Day in the life
In a bright and spacious church hall, a centuries-old tradition that began halfway around the world lives on. Decorating Easter eggs is a common practice in many churches and communities, but nowhere is it more cherished than among Ukrainians, whether in Ukraine or among its people scattered around the world. For members of St. Michael's Ukrainian Catholic Church on Cooper Landing Road, it is a tradition and a necessity. "It is a means of maintaining a connection with our heritage and our stories,'' said Medford resident Irene Maslowych, a native of New York and part of the first generation of her family to be born outside Ukraine. An artist with a master's in fine arts, Maslowych conducts egg-decorating workshops for children at the church. One of her goals is to ensure that the art is kept alive. But she also wants to see it flourish as a way of writing the story of her homeland. On a recent morning, her students included her daughter, Nadia, 15, who was adopted from Ukraine 10 years ago. A student at Shawnee High School, Nadia said one of her pleasures is sharing the decorated eggs with her friends. "I like to invite them over to my house to tell them about our traditions,'' she said. The process of decorating the eggs, a form of Ukrainian folk art known as pysanky, is painstaking. (The name is derived from the Ukrainian "pysaty," meaning "to write.") "It requires patience and a steady hand,'' said Iryna Hrubiy, 17, of Cherry Hill, who attended the workshop with her brother, Andrew, 12. The first step is to wash the uncooked egg in soap and water. Next, the design's outlines are drawn on the surface with a pencil and, later, in wax. The egg is dipped in dye, starting with the lightest color. After it dries, wax is applied and the whole process is repeated for each color. "It is similar to batik,'' Maslowych said. Finally, the accumulation of wax is melted off and the colors and patterns emerge, each with its symbolic meaning. Flowers, animals, and the universe of sun, moon and stars are popular motifs. Throughout history, the egg has represented creativity, love and peace. The addition of the patterns, the "writing,'' Maslowych calls it, increases the level of meaning. Some are believed to ward off evil spirits and are considered good-luck charms. One of the oldest patterns, the star rosette, is a symbol of good luck. In ancient pagan times, Ukrainians attributed magic powers to the egg, and baskets of them were displayed in homes. Today, the blessing of Easter baskets is a revered tradition at St. Michael's and part of its Easter celebration. In addition to the eggs, the baskets are filled with a sweet yeast bread that symbolizes Christ, spicy sausage, butter, horseradish, cheese, bacon and salt. Many are covered with delicate cloths, which have been hand-embroidered in patterns similar to those found on the eggs. The St. Michael's congregation began in Camden in the early 1920s and moved to Cherry Hill in the 1977. With its distinctive onion-shaped domes and richly colored stained-glass windows, the church's architecture sets it apart, day and night. Andrew Hrubiy recalled driving by at night and seeing the lights shining through the windows. "It's nice,'' he said. Cathy Chubik of Berlin, Camden County, an active member of the church community, said it is "a little hidden gem.'' She values it for its role in keeping her heritage alive. "If I didn't come here, I wouldn't hear the language that is my heritage,'' Chubik said. Although she was born in the United States, she's "proud to have a Ukrainian connection.'' Once a part of the Soviet Union, Ukraine achieved its independence in August 1991, an event celebrated enthusiastically by its widely dispersed community. Many of the church members visit the country often. Next year, the Maslowych family will return for a festival in the region of Turka, Nadia's birthplace. They expect it to be a three- or four-day event, not unusual in a country known for its love of family and celebration.
Gail T. BOATMAN
20 April 2011 Phillyburbs
