Benefit Concert Helps Ukrainian Orphanage Fund

By: Olga Kuchar Anderson

Troy Music Hall rocked – literally – on October 23 as violin virtuoso Vasyl Popadiuk and Ukrainian dancers from the area took an audience of nearly 500 on a memorable whirlwind musical journey. The audience was hard pressed to sit still through the rousing Gypsy World Fusion pieces that mark Popadiuk’s unique style or through the energetic and folksy dances of the youth dance group Zorepad.

The event was a show of support for the work of Sister Mary Bernarda Arkatin, OSBM, sometimes referred to as Ukraine’s own “Mother Theresa”. For 18 years, Sr. Bernarda has spent the summer months visiting orphanages, clinics, hospitals, homeless shelters and private homes with invalid children from one end of Ukraine to the other bringing with her gifts of food, clothing and most importantly, the gift of caring. Hearing of her good work, the parishioners of three Ukrainian churches in the greater Albany area joined together to help her with her mission by supporting this wonderful concert of music and dance. “The fundraiser was a huge success and will enable Sr. Bernarda to continue her healing mission,” said Rev. Mikhail Myshchuk, Pastor of St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church in Watervliet, N.Y., who spearheaded the community-wide effort on behalf of Sr. Bernarda.

Popadiuk hails from Ukraine and now calls Canada home. Trained at the Tchaikovsky National Academy of Music in Kiev, Popadiuk received the Artist of Ukraine Award in 2009 from then President Victor Yuschenko. He has dazzled audiences around the world and has been referred to as a modern Pagnini for his technical brilliance. Popadiuk’s repertoire ranged from the jazzy composition “Sundance” by Al DiMeola, to the popular and sentimental “Dark Eyes”, by Ukrainian composer Evhen Hrebinka, to the wild gypsy-themed “Carpathian Hoedown” to the romantic theme from “Romeo and Juliet”. Playing to a recording by his multi-talented band known as Papa Duke, the musical interludes provided a range of offerings appealing to young and old alike. The passion and exhilaration that Popadiuk conveys through his music was infectious and brought the audience to its feet in a fitting tribute.

Zorepad, meaning Shooting Star, was established in 1976 in Troy, NY by the legendary prima ballerina Roma Pryma Bohachevsky. Zorepad now thrives under the artistic direction of Peter and Adrienne Fil, and managed by ensemble president Lydia Kulbida, who hosted the evening at the Music Hall. From the very youngest performers, to the more experienced teen dancers, Zorepad enchanted all with their depictions of Ukrainian life and culture. Starting with the traditional Welcome or “Pryvit” to the “Hopak” and “Hutsulka” the audience was wowed with the colorful costumes and traditions of distinct regions in Ukraine and the singular enthusiasm of the performers.

Ms. Lydia Kulbida, news anchor for WTEN Channel 10 in Albany and member of St. Nicholas Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Troy, NY, warmly welcomed Sr. Bernarda to the stage after the intermission. Focusing on the "children to children" aspect of the fundraiser, Ms. Kulbida thanked Sr. Bernarda for offering, by her example, a lesson in the gift of giving, restating the apt dictum that "Living is measured by what you get, but life is measured by what you give." Indeed, the diminutive, soft spoken Sister Bernarda has given much and took a few moments to thank the performers and audience alike for their generous gifts of time and money in support of orphans throughout Ukraine. She recalled the small joys of giving children their first balloons or kites, as well as the deeply gratifying experience of helping a child hear his mother’s voice for the first time with the use of a donated hearing aid. Sr. Bernarda reassured everyone that her work will continue with their support.

The following day Sister Bernarda attended Divine Liturgy at Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Cohoes, NY, where Rev. Vladimir Marusceac warmly welcomed her and offered his praise for her dedication to the children of Ukraine. After a resounding chorus of “Mnohaya Lita”, Sr. Bernarda met with parishioners and thanked them for their support, especially Anna Pawliw Mariani, who organized the benefit.

Donations can still made to benefit Ukraine’s orphans. Readers may contact Sister Mary Bernarda Arkatin by writing to 30 E. Seventh Street, New York, NY 10003. A tax exempt letter will be sent for each donation.

For that special evening, it can truly be said that "Music speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives it rest, heals the heart and makes it whole, flows from heaven to the soul"


Left to right..Vasyl Popadiuk, Adrienne and Petro Fil, Zorepad Dance Ensemble Sister Bernarda Arkatin OSBM Lydia Kulbida	Sister Bernarda Arkatin OSBM "I will not leave you as orphans. I will come to you." John 14:18