Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday in Serbia, known as *Vaskrs* or *Uskrs*, is one of the most significant religious holidays in the Serbian Orthodox Christian tradition. It celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, as described in the New Testament, and is observed with great reverence and joy. The date of Easter in Serbia follows the Julian calendar, often differing from the Western (Gregorian) calendar, and typically falls in April or early May. Preparations for Easter begin with *Great Lent*, a 40-day period of fasting, prayer, and reflection. The week leading up to Easter, known as *Holy Week*, is marked by special church services, including the reading of the Passion of Christ and the symbolic reenactment of his crucifixion and resurrection. On Holy Saturday, families gather to dye eggs, traditionally using red dye to symbolize the blood of Christ and new life. The first egg dyed is called the *čuvarkuća* (housekeeper) and is kept until the following Easter as a symbol of protection. Easter Sunday begins with the midnight *Resurrection Service*, where worshippers light candles and proclaim "Christ is Risen!" (*Hristos Vaskrse!*), to which the response is "Truly He is Risen!" (*Vaistinu Vaskrse!*). After the service, families return home to break the Lenten fast with a festive meal. Traditional foods include roasted lamb, *čorba* (soup), and *pogača* (bread), along with the dyed eggs, which are cracked in a game to see whose egg remains unbroken. Easter in Serbia is a time for family gatherings, spiritual renewal, and the celebration of faith, hope, and new beginnings. The holiday is deeply rooted in both religious and cultural traditions, making it a cherished occasion for Serbians worldwide.