EASTER TRADITIONS IN SLOVAKIA
This tradition is held two weeks before Easter and its also called Dead Sunday. Morena symbolised the
winter and
people
spring
wanted
the
to
so
when
come,
they
had to kill her, drown
her in a stream or burn
her. She was presented
as an effigy made of
straw clothed in women
dress.
carried
towards a stream. When
they
her arrived
singing at
the
bank,
Young Morena
girls was
undressed, set on fire and thrown into the water of the defrosting stream. This ritual represents the end of the dark days of winter, the victory over death, and the welcoming of the spring rebirth.
In pre-Christian times, one of the biggest
celebrations
was
the
welcoming of spring. It meant the victory of life over death. For the Christians, one of the most important event of the year is Easter, when they commemorate the Crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Since Slovakia is a Christian country, but also with pagan roots, Easter today is exactly a combination of these two traditions. It is preceded by a long period (40 days) of lent.
The Holy Week in Slovakia ‘Big
Week’
and
begins
is called on
Palm
Sunday – also called in Slovakia ‘Floral
Sunday“.
We
remember
Jesus’ entry to Jerusalem. People threw palms at the feet of Jesus, and
therefore
it
is
called
Palm
Sunday. The name was changed in this area probably because we do not have palm trees, or also because of the fact that in this period the first spring flowers appear.
The Holy Week – Green Thursday There isn’t a clear explanation for the name of Green Thursday. Maybe it received its name after the green of the Gethsemane garden, where Jesus was praying and where the soldiers arrested him. This
day is important for the Last Supper of Jesus with his
apostoles. On this day, we should eat something green.
On Good Friday or ‘Big Friday’ Christian people commemorate the death of Christ on the Cross. He was crucified on Mount Golgotha by the Emperor Tiberius and Pontius Pilate.
On this day, masses are not held in Catholic churches, the altars are without blankets,
crosses
and candle-holders. Eating meat
is
prohibited, people shouldn´t eat a lot and also music is not allowed. The bells in the churches are tied up. It is also the saddest day of the year.
Holy Saturday or White Saturday commemorates the burial of Christ in the tomb. With this day, fasting ends, and the bells start ringing again, what we haven’t heard since Thursday. Much of Holy Saturday focuses upon the final preparations of Easter so that all can partake in the celebration.
Finally, Easter Sunday comes. It is the biggest festival of the liturgical year,
which
celebrates
the
resurrection of the Son of God and his victory over death.
This gives hopes to all who believe in Jesus to reach eternal life.
The typical custom of Slovakia was that, on Monday, men and boys
dressed
elegantly
or
in
traditional costumes and visitied women. They poured cold water on them or bathed them in the river, and beat them with whips, while singing or reciting poems. The whips were prepared usually by
the
boys
themselves
with
rattan sticks and decorated with colorful
ribbons.
The
aim
of
‘oblievačka’ (water pouring) and ‘šibačka’ (beating with whips) was to
make
sure
that
the
girls
remained beautiful and healthy all year
round.
In
exchange,
they
gave
the
boys
decorated
eggs
(kraslice),
also
prepared
by
themselves and invited them to eat and drink.
The symbols of Easter are: The cross – it’s the most important Christian symbol because Christ was condemned to die on the cross. After the Resurrection of Jesus, the cross became a symbol of hope. Eggs – the egg is considered a symbol of new life and fertility. It’s the change of the inert state into life. It symbolizes Resurrection. The lamb – has an important role in Christianity as well. According to faith, Jesus is the Lamb of God sacrificed to save the world. The rabbit – this symbol probably has its origin in the pagan world. It stands for the rebirth of nature.
EASTER FOOD Easter preparations begin days before Easter. To be ready for the feast, people bake pastries, cookies and do extensive grocery shopping.
Easter
menu
is
always
festive:
potato
salad
with
mayonnaise, cooked ham, cold cuts and sandwiches are served on Easter Sunday as well as on Easter Monday. Sweet treats and some good (home made) cakes can’t be missing on the table either.