SCRANTON, Pa. — The sound of bells echoed across Scranton’s West Side as dozens gathered inside Saints Peter & Paul Russian Orthodox Church along Washburn Street.
The Christmas Mass was one of many happening across the area in accordance with the Julian calendar.
“I like to sing different things that you don’t sing usually on a Sunday, but especially ones that have to deal with the day itself, with the Nativity of Christ,” said Joseph Micek.
Although it’s a smaller choir than usual due to the holiday falling in the middle of the week, Micek still helped fill the church with songs of faith.
As his dad, Father Basil Micek, led the congregation through the 2 1/2 hour service.
This holy holiday is one Michael Senyk has celebrated since birth.
“I was born in this church. Of course, I left the area to go to school for many years — four years at University Park and then to graduate school, and then to graduate school after that. But yes, I came back here, absolutely,” said Senyk.
Always making the trip back home to have his Christmas.
“On the Gregorian calendar, where you see much of society celebrates Christmas, yes, there is a tremendous amount of commercialism,” said Senyk. “Where you see on the Julian calendar, we sort of miss all that commercialism, and we’re centered here at the church.”
While many have pulled away from following the Julian calendar, the congregation of young and old ensures the practices here will continue.
“You see churches closing all over, and you’re always afraid that the young people are going to go away. But when you see the young people here, it encourages us. It lets us know that the church will go on,” said Micek.
Holiday celebrations continue until Julian calendar New Year’s on January 14th.