Tradition of blessing food in church at Easter in Poland

My partner has asked me to go to the Polish church today to get the food blessed (eggs, sausages etc.). He cant go as he is working today. Can someone please explain why this is so important and why you cant eat it until the next day?

food baskets for blessing:





Wiki article in Polish:
pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Święconka
Według badań CBOS (2000) w zwyczaju święcenia pokarmów w Wielką Sobotę uczestniczy 95% obywateli Polski
(According to a 2000 poll, 95% of Polish citizens respect the custom of blessing food on Holy Saturday)
It's just one of those harmless traditions, noone see why s/he would have to abandon it :)
I respect it too, and I haven't been to a church service for 20 years or so (except weddings and funerals)

Wiki article in English: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Święconka

Edit:
Without going into religious considerations, this custom is usually loved by kids (of course most of them want to eat before Easter Sunday, so you just have to keep the basket out of their reach, but they are also introduced to the concept of fasting which is good as a an example of abstaining from certain things, usuful later in life, as you can't get everything you'd like to have), therefore when they grow up, they keep those fond childhood memories.

Just one of the reasons I can think of right now.

I was already with my eggs...

Just come back from church. Had trouble stopping the kids from eating the food.

why doyougo to church, do you actually believe in god LMAO HAHAHAHAH

I don;t believe in god either.....but i think its very wrong to mock those that do....i guess its some kind of revenge for people laughing at you all the time...but its not right...

Exactly, faith is faith and u shouldn't knock it

we'll see who has the last laugh :o))

FOOD BLESSING -- MOST WIDESPREAD POLISH EASTER CUSTOM

Like the opłatek-sharing of Wigilia, the blessing of Easter food at church on Holy Saturday is the most popular Polish Easter custom, observed by some 95% of families in Poland and a great many in Polonian communities abroad. In the US it has also caught on amongst non-Poles who have been exposed to it in their parishes. There must be something inherently attractive and inviting about it.

Food blessed with dirty holy water tastes better.

'holy water' is normally kept in silver containers and it does not become foul in time

It's a big tradition, but not strictly limited to Poles. There are many Italians that observe this tradition, as well as other nationalities.

Among Poles, designing Easter eggs is a big deal. At some places, contests are held for the best Easter eggs in terms of colors, style, etc. But you decorate your eggs, then decorate your basket, add in bread, sausage, butter, etc., and go to church for a blessing. You're thankful for the food you have, and ask for it to be blessed, as well as asking for feasting (aka, not going hungry) over the coming year.

This is very big tradition in Polish culture come Easter. Christmas Eve has it's own set of traditions to be observed. The death of a family member/close friend has it's own set of traditions to observe, etc. It's our culture.

Its not important its a lot of mumbo jumbo, hocus pocus.


LOL @ Magic water.

Well English, Scottish and Welsh people do it too !

Are you nonimmigration in disguise lol

Without going into much detail, Polish Ester traditions have old Slavic roots in Jare Swieto. The traditions were eventually incorporated in the Christian rituals.