The religious scholar spoke about the sacred meaning of kutya and its symbols.

Kutia has remained one of the main ceremonial dishes of the Slavic tradition for centuries. It is prepared both on memorial days and during the Christmas and Epiphany holidays. Natalia Fominykh, a religious scholar, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, professor at Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, told Izvestia on July 10 about the sacred meaning of the dish, the symbolism of the ingredients and the rules of use.

The main point of kutia, according to the expert, is to combine several important ideas: the memory of ancestors, faith in the immortality of the soul and hope for rebirth. Each component of the dish has its own symbolic meaning. The basis of kutia is grain — most often wheat, rice or barley. It is this ingredient that occupies a large part of the dish and is considered a symbol of eternal life and resurrection.

"The grain symbolizes the continuation of life: it dies in the ground to give a new sprout and a new ear. Similarly, the human soul continues to exist after the death of the body," the expert explained.

A mandatory component of kutia is honey. Traditionally, it is associated with the idea of the sweetness of eternal life, spiritual joy and heavenly bliss. However, at the same time, the sweetness of honey reminds a person of the transience of earthly goods and the transience of life. The third element of kutia may vary depending on the region and family tradition. Poppies, raisins, other dried fruits, berries or even jam are added to the dish. These ingredients symbolize prosperity, abundance and spiritual benefits.

Fominykh drew attention to the fact that kutya occupies a special place in rituals. It is customary to serve it first at the memorial table as a sign of respect for the memory of the deceased. During festive feasts, for example on Christmas Eve, the dish reminds of the connection between living and departed relatives.

"Kutia is not prepared just to get enough. This is not an everyday meal, but food with a special meaning: at commemorations it helps to honor the memory of the dead, and on holidays it reminds that the bond of generations is not interrupted," the expert said.

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Depending on the occasion, the name of the dish also changes. In the festive tradition, kutia is called rich or generous, because more diverse ingredients can be added to it. On memorial days, it is often called hungry or lean — during this period, the emphasis is not on the richness of the dish, but on the spiritual meaning.

In addition, the expert added that there is no single canonical recipe for kutia. The church tradition defines only the basic principles of cooking: the composition should contain whole grains and natural honey. Each family chooses the remaining ingredients independently.

"A whole grain is a symbol of resurrection, and honey is a symbol of eternal sweetness. All other additives can be different: poppies, raisins, dried fruits, berries or other products," the specialist explained.

There are also certain traditions of using kutia. It is usually eaten together from shared dishes or special bowls set on the table for the whole family or a group of guests. Individual serving does not correspond to the ritual meaning of the dish. Spoons are also traditionally used, while forks are considered inappropriate for the memorial table.

According to the Fomins, kutya remains an important element of family memory and Orthodox culture, as it helps to keep generations connected. The dish brings people together at the same table, reminds them of those who are no longer around, and helps the new generation understand that the memory of their ancestors persists both in difficult and joyful moments.

On June 24, Philip Ilyashenko, priest and vice-rector of St. Tikhon's Orthodox University for the Humanities (PSTU), told Izvestia that the main traditions of celebrating the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary on August 28 are participation in divine services, a solemn meal in honor of the end of the Dormition Fast and charity. On this day, the Dormition Fast ends — one of the strictest multi-day fasts in Orthodoxy, which lasts for two weeks (from August 14 to 27) and precedes the holiday. It is comparable in restrictions to Lent: meat, dairy fish, eggs are prohibited, and on some days vegetable oil is also prohibited.