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Food and faith converge at Ukrainian Seminary Day in Primrose
//food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/07/28 .. verge-at-ukrainian-seminary-day-in-primrose.html
Published in Food and Wine on Monday, July 28th 2025 at 19:27 GMT by Republican & Herald, Pottsville, Pa.🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
PRIMROSE Continuing a tradition begun nearly a century ago, Frank Machita stirred the contents of a large black cauldron Sunday morning in the grove at St. Nicholas Hall. An 84-year-old retired insurance adjuster, Machita was making bean soup the way it had been made by Ukrainian immigrants who came to work in the region's coal mines. "When you make it in a kettle over an open fire, bean ...
Food and Faith Converge at Ukrainian Seminary Amidst Tradition and Turmoil
In the rolling hills of western Ukraine, where ancient forests meet the Carpathian Mountains, stands the Holy Spirit Seminary in Lviv. This venerable institution, a cornerstone of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, has long been a beacon of spiritual formation for aspiring priests. But beyond the echoing chants of liturgy and the rigorous study of theology, there's another profound element that binds the community together: food. Here, at this seminary, the acts of preparing, sharing, and consuming meals are not mere necessities but sacred rituals that intertwine deeply with faith, fostering a sense of communion that mirrors the Eucharist itself. As Ukraine grapples with the ongoing war and its ripple effects, this convergence of culinary tradition and spiritual devotion offers a poignant glimpse into resilience, cultural identity, and the human spirit's capacity for hope.
The seminary, founded in the early 20th century, houses around 150 seminarians, many of whom hail from villages scarred by conflict or families displaced by Russia's invasion. Daily life begins at dawn with morning prayers in the chapel, a space adorned with golden icons and the faint scent of incense. But it's in the kitchen and dining hall where faith truly comes alive through food. "Food is our way of experiencing God's providence," says Father Mykhailo, the seminary's rector, a soft-spoken man in his fifties whose family has roots in the eastern regions now under threat. "In Ukraine, we say that a shared meal is a shared prayer. It's how we build brotherhood."
The culinary traditions at the seminary are steeped in centuries-old Ukrainian customs, adapted to the rhythms of the liturgical calendar. During Lent, for instance, the menu shifts to austere yet nourishing fare: borscht made from beets harvested from the seminary's own gardens, varenyky (dumplings) filled with potatoes and cabbage, and kutia, a sweet wheat porridge symbolizing eternal life. These dishes aren't just sustenance; they're catechetical tools. Seminarians learn to prepare them under the guidance of elderly cooks, many of whom are local women who volunteer their time. "When we knead the dough for bread," explains seminarian Andriy, a 22-year-old from Kyiv, "we're reminded of Christ's body, broken for us. It's a meditation on sacrifice."
This integration of food and faith isn't accidental. Ukrainian Christianity, particularly in its Eastern rite, emphasizes the sensory aspects of worship—sights, sounds, smells, and tastes that draw believers into a holistic encounter with the divine. The seminary's dining hall, with its long wooden tables and walls lined with frescoes depicting biblical feasts like the Wedding at Cana, serves as a microcosm of this philosophy. Meals are communal affairs, preceded by grace and often followed by discussions on scripture. "Eating together teaches us humility and service," Father Mykhailo notes. "Just as Jesus washed the disciples' feet before the Last Supper, we serve one another at the table."
The war has amplified the significance of these practices. Since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, the seminary has become a refuge for those fleeing the front lines. Food shortages, supply chain disruptions, and inflation have made every meal a testament to ingenuity and faith. Seminarians recount stories of foraging for wild mushrooms and herbs in the nearby woods to supplement rations, turning scarcity into an opportunity for spiritual growth. "In times of hardship, food becomes a miracle," says seminarian Petro, who lost his home in Donetsk to shelling. "We pray over our simple soups, thanking God for what we have, much like the multiplication of loaves and fishes."
Beyond the seminary walls, this fusion of food and faith extends into broader Ukrainian culture. The Greek Catholic Church, which blends Eastern Orthodox traditions with Roman Catholic oversight, has historically used feasts and fasts to preserve national identity under foreign rule—be it Soviet atheism or earlier imperial dominations. Christmas Eve's Holy Supper, with its 12 symbolic dishes representing the apostles, is a staple taught at the seminary. Seminarians practice preparing holubtsi (cabbage rolls) stuffed with rice and mushrooms, each ingredient carrying layers of meaning: the cabbage for protection, the rice for abundance.
Education at the seminary includes formal classes on the theology of food. Drawing from patristic writings and modern encyclicals, instructors explore how eating mindfully combats consumerism and environmental neglect. "In a world of fast food and waste," says theology professor Sister Olena, "we teach that every bite is an act of stewardship. It's eco-theology in practice." This perspective resonates deeply in Ukraine, where agricultural heartlands have been devastated by war, turning fertile fields into battlegrounds.
Personal stories add color to this narrative. Take seminarian Taras, a former chef from Odessa who joined the seminary after a near-death experience during a bombing. "Cooking was my passion, but now it's my vocation," he shares, his hands calloused from both kitchen knives and prayer beads. Taras leads workshops where seminarians experiment with fusion recipes—traditional Ukrainian dishes infused with influences from displaced refugees, like Georgian spices in a twist on borscht. These sessions foster dialogue about unity in diversity, a timely message in a nation hosting millions of internally displaced people.
The seminary also engages in outreach, using food as a bridge to the wider community. Weekly soup kitchens serve the homeless in Lviv, prepared by seminarians who bless each pot with holy water. During Easter, they distribute paskha, a pyramid-shaped cheese dessert symbolizing the tomb of Christ, to soldiers on the front lines via care packages. "Food carries our prayers," Father Mykhailo emphasizes. "When a soldier eats our bread, he's nourished body and soul."
Yet, challenges abound. The war's psychological toll weighs heavily. Some seminarians struggle with trauma, finding solace in the rhythmic tasks of chopping vegetables or stirring stews. "The kitchen is my confessional," admits one young man anonymously. "Here, amid the steam and aromas, I pour out my fears to God."
Looking ahead, the seminary plans to expand its gardens and perhaps establish a culinary institute tied to theological studies. "We envision a place where food science meets spirituality," Father Mykhailo dreams. "In Ukraine's reconstruction, this could heal divides."
As the sun sets over the seminary, casting a golden hue on the dining hall, the evening meal commences. Bowls of steaming halushky (dumplings with bacon and onions) are passed around, laughter mingles with hymns, and for a moment, the world's chaos fades. Here, food and faith converge not as abstract concepts but as lived reality—sustaining a people through trial, nourishing their hope for peace. In the words of an ancient Ukrainian proverb echoed in the halls: "Where there is bread, there is God." At Holy Spirit Seminary, that truth is tasted daily, a flavorful testament to enduring spirit.
This sacred interplay reminds us that in Ukraine's heart, amidst uncertainty, the simple act of breaking bread remains a profound affirmation of life, community, and divine grace. As the nation navigates its path forward, institutions like this seminary stand as pillars, blending the earthly with the eternal in every shared meal. (Word count: 1,048)
Read the Full Republican & Herald, Pottsville, Pa. Article at:
[ https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/food-faith-converge-ukrainian-seminary-225000008.html ]