Polish 'Opłatek' or Lithuanian 'kalėdaitis' as a symbol of forgiveness

Christmas wafer (’’opłatek’’ - ‘’kalėdaitis’’)

One of the most beautiful traditions we have in Lithuanian and in Poland is sharing the communion wafer. This is a tradition celebrated in Lithuania, Poland, Latvia, and Slovakia. During Christmas meal –Wigilia/Christmas Eve – family members break the piece of the wafer and pass to each other saying words of gratitude and wishing merry Christmas. This ritual runs every year as a form of joy and peace, letting all the conflicts, fights and problems fade away. The head of the family usually the oldest says a prayer and word of gratitude such as"God grant that we are all together again next year" indicating how family value is important and letting each of family members think about their life.   

 17th-century custom becomes a family tradition

This tradition comes from the early Christianity and as custom had the origin in the 17th century in Poland, where was part szlachta Polska (privileged noble class in Poland and Lithuania) tradition. You may ask why both Polish and Lithuania have the same tradition? The answer lies in the history of these two countries, which existed as a Rzeczpospolita Obojga Narodow (Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth) back in 1569-1795. Who would think that today this tradition will be common even at the schools or at work? Probably any the Polish or Lithuanian Duke wouldn’t have expected this becoming a common tradition present in the 21-century modern family.   

’’Opłatek’’ – how does it look like?

’’Opłatek’’ is a wheat flour and water baked wafer with a Christmas image. It is made in the same way as the one altar bread present at Eucharist in Roman Catholic Church visible during consecration during Mass.

Usually, it is brought from the church and has a unique image of Holy Family, Star of Bethlehem, Virgin Mary with baby Jesus or Angel. Moreover, every year I get more than 2 of these wafer ’’opłatek’’, as I send it with the postcard to my family or friends abroad. Have you noticed that writing letters and sending presents brings you more joy than receiving? Every time I write a card and send ’’opłatek’’ I feel as if I am now next to that person and have a chance to wish merry Christmas, be grateful and share the joy. Thus, this ’’opłatek’’  is traveling across different countries sending joy and blessings to the loved ones.

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