Editorial photo #2588858 Religion and Belief

Holy Saturday's Blessing of the Food in Ireland

Family during the ceremony of blessing Easter basketsat The St Mary's Church, Claddagh on Saterday , March 31, 2018, in Galway, Ireland. Polish Catholics living in Ireland celebrate blessing of food (Swieconka) on Holy Saturday. Swieconka- a traditional Polish Easter celebration where baskets full of Ester food are blessed. Blessed food is eaten for Easter Sunday breakfast. The blessing of the Easter baskets is one of the most enduring and beloved Polish traditions on Holy Saturday. The foods that will be blessed are to ensure fertility, abundance, and health throughout the year. Each of food in the basket has symbolic meaning: Lamb - the sign of the Resurrected Christ, Salt - protection against deterioration, Bread - symbolizes food for the soul, means the Body of Christ, is a symbol of prosperity, abundance and satiety, Egg - a symbol of new life, Butter - a symbol of prosperity, cured meat - to ensure well-being and health. (Photo by Szymon Barylski/NurPhoto)