Wigilia
Sign in to saveWigilia () is the traditional Christmas Eve vigil supper in Poland, held on 24 December. The term is often applied to the whole of Christmas Eve, extending further to Pasterka—midnight Mass, held in Roman Catholic churches all over Poland and in Polish communities worldwide at or before midnight. The custom is sometimes referred to as "wieczerza" or "wieczerza wigilijna", in Old Polish meaning evening repast, which is linked to the late church service or Vespers. The word Wigilia derives from the Latin vigil. The associated feasting follows a day of abstinence and traditionally begins once the
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Encyclopedic overview
8 sectionsContents
- Traditions and customs
- The Wigilia supper
- The Shepherd's mass
- The Christmas breakfast
- Gallery
- See also
- References
- External links
Wigilia () is the traditional Christmas Eve vigil supper in Poland, held on 24 December. The term is often applied to the whole of Christmas Eve, extending further to Pasterka—midnight Mass, held in Roman Catholic churches all over Poland and in Polish communities worldwide at or before midnight. The custom is sometimes referred to as "wieczerza" or "wieczerza wigilijna", in Old Polish meaning evening repast, which is linked to the late church service or Vespers. The word Wigilia derives from the Latin vigil. The associated feasting follows a day of abstinence and traditionally begins once the First Star has been sighted. Christmas is also sometimes called "Gwiazdka", "little star".
==Traditions and customs== thumb|Christmas tree in a Polish home Children usually decorate the Christmas tree. Sometimes a handful of hay is placed under the tablecloth of the dining table to symbolise Jesus's birth in a manger.
Excerpted from Wikipedia’s “Wigilia” article, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.