Ukrainian Traditions: Easter Food

Church-goers at Easter Sunday Mass greet each other with Христос воскрес! Воістину Воскресе! (Khrystos voskres! Voistynu Voskrese!), which means “Christ is risen! Indeed He is risen!” On an Easter Sunday Ukrainians traditionally have an Easter breakfast or Easter brunch, if time is close to afternoon.

Afterwards, the contents of the basket are devoured for breakfast and the candle is placed in the middle of the table and lighted.
The food is left on the table all day for people to nibble as they see fit and to give the women of the house a chance to rest and enjoy the holiday. The basket contents, however, are just a small portion of the delicious spread on the table. Often, holubtsi (stuffed cabbage), mashed potatoes, gravy, pyrohy or varenyky (stuffed dumplings), hot vegetables, cold salads, studenetz (jellied pigs feet) and salchison (headcheese) are also served. And lots of desserts, including syrnyk (cheesecake), poppyseed roll, meringue tortes, cookies and other decadent delights, are offered.

Happy Ukrainian Easter 2017 to everyone who celebrates it!

Symbolic meaning of Easter Basket food

Paska – This large, round loaf of white bread is elaborately decorated with a braided cross and many rosettes. It symbolizes the joy of the new life given to us by Jesus Christ

Ham – The richness of this meat (or sometimes lamb or veal) is symbolic of the great joy and abundance of Easter.

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Kielbasa – This spicy pork garlic sausage is indicative of God’s love and generosity.

Cheese – The traditional cheese used is cottage cheese. Its bland taste reminds us of the moderation that we should cultivate in our lives.

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Eggs – Hard boiled eggs are symbolic of new life – Christ’s death and resurrection. Eggs that have been intricately decorated are called Pysanky.

Butter – Butter, often shaped into a lamb or a cross, reminds us of the goodness of Christ, and the importance of sharing with others.

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Salt – Salt reminds us that we are committed to be followers of Christ and to carry out His word.

Horseradish – The horseradish, mixed with grated beets, is symbolic of the passion and death of Christ. It reminds us of the bitterness of sin and of the difficulties we must undergo throughout our earthly life.

Khrytos Voskres – Christ Is Risen

Many times during the Easter Sunday Liturgy, the happy refrains of “Khrytos Voskres” are sung by the congregation. It is sometimes difficult for church visitors to understand why this tune, and its variations, is repeated so frequently during the Easter season. We should remind our visitors that in the Resurrection of Jesus, we are all resurrected from the bonds of death. Our joyful Easter tune, “Sohlasmo Zaspivaimo”   perhaps says it best when it proclaims “With His death He conquered death, and to those in their graves He granted Life!”

Voistynu Voskres – Indeed He Is Risen

Following the Easter Sunday Resurrection Services and Divine Liturgy, Ukrainian families would gather outside the church and exchange the joyful greeting “Khrystos Voskres”!  That would be answered with the equally cheerful “Voistynu Voskres”!  Hugs and kisses for long absent friends and family would follow, as many would come great distances to be together on this holiday. The family would then return home, where the traditional blessed Easter foods basket would be brought out.  The father or head of the household would then begin the Easter breakfast by taking one of the blessed hard boiled eggs and dividing it up among the family members. As each member is given a piece of the egg, the father would proclaim “Khrystos Voskres”!  The member would reply “Voistynu Voskres”!  The passing out and consumption of the egg was a very important start to the meal. The egg symbolized new life and the Resurrection of Christ, and therefore, the basis of the entire celebration. In eating it together, family unity was strengthened, as was the prospect for a healthy and happy year ahead.