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Jola Dziubinska | all galleries >> POLAND - MY BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY >> Christmas In Poland, 2005-2021 > Oplatek
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10-DEC-2014 Jola Dziubinska

Oplatek

Warsaw, Poland

I have already got the wafers from the church and will be sending them over to my family and friends who live away of Poland.

It's a long tradition in Poland to have OPŁATEK on the Christmas Eve table.
A semi-transparent thin wafer (Oplatek), has been specially made of flour and water and blessed by the priest, and it has some religious sign stamped upon it - IHS or a pictured scenes of the Nativity.
It is a custom that at the begining of the Christmas Eve Supper the father breaks the wafer with the mother, and then with everyone present.
Family members and friends break off a small piece of the wafer and give it to one another along with a blessing and wishing a Happy Christmas.
Breaking off and sharing part of oplatek with someone is a symbol of forgiveness between people, good wishes and of their unity with Christ.
It is also to remind of the importance of Christmas, God, and family.

Nikon D700 ,Nikkor AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G ED
1/30s f/2.8 at 42.0mm iso280 full exif

other sizes: small medium original auto
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Janice Dunn14-Dec-2014 05:41
What a lovely custom this is - we have nothing like this in NZ, not in the Catholic church nor other Christian churches.
Mieke WA Minkjan13-Dec-2014 06:56
a great tradition to share the oplatek with others
Stephanie12-Dec-2014 14:31
Gorgeous wafers that have a wonderful meaning! V
LynnH12-Dec-2014 02:44
I think it's a wonderful tradition! And we always need forgiveness, good wishes and a reminder that Christmas is about Christ.
larose forest photos12-Dec-2014 02:44
A lovely shot and a really wonderful tradition. I am glad it is still being observed. V
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