeated the enemy troops, he would honor Apostle Andrew as the patron saint of his nation. On the morning of battle white clouds forming an X shape in the sky were said to have appeared. The Picts and Scots, emboldened by this apparent divine intervention, took to the field and despite being inferior in numbers were victorious. There is a custom in Scotland to paint St. Andrew’s Cross on fireplaces to prevent witches from flying down the chimney and entering the house.

5. Finally, there is a legend that Apostle Andrew preached the Gospel along the shores of the Black Sea and up the Dnieper until he reached the place where the city of Kyiv, the mother of all Russian cities, stands today. Foreseeing the shining domes of the Lavra, Apostle Andrew erected a cross on the hill where the majestic church in honor of St. Andrew stands now, and blessed this land, saying that he predicts the great grace that will rest on this country. There is also a legend, although a much less credible one, which claims that Apostle Andrew sailed farther north and reached Novgorod where he was amazed at the locals’ custom of going to steam baths and hitting (massaging) themselves or others with bunches of dried branches and leaves. Another legend has it that Apostle Andrew even visited the Valaam. It is evident that this is a myth, which may have appeared during the competition of Novgorod and Kyiv.

Anyway, believers around the world love this Apostle. He surely helps us and prays for all people, forwarding their prayers to Christ, like he did for the Greek who were eager to see Jesus with their own eyes.

Holy Apostle Andrew, pray to God for us!

By John Nichiporuk,

a Bachelor of Theology,

specialized in Biblical Studies.

The Catalog Of Good Deeds, 2018

Dear friends! The Catalog of Good Deeds team starts a new series of personal stories devoted to the Feast of the Nativity. Our brothers and sisters are going to share with you some of their brightest Christmas memories from their childhood and explain how that influenced their own perception of this Great Feast.

You can also tell us about your own memories. Join us on Facebook to learn more.

My childhood was filled with Christmas. My mom was an animation artist and director who made a series of Christmastide stories, i.e., Christmas-themed cartoons for each day of the Christmastide. Each cartoon was ten minutes long, and it took nine months of work of an entire team of artists and six months of preparations. It looked like magic: the puppets that I had held in my own hands—the flat puppets cut out of colored film—suddenly came alive and started moving around. The magic was in the puppeteers’ hands: the director deliberately avoided using computer graphics to make homogeneous filling and to calculate movements of the characters. She preferred meticulous manual work where each detail mattered. All she needed was several layers of glass, puppets, and thin tweezers. A careful shift—two frames—another movement—two more frames. 24 frames per second—a week of work to produce several seconds of the cartoon. People are waiting for Christmas miracles but apparently, you can make miracles with your own hands, frame by frame.

I remember the unusual feeling of a hot summer outdoors and Christmas inside the room at the same time. It was always Christmas in the studio.

I would explore different aspects of Christmas every year. I was impressed by the Lord’s humble birth in the cave, described in the poem Christmas by Sasha Cherny. I was left thinking about mercy, tenderness, and the genuinely Christian understanding of eternal life shown in The Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Andersen. I was excited by voluntary self-sacrifice of Lady Godiva from Coventry, and then watched a typical story that happened in our times on Christmas Eve… Gradually, I came to realize how great and all-embracing Christmas is. We simply have to stop and think… until we are finally able to see Jesus behind the Christmas Tree, the gifts, and the first star of the Christmas Eve.

By Sister Maria (Mironenko),

a content manager, a member of The Catalog of Good Deeds team

More stories will come! Join our group on Facebook to share your childhood memories about Christmas with others and get a chance to receive one of our handmade gifts.

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"Do not Pre-celebrate Christmas!" or Some Features of the Orthodox Advent Season

A Short Parable about a Teacher, His Disciples and Sharp Thorns

5 Legends about Holy Apostle Andrew

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