Orthodox Easter traditions blend faith, family and ancient rituals this April 16

**Easter 2023: The Meaning, Traditions, and Customs of the Holiday** In 2023, Orthodox Christians will celebrate Easter—Christ's Resurrection—on April 16. Since ancient times, this feast has carried profound hopes and aspirations, weaving together religious rites and folk traditions into a rich cultural tapestry. Easter has always been observed with grandeur, its preparations beginning well in advance. The holiday is preceded by **Holy Week**, a period of intense prayer and reflection in churches. During this time, memorial services for the departed are suspended, and weddings and baptisms are not performed. On **Holy Thursday**, families traditionally readied their homes for the feast. Customs included thorough cleaning—sweeping floors, doing laundry, discarding old or unnecessary items—as well as baking *kulich* (a sweet Easter bread) and dyeing eggs. People also bathed and cut their hair, earning the day its alternate name: **Clean Thursday**. **Good Friday** marked a day of mourning, when quarrels and conflicts were strictly avoided. It was also the final day of **Great Lent**, the 40-day fasting period leading up to Easter. On **Holy Saturday**, the faithful donned their finest clothes, brought Easter foods to church for blessing, and awaited the **Holy Fire**—a sacred flame symbolizing Christ's resurrection. By evening, the long-awaited celebration began.

**Easter Traditions: What to Do**

• **Charity and generosity** were central to the holiday. Helping the needy or giving alms—especially being the first to offer a coin to a beggar—was believed to bring good fortune.
• A popular belief held that **ringing a church bell** on Easter would ensure health and happiness for the year ahead.
• Hosts invited **friends, neighbors, and acquaintances** to share a festive meal, believing that a full table and many guests would bring prosperity to the household.
• The first **Easter egg and kulich** were divided among family members to foster harmony and unity.
• Eating the **top of the kulich** was thought to ward off misfortune and attract luck.
• Women hoping for a child would set an **extra place at the table**, place a piece of kulich on the plate, and later leave it for the birds.
• To ensure financial stability, families placed **jewelry or coins** beside the dyed eggs.
• Rolling a **blessed egg** over a child's head and body was believed to protect them from illness and the evil eye.
• Couples playfully **tapped dyed eggs** against each other's—the one whose egg remained intact was said to hold authority in the family for the coming year.

**Easter Taboos: What to Avoid**

**Easter Taboos and Traditions** On this holiday, heavy labor was forbidden, as it was considered a grave sin that could bring misfortune upon oneself and one's entire family. Household chores and cleaning were also prohibited. Fighting, arguing, or offending others was strictly forbidden. It was believed that on this day, one should let go of old grudges and reconcile even with bitter enemies. Greed and stinginess were frowned upon, which is why sharing with those in need was a cherished tradition. Sorrow and melancholy were to be avoided, lest the whole year be spent in grief. Visiting cemeteries or mourning the dead was not allowed on this day. Excess should be avoided—moderation was key during the celebration. Leftover Easter food could not be thrown away; instead, it was given to birds and animals. Folk belief held that one's future could be glimpsed on Bright Sunday. **Easter Omens** Many omens tied to Easter have survived through the ages, offering predictions about life and weather. Wake at dawn, and you'll be spared from trouble all year. Hear a cuckoo's call, and your family will grow. A red sky at sunset brings good fortune. Clear weather foretells a scorching summer. An overcast sky means a dry but chilly summer ahead. Rain promises a damp spring and a bountiful rye harvest. Thunder signals a late, dry autumn. A starry night warns of frost. Frost on Easter means a prosperous year. A thaw suggests a dry summer. If the snow has fully melted, expect a fruitful year. A southern wind brings warmth. Restless birds mean a sudden change in weather.