The wife made this yesterday for the passing of one of our parishioners. By way of explanation I've added the below from St. Luke Orthodox Church on Funeral Practices.
It is traditional in some of the parishes in the Orthodox Church for the relatives or friends of a deceased person to bring to the church a tray or bowl of boiled wheat sweetened with honey when they request a service for the repose of the soul of their dear one.
This sweetened boiled wheat is called kolivo or kutia. It is placed on a table in the church where the requiem service will be held. After the service is over, the family usually places a bit of kutia in a little cup, and those who prayed partake of it and ask God’s mercy upon the soul of the departed.
What is the meaning behind this beautiful custom? The wheat signifies that the deceased will resurrect from the grave. As wheat is put into the ground, dies and is reborn to bring fruit, so also those who have died, though their remains are dormant, will resurrect to a newer and fuller life in Christ.
The honey, which sweetens the wheat, is symbolic of the sweetness of everlasting life. This is the sweet gift which those who died in the true faith receive from Christ.
Kolivo or kutia can also be made with rice.
This sweetened boiled wheat is called kolivo or kutia. It is placed on a table in the church where the requiem service will be held. After the service is over, the family usually places a bit of kutia in a little cup, and those who prayed partake of it and ask God’s mercy upon the soul of the departed.
What is the meaning behind this beautiful custom? The wheat signifies that the deceased will resurrect from the grave. As wheat is put into the ground, dies and is reborn to bring fruit, so also those who have died, though their remains are dormant, will resurrect to a newer and fuller life in Christ.
The honey, which sweetens the wheat, is symbolic of the sweetness of everlasting life. This is the sweet gift which those who died in the true faith receive from Christ.
Kolivo or kutia can also be made with rice.
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May your parish member's Memory be Eternal.
ReplyDeleteI admit, I really like the taste of Kolyva.
Thanks. I'm told it was delicious.
ReplyDeleteI've had Kolvia made from rice. It seems like it is traditional for those Orthodox members who part of the Russian diaspora in China or Japan.
ReplyDeleteMemory Eternal.
It's also associated with Ukraine and surrounding countries who experienced the famine. I like the rice version quite a bit.
ReplyDeleteWow, I've never seen it done with rice. Your wife did a beautiful job! May your parishioner's memory be eternal!
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