‘A new home’: Ukrainians in Lethbridge prepare for first Orthodox Christmas in Canada
It's the first time Alla Panchenko and Veronica Mykoliachuk will be celebrating Orthodox Christmas in Canada.
The two, along with their families, are now living in Lethbridge after fleeing Ukraine last summer.
“It's our first Christmas in Canada,” Mykoliachuk said. “We left our relatives, our parents, our brothers, (and) sisters. Every day we know bad news from Ukraine, horrible news and we understand that we are lucky.”
With the Christmas tree set up as a reminder of the joyous holiday, the pair say the journey hasn't been easy.
PRESERVING HOLIDAY TRADITIONS
After leaving everything in Ukraine and arriving in Lethbridge, both families have had to start over.
But the one thing that hasn't changed is their Christmas traditions.
“We prepare many foods, many dishes,” Mykoliachuk said. “We have fancy Christmas table, with many, many dishes, up to 12 at a time.”
Mykoliachuk, who fled with husband and children, arrived in Lethbridge in June, while Panchenko, her husband and kids came to Lethbridge in August.
Both families received help from the Lethbridge Rotary Club. The club was able to raise about $50,000 to help support Ukrainians arriving in the city.
“Our job is to provide that support after they meet with Lethbridge Family Services because they get kind of the basics with AHS (Alberta Health Services) and some of the things are coordinated by them,” said Todd Brown, director of community services with the Lethbridge Rotary Club.
So far, about 200 Ukrainians have arrived in Lethbridge, with the club helping 18 families.
NEW YEARS PARTY
Brown says as a way to build relationships with other Ukrainians in the community, the club hosted a New Year’s party – just one of many events the club has put on for those new to the city.
“When we settle them here it feels like, sometimes it's a lot of work and sometimes it's a lot of coordinating, but when you're in the middle of it, it's emotional because you really feel like you're helping people,” Brown said.
Both Panchenko and Mykoliachuk say the help they received from the community has been unbelievable and they hope to return the favour in the near future.
“I’ve never met such wonderful, amazing, incredible people who just want to share and to make, for us, a new home,” Mykoliachuk said.
More than 18,000 Ukrainians have arrived in Alberta since the start of the war in late February 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.