Ukrainian Easter

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Appears in
The New Ukrainian Cookbook
The New Ukrainian Cookbook

By Annette Ogrodnik Corona

Published 2020

  • About
Preparations for Ukrainian Easter start almost three weeks in advance and with the resurgence of religious practices, it is no wonder many people observe Lent and fast as Easter feasts often consist of some of the richest foods imaginable. It is as if people are trying to make up for all the good foods they abandoned during Lent!

Eggs seem to be the most important symbol of Easter in Ukraine and have made a significant contribution to the national folk heritage. The notable Ukrainian ritual of egg-painting goes back centuries and pysanky are deeply pre-Christian in origin and symbolism. Easter egg painting is still today the first concern of Easter preparations, and they are painted the Thursday before Good Friday so they can be taken to church for a blessing.