Święconka

Święconka [ ɕv ɛntsɔnka ʲ ] (German food blessing; ;) is a Polish custom of Easter. On Holy Saturday is celebrated in the Catholic and in the few Orthodox churches, a worship to be blessed with the dishes that have brought the believers in baskets. This blessed food is then eaten with the family for breakfast on Easter Sunday.

History

The food blessing led the Polish nobility in Poland. It was the whole table and everything that goes with it for breakfast on Easter Sunday, blessed. This cost the pastor a lot of time, and therefore the bishops prohibited by and by the blessing of food in private homes. Instead, they transferred the blessing of the church. Until the Second World War were brought in huge baskets, the full breakfast in the church; Today we bring more with a smaller amount and shares later at the family. This breakfast will be supplemented by non- blessed food.

The basket

Previously, very large baskets were used for the Święconka, where today rather small baskets fulfill this purpose. The basket is traditionally decorated with evergreens.

Content

In each basket of Easter eggs can be found. Often the figure of a lamb is included ( as a symbol of Jesus Christ ) made ​​of chocolate, butter or dough, partly with a banner with the inscription Alleluia in the basket. Salt plays an important role, which is also added symbolic, to protect the food before spoilage. More traditional components of the baskets are:

• Bread
• Sausages
• Easter cake
• Horseradish
• Pepper

The blessing of the Easter food

In the church, a church service is held, and there are Easter hymns sung. Then the priest blesses the baskets and sprinkled it with holy water.

Distribution and similar customs

According to a statistical survey of 2000 practicing 95 % of the Polish population this custom. Polish immigrants brought this tradition in the United States. Except in the Polish communities in Germany Easter dishes are also blessed in German and Austrian communities ( here rather on Maundy Thursday).

In Bavarian dialect region is distributed with the meat consecration a similar custom.

Footnotes

• Food and Beverages ( Easter)
• Festivals and Customs (Poland )
• Roman Catholic Church in Poland
• Sacramental