Chleb świętej Agaty od ognia strzeże chaty.
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What it means
“The bread of Saint Agata protects the home from fire.” Blessed bread distributed on the feast of Saint Agata (February 5) was believed to guard the household against fire. A proverb rooted in folk religious custom.
Vocabulary
- chleb — bread
- święty/święta — saint / holy
- strzec — to guard, to protect
- chata — cottage, home
Grammar note
'Strzeże' is third person singular present of 'strzec', taking the genitive: 'strzeże chaty' — guards the home.
Cultural context
Saint Agata's Day (5 February) was a major folk feast in Poland. Bread blessed that day was kept in the home as a protective charm against fire.
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