This past weekend we celebrated our first Easter in Poland and it was quite the experience. On Saturday, we were invited to our friend's, Lech and Sheila's, for easter basket making. This is a very traditional custom here in Poland. At Lech and Sheila's we dyed easter eggs with dye made from various vegetables and flowers (onion, hibiscus, etc.) Then we put the eggs into our easter baskets along with various food items that were being served at the easter meal on Sunday. Don't worry, we decided against bringing the 10 pound ham! The Easter basket is similar to a Jewish seder plate in that the various items in the basket are representative of various parts of the Easter story. Here's a list of some of the traditional Easter basket items:
- Maslo (Butter) - This dairy product is often shaped into a lamb (Baranek Wielkanocny) or a cross. This reminds us of the good will of Christ that we should have towards all things.
- Babka (Easter Bread) - A round or long loaf topped with a cross or a fish, symbolic of Jesus, who is the Bread of Life.
- Chrzan (Horseradish) - Symbolic of the Passion of Christ still in our minds.
- Jajka (Eggs) and Pisanki (decorated with symbols of Easter, of life, of prosperity) - Indicates new life and Christ's Resurrection from the tomb.
- Kielbasa (Sausage) - A sausage product, symbolic of God's favor and generosity.
- Szynka (Ham) - Symbolic of great joy and abundance. Some prefer lamb or veal. The lamb also reminds Christians that the Risen Christ is the "Lamb of God."
- Slonina (Smoked Bacon) - A symbol of the overabundance of God's mercy and generosity.
- Sol (Salt) - A necessary element in our physical life. Symbolic of prosperity and justice and to remind us that people are the flavor of the earth.
- Ser (Cheese) - Symbolic of the moderation Christians should have at all times.
- Candle - Represents Christ as the Light of the World.
- Colorful Ribbons and Sprigs of Greenery - are attached to the basket as signs of joy and new life in the season of spring and in celebration of the Resurrection
Once the baskets were assembled we walked to the local church in the neighborhood to have our baskets blessed. There was a huge crowd of people at the church and we waited our turn to bring our baskets to a table and have the priest bless them in a 15 minute ceremony. And, the people kept coming as we were leaving. Apparently, the priests bless baskets all day - from morning to sundown on Easter Saturday. It was really neat to witness and take part in this Polish tradition! Later in the day, as we were in other parts of the city, we saw tons of people carrying their Easter baskets and saw basket blessings happening in front of every church we passed.
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| Our homemade dyes for eggs |
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| Tom adding his wax design onto his egg |
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| Some of our finished eggs |
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| Prepping our baskets |
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| Our favorite basket -- see the special item in there being blessed for a dip for Easter Sunday dinner |
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| Part of the Easter Saturday group |
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| The entrance to the outside of the church for basket blessing |
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| The baskets on the table ready to be blessed |
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| The Blessing |
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| The crowd at the Church |
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