EXP- Easter customs
Since March 15, 2021, Orthodox Christians have entered the fast of Easter, considered the longest and harshest of the longest fasts in the Orthodox calendar. This post will end on May 1, 2021.
A change in diet
During this holy period, no products of animal origin will be eaten: meat, eggs and dairy products. In this way, the way of feeding the faithful changes and the consumption of vegetable soup, zacusca, fasting vegetable pies and carbohydrates (polenta, beans, pasta, etc …) becomes predominant.
Fish release
On Lent, there are two fish releases, on March 25, the Annunciation, and on April 28, the date on which Orthodox Christians celebrate the Lord’s Entry into Jerusalem on April 28. On the Friday before Easter, on April 30, there is a black fast.
Flowers
April 25 is Flower Sunday, a week before Easter Sunday. Then an event mentioned by all four gospels is commemorated: the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, where he is said to have been greeted with olive branches. As we do not find olive trees in Romania, we replace them with flowers.
Many Romanians are named after flowers, so they are also celebrated on this day. For example: Camelia, Florina, Brandusa, violet, s …
Easter eggs
On Holy Thursday, the last Thursday before Easter, eggs will be painted in the family.
They are usually boiled chicken eggs, which are traditionally eaten or given away.
Easter eggs also have a decorative purpose during this period. Decorative Easter eggs can be hen’s eggs emptied of their contents, or they can be made of cardboard, plaster, wood, stone, plastic.
Easter night
On Easter night, Romanians will go to church to receive the light of Christ, and after the service, each believer will bring home two things:
– the light lit by a candle
– bread with wine consecrated by the priests, which represents the body and blood of Jesus
This holiday, full of symbols and rituals, is probably the most important of the whole year. It gives a rhythm and unites the whole community of Romanians from all over the world.
Of course, we, the gourmets, are more interested in indulging ourselves with all the appetizing recipes that are made during Easter. Traditionally, the Easter table does not lack red eggs, lamb (lamb stew, lamb soup, lamb steak), Easter, Cozonacii and Red Wine. It is also eaten with eggs, smoked and boiled ham, fresh market cheese, radishes, green onions and freshly steamed homemade bread.
Find out more about Romanian culinary rituals! Click HERE