Вінніпеґ Український № 14 (38) (April 2018)

ites, traditional baking “paska” and “babka”, decorating Easter eggs
“pysanky” (which means to write) with artistic designs of nature,
and singing Easter songs “hahilky”and “vesnanky”by young girls on
church grounds with the aim of enticing spring and chasing winter
away. Also, dances and songs performed by young people attempt
to entice and enchant all the good spirits of the reawakened nature
so that it would bring good luck and wealth.
Ukrainian Easter observes the Holy Week, beginning with Palm
Sunday (Verbna nedilia) commemorates the triumphant entry of
Christ into Jerusalem; observed with a special church service at
which small twigs of pussy willows are blessed and distributed
among the congregation. Historically, because palms are difficult
to obtain, pussy willows are used instead.
On Good Friday the “plaschanytsia” of Holy Shroud is symbolically
laid in the church and the faithful express their devotion by
approaching the Shroud. Then on Saturday weather permitting or
at times in the church, food-laden baskets are arranged in rows for
blessing by the clergy. Each Easter basket has in it paska and/or
babka, cottage cheese, meats, salt, butter, hard boiled eggs, horseradish,
colored eggs (krashanky) and pysanky (decorated eggs); a
lighted candle is placed in the basket for the blessing. The custom
of the preparing and the blessing of the Easter basket with its traditional
Easter foods is a blending of ancient ways and as a result is
rich with beauty, history and symbolism.
On Easter Sunday, a special resurrection church service is held,
the joyful heralding of a risen Christ in the singing of the traditional
hymn Christ is Risen. After the Church service
it is customary for people to greet one
another with the traditional Easter greeting
“Khrystos Voskres” (Christ is Risen) to which
the reply is “Voistyno Voskres” (He is risen
indeed), people return
home to further celebrate
the Easter ritual with
their family members
anticipating a happy and
prosperous year.
Easter in Ukrainian culture
is called Velykdenthe
Great Day, for on that
day Christ resurrected
from the dead; a celebration
welcomed and
long awaited by Ukrainians.
Therefore, Ukrainian
Easter in Canada is
acknowledged as a feast
of joy and gladness that
unites the entire community in a
common celebration.
Canadians of Ukrainian background will continue
the observance of Ukrainian Easter with its
unique customs, and its celebration of life. УВ
Настоятель парафії
отець протоієрей Олександр Гаркавий
Парафія Українського Православного Собору
Св'ятої Покрови (Вселенський Патріархат)
ласкаво запрошує Вас відвідати наш Собор,
познайомитись з громадою та разом помолитися
Божественна Літургія служиться щонеділі о 10 ранку. Якщо свято
випадає посеред тиждня, то початок Літургії о 9:30 ранку.
Вечірні Богослужіння служаться кожної суботи, та перед
більшими церковними святами. Початок о 5:30 вечора.
Протягом року при Парафії відкрита Недільна школа для дітей.
Відносно христин, вінчань, панахид, похоронів, різних молебнів
та Акафистів за здоров'я, освячення домів та з іншими питаннями
просимо звертатися в будь який час до настоятеля Собору - отця
Олександра. (Отець розмовляє українською, англійською та
російською мовами).
Нехай Господь благословить Вас та родини Ваші!
- APRIL 2018 - UKRAINIAN WINNIPEG
19