Vertep volunteering: Large-scale festival in Mshanets (Lviv Oblast) to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine

The event was part of the all-Ukrainian charitable initiative “Christmas Birds,” aimed at raising funds to support the 80^th Separate Galician Air Assault Brigade. Held for the third time with the blessing of Bishop Yaroslav, Bishop of Sambir-Drohobych, the festival has become one of the largest Vertep gatherings in Ukraine. This was reported by the UGCC Information Department, citing the press service of the Sambir-Drohobych Eparchy of the UGCC.

Prayer and Celebration

The festivities began with a joint prayer and carols at the church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Participants, clergy, and guests gathered to thank God for the past year and pray for the protection of Ukrainian soldiers. Bishop Yaroslav and Fr. Ivan Halio, chaplain of the 80^th Separate Galician Air Assault Brigade, addressed the attendees with welcoming remarks.

The Bishop congratulated the participants on Christmas and the New Year, emphasizing the importance of glorifying God through caroling. “Allow me to warmly congratulate you on the great feast of the Nativity of Christ and the New Year! We have gathered once again here in the village of Mshanets, amidst the snow-capped Carpathian mountains, to glorify the Lord together through the Christmas chords of our carols. For the Nativity of Christ reveals the highest truth to us: God is with us!” said the Bishop.

Unity in Tradition

The festival procession then headed to the main location, “Mshanetski Kolyby,” serving as a symbol of unity and shared responsibility for the country’s future. On the main stage, Bishop Yaroslav thanked the event organizer, Fr. Roman Hrom, and his collaborators for their hard work and excellent organization. The hierarch also expressed gratitude to Fr. Ivan Halio for the spiritual guidance of the soldiers and to the clergy of the Sambir-Drohobych Eparchy for their pastoral care of the youth and active participation in the Vertep movement. Special words of thanks were addressed to all participants and creative groups who joined the “Vertep volunteering.”

In his address, the Bishop emphasized that in Ukrainian tradition, the Vertep is not merely a Christmas performance but a living testimony of the people’s faith. “A deep Ukrainian tradition of the Vertep is connected to this spiritual feeling—it is not just a Christmas play or a ‘holiday party,’ but a powerful code that our people have woven into the fabric of national memory for centuries,” he noted.

Bishop Yaroslav also drew attention to the phenomenon of “Vertep volunteering,” which has evolved over time into a large-scale social movement. According to him, the modern Vertep has become a true “weapon of the spirit,” as the victory of Ukraine is brought closer through carols and the sacrifice of the participants.

A Festival of Hope

Throughout the day, carols and Christmas compositions performed by Vertep groups and pop artists resonated from the stage. The festival gathered numerous guests and became a true Christmas celebration for the entire community.

The “Vertepia” carnival in Mshanets once again proved that the Christmas tradition in Ukraine remains vibrant and effective. Despite the war and difficult trials, Ukrainians continue to carol, unite in prayer, and support their defenders.

It is worth noting that the Mudra Sprava Patriarchal Foundation served as a partner in organizing and conducting the “Vertepia” Christmas Festival. Meanwhile, the UGCC Consulting Center provided professional guidance to the organizers throughout the entire preparation process of this event.