What are Easter traditions in Ukraine?

Ukrainian Christians commemorate Easter night by participating in Easter services, known as vigils . These services commence late in the evening and carry on until dawn, culminating in the consecration of the Paschal candle and other Easter symbols.

What do Ukrainians call Easter eggs?

This is a Ukrainian Easter egg, known as a pysanka . Intricately designed and richly coloured, pysanky have been part of Ukrainian culture for centuries. The design is “written” on the eggshell in molten wax, using a stylus, before dyes are applied.

What is the symbol of Easter in Ukraine?

The Easter holiday in Ukraine is unthinkable without pysanky. They are not only a decoration of the festive table, but also a symbol of rebirth, love and hope . Gifted with love, pysanky can bring happiness, health and prosperity to the house. Remember that pysanka in Ukraine is much more than just an Easter egg.

Where did the Easter egg tradition come from in Ukraine?

The practice originated in the prehistoric Trypillia culture . Ukrainian pysanky have a symbolic significance. They symbolize spring, renewed life, and resurrection and have thus become associated with the celebration of Easter. Today pysanky are also appreciated as works of art.

What traditions do they have in Ukraine?

Social gatherings like Vechornytsi have a long history in Ukrainian culture, and so do traditional holidays like Ivan Kupala Night, Masliana (Masnytsia), Koliaduvannia, and Malanka, where people gather in large groups.

What do eggs symbolize in Ukraine?

The Ukrainian folk-art tradition of pysanka dates back to before the birth of Christ, when people decorated eggs believing in the great power embodied in them. Eggs symbolize the release of earth from the icy grip of winter and the coming of spring .

What is the legend of the Ukrainian Easter eggs?

Legend has it that there is a huge evil creature chained to a hillside. Every year when Easter Eggs are made, the number of eggs is counted . If only a few eggs are made, the creature's bonds are loosened, and evil flows through the earth.

Why is Easter later in Ukraine?

Eastern Orthodox Christians usually celebrate Easter later than Catholic and Protestant Christians, because they use a different method of calculating the date for the holy day that marks Christ's resurrection .

Is it Ukraine Easter today?

The Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) celebrates Easter on May 5 — that is, at the same time as the majority of Orthodox churches around the world.

Is Easter a great holiday in Ukraine?

Easter (Great Day) is one of the most important holidays . The historical events of the twentieth century could not erase this holiday from the memory of the people. Even in those years when church holidays were banned, the people celebrated Easter and passed on traditions to the next generations.

Why are Ukrainian Easter and Catholic Easter different?

The Orthodox Church follows the Julian calendar, a solar calendar of 355 days introduced by Julius Caesar . Using this calendar, this article is published on March 19, not April 1, 2024. All the time difference is due to this simple difference in reference.

Do Ukrainians eat meat on Good Friday?

Which days are fast days in the Ukrainian Catholic Church? After the Second Vatican Council, our Ukrainian Synod reduced the fast days to two: The First Day of Lent and Good Friday. How are the faithful to observe a fast day? On fast days, we totally abstain from meat and dairy products and take only one full meal.

Easter eggs, Easter cakes and Easter dinner: the main Easter traditions of Ukraine (2024)

For many Ukrainians, Easter is an extremely important holiday. Its traditions are passed down from generation to generation and are especially revered. Learn more about the customs of Ukraine that make this holiday unique

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On April 16, Orthodox Christians, who are the majority in Ukraine, will celebrate Easter. This bright holiday is shrouded in unique traditions and rituals, which make Easter a unique and favorite day for many Ukrainians. We invite you to immerse yourself in the pre-holiday atmosphere and learn more about Easter traditions in Ukraine.

Special greetings

On Easter, all Ukrainians greet each other in a special way. This tradition was formed many centuries ago and has become mandatory for congratulations on the holiday.

Believers kiss each other on the cheek three times, exchanging the following expressions:«Khrystos voskres» ("Christ is risen") and «Voistynu voskres» ("He is truly risen").

This greeting phrase is often used to decorate pastries, eggs, tablecloths, towels, etc.

Easter basket

Easter baskets are collected by Christians not only in Ukraine, but the Ukrainian version has its own characteristics. What makes it unique? First of all, the decoration. Willow branches, candles, and most importantly, an embroidered towel, which is often passed down from generation to generation.

The basket itself is filled with dishes that will be eaten at dinner. Among them are Easter eggs, Easter cake, bacon and sausage, bread, butter and cheese.

This set of attributes and products was chosen for a reason. Each element has its own symbolic meaning:

•The branches represent the intertwining of love and intelligence;

•candle means light;

Easter dinner

The whole family gathers for dinner. Celebrating Easter is not just about eating, it is about sharing positive energy, praying for a brighter future, and believing in the triumph of good over evil.

Consecrated food is always put on the table, and everyone should try it. Easter cake and Easter eggs are the centerpieces of the meal, but hostesses and hosts cook more than just these. Let us tell you more about these dishes.

Easter cake is a sweet Easter bread that is baked on the eve of the holiday on Thursday or Saturday. It has a special meaning - it represents the presence of God in people's lives. Attention is also paid to the height of the finished dish, because the higher it is, the more prosperity the family will have.

We would like to add that the best ingredients are used for baking, but the thoughts of the hostess and her clothes are equally important - they must be clean. It is not recommended to make noise, slam doors, or talk loudly while preparing the dough and baking, as this can prevent the dough from rising and baking well.

Eggs for Easter are called pysanky, krasanky, or driapanky, depending on the coloring technology. Eggs are dyed or painted, scratched with a needle, or melted wax. In the past, natural dyes were used to color eggs: fruits and bark of trees, herbs, and flowers.

Coloring eggs has become a favorite Easter tradition, especially for children.

Music

On Easter, Ukrainians sing hayivky - songs combined with dances that call for spring. This tradition was formed in pagan times, but it did not disappear after the Christianization of Rus' and is still alive today.

Today, many artists reinterpret traditional motifs and create modern tracks.

Watered Monday

Easter celebrations do not end on Sunday. On the first Monday after the holiday, there is a tradition of pouring water on yourself and others. Christians believe that water on this day becomes healing and helps to purify oneself spiritually.

We remind you! Earlier we wrote that Ukrzaliznytsia has scheduled additional flights for Easter and May holidays. Check out the list of routes here.

Easter eggs, Easter cakes and Easter dinner: the main Easter traditions of Ukraine (2024)

Special greetings

Easter basket

Easter dinner

Music

Watered Monday

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