Easter in Romania is an important holiday. Romanians, most of whom adhere to Orthodox Christianity, attach importance to this holiday more than any other, including Christmas. Romanians also pay close attention to the holy days surrounding Easter, making the celebration long and marking a period of spring and renewal.
Flower Day or Palm Sunday
Many superstitions surround the blessing of willows or other foliage and flowers on Palm Sunday. On this day, willow branches are brought to a church to be blessed. These special vaginal willows are used for protection and medicine. Not only is it important to touch children and livestock with the blessed branches, but swallowing the willow shoots can protect against sore throats and burns to protect against severe weather.
Good Thursday
Holy Thursday is the traditional day for painting eggs in the traditional Romanian way. In the past, red eggs were the norm due to the color’s association with the blood of Christ. However, those who are familiar with the Romanian tradition of painting eggs know that today’s Romanian eggs are beautifully decorated in a variety of colors, sometimes using the wax and dye bath method; other times, Romanian Easter eggs are decorated with hundreds of small beads that form traditional patterns. Romanian Easter eggs are called incondeados and are sometimes blessed in church.
Three days of easter
The Romanian traditions surrounding Easter are complex. Clean clothing is worn and a water bath is provided containing a red Easter egg and a coin for washing. Passover foods, placed on a table the night before, can be brought to church to be blessed.
An Easter service is held at midnight, just as some churches do at Christmas. The church lights are dimmed and the candlelight, in charge of the priest, is passed between the members of the congregation, who hold unlit candles. These candles can be taken home as a reminder of the service and to spread the sanctity of the candles to your own homes. Some Romanians also light candles on the graves of family members.
Easter holiday
Food is very important in the Romanian Easter tradition. Pasca, the traditional Easter cake, which may have been prepared on the previous Thursday or Saturday and blessed in church, is the main focus – this cake is made with dough, cheese, and raisins. The lamb, symbolizing Christ, is widely served, along with a Romanian version of haggis made from guts. Cheese, vegetables, sweet bread and, of course, eggs are also essential components of the Easter Sunday dinner.
Easter customs
Many, many customs are still practiced in Romania, some for fun, some as part of the holiday ritual, and some as superstition and divination.
As in other Easter celebrations in Eastern Europe, hitting the eggs from end to end is a popular game. Two eggs are broken together, the first person says, “Christ is risen” and the second person says, “In fact, He is risen.” The loser will die sooner and must present his egg to the winner so that it is not distributed. a rotten egg in the afterlife.
Fires can be lit near churches or in the hills for an Easter vigil, especially in the countryside in regions like Bucovina. In the past, boys may have sprinkled single girls with water or perfume for good luck or to ensure a quick marriage.
Monday after easter
On the Monday after Easter, the ancient spirits are appeased. These ancient spirits, or little people, cannot determine when Easter ends on their own and only understand when they see the remains of eggshells floating in the water, which have been placed there by human celebrants.
