Traditional Calendar
APRIL
The last Sunday before Easter is the Palm Sunday or Lazarovden. The feast is a reference to the spring and the awakening of nature and youth. On this day young girls who want to get married dress their best clothes, stick spring flowers in their hair, sing and dance in circle. On this day young and old together go to church. After the service, the priest gives blessed willow branches bringing health and good luck and people put them on their doorways.
The week after the Palm Sunday is called the Holy Week and ends with the great Christian feast – Easter – on this day our savior Jesus Christ was resurrected after three days on the cross. Easter puts an end to the Long Lent.
The preparations for the feast begin on Thursday when eggs are painted for. The first red egg, which has the magic power to protect from the evil, is kept until the next Easter. On Thursday – kozunatsi are prepared (Easter bread) –a kind of ritual sweet bread. In the late evening on Saturday, before Sunday, Paschal service is held and it must be attended by all. Exactly at midnight the priest announces the Resurrection by saying the words “Christ has risen“, and the crowd replies "Truly! He has risen!”. Then a procession is formed with the priest at its head and all go round the church three times. Upon announcement of the Resurrection, the priest brings out a lighted candle - a symbol of the divine flame and all light their candles from it and take those candles at home. Thus everyone takes home the divine flame. The Easter day is full of joy and hi spirits.
The last Sunday before Easter is the Palm Sunday or Lazarovden. The feast is a reference to the spring and the awakening of nature and youth. On this day young girls who want to get married dress their best clothes, stick spring flowers in their hair, sing and dance in circle. On this day young and old together go to church. After the service, the priest gives blessed willow branches bringing health and good luck and people put them on their doorways.
The week after the Palm Sunday is called the Holy Week and ends with the great Christian feast – Easter – on this day our savior Jesus Christ was resurrected after three days on the cross. Easter puts an end to the Long Lent.
The preparations for the feast begin on Thursday when eggs are painted for. The first red egg, which has the magic power to protect from the evil, is kept until the next Easter. On Thursday – kozunatsi are prepared (Easter bread) –a kind of ritual sweet bread. In the late evening on Saturday, before Sunday, Paschal service is held and it must be attended by all. Exactly at midnight the priest announces the Resurrection by saying the words “Christ has risen“, and the crowd replies "Truly! He has risen!”. Then a procession is formed with the priest at its head and all go round the church three times. Upon announcement of the Resurrection, the priest brings out a lighted candle - a symbol of the divine flame and all light their candles from it and take those candles at home. Thus everyone takes home the divine flame. The Easter day is full of joy and hi spirits.
