(Thanks to ourstate.com for the visual)
Yes, I grew up somewhere in the vicinity of Bethlehem, PA and knew what a Moravian Star looked like, but that's about it. (You likely know what it looks like as well -- though you may not know it. Nor are you likely, perhaps, to know its origins as a geometry lesson.)
When I moved (temporarily) to Winston Salem for a job related reason, I had no idea. I had no idea at all.
For example, I had no idea that Bethlehem, PA and Salem, NC were historically related. (They are.) Nor did I know anything about Moravians as a religious group that pre-dated Martin Luther - and has a long history in Europe and what is now called the United States. I had no idea what a Moravian Love Feast was (and is) nor what the phrase black moravian might mean.
Their history is available via wikipedia here. And, if you click here you will go to their very own website. I had no idea what their religious or social histories were.
And, I can say this: I am learning, in part because I live in the midst of a place that has deep deep moravian roots. I know now that a love feast has a theological meaning - and is a practice involving some fairly amazing coffee. I know it is not a sacrament but a significant shared ritual. And, I know that the buns are an awful lot like those I know from family in Alberta
I also -- and much less seriously -- had no idea that they had a thing called chicken pie - which I think is actually in no way related to the religion per se, but seems to be everywhere I go here in Winston Salem as a marker of Moravians. I have it in the dining hall at Salem College, at various events associated with Salem, and see it on menus around town. On googling, I discovered a variety of recipes, including this one and this one. Here is a civil war era recipe. It is a double crusted pie, filled (and I do mean filled) with shredded chicken and a white sauce. No, it is not pot pie in the sense you might know if you are not from here or are simply wandering the frozen food section of a grocery store - there are no veggies. It is truly chicken pie.
According to Wikipedia (that well known beloved easy to google source with the relevant entry found here), Moravian chicken pie originated in Salem, NC (a Moravian settlement) itself, later to become half of Winston Salem. I guess that's why I keep encountering it.
My verdict: I like it. I admit I cannot have it quite as often as I have had it lately. There are limits! But I do like it. And I suspect you will too.
Perhaps all cultures have meat pies Tortierre? Moravian Chicken Pie? What's your favorite?
