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Blessing of the Baskets at St. Isidore’s Church in Riverhead Saturday

BARBARAELLEN KOCH PHOTOS | The Blessing of the Baksets ceremony at St. Isidore's Church in Riverhead on Saturday.

St. Isidore’s Pastor Father Kuznik began the traditional Polish Blessing of the Baskets Saturday morning at 9 a.m. in the church’s sanctuary.

The blessing was held four times Saturday to accommodate local parishioners and those Polish-Americans who live farther away. Father Kuznik read the prayers in both Polish and English.

The baskets are full of wonderful things for the Easter Sunday meal, such as butter, bread, kielbasa, hard-boiled colored eggs, horseradish, baked sweet buns, chocolates and cheeses.

The ceremony is meant to seek God’s blessing of the baskets as a sign of new life and the resurrection of Christ. The baskets traditionally are covered with white lace or linen and decorated with spring flowers.

It is indeed a beautiful event. The children make their own baskets, full of jelly beans and delicious candy. Just another wonderful tradition that makes this holiday so special.

BARBARAELLEN KOCH PHOTO | A ceremonial Easter basket at St. Isidore's.