Easter in Ukraine

Colorful silk flowers in an outdoor bazaar in Ukraine

Colorful silk flowers for sale before Easter in Ukraine.

Easter in Ukraine

The Easter holidays are surprising important to this formerly atheistic (officially at least), Soviet country. Stores now close, newspapers cease to publish for several days around Easter Sunday (which is calculated according to the Russian Orthodox Church's calendar.)

Decorated Easter eggs are popular here, as well. Some can be intricately painted and very fancy. You can also buy wooden versions, to use year after year. These make good, easy to pack souvenirs or gifts.

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Traditional Ukrainian Easter cakes - called a kulich

Traditional Ukrainian Easter Cakes Called "Kulich"

Ukrainian Easter Cakes

At this time of the year, special Easter cakes, called "kulich" appear in all the markets and bread shops. These are tall, round, only slightly sweet, bread-like cakes. They are topped with white frosting and sprinkles or other decorations. These are taken to an Orthodox church on the Saturday before Easter and blessed by the priest, who sprinkles it with holy water. The cake is eaten on Easter Sunday morning.

On Easter, the traditional, historical greeting among those with a church background is "Christ is Risen." And the standard response is "Is Risen Indeed." Even advertisements use the phrase around Easter. One outdoor ad for Kievstar (a cell phone company) featured an Easter cake and the words "Christ is Risen."

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