Swieconka, meaning "the blessing of the Easter baskets", is one of the most enduring and beloved Polish traditions on Holy Saturday during Easter. People bring food that they will be serving on Easter Sunday to the church where it is blessed by the priest.

Fr. Eric Orzech blessing the foods

Father Eric Orzech is the pastor of St. Casimir Catholic Church in Cleveland Ohio and he did the blessing and prayers in both English and Polish.

Father Eric Orzech

Altar of St. Casimir Church

He said that the foods are symbols of Christ's Passion, Death and Resurrection.

For example, he told how eggs are the most ancient symbol of the Resurrection because a baby chick is born by breaking through the shell just as Jesus broke through the tomb into new life.

He told about rabbits and the significance of other foods such as bread, meat, dairy and even horseradish that people brought in their baskets.

There were 3 blessings at the Church on Holy Saturday morning and parishioners, new and longtime, attended.

Parishioner John Niedzialek and wife and granddaughters

Group of parishioners at St. Casimir

Watch this short video to see the Holy Saturday blessing from Fr. Eric and see some of the attendees in the beautiful church.

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Holy Saturday Food Blessing St Casimir Church8223 Sowinski Avenue, ClevelandApril 8, 2023

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Holy Saturday Food Blessing
St Casimir Church
8223 Sowinski Avenue, Cleveland
April 8, 2023