Easter is the most important holiday in the Orthodox calendar, which is celebrated by almost the entire population of Moldova. For Orthodox Christians, Easter symbolizes the transition from death to resurrection and eternal life. In 2023, Easter is celebrated on April 16
The feast of Holy Easter is celebrated every spring on the first Sunday after the full moon after the spring equinox, but not earlier than April 4th.
In Moldova, Easter is celebrated for two days – Sunday and the following Monday, which are considered non-working days. On Clean Thursday before Easter, it is customary to carry out a general cleaning of apartments, houses, courtyards. On this day, people boil and color chicken eggs. This is a very old tradition. The egg is considered a symbol of birth, and in the Christian religion – a symbol of rebirth, immortality, the awakening of nature.
Two days before Bright Sunday, the hostesses bake Easter cakes and Easter cakes, which are also called “cozonac”. On the night of Resurrection, believers go to church, where they participate in religious services and bless Easter treats.
It was customary for our ancestors to keep a burning candle from the church to the very house, thus bringing the light of Easter. Upon returning home, believers wash themselves with water, in which they put one red egg, one white egg and a silver coin, “to be clean, healthy, ruddy and rich all year long.”
In the morning, all relatives and friends gather at the Easter table, exclaiming joyfully – Christ is risen and answering – Truly risen!
In Moldova, a lot of national food is prepared for Easter – jelly with rooster (răsol), homemade sausage, meatballs, baked lamb, rabbit roast, pastrami, ham, baked ham in dough (jambon), cabbage rolls, various salads, soups etc. A variety of desserts and the famous Moldovan wine are also served on the Easter table.