The Christmas Karavaki 2014 – Archbishopric of Good Hope (Cape Town)

Archbishopric of Good Hope

Once again the air was alive with the sounds of little voices celebrating the spirit of Christmas!
The children of St George’s Cathedral Sunday School in Cape Town enchanted and entertained everyone at our annual presentation of the traditional Christmas Karavaki held at the Archbishopric in Rondebosch on Sunday 7 December 2014.



This year our programme included the very “littlies” who simply stole  hearts with their charming renditions of Greek Christmas carols while the older children performed poems and festive songs as well as a humorous but thought-provoking  mini-play called “The Christmas bus”.
This was followed by a talented trio on violins and cello and then some of the teachers joined the children to sing  popular English and Greek carols.



We were also delighted to welcome some members of the Russian community choir who joined us to sing a selection of traditional Russian carols and Dr Elina Tagar of the Russian Club presented His Eminence Archbishop Sergios with a commemorative book she had brought back from Moscow as a token of the Russian community’s appreciation for  always being welcomed into our midst.

Pepe Sofianos, our MC, informed the crowd that there was a lovely surprise waiting to be enjoyed this coming Christmas morning. Last year a TV crew filmed our 2013 Karavaki evening and they were so impressed and thoroughly captivated by the children and the concept of the Karavaki, that it will be aired at 6.30am this Christmas day on SABC 2. So keep your PVR ready to record and share these wonderful memories again and again!
At the end of the performances, as the moon came up, His Eminence gave the closing address  thanking and praising the children, parents and teachers for keeping up these important traditions and celebrations of our Greek Orthodox faith.
Then it was the countdown to lighting the candles and switching on the lights of the Karavaki as everyone joined in to sing the stirring Kalanda Protochronias. 
Afterwards we all tucked into a splendid festive feast of nistisimo  snacks and mouth-watering Greek confectionery catered and provided by Dora Wild and the ladies of The Welfare Committee. 
It was a very memorable evening and a perfect way to start the Christmas season with family and friends.
This year marks the sixth Karavaki  festivity and it was extremely well-attended with plenty of new faces and families present sharing the love and enjoyment that has made the Karavaki a signature event in our Orthodox Christmas calendar.
We wish you all Kala Christougenna and Chronia Pola for 2015.
By Pepe Sofianos.

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