Akathist by Mykhayl

HOLY SUPPER / MYSTICAL NOURISHMENT / SANCTIFIED BOUNTY

YESTERDAY, TODAY, TOMORROW (aka Heb 13:8)

MYSTICAL BOUNTY
Slavic Christmas Eve
Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow Productions

HISTORIC INTRO
From the time of pre-history during the Trypilian era through the Sythian epoch to our indigenous natives known to the Rus’ inhabited from the fertile Steppes of contemporary Ukraine following the sun into the Carpathian Mountains at heart of Europe as Sviata vecheria, presently in contemporary Slovakia and Poland called Vigilia and Lithuania Kucios. The sun was their beacon by day and it reflection in the moon by night. Known as Doshbo this sun lord was their god, the source of life. With the waning and waxing of daylight hours the ancient Rus insured its recovery from the darkness of the winter solstice with a reenactment of their life on the solstice mystical eve.

Within each clan’s homestead a tablecloth was spread upon the dining table to accommodate the ancestors and spirits who would visit during the magical time. Aromatic hay was strewn in furrows as the rich earth over their family member’s remains in the fields then some of every grain used in their agrarian labor was sewn into it. Over all another white tablecloth was laid as the snow covered their world outside. In the center a braided bread inserted with a candle illuminating all about symbolizing the sun’s bountiful warmth.

Of all mystical reenactments of life this is the only one that begun at biblical dawn, with the appearance of the first star. This feasting after a fast is common in Semitic tradition used by Islamic and Jewish observers today. On this day before the Solstice no nourishment would be be partaken of until the children’s traditional chore was completed, spying the first twinkle of this evening’s first star in the heavens.

A sheaf of grain, often wheat is brought in and set in the eastern corner, a hollowed spot which the benevolent sun’s smile would first worm in the morn. Decorated with ribbons or other fanciful treasures this is more then a mere decorative oddity like our contemporary Christmas trees, it would be the dwelling for visiting Yuletide spirits. At the dining table an extra setting would be set for them, given to any unexpected guest that may appear as another setting is made. Fresh straw was strewn in the floor, a prehistoric precursor of carpeting keeping the earths cold down.

CONTEMPORARY

In 988 Kyivan Rus’, the precursor to the modern Ukrainian State joined the European family of Christendom. These Rus were organically converting to Christianity as the Apostle Andrew blessed the site of the mother of all Rusyn cities; Kyiv and predicted its development with mutable Christian temples. Popes Clement and Marten were exiled and martyred here on the shores of the Black Sea, and their episcopal representation was recorded within the annals of the primary Christian Ecumenical Councils. Finding Biblical poetry, the Christian Gospels and liturgies in the language of the Rusyn inhabitants of the Crimean peninsula the seco-apostles of Europe Saints Cyril and Methodius codified an alphabet and organized a linguistic formula used for religious worship, organized according to Byzantine norms. Pope Adrian II approved their efforts and the seeds of their missions flourished with the grass rooted efforts of their predecessors. When the monarch of Kyiv Volodymyr wished to “Christianize” his people he not only found missionaries who could teach in a vernacular familiar to them but also found little resistance from his people as the Kyivan Rusyns were already predisposed to Christianity. This “conversion” of ancient traditions was so deeply lodged in the psychic of the offspring of their Rusyn progenitors when Ukraine emerged from the catacombs after the stranglehold of Soviet imperialism of national and spiritual persecution, Christianity erupted like wildfire across the land testifying to its prestablished validity.

The Rusyn pagan lifestyle changed little, because only the receiver of the mystical symbolism radically evolved into a Christian lifestyle. The winter solstice eve supper is now prepared for the eve of the feast of the birth of the Son of man, Jesus Christ. The proceeding fast hunger pangs was now to remind us of the labor pains the Virgin Mother suffered. Instead of honoring the 12 reflective moons in the annual lunar cycle the dozen entre’es now represent Christ’s Apostles. The candle no longer symbolizing the solar illumination of the sun-god rather represents the star of Bethlehem that marked the birth of the Sun of God and its braided bread candle holder was now a symbolic Christ child, one in the Holy Trinity.

As the descendants of Rus migrated due to economic strife as during the industrial revolution or slave repopulation as by the Nazi regime or genocidal cleansing as the Communist Akcija Wisla repatriation these mystical treasures from home were the only fortunes many managed to carry with them. As was true through the millenniums tradition dictated the parameters while taste and practicality directed the course of its outcome so the culture and new surroundings is organically reflective.

Braided round with twist edging Slovak Rus. Braided long with twist across top Halechyna. Braided wreath with twist edging , topping bowl Valyky Ukraina

Ukraine once as the breadbasket of Europe has numerous ritual breads. The bread used for the Christmas Eve’s Holy Supper’s candle holder centerpiece is braided, yet the shape and embellishments varies. In Eastern Ukraine three wreaths are stacked as a covering over the prehistoric cereal dish Kutya. As this area generally eats kutya as a first course these breads are transferred to the center of the table and candle inserted. In the areas whose population swelled after the Mongolian sack of Kyiv the capital of Rus in 12?? known as Galecia, an elongated braided loaf sprinkled with poppy seed is common. In Rusyn ethnological territories of Slovakia the bread is braided then shaped in a rounded loaf often studded with garlic slivers. Either style, embellishment or even recopy is correct as long as it emphasize the Christ child as one within the Holy Trinity. Often a secondary twist is added to emphasize that the Son of God is likewise the Son of man, duly divine and human in nature.

PROSPHORA
Stamped bread given out in church Sunday before, and incense, hay. Can count as one, two or three served on bread.
As the meal for the eve of the nativity of Christ amongst the Ukrainians is a combination of traditions it is prepared using recipes developed for times of abstinence. The Christian tradition shun worm blooded meats and dairy products while the more ancient custom celebrating the winter solstice were prepared using only items from the earth, from the agricultural bounty. Some families start their Holy Supper by breaking and sharing bread. Prosphora is the bread Eastern Christians use for communion made of only three elements, wheat flour, water and yeast, acceptable for times of abstinence. It is made into a double stacked bun which is stamped with the Grecian monogram for “Jesus Christ conquers”. As an acceptable item for the Svaty Vecerer meal many parishes pass out these buns the Sunday before Christmas so the parish family can be a part of the breaking of the bread to share with their parishioners extended family members. The Holy Eucharist is not the only communal offering given to their people, and these sacramental can be shared with anyone. I heard of a family who spends Christmas Eve with their in-laws, so to share the church bread the mom cubes it and adds it to her stuffing in their Christmas day turkey dinner. It works.

Open a can of kraut, taste from the can. Eat garlic and honey on prosphora, Put garlic cloves at table corner. The four corners garlic to repel evil, honey blessed on Pascha. Which used this imagery first Svaty Vechera or Passover?

In order to teach acceptance of lives developments from our choices everyone is expected to at least a taste of every foods presented. A common entre’e is uncooked sauerkraut, a fermented food made from the sweet cabbage. Many at the supper will sample it saying it is “sour” and the hostess will take it from the table like the traitor Judas who left the last supper table to betray Christ. Honey and garlic is of ancient origin eaten together as a reminder that life possesses both the bitter with the sweet. Amongst many families this combination is served on a piece of prosphora bread and shared at the meal with the seasonal greeting of “Khrystos rozdyetcha”, that is Christ is born. Whether this symbol was organically added to the Jewish Passover meal from our tradition or from theirs to ours we may never really know, but it is the lesson that is important. Whether this counts as on or two of the customary 12 entre’es depends on you preparation of the other dishes. If it is a meager spread I guess salt and pepper can count as two more. Another custom we know Hollywood took from us is the use of garlic to word off evil. As no one may be turned from ones door on this eve as did the innkeeper to the Blessed Mother and Saint Joseph, cloves are put on the four corners of the dining table as mystical sentries to repel evil from joining the assembly.
BORSCH Dice, chop fresh beets, bowls of soups,
mix cans of soup and beets in pot on stove
This or that, even though things may change they really remains the same. A soup often accompany most Ukrainian meals. On Christmas eve this soup can be vegetarian split pea, mushroom, sauerkraut or the ever popular entre’e amongst our people borsch. There are numerous ways of making this soup from beets or with beets. For this Holy Supper one starts with a mushroom stock. In the hustle and bustle of North America one may not have the time to slice, dice, saute, fry, boil and simmer. It would not be wrong to open a can of vegetarian vegetable soup and mix it with one of diced beets. I won’t call it Ukrainian borsch but it will work. I bet you already thought of another you could substitute with.

FRIED MUSHROOMS

String of dried mushroom, jar of dried mushrooms, jar of pickled, chop & fry fresh, pour gravy over holubtchi

Mushrooms are called the meat of many a Lenten meal. Mushrooms are truly from the earth’s bounty. It doesn’t matter if you prefer reconstituting dried mushrooms imported from the motherland or from a domestic jar of dried mushrooms. You may prefer simply opening a jar of pickled mushrooms or budget your time to slice and fry fresh mushrooms. Mushrooms can be made into a vegetarian sauce to be used as a gravy for potatoes or holubtchy cabbage rolls. Holy Supper should be an appetizing event not a dreaded obligation. Lessens are better learned with positive reinforcement rather that negative aspects. As they say you get more flies with honey than with vinegar.

HOLUBTCHI
Holubtchi cabbage rolls called holubtchy are a favorite entre’e at many Ukrainian meals. To purl the Lenten aspect for Holy Supper vegetarian fillings substitute the usual ground meat and rice mixture. You may wish substituting with a Ukrainian favorite kasha, that’s buckwheat or an American preferred rice either mixed with sauteed mushrooms and onions. Mashed potatoes can even be substituted. If you wish not to bother submerging the cabbage in boiling water to make the leaves p[liable try throwing the cabbage head in the freezer overnight then thawing it so the leaves peel off the head wilted before rolling. Modern shortcuts are not cheating, it the Holy Supper’s fellowship that is important not the cuisine.

VARENEKY

Vareneky or as they are known in the west pyrohy are boiled dumpling pockets filled with various items like potatoes, kraut or fruits as prunes. In Western Pennsylvania nearly every town has a parish or two that make them as a fund raiser. It will only strengthen the lessons of Holy Supper if you in turn support a charitable organization by purchasing items from them. What better way to insure blessings upon yourself than to help a charity. Cutting down on your workload is a blessing isn’t it? Unless your one of the volunteers doing the work.

KESELYTCHA

Pour water from pot of oatmeal, put in bread, show frozen, pour over potatoes
Many of the foods used in ancestral kitchens were byproducts from another entre’e. From my morning oatmeal I poured off the liquid and with a slice of old bread allowed it to ferment overnight. This we use as a vegetarian gravy over potatoes called “keselytcha”. This and many of the other dishes I simply make ahead of time and freeze. During the hustle and bustle of the holidays I simply thaw, worm and serve all 12 courses of my Holy Supper entre’es to my relatives, including an overwhelmed sister in law and shopping fatigued nieces. They think I’ve slaved all day rather than leisurely budgeting my time days ahead. My favorite kitchen aid is the defrost cycle on the microwave. If you have leftovers you can repeat this meal on twelth-night eve, before Theorphany or Epiphany. However you say it, it is an older and greater feast than Christmas, it’s just not a Hallmark holiday.

BAKED PYROHY

Pull dough out of bread machine, crack open roll tube, fill and bake
Pampushky are filled yeast rolls topped with honey. Even with a bread machine making the dough as a time saving feature, it is still a time consuming task. Try popping a canister of yeast rolls, flatten and wrap around a ball of filling like mashed potatoes , stewed vegetables or prunes, then simply bake for 12 minutes at 350o. Do try the prunes, your digestive tract will thank you the next day. Digestive pangs are suppose to be experienced from fasting before the Holy Supper to remind us of the labor pains the Blessed Mother suffered, no after this multi dished feast that stick to your ribs. Try it, you will thank me later. If you are repeating this meal for the eve of Theorphany with new holy water you probable won’t have the day off to cook so try these shortcuts.
FISH ASPIC

Wash fish, put into mold, take out of fridge unmold

Who knows when holding this Holy Supper on the eve of the baptism of Christ came into practice, with the change of popularity to the Nativity was there a natural transformation? I don’t know, organic adaptations are not the only ways things change. In the Ukrainian church we often complain of Latinization, but many times it is derived from proselytizeation. Fish entered the Ukrainian Holy Supper dietary options from the Muscovite church after they subjugated their Rusyn mother church in the 17th century. Today many families simply open a jar of pickled herring, and those with Italian relatives attending will naturally have several Mediterranean fish dishes. If you want a spectacular looking entre’e a fish in asp mold can be an exciting addition, especially when you unmold it. Don’t get hung up on specifics. As any Ukrainian priest can tell you when he announces a fasting period that falls on a Sunday there are always those who tell him “Father, were not suppose to fast on Sundays as every Sunday is another Easter. After all is not Pascha the most important event?” My advice to younger clergy is don’t argue, as St Paul warned make no unnecessary regulations that may cause the faithful to stumble. Yes they are canonically wrong, but isn’t their old wife’s wisdom beautiful?

COMPOTE

12 dried fruits, cut fresh fruit salad open can fruit cocktail, chips and sausa
My mother slowly gathered a dozen different dried fruits as her budget allowed to cook into a compote fruit stew for Christmas eve’s Holy Supper. With a more disposable budget and refrigeration I liked doing a fresh fruit salad. Today if I am not invited to join someone’s Holy Supper, or don’t feel like going to a church hall where they have a covered dish Holy Supper open to the public, like me, I’ll simply open a can of fruit cocktail. By the way is there anything wrong with opening a bag of taco chips and jar of sausa? It’s festive isn’t it?

KUTYA

Bowls of wheat, nuts, poppy seeds, nuts, pressure cooker, jar poppy seeds
The nearest entre’e to a staple at Holy Supper amongst the Rus’ is a prehistoric cereal dish called kutya. From our prehistoric berry picking ancestors wild grain was boiled and mixed with honey, poppy seeds and sometimes nuts. A singular grain is used like barley, oats and with Ukraine’s abundant golden wheat fields often it is wheat. That must have been a chore fore our grandparents, husking, soaking, boiling. Thank God for my pressure cooker, processed poppy seed filling, shelled nuts and bottled honey. As the oldest of recipes many families start their Holy Supper with kutya, others reserve it as a desert item. Whichever doesn’t matter as long as you remember to keep this sacred night holy with good food, good friends and most importantly keeping Christ in Christmas.

ASSEMBLY OF CLAN
MUSIC instrumental BOH PREDVEECHNIY

All interviewed walk in file carrying item they talked about,
assemble around table, cross themselves 3 X.

There are as may variations as there are gatherings. As the Ukrainian Bard Taras addressed in his Epistle, Holy Supper mystically brings together “those Deceased, those Living, and to those yet Unborn, … all my brethren living within Ukraine and outside”. Holy Supper is essentially the same. Whether it was celebrated 6,000 BC precursor Christianity on the shores of the Black Sea, in the palace of Kyiv during our amalgamation into Europe’s family of Christendom, or 21st century Pittsburgh Pennsylvania it is the same. As long as the family alter, the dining table is set as a manger, with a candle in a bread centerpiece it is the same. Although a lighted candle is customary at any of our holyday meals, usually eaten during daylight Holy Supper is celebrated during evening tide. The clan whether being a nuclear family, an extended family, a parish or society of friends the fellowship is the same. Twelve dishes are strived for whether prepared by a singular host or through an orchestrated covered dish assembly by many. All share in the bounty of life as granted from the benevolent Lord, whose birth we celebrate. After dinner it is often the custom to sing Christmas Carols, sometimes going around the table so each can choose their favorite selection. Or as in our ancestral past groups of singers gather to visit and sing of the wonders of this Holy Evening.

In Ukrainian winter garb choir comes in with star
POLAZNIC well wish, English (MUST BE BY A MALE, preferably dark haired)

We choose to greet you in this Ukrainian way.
So our Good Lord may bless this household this day.
May you all have good health through the coming year.
Crowned with happiness, wealth, and a life free of fear.
Drink of Jordan’s waters and throughout the winter’s cold.
To the joy of Easter may your fortunes unfold.
Through the Paschal singing, unto the Ascension Day.
To the Spirit’s coming on holy Green Sunday.
May you live in our ways of love and happiness.
Through this cycle of days to another Christmas.
We know in God’s wisdom He will call you one day.
In His kingdom may you reign, we all do pray.
Accept with our well wishes with all these traditions.
Intoned for over a millennium with this petition.
Veselyh Svyat i Bazhaemo vam
(May these majestic holidays greet all of you)
Za Novum Rokom ta Rizdvom Khrystovym
(this holyday and throughout the New Year)
Let us proclaim our joy Khrystos Rozdayetsya!
(Christ is born!)
All: Slavetye Yeho!
(Glorify Him!)

See seen of Palehia feeding Yury Holy Super from the classic Ukrainian film SHADOWS OF FORGOTTEN ANCESTORS from 1964 by Sergei Parajanov http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadows_of_Forgotten_Ancestors.