We're here to help you keep count of the days to or since a date. Just click the button below and enter your chosen date to get started. Also choose the suggested days or search for a special day above #countingthedays
Orthodox Easter Day, also known as Pascha, is one of the most significant religious holidays in Ukraine, celebrated by the majority of Ukrainians who belong to the Orthodox Church. This day marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ and is observed with various traditions and customs that have historical and cultural importance.
History & Traditions:
Date Determination: The date of Orthodox Easter in Ukraine follows the Julian calendar, which often results in a different celebration date from that of Western Christianity's Easter, which follows the Gregorian calendar.
Great Lent: Preceding Easter is Great Lent, a 40-day period of fasting and repentance. This is a time for spiritual reflection and preparation for the celebration of Christ’s resurrection.
Holy Week: The week before Easter, known as Holy Week, involves daily church services. Notable days include Good Friday (the day of Christ's crucifixion) and Holy Saturday (a day of anticipation for Christ’s resurrection).
Easter Services: Orthodox Easter services begin with midnight processions outside the church. Parishioners circle around the church carrying candles to signify Christ's passage from death to life. This is followed by a joyous service announcing Christ's resurrection.
What People Do:
Pysanky: One popular tradition involves creating 'pysanky', intricately decorated eggs using a wax-resist method. These eggs symbolize life, renewal, and rebirth.
Blessing Baskets: On Easter Sunday or sometimes after midnight mass on Holy Saturday, believers bring baskets filled with traditional foods such as 'paska' (Easter bread), eggs, meat, cheese, and more to church to be blessed by a priest.
Sharing Meals: Families gather to share festive meals that typically break their Lenten fast. These meals often start with sharing a piece of blessed bread from their basket.
Greeting Each Other: It is customary to greet one another with "Christos Voskres" (Christ has risen), to which one replies "Voistinu Voskres" (Indeed He has risen).
The term "(Suspended)" might refer to years when usual public celebrations are disrupted due to extraordinary circumstances such as conflict or pandemics; however, many Ukrainians continue to observe traditions within their homes or according to guidelines provided by health authorities or religious institutions during such times.
