Food for thought

Today was Holy Trinity Sunday, when Christian Churches emphasis God's triune nature and many recite the Athanasian creed. In his children's lesson, our pastor gave out pretzels, and explained that it was used in the ancient church to help explain the trinity, sort of like St. Patrick is believed to have done with the three-leafed clover in Ireland.

I thought this was pretty interesting and spent a little time with google to find out more. This is what I found-

Some credit an Italian monk for coming up with pretzels as a reward to children who learn their prayers. The strips of dough, folded to resemble arms crossing the chest were called 'pretiola' ("little rewards")". Others think that pretzels may also have evolved from a Greek ring bread, which was served in monasteries for communion. Pretzels made with a simple recipe using only flour and water could be eaten during Lent, when Christians were forbidden to eat eggs, lard, or dairy products like milk and butter. Eventually, pretzels became part of Lent and Easter. Pretzels were hidden on Easter morning like eggs are hidden today.

The three holes represent the Christian Trinity of "Father, Son and Holy Spirit." The wedding phrase "tying the knot" got its start when a pretzel was used to tie the knot between two prominent families The pretzel's loops stood for everlasting love