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Oplatky (Christmas Wafers) Vesele Vianoce (Merry Christmas)
(Click on the "Wafer Baking - In Pictures" link on the left to see the whole process in photos)
The Pentecost Oplatky Tradition The front and back of the Oplatky (Christmas Wafers) made at Pentecost each year, are pictured above. The front of the oplatky is imprinted with the figure of an angel and the Slovak words Narodil-sa-vam spasitel, which means "Unto you is born a Savior." The reverse size of the oplatky features a communion chalice and wafer and the words, Slava-na-vysostech Bohu, which translates to "Glory to God in the highest." The custom of making oplakty (Christmas Wafers) is a link that joins today's Pentecost members with the Slovak heritage of our church's beginnings. In English, the word oplakty mans wafer. Members of our church have prepared oplatky since the early 1920's. Older Slovak women began the tradition when they brought the recipe from Czechoslovakia. These wafers, which may be used in combination with an enclosed devotion during the holiday season, symbolize the oneness in Christ of all Christians and especially the members of our Pentecost congregation. The wafer making process is a tedious and time consuming effort, as the wafers are made by hand, one at a time. A spoonful of thin pancake-like batter is poured onto a large iron, much like a very oversized kitchen tongs. The ends of the tongs are plate-size ovals which feature the design pictured above. The batter is "cooked" for approximately 15-20 seconds, at which time the now crisp wafer is carefully peeled off of the iron, hopefully without breaking the wafer. Wafers are then carefully packed into packages of six or twelve wafers and are distributed to those who have expressed an interest in receiving them, both within and outside of our congregation, including friends of Pentecost in destinations all over the United States and even outside of the country. While the oplakty are not "sold," many wafer recipients make a small donation (generally a few dollars) in appreciation for the efforts that have been put into maintaining the Oplatky tradition. However, the tradition of oplakty does not stop with the distribution of the wafers during the holiday season. Many of the plate-sized wafers break during the oplatky making process. All is not lost when a wafer cracks and breaks. It simply leads to another unique tradition at Pentecost which extends the whole year through. As wafers break or do not quite pass the "quality assurance" review for size, shape or the expected golden-brown color, the larger, remaining pieces of the broken wafers are made into smaller, bite-sized, circular wafers which are used throughout the year as we celebrate the sacrament of Holy Communion. *************** When sufficient quantities exist, Oplatky is available to those outside the congregation. In recent years, many people across the country have contacted us after seeing our Oplatky web pages. Non-members interested in obtaining Oplatky may contact the church office at (262) 633-9674 or Tom Hasko via e-mail at thasko@deloitte.com. ****************************************************************************** On Sunday, December 16, 2007 we will be making the final distribution of Oplatky to interested congregation members. Please note that we have a very limited supply of Oplatky remaining for the 2007 Christmas season, most of which has already been requested. Any remaining Oplatky not requested by congregation members by noon on Sunday, December 16th will be used to fulfill as many additional requests from outside of the congregation as we can accommodate. Whether or not we can fulfill your telephone or e-mail request, we will contact you to let you know on Monday, December 17th, unless you have already been notified that we have mailed your request. Those final requests will be mailed via U.S. Postal Service -- Priority Mail on Monday, December 17th. Please accept our apology if we cannot fulfill your request this Christmas season. We are sort of like a "Mom and Pop Oplatky Shop" for members and friends and we do the best that we can each year. Although we had a very productive baking season, we have experienced a record number of new requests from across the country as fewer churches are able to continue the tradition of baking Oplatky for their members and friends. It is very special to us to be able to help families across the nation continue their Christmas traditions with Oplatky. ******************************************************************************
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