The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

SIGN OF THE CROSS

MANY UKRAINIAN WOMEN OFTEN USE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS IN
CONNECTION WITH FOOD. THEY MAKE THE SIGN OVER THE LOAVES
OF BREAD BEFORE PUTTING THEM INTO THE OVEN FOR BAKING.
MANY WOMEN ALSO MAKE THE SIGN ON THE BOTTOM OF A LOAF OF
BREAD BEFORE BEGINNING TO SLICE IT. THE UKRAINIANS DEPENDED
ON BREAD AS A MAIN PART OF THEIR DAILY FOOD. SINCE UKRAINE
WAS THE BREADBASKET OF EUROPE, THEIR GRATITUDE AND THEIR
ACCEPTANCE OF THIS PLENTY WAS EXPRESSED THROUGH THIS SIMPLE
RELIGIOUS GESTURE OF ACKNOWLEDGING THE UNIVERSAL PROVIDER.

Submitter comment: I HAVE NEVER SEEN MY MOTHER SLICE A LOAF OF BREAD WITHOUT
MAKING A SIGN OF THE CROSS OVER THE BOTTOM OF THE LOAF.

Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER

Date learned: 00001950S