Polish Christmas hymns, 'nucleus of a national poetry,' sung at Boswell church

Russ O Reilly, The Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, Pa.
·2 min read

Jan. 8—BOSWELL, Pa. — The words might not have been understood, but many of the people in the audience felt the meaning of the Polish hymns that were sung on Sunday at Boswell's All Saints Church.

"It brought back memories from my childhood," said Mary Elko, of Mineral Point. "We went to the Polish church in Windber. I don't know the words, but it was very nice."

All Saints presented "Echoes of a Polish Christmas" on Sunday. Dozens of people filled the church at 325 Quemahoning St. to hear its choir sing more than 20 Christmas hymns of Polish origin, some of which can be traced back to the Middle Ages, the Rev. Aron Maghsoudi said.

In a presentation prior to the performance, Maghsoudi said the hymns form "the nucleus of a national poetry."

For example, the hymn "God is Born," he said, has a royal and proud melody, and it was sung by Polish prisoners at the Auschwitz concentration camp, according to an account by an inmate.

"They let these powerful hymns ring out loudly and clearly," Maghsoudi said. "It was to say, 'You won't break us.' "

He said the hymn speaks the essential message of Christmas: "In the coldness and difficulties of life, Christ appeared to us, entered into our sorrows."

All Saints Church was formerly Boswell's St. Stanislaus Church, a Polish parish.

"These hymns capture the deepest sentiments of your ancestors, and we are proud to be able to celebrate them in this holy season of the year," Maghsoudi said. "I think they speak to every one of us."

The Christmas season in the Roman Catholic Church extends from Christmas Day, Dec. 25, to the feast day of the Epiphany, which was on Saturday and celebrates the visit of the Magi to Jesus.

Matthew Hoover, a University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown history student, said the hymns allowed him to be immersed in history in a different way.

"I think it's wonderful to remember the religious dynamic of the heritage of the people who came before us and came to this country as miners and steelworkers to seek liberty," he said.