The traditional bread for Sviata Vechera (Christmas Eve),also featured at various religious and family feasts, is kalach or kolach. It is braided and formed into a circle or oblong shape. The top is glazed and sprinkled with poppy seeds. Its round shape gives it its name--kolo, a circle--and may symbolize eternity or the sun.

1 teaspoon sugar
1 cup lukewarm water
2 envelopes dry yeast
3 tablespoons sugar
2 cups warm milk (about 110 degrees)
2 eggs
1 tablespoon salt
2-4 tablespoons oil or melted butter
8-9 cups flour

1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water for glaze
2 tablespoons dry poppy seeds

Dissolve 1 teaspoon sugar in water and sprinkle yeast over it. Add 1 tablespoon sugar, stir, and let stand 10 minutes.

Combine yeast with milk, lightly beaten eggs, salt, 2 tablespoons sugar, oil, and 3 cups sifted flour. Beat until smooth. Cover and let rise in a warm place until light and bubbly, about 1 hour. Mix in remaining flour and knead until smooth and elastic and dough leaves the side of the bowl easily.

Form into a ball and place in lightly oiled bowl, turning once to oil the top. Cover with towel and let rise in a warm place until double in bulk. Punch down and allow to rise again slightly.

Divide dough into 3 parts. On a floured work surface, divide one part into thirds, rolling each into a rope 8 to 10 inches long and 1 1/2 inch thick. Braid together, starting at the middle, and turn ends under. Repeat to make other two loaves and place on buttered baking sheets. Do not crowd, since loaves will double in size.

Cover with damp towel and let rise until almost double. Brush with egg glaze and sprinkle with poppy seeds.

Bake in preheated oven at 375 degree F. at least 1 hour, until golden. Test by rapping the bottom; there should be a nice hollow sound. Cool on racks. Makes 3 medium loaves.