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Ukrainian Easter

 

            
             Ukrainian Easter is full of tradition and history. Even Today, traditional foods are made and many of the old traditions are followed. The Ukrainian culture has a wide range of tradition because of their broad history, which goes from paganism to Christianity. The Ukrainians eggs and baked foods are full of meaning and are made with much care with skilled hands. A lot of time and hard work are put into their holidays, especially Easter. .
             For those using the Gregorian Calendar Ukrainian Easter can fall anywhere from March 22 to April 25. Easter was originally established on the Jewish lunar calendar, where it was a fixed date, and then it was translated on to the Gregorian calendar where it became a floating date because the Jewish calendar has thirteen days behind. Due to tradition Easter must be celebrated after Passover and the vernal equinox like it is on the Jewish lunar, and Old Julian calendar. Further to this Easter is calculated to be on "the first Sunday after the full moon that comes on or after the vernal equinox (March 21)- (Yurko McKay, Copyright Ukrainian Project International Development Corporation, Shezabi Gallery, Online [http://www.ukrainianproject.com/showcase/learn_more_about _ukrainian_eggs_.htm], Dec. 06, 2003).
             Ukrainians are well known for their "pysanky- (Easter eggs- for a picture refer to the title page) that can take up to three hours to make. Images are put on the eggs to symbolize many different things that relate to anything form Christianity to farming to the paganism. Eggs became the canvas for these beautiful designs because of the common pagan belief in their magical power and the Christian's, for them having the ability to hold life; as they became a symbol for fertility and all life.
             Ancient people believed that all life came from a giant, cosmic egg. The Ukrainian Pagans used eggs to put on symbols that represented specific things such as gods, goddesses, nature, and the four seasons (especially spring).


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