‘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
B.C. teen with Canada's first human case of avian flu in critical condition, Dr. Bonnie Henry says
The teenager who is sick with the first-ever human case of avian influenza acquired in Canada is in hospital in critical condition, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said Tuesday.
Here's why thieves may be stealing butter in Canada
The case of the missing butter remains a mystery, but some have ideas on what's behind the unusual crimes.
Former B.C. premier John Horgan dies at 65
Former B.C. premier John Horgan, a popular leader renowned for his affable personality and dedicated public service, has died
Body found in Montreal park identified as cryptocurrency influencer
The body of a man that was found in a park in the Ahunstic-Cartierville borough last month has been identified as cryptocurrency influencer Kevin Mirshahi.
Air Canada to add new routes to U.S., Europe and North Africa in summer 2025
Getting to destinations in the U.S., Europe and North Africa is about to get easier, as Air Canada announced it will be increasing flights to a number of new destinations this summer.
2-year-old gorilla 'Eyare' dies unexpectedly at Calgary Zoo
A young gorilla at the Calgary Zoo has died. The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo announced a member of its western lowland gorilla troop passed away unexpectedly, in a news release Tuesday.
History in Halifax is slowly being wiped off the map: study
Saint Mary's University archeologist Jonathan Fowler is sounding an alarm with a new study. According to Fowler, the centuries-old architecture that adds to Halifax’s heritage and historic vibe is slowly being wiped away as the city grows.
Quebec officer suspended 15 days for throwing away piece of victim's skull
A Quebec provincial police officer has been suspended for 15 days without pay after throwing part of a young motorcycle accident victim's skull into a ravine in 2021.
Alleged serial killer previously pled guilty to 2018 attack on Waterloo, Ont. bus
The woman accused of killing three people in three days in three Ontario cities also previously admitted to attacking strangers on buses in the Region of Waterloo.