Pascha (Easter) Traditions of the Eastern Church

The Feast of the Resurrection, Pascha (Easter Sunday), is the highest holy day of the year for the Christian Church. The faithful participate in certain traditions appropriate for the Great Fast to help them prepare for the celebration. Aside from participating in the special Matins and Liturgies of the Great Fast and Great and Holy Week, the traditions listed below are also an important part of how each Christian family in the Byzantine Church prepares for Pascha.

Pysanky

History and Traditions of Pascha Pysanky

Thanks to UkrainianEgg.com for the graphic.

Pysanky are Easter Eggs dyed using a traditional Ukrainian decorating process. Each egg is hand decorated using only a stylus, beeswax, and various colored dyes. The result of many hours of work is a beautifully decorated egg, covered with rich Christian symbols.

Pysanky, however, predate Christianity. They were created by villagers of certain regions of Eastern Europe to be given as gifts during the Spring season. These early pysanky incorporated mostly pagan imagery relating to good fortune, the seasons and the harvest. Just before 1000 AD, when the Ukraine accepted Christianity, the tradition of Pysanky continued but with the use of Christian symbolism. The new pysanky were embraced by the Church and functioned as the Ukrainian Easter egg. Pysanky today are still created using the same traditional methods that have been passed down from generation to generation for over 1000 years.

The faithful of the Eastern Christian Churches have incorporated the Pysanky into their Lenten and Easter traditions. Now, pysanky have been added to the traditional Easter Baskets that are blessed by the priest on the morning of Easter Sunday, the Feast of the Resurrection, when the Church proclaims "Christ is Risen, Indeed He is Risen!"

Colors of Traditional Pysanky

Green: Represents the richness of God's blessings and Christ's victory over death..

Purple: Usually associated with royalty, purple represents Christ's kingship and also those things important on our spiritual journey during Lent: fasting, faith, patience and trust.

White: Represents the purity and innocence.

Blue: Usually associated with the Theotokos, blue also symbolizes a desire for good health and prosperity.

Royal Blue: Also associated with royalty, is another expression of hope and trust in Christ.

Orange: Signifies strength and Christ's power over death.

Yellow: Usually associated with youth, yellow also hints at the light of Christ, happiness and hospitality.

Red: Represents Christ's blood and his passion.

Black: Signifies the darkest time before the dawn and the hope that Christ gives to those
struggling in sin. It also hints at eternity.

Creating Traditional Pysanky

The word "pysanka" is Ukrainian for "to write". The Pysanky are written with care using a stylus, beeswax and various dyes. A basic design is drawn on the egg and then the egg is dipped in a succession of dyes that begin with light colors and end with dark colors. After dipping the eggs in the dye, a stylus is used to write intricate designs onto the egg. The wax protects the color underneath from the next color dye and at each stage, the process is repeated. At the end of the process, the darkest color is applied and after it is dry, all of the wax is melted off using only the warmth of a candle. When the wax is removed, the intricate design and vibrant colors of the pysanka are revealed.

Traditional Designs on a Pysanky

Curls: Curls are symbols of God's protection of his people.

Dots: Dots represent the tears of Mary the Theotokos at the crucifixion of Christ. Dots are also symbolic of the stars in heaven. The stars represent the Saints in union with Christ.

Cross of Saint Andrew: This design is representative of the Cross of Saint Andrew and it honors his work for Christ.

Cross: Crosses represent the crucifixion of Christ and his suffering. They are also symbolic of Christ's resurrection and triumph over death.

Flower: Life, growth, love and charity, humility

Rose: Beauty and wisdom

Star: The star and sun symbols are representative of Christ as the light of the world.

Net: Symbolic of a fisherman's net. This alludes to Christ appeal to his apostles to be fishers of men.

Fish: The fish is an ancient Greek symbol for Christ.

Pod: The pod represents hope and faith.

Triangle: The triangle is a symbol of the Most Holy Trinity.

Diamond: Represents knowledge of the truth.

Ladder: The ladder is symbolic of the prayers of the faithful ascending to heaven.

Pine Needles: Pine needles are symbols of the desire for health, stamina and long life.

Water: Water is symbolic of the waters of baptism and represent eternal life.

Lines: Meandering line patters represent eternity.

Traditional Pascha (Easter) Baskets

The Pascha (Easter) Basket

Thanks to Phylis Basaraba of Ukrainian-n-Things.com for the picture.

The practice of celebrating Pascha with an elaborate meal after the Divine Liturgy is an important tradition to most Byzantine Catholics. Each family will prepare a traditional Easter Basket for the meal that includes foods of specific significance. This tradition, rooted in the custom of the Slavs of Eastern Europe, stems from the desire of the Christian community to ask God's blessings on the foods that will break the Great Fast and from which they have abstained during these forty days.

The religious significance attached to the foods eaten on Pascha are symbolic of Christ Himself, our true Passover. The prohibition of particular foods during the Lenten season, namely meat and dairy products, naturally become the main staple during the festive time of the Resurrection celebration.

The foods listed below are traditionally placed in a wicker basket and brought to the Church for Matins or for the Divine Liturgy on Easter Sunday after which a solemn blessing takes place.

Pascha (Easter Bread)

PASCHA

Symbolism

Pascha is the Easter bread. It is a sweet yeast bread rich in eggs and butter. Symbolic of Christ Himself, who is our true Bread, it is usually a round loaf baked with a golden crust decorated with a symbol indicative of Christ. Sometimes a Three-barred Cross is placed on top of the dough encircled by a plait giving it a crowned effect. At times, abbreviations for the name of Christ (ICX, XP, IC XC) which represent the word Christ in Greek, are made of rolled dough and placed on top. The Pascha bread is also a symbol of the New Covenant. Where the Jews of the Old Covenant used unleavened bread, we, members of the New Covenant, use leavened bread.

RECIPE

3 cups milk
1/2 tblsp.salt
6 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup lukewarm water

1/2 cup sugar
1 cup melted butter
2 cakes yeast
12 - 14 cups flour

In a large bowl, combine milk, sugar, salt and butter. Cool to lukewarm. Save 2 tablespoons of the eggs and add the rest to the milk mixture. Crumble yeast in water and let stand for 10 minutes. Add to mixture. Add flour, about 2 cups at a time until dough can be handled. Knead on floured board for 15 minutes. Place ball of dough in greased bowl, grease top and let rise for 1 1/2 hours. Knead again and let rise a second time for 45 minutes. After second rising, shape into 4 loaves. Place in greased round pans. Let rise for 45 minutes. Brush tops with beaten egg. Bake at 325 degrees for one hour.

Bacon

Symbolism

Bacon is symbolic of the overabundance of God's mercy on us.

Preparation

Bacon is usually included in the Easter basket after being cured and smoked.

Baked Cheese

BakedCheese

Symbolism

During certain days of the Great Fast, the eating of cheese or other dairy products is strictly prohibited. Because of this, cheese is an important part of the Easter dinner. Cheese is yet another example of overabundance of God.

Recipe

Mix together 2 lbs. dry cottage cheese and 1/2 cup sugar. Add 6 well-beaten eggs. Blend well. Pour into buttered glass baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for about one hour.

Butter

Easter/Butter

Symbolism

Butter is reminiscent of God's bounty in providing for us. Butter also represents the goodness of Christ and hints at the goodness of the Father and his promise to bring the chosen people to the land flowing with milk and honey.

Preparation

Regular, store bought, butter may be used. It should be shaped into a figure of a lamb or a three-barred cross and decorated.

Horseradish Beets

Symbolism

The bitter herb, horseradish serves as a reminder of the first Passover (horseradish is eaten as a traditional part of the original Passover meal) and of the bitter sufferings which Christ endured for our sake. The red of the beets is symbolic of the blood of Christ the Savior.

Recipe

6 medium size beets (about 2 lbs.)
1/4 cup vinegar
1tblsp.salt
1 cup grated horseradish (1 medium size root)
1/3 cup sugar

Cook beets, cool and grind and mix all ingredients together. Refrigerate. If sweeter taste is desired, add more sugar and beets. Canned beets may be used.

Hrudka

Symbolism

Recipe

1 dozen eggs
1 quart milk
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Beat eggs. Add milk, sugar and vanilla and beat well. Cook in double boiler until mixture curds and only water remains. Pour into cheesecloth, squeeze out excess liquid, and tie tightly. Hang up and let drain for several hours. Carefully remove cheesecloth and refrigerate.

Pysanky

Symbolism

The Pysanky are symbols of the tomb from which Christ arose. A symbol of new life, the Egg is adorned with various symbols representing various aspects of Christ's life, death, and resurrection. Each egg is traditionally prepared with color dyes and beeswax.

Preparation

The Pysanky are not eaten. The tradition is for the faithful to spend time during Lent to prepare the Pysanky for display on Easter Sunday. The yoke of the egg can be extracted, once the dye process is complete, or it can be left to dry.

Salt

Symbolism

The salt reminds us that we are "the salt of the earth" and that we have a responsibility to "flavor" our lives with the value of Christ.

Preparation

Salt, generally regular kitchen salt is used, is important to flavor the food.

Wine

Symbolism

Wine is reminiscent of God's bounty in providing for us. It was also a favorite for most wine producing European countries and has been incorporated into the basket following the traditions of these regions.

Preparation

Regular, store bought, wine may be used.

Ham

HAM

SYMBOLISM

Ham is the flesh-meat popular with the Slavs as the main dish particularly because of its richness. It is symbolic of the great joy of abundance at the Resurrection. It is also a remembrance of the meat sacrifice of the Jewish Passover. Christ, the Lamb of God, replaces that sacrifice.

Preparation

The ham may be bought or prepared on the Saturday of the Tridium. Veal or lamb is also acceptable. This is usually well roasted or cooked as well as other meats so that the festivity of the day will not be a burden with preparation and that all may enjoy the feast.

Kolbasi

Symbolism

Kolbasi is a spicy garlic flavored pork product that is indicative of God's favor and generosity.

Preparation

Kolbasi can be substituted with any spicy pork sausage and prepared the Saturday of the Tridium.