Ukrainian Christmas is being celebrated at St Edmundsbury Cathedral in a service open to Ukrainian refugees and host families from across Suffolk in the New Year.

As Christmas in Ukraine is celebrated by some on January 7, this special two-hour service will take place on Friday, January 6 from 5pm.

It will feature popular Ukrainian Christmas carols such as Nova Radist (New Joy), Dobryi Vechir Tobi (Good Evening), Sleep Jesus Sleep and Heaven and Earth are now celebrating.

The High Sheriff of Suffolk, Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton is supporting the event.  East Anglian Daily Times: Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, the High Sheriff of SuffolkJamie Lowther-Pinkerton, the High Sheriff of Suffolk (Image: Archant)

He said: "This is a chance for the Ukrainians living amongst us as our guests in Suffolk to be together at this hallowed time of year.

"The service has been put together entirely by our Ukrainian friends, wonderfully supported by St Edmundsbury Cathedral and Suffolk Refugee Support."

"It will be a time for prayer, for taking comfort and solace in each other's company, and a celebration of Christmas and all that goes with it, especially for families with loved ones far away," he added.

"It is a privilege to be associated with this event and our Ukrainian friends, whose courage I greatly admire."

The Cathedral service will begin with the Ukrainian Liturgy and Blessing of the Bishops and continue with the Nativity Performance using traditional Ukrainian puppet theatre Vertep.

The Reverend Canon Philip Banks, canon precentor at St Edmundsbury Cathedral, added: "We're delighted to be able to host this event at the Cathedral, beginning with Ukrainian Christmas Liturgy and prayers.

"The peoples of Ukraine continue to be at the forefront of our prayers.

He added: "We hope and pray that this gathering, at the traditional time of Christmas celebration for so many Ukrainians, will be a way of bringing people together from across Suffolk for mutual support and encouragement, comfort and joy."

The service is open to Ukrainian families, host families and guests from across Suffolk, with free tickets available via the St Edmundsbury Cathedral website.