After the Divine Liturgy and a light lunch on 16 December 2012, choir members of Dormition of the Virgin Mary Orthodox Church in Binghamton NY traveled an hour to the Oxford Veterans Home, in Oxford NY to share their annual concert of Christmas carols with the residents.  Dr. Philip Dzwonczyk, Chief Medical Officer at the home and devoted choir member, again organized this event for the veterans and the choir directed by Matushka Julia Gotlinsky.

As the choir shared the joy of the season, the residents held fond memories as they listened to the carols and hymns and joined in conversations with the choir members. One veteran, with tears in his eyes, reminisced with Father Ilya Gotlinsky (parish rector) about his own experiences singing carols with his church choir back in 1951.  Some of the conversations with the veterans related that they enjoyed seeing Dr. Phil as a choir member, aside from his usual position as doctor. The choir and the veterans thoroughly enjoyed the fellowship of the day and look forward to doing it again next year.