This is as new to me, as it might be to many of you. I knew little about Polish customs, or history, but have enjoyed learning!

Full credit and thanks to: Robert Strybel

Popielec, Sroda Popielocowa. ~ Ash Wednesday traditionally ends the period of pre-Lenten merriment known as Karnawal or Zapusty and ushers in 40 days of fast and penance in preparation for Easter. Priests sprinkle the heads of the faithful with ashes while saying, Pamietaj, czlowiecze, ze z prochu powstales i w proch sie obrocisz. (Remember, man, thou art dust and to dust thou shall return.) ;

Wielki Post ~ Literally "the Great Fast," Lent is a time of special services, retreats, fasting and individual acts of penance. Liquor and raucous entertainment are avoided, and very few weddings take place. ;

Gorzkie Zale ~ Ancient chants retracing the Passion and Crucifixion of Christ form the essence of this typically Polish weekly Lenten service that takes its name from the words of the hymn, "Gorzkie zale przybywajcia" (Come to us, bitter lamentations). ;

Dzien Swietego Jozefa ~ Although few Polish babies nowadays are named Jozef, in the past this was a very popular name. To allow the many Josephs to celebrate their namesday, the Church would grant a dispensation from the rigors of Lent on March 19. ;

Topienie Marzanny ~ The custom of drowning Marzanna, the symbol of winter, was most popular among youngsters in the Opole region of Slask (Silesia). They would carry a straw effigy dressed in rags on a pole through the village and dump it into the nearest river or lake amid songs and laughter. ;

Wielki Tydzien ~ The culmination of Lent is Holy Week, appropriately known in Polish as "the Great Week." The most important are the first day, Palm Sunday, and the last three, known by the Latin term, "Triduum." The remaining days are largely set aside for the physical preparation for Easter. shopping, baking and house-cleaning.

Niedziela Palmowa ~ In the past, Palm Sunday was called Niedziela Kwietna (floral Sunday), because bouquets of wildflowers, pussy willows and evergreens were blessed in churches, rather than real, subtropical palms, which were not available. ;

Bazie, Kotki ~ Pussy willow branches are cut several weeks ahead and placed in water so they sprout their furry, little buds by Palm Sunday. According to one old folk custom, swallowing one of the buds was said to ensure health all year. Girls also could expect to have their legs thrashed by boys with pussy willow branches. ;

Topienie Judasza ~ On Holy Wednesday, youngsters enjoyed hurling an effigy of Judas from the church steeple. It was then dragged through the village, pounded with sticks and stones and what was left of it was drowned in a nearby pond or river. ;

Kalwaria ~ Calvary is the name of several Polish localities that serve as retreat and pilgrimage centers especially during Holy Week. The best known Kalwaria Zebrzydowska near Pope John Paul II's birthplace of Wadowice.

Wielki Czwartek ~ Holy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper when Christ instituted the priesthood. In cathedrals, bishops wash the feet of 12 elderly men just as Christ did his apostles before the supper. ;

Wielki Piatek ~ Good Friday, the most somber day of the year, is a day of solemn church services centering on the Death of Christ. The sorrowful mood is enhanced by such plaintive hymns as "Ludu, moj ludu" and "W Krzyzdu cierpienie." The violet draping is removed from the Crucifix, which is displayed for public veneration, and a tableau of Christ's Tomb is unveiled. ;

Grob Panski, Bozy Grob ~ A lifesize figure of Christ lying in His tomb is widely visited by the faithful, especially on Holy Saturday. The tableaux may include flowers, candles, figures of angels standing watch, the three crosses atop Mt. Calvary and much more. Each parish strives to come up with the most artistically and religiously evocative arrangement in which the Blessed Sacrament, draped in a filmy veil, is prominently displayed. ;

Swiecone ~ Baskets containing a sampling of Easter foods are brought to church to be blessed on Holy Saturday. The basket is traditionally lined with a white linen or lace napkin and decorated with sprigs of boxwood ( bukszpan), the typical Easter evergreen.

Pisanki ~ Although this term has come to mean Easter eggs in general, strictly speaking it refers only to those eggs decorated with the molten-wax technique. Various regions have developed designs of their own, which include floral and geometric patterns, typical Easter motifs (the Lamb, Cross, pussy willow), the greeting, "Wesolego Alleluja," or simply "Alleluja" and the current year. ;

Baranek Wielkanocny ~ The Easter Lamb bearing a cross-emblazoned flag represents Christ Resurrected and is thus the typical Polish Easter symbol. The lamb adorns greeting cards, sugar lambs are blessed in Easter baskets and plaster lambs form the centerpiece of the swieconka table. ;

Rezurekcja ~ The joyous Easter morning Mass at daybreak when church bells ring out and explosions resound to commemorate the bright flash and thunderous rumble heard when Christ rose from the dead. Before the Mass begins, a festive procession with the Blessed Sacrament carried beneath a canopy thrice encircles the church. Janging handbells are vigorously shaken by altarboys, the air is filled with incense and the faithful raise their voices heavenward in a triumphant rendering of age-old Easter hymns.;

Swiecone ~ After Easter Mass, the faithful hurry home to feast on the delicacies they saw little of during Lent. Cold dishes predominate like ham, kielbasa, roast meats, pasztat (pate), hard-boiled eggs in various sauces, salads, beet and horseradish relish (cwikla), followed by such holiday cakes as babka, mazurek and sernik. In some families the breakfast starts with a tart, whitish soup containing eggs and kielbasa, known as bialy barszcz in eastern Poland and zurek elsewhere.

Dzielenie Sie Jajkiem ~ Before Easter breakfast begins, members of the family consume wedges of blessed Easter eggs and exchange best wishes in much the same way as oplatek is shared on Christmas Eve. ;

Lany Poniedzialek ~ Wet Easter Monday was traditionally the day boys tried to drench girls with squirt guns, buckets of water, and much more. The girls got their chances for revenge the following day. Now things have become a free-for-all with young people drenching anyone in sight.

Smigus Dyngus ~ This term is now generally applied to the Easter Monday drenching custom, although originally each part of the term meant something else. Dyngus once signified a kind of house-to-house Easter trick or treating that has survived only in a few rural areas. The merrymakers often pulled along a special cart with a live or wooden rooster and received treats and drinks from the householders they visited. ;

Emmaus ~ An outdoor fair held in Krakow for centuries at Easter time. It still features stands selling toys, trinkets and food and is visited by countless Krakovians eager to get a little exercise after long bouts of feasting round the Easter table. ;

Gaik ~ Literally "little grove," this is the name of a small evergreen decorated with ribbons, flowers, possibly suspended Easter eggs that is carried house to house by singing, trick-or-treating youngsters who are given eggs and other treats by householders. The custom is now largely confined to rural areas of Opole in southwest Poland.