Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday in North Macedonia is a significant religious and cultural celebration observed by the majority of the population, particularly by the Macedonian Orthodox Christian community. It commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, as described in the New Testament, and is considered the most important feast in the Christian liturgical year. The date of Easter Sunday varies each year, as it is determined by the Julian calendar, which is followed by the Macedonian Orthodox Church. It typically falls on a different date than Easter in Western Christianity, which uses the Gregorian calendar. In the weeks leading up to Easter, North Macedonians engage in a period of fasting known as Lent, which involves abstaining from certain foods and practices as a form of spiritual purification. The Holy Week, which precedes Easter Sunday, is marked by special church services and rituals that recount the events leading up to Christ's crucifixion and resurrection. On Easter Sunday, the faithful attend a midnight church service, where the priest announces the resurrection with the proclamation "Christ is risen!" to which the congregation responds, "Indeed He is risen!" This is followed by the lighting of candles, which symbolize the light of Christ, and a procession around the church. Families and friends gather to celebrate with a festive meal that breaks the Lenten fast. Traditional foods include lamb, which is often roasted, as well as special Easter bread known as "paska" or "kozunak," and colored eggs. The eggs are often dyed red to symbolize the blood of Christ and are used in a game where participants tap their eggs against each other's to see whose remains uncracked, symbolizing the strength and renewal of life. Easter Sunday in North Macedonia is a time of joy, reflection, and community, as people come together to celebrate the resurrection and the promise of new life. It is a public holiday, allowing families to spend time together and participate in the various religious and cultural traditions that have been passed down through generations.