The Polish American Society of Greater Cincinnati holds its annual Easter basket blessing service on Saturday, April 11, 2009 at 2 pm at the Annunciation Church in Clifton. This religious ceremony is followed by lunch at the Parish Reception Hall.
In Poland, the Blessing of the Easter food or the "Święconka" is a tradition dating back to the 14th century. Although it is a sign with deep spiritual meaning, traditions vary from region to region and and even from family to family. Observing the creativity of other parishioners is one of the special joys of the event.
The food is brought to church in a basket decorated with colorful ribbons and greenery and lined with bright white linens. After the blessing, the food is usually set aside until Easter morning when the head of the household shares the blessed egg, symbol of life, with his family and friends. Having exchanged good wishes they all continue to enjoy the meal.
The foods traditionally blessed by a priest for Easter can be placed in three categories: breads (particularly a yeasty cake called babka), meats (ham, veal, suckling pig, sausage, bacon) and dairy products (butter, cheese, eggs or pisanki-often beautifully decorated by hand).
Each of the foods has a significant meaning:
Babka (Easter bread) - a round loaf is a symbol of the Bread of Life.
Eggs - (Jajka) - a symbol of the resurrection, the emergence of a new life.
Sausage (Kielbasa) indicative of God's favor and generosity
Ham (Szynka) - Symbolic of great joy and abundance.
