The beginning of spring has long been associated by our ancestors with the Feast of the Forty Martyrs, celebrated on March 22 in the Gregorian calendar. It was said that birds return from warm regions, bringing spring with them. To mark this joyful occasion, people would bake bird-shaped rolls and distribute them to children. This beautiful tradition can easily be revived today.
Our ancestors took the observance of Lent very seriously. On the first day of Lent, they would even “rinse their mouths” to ensure no traces of fat remained, and they would thoroughly clean all pots to remove any remnants of meat. Nowadays, however, many families have abandoned such strict practices. Yet, some still establish their own Lenten calendars, designating certain days of the week as meatless, or even dairy-free. This kind of observance can become a shared family effort that strengthens bonds and serves as a lifelong example for children. The same applies to other fasting periods throughout the year: the Philip’s Fast before Christmas, the Peter’s Fast before the Feast of the Apostles Peter and Paul, the Savior’s Fast before the Dormition of the Mother of God, and every Friday of the week.
Great Lent is also a time for creating pysanky, or Ukrainian Easter eggs. This particular craft has gained significant attention among us, as many of our girls and women are skilled in this traditional art form. Pysanky are widely used in exhibitions and demonstrations for foreigners. However, it is crucial that our pysanky adhere to folk traditions. While everyone is free to create new patterns and choose colors, it requires a deep understanding and considerable talent to produce something that aligns with the traditions and symbolism of pysanky. Even a technically flawless pysanka can lose its value if the patterns or colors are inappropriate. Fortunately, we have numerous albums filled with beautiful pysanka designs, providing ample opportunity for learning. It is also important to uphold ancient customs that emphasize the sacredness of the pysanka as a symbol of new life. The artist, or pysankar, must be in good health, wash thoroughly before starting, wear clean clothes, begin the work with a prayer, and use water from melted snow before creating the pysanka. The pysanka is worth the effort; like an egg, it symbolizes life. Each design on it carries its own unique meaning.
The Sunday before Easter is known as Palm Sunday. In our culture, the biblical palm is represented by the buds—“catkins”—on willows or osiers. These “catkins” have also symbolized spring awakening, youth, and innocence in Christianity, and they were believed to possess healing powers. There is a custom of “striking” everyone encountered in church with a branch. Additionally, there are sayings like, “The willow strikes, not I; from now until next week—Easter.”
This act of striking should not be reduced to a friendly joke. It is an ancient magical ritual meant to convey all the signs of the willow’s “playfulness” to the person being struck. The holy willow is highly respected, often placed in homes behind sacred images. It is even included in the coffins of the deceased, particularly those who passed away during Easter time.
Of course, the week leading up to Easter also features another significant event: the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary on April 7. This commemorates the angel’s announcement to the Virgin Mary that she would become the Mother of God. This holiday aligns beautifully with the springtime mood of joy and hope, and it is celebrated in churches with the use of bright vestments during services, even if it falls on Great Friday.
On the Annunciation, young women are encouraged to perform the first spring round dance, known as the “crooked dance.” During this time, prosphora (a type of bread) is blessed in church, and it is believed to have the power to yield better harvests in fields and gardens, as well as to provide healing.
The Annunciation is a celebration of liberation. Therefore, all domestic animals are released from homes or stables, and people even buy birds to set them free.
The week before Easter is called Holy Week or Passion Week, as it commemorates the Passion of Christ. The most important days of this week begin on Thursday. By Thursday, the entire household should be in order and clean, which is why this Thursday is also referred to as Clean Thursday or Passion Thursday.
Great Friday, the day of Christ’s death, is almost a festive day. It is not appropriate to work hard on this day, except for the preparations of the blessed foods.
Blessed foods are one of the most important symbols of Easter joy. Typically, dishes that were not eaten during Lent are blessed, and it is on Easter that people “break their fast” with them. Eggs hold special significance: boiled and peeled, single-colored eggs, and, of course, pysanky with intricate designs. The term “red egg” is a popular name for Easter, especially in central and eastern Ukraine—it signifies Easter itself.
Easter cookies are also of great importance.