How Do Ukrainians Celebrate Easter?

Easter is the brightest, most majestic holiday in Ukraine, and it is celebrated with a variety of traditions. Some of them were inherited from the ancestors, keeping peculiar rituals and activities in tact. Others have been modified over the years and have diversified among various family customs. Here is an in-depth look at how Ukrainians celebrate Easter.

A brief history of Easter in Ukraine

The word for ‘Easter’ in Ukrainian is Velykden’, which translates to ‘Great Day’, and it is one of the biggest holidays in the country. Easter in Ukraine originates from the same holiday celebrated in other Christian communities, but it mostly adheres to the Orthodox faith and calendar. Thus, it is celebrated the week after Catholic Easter (in 2018 it is celebrated on April 8 in Ukraine). The preparation for Easter begins two months in advance. People lent and fast with strict devotion, as the country is passionate about adhering to the faith. Everyone awaits Easter day, as a festive mood blooms throughout the country and families come together to celebrate with food.

The food

Let’s take a minute to talk about the important difference between pysanka and krashenka. Pysanka are eggs decorated with particular ornamentation and folk patterns that have special meanings. The roots of this tradition primarily originate from the region of Western Ukraine. Krashenka is an egg that has been dyed with red food colouring. It symbolizes the blood that Jesus shed for the sins of the people. Modern traditions have introduced new colours to the eggs, from green and blue to yellow and orange.

Local traditions

Ukrainians love traditions, therefore, each family has its own way of celebrating Easter. However, there are also common practices. For instance, it is customary not to sleep the night before Easter, as Orthodox people go to the cathedral for service and bring a variety of dishes with them. They take Easter cakes and eggs, meat and wine or even horilka (a drink you can try only in Ukraine), which is blessed with holy water by the priest.

After service, it is time to start the festivities, fill the table and extend greetings like ‘Christ is Risen’, and ‘He is Risen indeed’. Despite all the culinary treats on the table, the meal should start with Easter cake; every single crumb is eaten and never thrown into the garbage. In the interim, adults chat together, while kids play different games like bytky or ‘egg tapping’. The game is all about smashing your hard boiled egg (shell still on) into someone else’s without breaking your own. The object of the game is to be the last one standing with an unbroken egg.

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