Carol Service in Vienna (Day 1 - 05 Dec 2009)

On 5th December, 2009, on the eve of St. Nicholas Day, we have visited many of our houses in Veinna singing Christmas Carol Songs, giving special gifts, conveying Christmas Greetings etc. Our Christmas carol reflects the very popular Malankara tradition (Kerala, India) where Carol bands are visiting all the houses with different musical instruments on the Christmas Eve. It was in last year that we have started  the Christmas Carol Service here in Vienna which was under the leadership of St.Mary's Malankara Syrian Orthodox Youth Association. That Carol Service was a great success and brought us a lot of appreciation. In this year, we are conducting our Carol Services both on 5th and 19th December, 2009. Last Saturday, we have covered most of the areas of Vienna City, and on 19th December, we are planning to visit the remaining houses in and outside Vienna. This year's Carol Service is a joint effort of the Managing Committee and the Youth Association of our Church and  that helped us to experience a magical team spirit which reflects  great warm and tender feelings of the youngsters as well as elders during the advent time because Joy of Carol knows no age limits. In order to create an intimate and happy atmosphere and to convey the message of Jesus's birth in different way, we have organized a competition for Christmas trees. This helped us to provide our Church members a lot of fun and quality time to prepare Christmas trees and to think about the baby Jesus' birth. Many of them decorated their houses with strings of lights, decorated Chrimas Trees, shining stars etc and many are in preparation. For them as well as for us, the spirit of Christmas has to light everyone's hearts and to bring a smile on their neighbour's faces.

To view more Carol Photos, please visit.... Album 1, Album 2 and Album 3

Report by: Fr. Biju Parekkattil, St. Marys MSOC, Vienna