CHRISTMAS EVE CELEBRATION

THE MAIN FEATURE DURING CHRISTMAS EVE IS THE EVENING MEAL CALLED
"HOLY SUPPER" (SVYATA VECHERA). THE SUPPER ON HOLY NIGHT HAS
TWELVE LENTEN DISHES, SYMBOLIC OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES WHO GATHERED
AT THE LAST SUPPER. THESE DISHES OMIT ALL ANIMAL FAT, MILK,
AND MILK PRODUCTS BECAUSE DURING CHRISTMAS EVE THERE IS A STRICT
FAST. THE TABLE IS SET FIRST WITH A SMALL HANDFUL OF FINE HAY IN
MEMORY OF THE CHRIST CHILD IN A MANGER. OVER IT IS SPREAD THE
VERY BEST TABLECLOTH ADORNED WITH NATIVE EMBROIDERY. BREAD (KOLACH)
DECORATES THE CENTRAL TABLE. THE KOLACH IS THREE ROUND, BRAIDED
LOAVES, WHICH IS PLACED ONE ON TOP OF THE OTHER WITH A CANDLE
INSERTED INTO THE TOP LOAF, AND THE BOTTOM LOAF IS ENCIRCLED
WITH TINY TWIGS OF EVERGREEN. A LIGHTED CANDLE IS ALWAYS PLACED
IN THE WINDOW AS AN INVITATION TO ANY HOMELESS STRANGER TO JOIN
THE FAMILY IN CELEBRATING THE BIRTH OF CHRIST.
PRIOR TO THE EVENING MEAL A SPOONFUL OF EACH DISH IS MIXED INTO
THE FOOD OF THE DOMESTIC ANIMALS, BECAUSE ANIMALS WERE THE FIRST
CREATURES TO BEHOLD THE NEW-BORN CHRIST. THE FIRST STAR IN THE
EASTERN SKY ANNOUNCES THE TIME FOR THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE MEAL.
MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY GATHER AROUND THE TABLE AND BEGIN THE MEAL
WITH THE LORD'S PRAYER. THE FIRST DISH IS KUTYA , A PREPARATION OF
COOKED WHEAT DRESSED WITH HONEY, GROUND POPPY SEED AND SOMETIMES
CHOPPED NUTS. THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY RAISES THE FIRST SPOONFUL
OF THE KUTYA, AND GREETS THE FAMILY WITH KHRYSTOS RODYVSYA}"
(CHRIST IS BORN}), TO WHICH THEY ALL REPLY "SLAVIN YOHO}"
(LET US GLORIFY HIM). AFTER THIS EVERYONE PARTAKES OF THE KUTYA.
KUTYA IS FOLLOWED WITH AN APPETTZER OF PICKLED HERRINGS OR PICKLED
MUSHROOMS, OR WITH A SERVING OF BORSCH (BEET SOUP). AFTER THE
APPETIZERS COMES THE ENTREES. SOME OF THE ENTREES ARE HOLUBTSI
WITH RICE OR BUCKWHEAT (STUFFED CABBAGE), SAUERKRAUT WITH PEAS,
VARENYKY WITH POTATOES OR SAUERKRAUT (DUMPLINGS), AND MAYBE
BAKED BEETS. FOLLOWING THE ENTREES COMES THE DESSERT, SUCH AS
VARENYKY WITH PRUNES, VARENYKY WITH POPPY SEEDS, AND COMPOTE OF
DRIED FRUIT. AFTER THE MEAL, THE FAMILY JOINS IN SINGING CHRISTMAS
CAROLS AND GENERAL MERRY-MAKING. IT IS STRICTLY A FAMILY EVENING.
AFTER MIDNIGHT THE FAMILY ATTENDS A SPECIAL CHRISTMAS SERVICE
ENRICHED WITH CHORAL MUSIC. THROUGH THE FOLLOWING DAYS ORGANIZED
GROUPS OF CAROLLERS VISIT THE HOMES.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Date learned: 12-03-1977

View just this record

FOR AS FAR BACK AS I CAN REMEMBER, THE WOMEN AT OUR HOUSE HAVE
MADE TRADITIONAL POLISH CHRISTMAS COOKIES CALLED PIERNICKI. MY
NON-POLISH MOTHER LEARNED THE RECIPE FROM HER POLISH MOTHER-IN-LAW
WHEN MY AUNT DID NOT SHOW AN INTEREST IN CARRYING OUT THE
TRADITION OF MAKING THE SWEET AND SPICY COOKIES. EACH FAMILY'S
RECIPE IS DIFFERENT AND A CAREFULLY KEPT SECRET. PIERNICKI IS SO
SPECIAL THAT EATING THE DOUGH OR THE FINISHED COOKIE ENHANCES
READING COMPREHENSION! THE COOKIES ARE MADE IN LATE NOVEMBER,
USUALLY DURING THE THANKSGIVING BREAK FROM SCHOOL, WHICH IS JUST
IN TIME FOR HOLIDAY GIFT GIVING AND FOR STUDYING FOR FINAL EXAMS.

Submitter comment: OUR PIERNICKI HAS BECOME AN INSTITUTION. OUR RELATIVES LOOK
FORWARD TO RECEIVING THEIR GIFT OF COOKIES EVERY YEAR. BECAUSE
THE RECIPE IS A SECRET, IF IT IS FOUND IN A COOKBOOK, IT HAS BEEN
ALTERED BY THE SUBMITTER SO THAT HER COOKIES WILL BE BETTER THAN
SOMEONE WHO FOLLOWS THE BOOK RECIPE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE

Date learned: 00001970S

View just this record