Nativity Story – A Vertep for One and All

By John Pidkowich

In preparation for the holidays, a unique opportunity has arrived to take time out from our busy year-end work and home schedules and catch the meaning and spirit of Christmas. Toronto is has many festive events, particularly blessed at Christmas with shows, marvellous light displays, concerts and carolling. At this time of year, many of us set up a Nativity Scene along with a yalynka or Christmas tree at home or have seen them at church in time for Christmas. However, to pause, contemplate and learn more about Christmas can be difficult. Fortunately, a family event for all ages to participate in together is the story of the birth of Jesus Christ set in a theatrical style. The Canadian Premiere in the Toronto Area of the Nativity Story will run in performances in Ukrainian on December 20 and 21 at 7:30 pm and December 22 for a Saturday matinee at 2:00 pm. at the St. Volodymyr Ukrainian Cultural Centre, 1280 Dundas St. West in Oakville.

Nativity Story (Rizdv’yana Istoria or the Christmas Story), produced by Katia Matkowskyj and directed by Svitlana Kukushkina with many performers from church communities from Ontario bring this production to the Ukrainian community with help from sponsors So-Use Credit Union, Buduchnist Credit Union and Cardinal Funeral Homes. Matkowskyj believes that the event is a first of its kind in Canada (and certainly for the Toronto Area) for the Ukrainian community covering both a theatrical production with a religious theme. “The idea stemmed from a production I saw in an Anglican Church who has been repeating their performance continuous for 70 years, to a full house I might add. This production is very spiritual and symbolically presented to the public” stated Matkowskyj. Although the performance presents the story of the birth of Jesus Christ, the actors will not speak on stage and tell the story but recreate a short scene while either spiritual music or a carol plays in the background.  The importance of two people on the side reading sections from the Bible will provide the audience with the opportunity to contemplate the lessons just heard in Ukrainian or follow along with one’s own text in translation. More significantly, adds Matkowskyj, “this type of performance is meant for the audience to elevate and use their senses by not only hearing the Word of God, but also feeling the visual and audible experience by the scenes on stage – lighting, action and music”. The key to the success of the performance will be the communication of God’s gift to us -  Christ as our Saviour - message through a multi-media presentation and some personal effort on the part of the audience to be open to heightened senses and a spark of imagination to embrace the magic of the Christmas Story.

As noted above, all performances will be in Ukrainian followed by a sweet table permitting the audience to socialize a while longer. The production is a great family event for kids either to have either introductory exposure or explore further in-depth religion, theatre and the Ukrainian language, of course. Many agree that attending and participating in the Nativity Story production is a great opportunity for launching the Christmas Season and get into the spiritual meaning of Christmas.

For more information, call

416-294-7853 or 416-603-3224. Tickets $35 for Adults and only $15 for Children aged 5-15 are available at Arka on Bloor (416-762-8751).