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Answer:
Dr. Alexander Roman
alex@unicorne.org
The use of the special bread called the
"Korovay" during Ukrainian weddings certainly does predate Christianity!
Ukrainians and others attending Ukrainian weddings in North America
sometimes call the Korovay the "Ukrainian wedding cake," although the
comparison really isn't a good one.
There usually are more than one Korovay at any given wedding, each with
different roles. One would be baked to serve to guests, another would be
used during the rite of blessing of the couple on their wedding day etc.
The Korovay was used in pre-Christian times by our ancestors the "White
Alans" or the "Roxo-lans." The alternative name for Ukraine was in use
even during the Kozak Period "Roxolania."
As an aside, the name "Ukraine" does NOT come from "okrayiny" or
"borderlands" as Russian and Polish historiography has always maintained -
and which Western histories of Ukraine, including those written by
Ukrainians, have likewise uncritically assumed.
It actually comes from the term "Ukrayaty" or to "cut out." The Ukrainians
were always very close to their land and had to always do battle with
invading forces occupying it in order to "cut out" as much as they could
from what was occupied. A very good discussion of this is contained in
"mini" form in the sermons of the Ukrainian Orthodox Priest, Fr. Sluzar
(+memory eternal!) and, in longer form, in Professor Kosarenko's THE
MUSCOVITE SPHINX.
The Korovay represents, therefore, the Divine gifts of life and prosperity
from nature, especially the Earth to which Ukrainian culture is deeply
attached.
It also represents the gift of the love and support for the newly married
couple of their entire family and community.
In its Christianized version, the Korovay represents the gift of Christ
Himself, the Bread of Divine Life to the young couple.
The main Korovay will be decorated with rich symbolism. The circular form
of the bread reminds us of the sun and of the Son of God Who is our "Sun"
that warms us all with His Divine Love.
The two doves represent the married couple themselves.
The "hiltse" or "tree of life" is a fertility symbol representing family
life and children. The periwinkle represents love and purity in terms of
marital fidelity.
Bread in general is sacred to Ukrainians, as it is the medium by which
Christ Himself comes to us in a physical/spiritual way in Holy Communion,
that when a piece of bread happens to fall to the ground, it is
reverentially and immediately picked up and kissed to show great respect
toward it.
A new loaf of bread, which in Ukrainian tradition is always round in
shape, is always cut in cross-wise fashion and blessed by the head of the
household before any may partake of it.
Bread as the staff of life and the great Eucharistic Symbol of Christ
Himself is used to greet and bless guests at the door, together with salt.
For me, the very term "Ukrainian" with its stem referring to "cutting out"
also relates to the cutting out of bread particles during the various
ceremonies and "rites de passage" at which bread is used.
Ultimately, it is a communal symbol par excellence that relates intimately
to Holy Communion in that we, as a Ukrainian community, are "one loaf of
bread" in Christ.
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