In preparation for Ukrainian Easter on April 19, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church once again held the Easter (Paschal) Basket blessing on Great Saturday, April 18, as is the custom. But due to COVID-19 restrictions and the need for social distancing, the blessing was performed in a drive-through format in front of the Church, according to Rev. Fr. Petro Tsenov. Tsenov gave the blessing from the sidewalk, at least six feet back from any vehicle. He was kept busy, with an estimated 75 to 100 vehicles taking part.
“The front windows were open, the Paschal Basket was on the passenger side and blessed through the open window,” he said. “People did not get out of their vehicle. All this is agreed and cleared with the Health Authorities. This is the best that we could do to bless the Paschal Baskets.”
Tsenov said if some were unable or chose not to attend, there is a way to bless the Paschal Baskets at home with Holy Water, saying Paschal Blessing Prayers and singing “Christ is Risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and those in the tombs, bestowing Life,” (repeated three times). The head of the family greets all around the table with “Christ is Risen,” (repeated three times).
“The blessing and sharing of the Paschal meal are an important and treasured tradition in our homes and in our churches,” said Tsenov. “This temporary measure allows us to participate in and keep our connection with, our faith as we celebrate the radiant, bright and glorious Resurrection of our Lord, God and Saviour, Jesus Christ.”
The contents of the basket each contribute important symbolic elements:
• Eggs – decorated Ukrainian pysanky or various dyed or plain white eggs; symbolizing hope, new life and Christ’s Resurrection from the tomb.
• Butter – dairy products are included to celebrate the end of Lent and the richness of salvation, a reminder to us of the goodness of Christ that we should have toward all things.
• Easter Bread – a round loaf, sweetened yeast Paska or rye, topped with a cross, symbolic of Jesus, the Bread of Life.
• Horseradish – symbolic of the bitterness and harshness of the Passion of Christ; the vinegar is mixed with symbolizing the sour wine given to Jesus on the cross but sweetened with some sugar because of the Resurrection. This may be white or pink with grated red beets.
• Pepper – also symbolic of the Passion of Christ and the bitter herbs.
• Kielbasa/Sausage – the links are symbolic of the chains of death that were broken when Jesus rose from the dead, as well as God’s favour and generosity.
• Ham, Lamb or Veal – meats are symbolic of great joy and abundance in Christ’s Resurrection.
• Smoked Bacon – with its great fattiness, it is a symbol of the overabundance of God’s mercy and generosity.
• Salt – a necessary element in physical life; symbolic of purification, prosperity and justice; preserves from corruption. Jesus used its symbolism: “You are the salt of the earth.”
• Cheese – usually fresh, dry curd or farmer’s cheese shaped into a ball, it is the symbol of the moderation Christians should practice.
The food included within any basket can be easily personalized to meet family needs and desires. However, the two-part blessing specifically addresses special prayers for the meats, eggs, cakes and breads.
A linen cover embroidered with a picture of the Risen Christ with the symbol or words "Christ is Risen" covers the food when it is brought to the church.
“The historical roots of this custom have to do with the forbidding of eating meat, eggs and dairy products during Lent,” said Tsenov. “At the end of what was termed the Great Lent, people expressed their joy by taking the food to the church where it was blessed. They then celebrated Easter Sunday by eating the blessed food.”
In other years, the baskets were usually blessed inside the Church.
“The people sing "Christ is Risen" three times while the priest censes (burns incense in a censer) the Paschal Baskets,” said Tsenov. “If the Paschal Baskets are blessed during a procession around the church, then they process around once, after which the priest reads the Prayer of Blessing, whereas during the second procession he censes the Paschal Baskets, and blesses them with Holy Water at the third procession, simultaneously people are singing: “May God Arise" and other verses.
“The priest sprinkles the Paschal Baskets with Holy Water, saying: ‘These Paschal Baskets are blessed with the sprinkling of this Holy Water, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.’ He then intones the Paschal Dismissal and greets all that brought Paschal Baskets.”
Tsenov said the Easter (Paschal) Basket blessing is essential in the life of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
“Our church is based on Holy Scripture and Holy Tradition, these are two elements that we carried through the centuries and for me, as well as for our congregation, these things are very important,” he explained. “Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ or Holy Easter, which is a Feast of Feasts, we Ukrainians cannot imagine being without all the Easter services and without blessing of Easter Baskets. This is a very significant part of our history and our tradition.”
Even during this time of necessary social distancing, it was important for the congregation to find a way to continue the tradition.
“We must accustom our children and grandchildren and their descendants to our faith,” said Tsenov. “In today’s circumstances, when the world is in great trouble, because of coronavirus, we must adhere to our faith and ask the Lord for His help, so He could help us quickly defeat this tribulation.
“We will try to do our best to preserve the purity of the Holy Scripture and our Faith, but the part that can be adapted or changed for the survival of mankind, we will definitely change. The main thing is, it’s not so important where, but important how and what people have in their hearts, in order to bring these beliefs and traditions to our descendants,” he concluded.
