As the Easter season arrives, many families around the world prepare with colorful eggs and chocolate bunnies. But for Ukrainians, Easter is far more than a springtime holiday — it's a deeply spiritual and culturally rich season that begins long before Easter Sunday itself.
Kate Tykhonova-Nelipovych, a proud Ukrainian now living in Canada, joined us to share a glimpse into the vibrant traditions that make Easter so special in her homeland.
A forty-day journey of preparation
"Easter is a big holiday, and we start preparing for that holiday like 40 days in advance," Kate shared. Known as the Great Lent, this extended fasting period is a time of reflection and spiritual discipline for both Ukrainian Catholics and Orthodox believers.
During Lent, fasting is taken very seriously, with many abstaining from certain foods and focusing on prayer. "Our priests and pastors encourage us to focus more on the spiritual part, not just on baking or so," Kate explained. While the delicious Easter dishes are an important part of the celebration, the spiritual preparations are at the heart of Ukrainian Easter.
Willow Sunday and Holy Week: A sacred tradition
The week leading up to Easter, known as Holy Week, is filled with significant traditions. One unique custom takes place on Willow Sunday — Ukraine’s version of Palm Sunday.
"We don't have palms in Ukraine," Kate said with a laugh. "So people bring to the churches pussy willows, and kids start playing games with them." Children tap each other gently with the pussy willow branches while chanting a special rhyme: "I don't beat, the willow beats. Easter is in a week. The red egg is not far away."
Holy Thursday is especially meaningful. "Today we remember Holy Supper," Kate shared. "We read 12 Bible verses about what happened to Jesus and his disciples. It can take three to four hours."
One moving tradition involves bringing home a lit candle from church. "You should bring the burning candle all the way from the church to your home," Kate said. Using special lanterns to keep the flame alive, families then use the candle's ashes to mark a cross above their front doors — a symbolic blessing and protection against evil.
Watered Monday: A splashy easter tradition
Easter celebrations don't end on Sunday in Ukraine — in fact, they continue long after.
The Monday following Easter, known as Watered Monday, brings a much lighter and more playful tradition. "Youth and kids spray water on each other," Kate said, smiling. "These days they use water guns, but it's more common to use buckets."
The tradition once symbolized courtship: "A guy who liked a girl would sprinkle her with water to show his interest," Kate explained. "In response, she would give him a special Easter egg." Today, it’s mostly about fun, with children needing raincoats to avoid getting soaked on their way to school.
Honoring ancestors with food and celebration
The week following Easter is called Light Week, a time when families visit cemeteries to honor their ancestors. "We bring food — mostly candies and Easter bread — to the cemeteries," Kate shared. Children run through the cemeteries, collecting candies left on graves in a tradition that feels somewhat similar to Halloween.
"It’s very fun," Kate said. "Kids know that everyone will bring candies." At the same time, families show respect by leaving offerings and saying special prayers to remember their loved ones.
Ukrainian Easter vs. Canadian Easter
While Canadian Easter traditions often include egg hunts and chocolate baskets, Ukrainian celebrations focus more on faith, family, and heritage. "We don't have Easter egg hunts, at least we didn't," Kate said. "In the last decade, it's starting to be implemented as a fun activity, but it's not part of our traditional culture."
Kate also pointed out another difference: "In Canada, grandparents usually give sweets to their grandkids. In Ukraine, not really."
Ukrainian Easter is a vibrant tapestry woven with deep faith, ancient customs, and heartfelt joy — a beautiful reflection of a culture that holds its traditions close, even when oceans away from home.