Easter in Serbia

With Easter Sunday approaching, spirits are soaring high! Hence, in this week’s post we would like to give you a glimpse of how Easter is observed in Serbia.

Easter is undoubtedly one of the happiest Christian holidays. Since Serbia is home to members of both the Orthodox and Catholic Church, the holiday is marked on different dates and includes various traditions. However, every now and again, Easter falls on the same day. This year is that special year: when we will all rejoice on April 20th.

There are many beautiful customs among both Orthodox and Catholics, such as gift-giving, singing happy songs about Christ and others. People usually fast on Good Friday, whereas on Sunday meals are rich and tasty. Perhaps the most common and best known custom is the decorating of Easter eggs. Eggs are painted in different colors, using different dyes, materials and techniques. It’s very important, however, that the very first egg is painted in red and kept for an entire year, as it is believed to be a house-keeper. After egg painting is finished, they are exchanged among family and friends as presents, with wishes of good health and luck.

In Serbia, Easter is usually celebrated among family, and because ESN BelUPgrade is one big family, we wish Happy Easter to everyone who celebrates it!

(Written by Marko Stanić)