For the first time in many years, the usual hot weather on St. Michael's Day (21 November) was replaced with torrential rain. However, CYM members from the cities of Geelong and Melbourne still made the trek to «Karpaty» for the annual celebration in honor of our organization's patron saint.
The day began with an apel where sumeniata and molodshe yunatstvo swore their "slovo" and "obitnytsia" (oaths) to move into the next level of CYM. Many starshe yunatstvo swore their "pryrechenia" to receive the coveted blue tie of druzhynnyky, while a number of dryzhynnyky handed back their blue ties in exchange for the stately brown of seniory.
Apel was followed by a Divine Liturgy and blessing of plaques for a monument commemorating 50 years of CYM in Melbourne, built in the shape of a pyramid outside the camp dinning room. Rumbling stomachs were hushed with a BBQ, ably cooked by dryzhynnyky, which was followed by a carnival. With Bulava members looking festive in fairy wings, yunatstvo rushed from stall to stall where lucky dips, fishing games, apple bobbing, wheel of fortune, face painting, colored hairspray and a myriad of other games and diversions were offered. Lollies and fairy floss were in abundance to please the sweet tooths and keep energy levels high. Adults were also amused by games organised by dryzhynnyky, while seniory sold engraved paving stones which will be used to decorate the area around the new monument.
The smiling faces and happy banter was proof that rain, hail or shine, St. Michael's Day at «Karpaty» is a day not to be missed.
