Easter in Poland

March 2013

PALM SUNDAYPalm Sunday is a

Christian moveable feast

that falls on the Sunday before

Easter. The feast commemorates

Jesus' triumphal entry into

Jerusalem.

In many Christian churches, Palm Sunday is marked by the distribution of palm leaves. In Poland they are substituted with yew, willow, or other native trees.

Many Polish towns and villages (the best known are Lipnica Murowana and Łyse) organize artificial palm competitions. The biggest of those reach above 30 meters in length; for example, the highest palm in 2008 was 33.39 meters high.

Palm competitions

GOOD FRIDAYThe Stations of the Cross ceremony is

celebrated at churches or

outside.The best-known ceremony takes

place in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska.

HOLY SATURDAY

Blessed Easter food – ( Święconka) "The blessing of the Easter baskets" is one of the most enduring and beloved Polish traditions on Holy Saturday. Poles take special pride in preparing a decorative and tasteful basket with crisp linens, occasionally embroidered for the occasion. Observing the creativity of other parishioners is one of the special joys of the event.

The foods in the baskets have a symbolic meaning :eggs - symbolise life

and Christ's resurrection

bread - symbolic of Jesus

lamb - represents Christ

salt - represents purification

horseradish - symbolic of the bitter sacrifice of Christ

ham - symbolic of great joy and abundance.

One of the most popular traditions is ornamenting eggs. It has been a part of Polish history for more than one thousand years. Today coloured eggs are hallowed on Holy Saturday. They are shared among the family at the table as a symbol of friendship. Each region of Poland has its own special techniques for the decoration of eggs. There are different names for them:

Polish Easter eggs

Kraszanki - hard boiled eggs which are dyed a single color

Pisanki - created by drawing on the egg covered with a layer of waxWyklejanki - hollow eggs onto which colored yarn is gluedNalepianki - hollow eggs onto which colored paper or straw is glued

Malowanki - hand painted eggs

God's tomb

On Holy Saturday churches hold vigils. Symbolic Christ's tombs are beautifully decorated and  the decorations may comment on social or even political problems. Some people visit many churches to admire and compare the tombs.

EASTER SUNDAY

Before the Mass begins at dawn, a festive procession with the Blessed Sacrament carried beneath a canopy encircles the church.

In Polish culture, the Rezurekcja (Resurrection Procession) is the joyous Easter morning Mass at daybreak when church bells ring out and explosions resound to commemorate Christ rising from the dead.

After the Blessed Sacrament is carried around the church and Adoration is complete, the Easter Mass begins.

EASTER DISHESwhite borsch

with sausage and eggswhite sausage

DessertsMazurek

Babka – yeast cake

EASTER MONDAY

Śmigus-Dyngus (also known as Lany Poniedziałek, meaning "Wet Monday„) is a celebration held on Easter Monday in Poland. Traditionally, boys throw water over girls and spank them with pussy willow branches on Easter Monday, and girls do the same to boys on Easter Tuesday.

Particularly attractive girls could expect to

be soaked repeatedly during

the day.

Julia ChmielewskaZofia PazdrowskaBartek FrubaMaciek Marczak Ignacy Tkaczyk