How to Host an Orthodox Church New Year Supra Inspired Dinner
If you are Orthodox, it is very likely you have heard of the Georgian dinner party tradition called “Supra”. In case you haven’t, it is a night of feasting, toasting, connecting, reflecting and savoring. There is usually one toastmaster (Tamada) that guides the entire evening’s conversation through a series of toasts. After the toastmaster makes a toast, guests are invited to share their own stories and insights. Once a round of sharing and eating ends, a new toast starts off the next course and the pattern begins again, making the meal last for hours.
Many images online render elaborate table spreads, but a simpler version of a supra can be hosted by making a potluck and serving in courses or only offering wine and small dessert or finger food pairings. The importance here is hospitality (and wine.) Any theme can be picked for a supra and it can be done anytime during the year, but the new year seems especially a wonderful time to give thanks for new mercies and a harvest of material and spiritual blessings.
I’ll admit, I have never hosted a supra before, but one of my new year goals is to host supra inspired dinners periodically. Here is the toast guide I’ll be using and I hope it is helpful if you so choose to host a supra in celebration of the church new year. Take the following themes and find prayers, poems, songs, and blessings to create your own unique toasts. For more inspiration, such as quotes, prayers, meditative questions, recipes and more, check out our new year thread cards or Autumn Treasury.
Below are eleven possible toast themes for the evening. They are not separate meals or required courses; think of them as movements within one shared feast. Use all eleven, combine several together, or select only those that fit your gathering!
1. Glory to God (Opening Prayer)
Begin with prayer, thanking God for the year that has passed and asking His blessing on the year to come.
2. The Theotokos
Since every Orthodox year is lived under her protection and begins and ends with her.
3. The Saints
Guests might share a saint who has especially inspired them this past year or a saint they wish to know more of the coming year.
4. Creation
September 1 is also the Day of Prayer for Creation in the Orthodox Church.
5. Family and Friends
Pray for everyone gathered. Invite people to briefly bless one another.
6. Those Who Are Absent
Remember:
loved ones far away
those who are ill
missionaries
parish members
anyone unable to attend
7. Those Who Have Reposed
Light a candle if desired. People may mention someone recently reposed within the past year.
8. The Coming Year
Speak about hopes for spiritual growth.
9. Hospitality
A call to open our homes during the coming liturgical year. A fun, but meaningful challenge could be to have a hidden bean in the food. The finder must host the next supra.
10. Children
Bless the children of the parish and those yet to be born.
11. The Final Toast
End on joyful note.
-V.W
