Vertep Volunteering: A Large-Scale Festival in Support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Mshanets
The village of Mshanets in Sambir region has become a hub for Christmas traditions and volunteer work. On January 3, a large-scale carnival of verteps (nativity scenes) called Vertepiya took place here, bringing together 113 creative teams. The event was part of the nationwide charity campaign Christmas Birds, which aims to raise funds to support the 80th Separate Airborne Assault Brigade of Galicia. The festival was held for the third time with the blessing of Bishop Yaroslav, Bishop of Sambir-Drohobych, and became one of the largest Vertep assemblies in Ukraine.
This was reported by the press service of the Sambir-Drohobych Eparchy.
The celebration began with a joint prayer and carols in the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The participants, clergy, and guests of the festival together thanked God for the past year and asked for His protection for Ukrainian soldiers. Bishop Yaroslav and Chaplain Ivan Halio of the 80th Separate Airborne Assault Brigade addressed the attendees with welcoming words.
The bishop congratulated the festival participants on Christmas and the New Year and emphasized the importance of glorifying God together through carols. “Allow me to warmly congratulate you on this magnificent holiday of Christmas and the New Year! Once again, we have gathered here in the village of Mshanets, among the snow-covered Carpathian Mountains, to glorify the Lord together with the Christmas chords of our carols. For the Nativity of Christ reveals to us the highest truth: God is with us!” the bishop said.
Afterward, the festival procession continued to the main location—Mshanets Kolyby—which has become a symbol of unity and shared responsibility for the future of the country. On the main stage, Bishop Yaroslav thanked the event organizer, Father Roman Hrom, and his colleagues for their dedicated work and excellent organization of the festival. The bishop also expressed his gratitude to Fr. Ivan Halio for his spiritual guidance of the soldiers, and to the clergy of the Sambir-Drohobych Eparchy for their pastoral care of young people and active participation in the vertep movement. Special words of gratitude were addressed to all participants and creative teams who joined the vertep volunteering initiative.
In his address, the bishop emphasized that in Ukrainian tradition, the vertep is not just a Christmas performance, but a living testimony of the people’s faith. “This spiritual feeling is connected with the deep Ukrainian tradition of the nativity scene—not just a Christmas performance or a ‘holiday party,’ but a powerful code that our people have woven into the fabric of national memory for centuries,” he emphasized.
Bishop Yaroslav also highlighted the phenomenon of “vertep volunteering,” which has evolved into a large-scale social movement. According to him, the modern vertep has become a genuine spiritual force, bringing Ukraine’s victory closer through the carols and sacrificial efforts of its participants. Throughout the day, vertep groups and pop performers presented carols and Christmas songs on the main stage. The festival brought together numerous guests and became a true Christmas celebration for the entire community.
The Vertepia carnival in Mshanets once again demonstrated that the Christmas tradition in Ukraine remains vibrant and effective. Despite the war and severe trials, Ukrainians continue to carol, unite in prayer, and support their defenders.
On January 11, the Festival of Nativity Scenes will take place in Drohobych, bringing the Christmas caroling season to a close.
