Traditions That Remain Vibrant...Easter Eggs

Romanian Easter Eggs

Easter celebrations in the Romanian tradition is marked by sprucing up of the houses and farms, the special services in the Orthodox Churches but also a wide range of traditional Romanian rituals.

Hand Painted Bucovina Eggs

On the Romanian table an abundance of red eggs, sweet cakes and roast lamb are always present.

Roast Leg Of Lamb

The custom of coloring eggs is fortunately still practiced, especially by the Romanians in various styles and colors according to the traditions of each region or village.

Egg Painting Tradition

Maramures Red Easter Eggs

In Maramures area, Lapus region in the morning, the first day of Easter, children (up to age 9) go to friends and neighbors to announce the Resurrection.

Easter Feast

The host gives each child a red egg. 

Upon leaving, the children thank the folks for the gift and wish them blessed Easter celebration.

Tradition Of Knocking Eggs
An ancient ritual is that the threshold must be passed first by a boy so the household will be
blessed with harmony the rest of the year.

Bucovina Boy

On the morning of first day of Easter, children wash their faces with fresh well water in which is placed a red egg and green blades of grass.

Traditional Egg Painting

                         Hristos A Inviat!    Christ Is Risen!

Traditions...Easter in Romania

Easter Procession Bucovina

Romania, a country that celebrates life through food and wine, has quite the repertoire of Easter traditions and fare.

 

Romania Nuns

Good Saturday for the Orthodox Christians is a day of prayer, meditation and introspection reflecting the time that Christ’s body was in the tomb in silence and darkness and preparation for the midnight Sunday Paschal Liturgy, the new beginning, resurrection and the eternal life.

Icon of the Resurrection

An icon of the Resurrection depicts the belief that while in the tomb Christ went into the depths of hell and brought up to the light of heaven Adam and Eve as well as Old Testament fathers.

Moldova Easter Eggs

Legends and traditions transcend time and vary in each main territories of Romania. One of the oldest is the painting and sacred symbolism of Easter Eggs.

Hand Painted Easter Eggs

The egg, symbol of creation, renewal, purity and eternal life is painted red in most areas.

The belief is that when the Mother of God came to the cross to mourn her crucified son, she laid her basket of fresh eggs at the base of the cross to pray, the eggs turned red from the blood of Christ that was dripping from His wounds.

Decorations on the Easter eggs vary by region and folk traditions mostly ancient geometrical symbols and rich colors.

In Moldova, monasteries create glorious designs such as Sucevita and Moldovita Monasteries as well as the Neamt region including beaded eggs.

In Transylvania, Sibiu and its environs hollowed painted eggs are hung in trees in the front yards.

With celebration of Easter, Romanians celebrate food and wine as well.

Lemon Basted Lamb Chops

Pascha with Cheese

Lamb in Wine Sauce and Rosemary 

Pascha with Cheese and Raisins

Drob Pie

What is also indicative of the rebirth is the tradition after church of the families gathering with their loved ones for Paschal feasts that include Spring lamb, eggs, sour soups, green garlic, traditional pastries and wine from the regional vineyards.

Midnight hour is approaching, preparing for the Nocturne Procession....Victory of Life...Resurrection!

Christ is Risen!  Indeed He is Risen!

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