Hyas, Saskatchewan

Each year, water and candles are blessed for the congregation at the Ukrainian Church of St. John the Baptist in Hyas, Saskatchewan. The Holy Water does not need to be kept in the refrigerator, as it does not spoil. The congregation has a jar which they fill with blessed water and keep in the church. Despite having no heat in the church, the jar has never broken and the water has never frozen.

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The Hyas Baptist Church has many Ukrainian members.  One interesting feature of this church is that, every year, it reaches out to the community of Hyas at Christmas time. Every household in Hyas has a box or basket of freshly baked cookies delivered to them on behalf of the church. These baskets also contain greetings – and an invitation to join the congregation for services.