Holy or Great Week

no fixed date

    Holy Week is the last week of Lent, the week immediately preceding Easter Sunday. It is observed in many Christian churches as a time to commemorate and enact the suffering (Passion) and death of Jesus through various observances and services of worship.

                       See the appropriate days on the festival calendar links.

 

 

   The days from Vrubnitsa to Easter are called The Great Week and are also known as the Passion Week. Each of those days is called great because it is full of sufferings and traditions. The preparation for the Easter holidays is strictly determined day by day.
    The first days - Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are said to be for cleaning the house, washing and giving a bath to the children which is done as a symbol of health. On Wednesday women are not allowed to weave, spin or sew.
    On the Great Thursday women paint the eggs. This day is celebrated as a protection from the hail and that is why women do not work and men do not reap. The same restrictions go for the next six Thursdays (until Spasovden).
   At the morning of the Great Friday Christ has been crucified. The hostesses prepare kozunak (Easter cake) and other Easter cookies on this day.

   The Bulgarians call Great Saturday the “Odushna” or “Pogrebenna” for on this day the women usually visit the graveyards. They pour wine and smoke incense, light candles, give out dyed eggs, boiled wheat and bread for the souls of the dead relatives.
on the Great Sunday the Virgin Mary and Maria Magdalena visit Christ's grave and they find it empty. An angel comes and announces the resurrection of Christ.

 

What can be done with Easter Eggs when one is artistically gifted.

 

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