Ukrainian refugees prepare to celebrate Orthodox Christmas in St. Jacobs

Ukrainians in Waterloo region will be celebrating Orthodox Christmas on Saturday.

For those who moved here as refugees over the past year, it will be their first time putting up a Christmas tree away from their home country.

To celebrate, residents of the Ukrainian Guest House, formerly known as the old Jakobstettel Country Inn, put together a small celebration, bringing Ukrainian Christmas to St. Jacobs.

Here are pictures from some of the days spent in preparation for Christmas day:

On Saturday, residents of the Ukrainian Guest House will invite volunteers to join them in celebrating Orthodox Christmas.

On Thursday afternoon as preparations were underway, the guest house was decorated with lights, handmade ornaments and two Christmas trees.

Attendees were greeted with the delicious smell of traditional food, lively music and festive clothes.