Jedan od najvažnijih kršćanskih događaja – blagdan Kristova uskrsnuća – u Ukrajini se naziva Velikdenj. Ukrajinski Uskrs doslovno znači – Veliki dan. Ovo proljetno slavlje Ukrajinci vole jednako kao i Božić. Pripreme počinju tjedan dana prije Uskrsa.

Vrbova nedjelja — Cvjetnica

U nedjelju tjedan dana prije Uskrsa u crkvama se čita liturgija i blagoslivlja vrba. Vrba, koja u ovo proljetno vrijeme već cvjeta i pušta listove, koristi se umjesto palminog lišća. Palmino lišće ljudi su bacali pod noge Isusu Kristu pri ulasku u Jeruzalem. U Ukrajini je tu ulogu preuzela vrba. Blagoslovljenim grančicama ljudi se šaljivo udaraju jedni druge uz tradicionalne izreke. One govore o iščekivanju blagdana. Djeci se želi dobar rast i zdravlje.

Čisti četvrtak

Posebna i temeljita priprema za blagdan je čišćenje. Prije Uskrsa smatra se obveznim što bolje očistiti dom i dvorište, oprati prozore do sjaja. Na Čisti četvrtak, prije zore, poželjno je umiti se čistom vodom. Takvo umivanje čisti dušu, a također štiti čovjeka od bolesti tijekom cijele sljedeće godine.

Uskrsni kruh: baba, paska, kalač

Za Uskrs se tradicionalno peku paska (mogu je različito nazivati). Općenito, to je slatko, dizano, mekano pecivo s kandiranim voćem i orašastim plodovima. Često se vrh takve paske ukrašava proteinskom glazurom koju djeca obožavaju. Paska se priprema i na bazi svježeg sira. Ukrašava se ne samo glazurom, već i uzorcima od tijesta. Paska se nastoji peći na Čisti četvrtak ili u subotu, jer se na Strasni (Veliki) petak to ne smije raditi. Zajedno s ostalim delicijama, peciva se blagoslivljaju u crkvi. Tradicionalno, obitelji i prijatelji međusobno izmjenjuju paska.

Uskrsni stol

Za uskrsni stol obavezno se poslužuju paska i krašanke. Krašanke su kokošja jaja obojena u različite boje. Njima se također izmjenjuje, tuca i časte jedni druge. Uvijek su na stolu i domaće kobasice, razna jela od mesa, vareniki, holodec (mesna želatina), svježe proljetno povrće i pića. Tradicionalni uzvar, horilka, slatko crno vino. Pisanke – oslikana jaja – ukrašavaju stol i služe kao darovi za bližnje i prijatelje.

Tucanje jajima, što je to?

Na Uskrs djeca i odrasli često se tuku krašankama. To je igra u kojoj svaki sudionik udara svojim jajetom o jaje drugoga. Čije jaje pukne, taj je izgubio. Pobjednik uzima sva razbijena jaja.

Poznato je da se proslava Uskrsa skladno spojila sa starijim, još poganskim tradicijama. Kroz stoljeća, blagdan obnove, novog početka, proljeća i ponovnog rođenja ne gubi svoju popularnost ni u suvremenom društvu.

Ukrainian Easter

One of the most important Christian events — the feast of the Resurrection of Christ — is called Velykden in Ukraine. This literally means — Great Day. Ukrainians love this spring celebration no less than Christmas. Preparations begin a week before Easter.   

Willow Sunday (Palm Sunday)

On the Sunday a week before Easter, a liturgy is read and willow branches are blessed in churches. Willow, which is already blooming and releasing leaves at this time of spring, is used instead of palm leaves. People threw palm leaves under the feet of Jesus Christ upon his entry into Jerusalem. In Ukraine, this role fell to the willow. People jokingly hit each other with the blessed branches while reciting traditional sayings. These sayings are about the anticipation of the holiday. Children are wished to grow well and not get sick.

Clean Thursday

A separate and thorough preparation for the holiday is tidying up. Before Easter, it is considered mandatory to clean the house and yard as best as possible, and wash the windows until they shine. On Thursday, before dawn, it is advisable to wash oneself with clean water. Such washing cleanses the soul and also protects a person from diseases for the entire coming year.

Easter Bread: Babka, Paska, Kalach

For Easter, paska (it can be called differently) is traditionally baked. In general, it is a sweet, yeast-based, fluffy pastry with candied fruits and nuts. Often, the top of such a paska is decorated with protein icing, which children adore. Paskas are also made based on cottage cheese. They are decorated not only with icing but also with dough patterns. They try to bake paska on Thursday or Saturday, because it is forbidden to do so on Good Friday. Along with other delicacies, the baked goods are consecrated in the church. Traditionally, families and friends exchange paska with each other.   

Easter Table

Paska and krashanky are served on the Easter table. Krashanky are chicken eggs dyed in different colors. They are also exchanged, used for egg tapping games, and people treat each other with them. Homemade sausage, various meat dishes, varenyky (dumplings), kholodets (meat jelly), fresh spring vegetables, and drinks are always on the table. Traditional uzvar (fruit compote), horilka, and sweet red wine. Pysanky (decorated eggs) adorn the table and serve as gifts for loved ones and friends.   

Egg Tapping: What is this game?

On Easter, children and adults often play krashanky tapping. This is a game in which each participant hits their egg against another person’s krashanka. Whoever’s egg cracks loses. The winner takes all the cracked eggs.   

It is known that the celebration of Easter has harmoniously merged with older, pagan traditions. Through the centuries, the holiday of renewal, new beginnings, spring, and rebirth does not lose its popularity in modern society.