The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC EASTER CUSTOMS

EASTER OR VELYKDEN OCCUPIES THE CENTRAL POINT IN THE LITURGICAL
YEAR. ON EASTER SUNDAY THERE IS A PROCESSION AROUND THE CHURCH IN
THE EARLY MORNING. IT COMMEMORATES THE PROCESSION OF THE MYRRH
BEARING WOMEN, TO THE TOMB OF JESUS. EASTER BREAD OR "PASKA"
IS BLESSED AND EATEN, IT REPRESENTS CHRIST. EASTER EGGS OR "PYSANKY"
ARE DELICATELY AND INTRICATELY HAND PAINTED. THE ORIGIN OF THE
CUSTOM TO PAGAN UKRAINE HAD PAINTED EGG REPRESENTING THE RESURRECTION
TO A NEW LIFE OF NATURE IN THE SPRING. PYSANKY ARE EXCHANGED
THROUGHOUT THE THREE DAYS OF THE EASTER HOLIDAY, SUNDAY, MONDAY,
AND TUESDAY, WITH THE FAMILIAR GREETINGS "KHRYSTOS VOSKRES" TO
WHICH THE RECIPIENT REPLIES "VOISTYNU VOSKRES". THIS MEANS "CHRIST
IS RISEN" AND "HE IS RISEN INDEED". THE WHOLE WEEK AFTER EASTER IS
"ZAHALNYTSIA" OR COMPACT WEEK. MEAT WAS ORIGINALLY ALLOWED TO BE
EATEN.

Submitter comment: THIS CELEBRATION HAS CHANGED VERY LITTLE OVER THE YEARS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 02-00-1974