Easter is coming. Although judging by looking out of the window and contemplating the (still) snowy landscape , we would rather think that Easter and Christmas have swapped places this year. But, it's the truth: on the 8th of April, we are celebrating Easter. Please note that, although Romanians celebrate Christmas on the 25th of December, we celebrate Easter on the old Orthodox calendar, which in some years coincides with the non-Orthodox world, but most often it doesn't.
So, we have less than two weeks to go, and I'm inviting you to spend Easter in Romania. What is happening exactly?
The Church Service
Compared to Christmas, Easter has a higher degree of religious solemnity about it. Because the most important moment is the Resurrection sermon, held at night between Saturday and Sunday. So, we go to church at night, and the service is held outside the church, in the open air. At midnight, when it is said that Christ has resurrected, the priest spreads the holy light (which arrives every year from Israel), by lighting the candles of some participants at the ceremony, which, in turn, light each other's candles. After the service is over, we are all heading home with the lit candles, and we have to make sure they stay lit until we get home.
Now, you know me: I'm not the most religious person you'll meet in your life, but this is one of the few occasions when I want to go to church. Because it gives a special feeling, which one can understand just by being there. Plus, it is also a socializing event: it's impossible not to bump into relatives, neighbours, aquaintances, and even start talking to new people.
The Food
So, after we get back home at night, what do we do? Of course, you guessed: eat! And yes, also at night, not just on the Easter Sunday lunch time.
What is indispensable from the Easter feast?
- coloured eggs:
There is special egg paint, in which eggs must be boiled so that the egg shell changes colour. They should be mainly red (symoblizing the blood of Christ), but you can make as many colours as you like. Plus, in some parts of the country, or the country side, or people who have more patience and skill also make drawings on the egg shell.
- lamb dishes:
Lamb soup, roast lamb, drob (minced meat pudding, made with lamb organs), stufat (lamb stew made with spring onios and spring garlic). Not everyone likes lamb, and not everyone wants to eat lamb for emotional reasons, but I can't think of any traditional Easter dishes without lamb.
- pasca:
Typical Easter dessert, a sweet cheese pie made with cream cheese, raisins and vanilla flavour.
The People
Easter, just like Christmas, is spent with family and close friends, visiting each other at Sunday lunch. People greet each other with the phrase 'Christos a înviat!' (Christ has resurrected) and the other person has to reply 'Adevărat a înviat!' (Truly He has resurrected). It is not a very 'music and party' atmosphere, but just an occasion to be together.
So, in the end, what we hope now is that the weather will be on our side, at least a little. Because otherwise we'll find Santa Claus, and a pot of sarmale instead! Anyway, I will wish you Paște Fericit, because I like to believe that this is what is happening after all! ;)
