EASTER CELEBRATIONS will take place throughout the world this coming April. Surrey, BC, is no exception. Many families attend church during this religious time. Because the area attracts people from across the globe, it is a multicultural community with many denominations from which to choose.
When I spotted this charming church a few weeks ago in the Whalley district of Surrey, I knew I would come back. The Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of St. Mary is a unique cultural landmark in the community, historically as well as architecturally.
But I was not seeking a feast for the soul during my return trip. Rather I was looking for traditional Ukrainian food available at the adjacent hall.
The bulletin board seen upon entering showed the spirit of Ukrainian dance is alive and thriving, in part thanks to groups such as the Kvitka Dancers.
A table of leaflets showed that pysanka (Ukrainian Easter egg) workshops were available throughout March in anticipation of the season.
Traditional embroidery decoratively fanned the walls of a large hall.
The dining area was being prepared for a special event. I was told there would be a wedding there the next day.
The handmade sauerkraut perogies and meatless cabbage rolls my husband and I purchased from their kitchen freezer for dinner later were delicious, winning Penelope's seal of approval.
Discovering the church brought back fragmented memories of Easter. My mom, who passed away many years ago, came to Canada as a young bride from the Ukraine before I was born. Her attempt to keep up traditions largely failed. My celebrations evolved into serving store-bought perogies and chocolate eggs for Easter dinner. Symbolizing rebirth and spring, the traditional hand painted egg morphed into watered down designs, requiring far less skill than the originals.
The melting of cultures and merging of customs left me, as it does so many in multicultural societies, much like an offshoot plant attached to its roots but growing independently. That is probably why this small taste of Easters past was so sweet.
Explorers can find more sites from around the globe at My World.
Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms
When I spotted this charming church a few weeks ago in the Whalley district of Surrey, I knew I would come back. The Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of St. Mary is a unique cultural landmark in the community, historically as well as architecturally.
But I was not seeking a feast for the soul during my return trip. Rather I was looking for traditional Ukrainian food available at the adjacent hall.
The bulletin board seen upon entering showed the spirit of Ukrainian dance is alive and thriving, in part thanks to groups such as the Kvitka Dancers.
A table of leaflets showed that pysanka (Ukrainian Easter egg) workshops were available throughout March in anticipation of the season.
Traditional embroidery decoratively fanned the walls of a large hall.
The dining area was being prepared for a special event. I was told there would be a wedding there the next day.
The handmade sauerkraut perogies and meatless cabbage rolls my husband and I purchased from their kitchen freezer for dinner later were delicious, winning Penelope's seal of approval.
Discovering the church brought back fragmented memories of Easter. My mom, who passed away many years ago, came to Canada as a young bride from the Ukraine before I was born. Her attempt to keep up traditions largely failed. My celebrations evolved into serving store-bought perogies and chocolate eggs for Easter dinner. Symbolizing rebirth and spring, the traditional hand painted egg morphed into watered down designs, requiring far less skill than the originals.
The melting of cultures and merging of customs left me, as it does so many in multicultural societies, much like an offshoot plant attached to its roots but growing independently. That is probably why this small taste of Easters past was so sweet.
Explorers can find more sites from around the globe at My World.
Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms