02-01-2005, 05:04 PM
Shlama Akhi Addai,
Actually, the word "khnana" has varied usage. In some cases it refers to earth from sacred places like monasteries or churches. Literally, the word means "mercy~grace."
In the Church of the East, when the bread is baked by the Qasha (elder), a portion of it is saved for the next service. This portion is called the "khnana."
It is then mixed in with the next batch of bread, and so forth. Whenever a new church is built, some Khnana is taken from a nearby church and the tradition is carried by the next congregation. This is inspired by the Apostle's words - the we all partake of one loaf. This tradition is ancient and possibly goes back to apostolic times.
I remember during my wedding that the Qasha mixed in the Khnana into the wine chalice before my wife and I drank from it.
Actually, the word "khnana" has varied usage. In some cases it refers to earth from sacred places like monasteries or churches. Literally, the word means "mercy~grace."
In the Church of the East, when the bread is baked by the Qasha (elder), a portion of it is saved for the next service. This portion is called the "khnana."
It is then mixed in with the next batch of bread, and so forth. Whenever a new church is built, some Khnana is taken from a nearby church and the tradition is carried by the next congregation. This is inspired by the Apostle's words - the we all partake of one loaf. This tradition is ancient and possibly goes back to apostolic times.
I remember during my wedding that the Qasha mixed in the Khnana into the wine chalice before my wife and I drank from it.
+Shamasha Paul bar-Shimun de'Beth-Younan
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