Easter Basket (aka Święconka)

Picturefrom saintstanislausrochester.org/
Easter Basket (aka Święconka) is the traditional blessing of the food to be eaten on Easter Sunday. The tradition varies slightly from region to region in Poland, however it remains a tradition embraced by Poles and many Polish-Americans.

Families will place food and symbolic items in a basket and bring them to the church on Holy Saturday to be blessed. These blessed foods are then eaten on Easter Sunday, as part of breakfast or with the Easter dinner.

Modern Polish-Americans may also add non-traditional items like chocolate bunnies, a bottle of wine or Polish beer to their baskets to enjoy with family and friends.

Traditional Basket Items:
  • Maslo (Butter) - This dairy product is often shaped into a lamb (Baranek Wielkanocny) or a cross. (symbolism: the good will of Christ that we should have towards all things.)
  • Chleb (Bread) - A round or long loaf topped with a cross or a fish, symbolic of Jesus, who is the Bread of Life.
  • Babka (Easter cake or pastry) - a special round loaf or cake
  • Chrzan (Horseradish) - Symbolic of the bitter herbs in the original Passover meal and the bitterness of the Passion of Jesus. This is often mixed in with red beets and eaten on top of hard-boiled eggs
  • 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) - an old Slavic tradition, whose links remind us of the chains of death that were broken when Jesus rose from the dead, as well as a symbol of God's favor and generosity.
  • Szynka (Ham) - Symbolic of great joy and abundance. Lamb or veal can also be used. (The lamb also reminds Christians that the Risen Christ is the "Lamb of God.")
  • Boczek/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. Sprigs of boxwood are traditional but any greenery or flowers will work.
  • White Linen Cover - drawn over the top of the basket and removed for the blessing. This can also be something with a colorful crocheted or embroidered design