Orthodox Easter in Maramures

THE ITINERARY

Celebrate the most important church event of the year in an orthodox way, discovering how Romanians welcome Easter

Easter is the most important Christian feast over the year, dedicated to the Resurrection of the Lord, Jesus Christ, and his victory over death. Because it is based on the lunar calendar" on the 14th day of the Full Moon", after the vernal spring equinox, the Easter feast is movable 
The feast is dominated by the liturgical ceremonies of the Christian Orthodox Church.

At the Easter liturgy people come with lit candles which they hold in their hands during the service. The candle is taken home after the service is finished, and with the candle light, people purify the girder, the doors, the gates, leaving a mark having the shape of a cross. The significance of this gesture is to protect the house against evil spirits.

 Easter is also considered as a feast of reconciliation between people, when sins are forgiven.

On Easter Day when people meet they clink the red painted eggs saying: "Christ is risen! ", answering: 
" Truly he is risen!"

Clinking red Easter eggs at Prislop Pass

You will be part at the event watching and learning the rituals and traditions of this feast day in a region called Maramureş, situated in the northern part of Romania, a region that still preserves authentic folk crafts and unaltered traditions.

Blessed Easter food

The Easter Sunday is preceded by seven weeks of fasting in which prevail the rites of physical and moral purification.
On the last week of the Lent, called Resurrection Day, eggs are painted in red, different cakes are cooked,
( the most important being Pasca , a sweet cream cheese), the lamb is sacrificed, the house and the garden are cleaned.
On the Easter evening in the countryside boys and girls light fires on the hills for the dead men - "focurile morţilor".
The food cooked special for Easter is blessed at the church during the service , and a part of the food is given as alms. The red eggs and the Pasca are eaten in the family .

BACK TO THEME TOURS

HOME