Easter holiday in Georgia
Easter, the holiest of all holidays, connects people to their roots and brings together extended families. It is the most important, sacred, and celebrated festival in Georgia. The Easter celebration in Georgia features many old traditions and unique dishes that are fascinating to explore. You might be surprised to discover that how it is celebrated here differs slightly from other parts of the world. If you’re planning to spend the Easter holiday in Georgia, here is some interesting information about the Easter celebrations in the country.
When is Easter celebrated in Georgia?
Easter, called “Agdgoma” in Georgia, has movable dates since it follows the Julian calendar and can fall anytime between April 4 and May 8. The exact date is typically calculated based on the spring equinox. In Georgia, Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the Jewish celebration of Passover. Because of this, Orthodox Easter is usually celebrated a week or two later than most Christians in the Western world.
Good news: Catholic and Orthodox Easter are celebrated this year on the same date – the 20th of April.
How do Georgians prepare for Easter?
Fasting for 40 days
Religious individuals begin their preparations with a 40-day fast. Georgia is considered a paradise for vegans and vegetarians because, during this fasting period, people avoid all food containing animal ingredients. Everything consumed must be “samarkhvo,” which refers to food suitable for fasting. One might think that fasting food cannot be delicious, but some of the most delicious Georgian dishes are from the samarkhvo menu.
Growing Easter grass
One of the first things to do to prepare for Easter is to grow Easter grass (jejili), symbolizing the renewal of life in springtime. As Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus and symbolizes new life and renewal, newly grown green wheatgrass is one of the main decorations for the holiday. People often grow green Easter grass or purchase it to decorate their homes and churches with this vital holiday symbol.
Getting blessed boxwood branch from the church.
A week before Easter, on Palm Sunday, many Georgians, even those who aren’t religious, attend church to take home a branch of Blessed Boxwood. This custom symbolizes the greeting of Christ as he entered Jerusalem, where palm branches were scattered before him. Since palm trees are not available everywhere in Georgia, people have replaced them with native trees like the evergreen Boxwood tree. In Georgian, Palm Sunday is called “Bzoba,” derived from the word for Boxwood, “bza.”
Dyeing eggs red
Good Friday, or as we call it, Red Friday, is the day when Georgian families get together to dye eggs at home in the kitchen. This must be done before sunset. We do not use artificial colours but rely on natural remedies. The most popular options are red onion peels and madder roots. The deeper the red, the better, as the red represents Christ’s blood. Some people use coriander or young walnut leaves to create patterns on the red eggs. The red-dyed eggs are placed in blades of grass and used as decorations during Easter week, symbolizing the new life that Christ gave to humanity after his resurrection.
One of the greatest joys for children, and not just for them, is cracking red eggs. The competition begins on Easter Sunday morning. The person whose Easter egg cracks all the others and lasts the longest is declared the winner.
Baking Georgian Easter Cake – Paska
One of the most challenging and essential tasks for every Georgian host is to bake or purchase the right Easter cake—its majestic Paska. This traditional Easter dessert is a must-have, and there is an unofficial annual competition to earn a reputation for having the most delicious Easter cake.
What is the secret to the perfect Georgian Easter cake? It should be dense and moist, moderately fatty, moderately sweet, and, most importantly, have a well-balanced flavour of nutmeg, clove, saffron, and cinnamon. This cake is made exclusively for Easter, and Georgians eagerly anticipate enjoying it from one Easter to the next.
How do Georgians celebrate Easter?
Attend a unique church service
The celebration begins with attending the midnight liturgy at church.
Orthodox Christians believe in the Holy Fire, a miraculous event on Great Saturday at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. On Saturday, Georgian Christians celebrate this miracle by attending a unique “litanioba” service. During this service, a dedicated delegation joins the congregation to deliver the Holy Fire, bringing lit candles all the way from Jerusalem.
If you enjoy observing religious traditions, you can also experience the overnight service leading to Sunday morning. All churches in Georgia hold this exceptional Easter service, and many believers stay awake all night to participate.
It is delightful to hear the festive bells and people joyfully chanting, “Christ has risen,” and “Indeed he has risen.” If you decide to spend your Easter holiday in Georgia, you should learn these two phrases: “Qriste agsdga” for “Christ has risen” and “Cheshmaritad agsdga” for “Indeed He has risen.” This is how people greet each other during this holiday.
Paying Respect to the Deceased
Easter is a time for Georgians to honour their ancestors and visit their graves. It is important to pay respects to our loved ones who have passed away. Many people return to their hometowns during this significant holiday, where extended families reunite to celebrate together. Every cemetery across the country is filled with visitors; it is not a time for mourning but rather for celebration.
We light candles and roll red eggs on the graves, joyfully congratulating the deceased on the resurrection of Jesus. After sharing toasts to honour those who have passed, it is a cherished tradition to pour wine on the graves. Georgians are expected to be generous, bringing enough wine and Easter cake to the cemetery, as we may have guests.
In small towns and villages, where people are exceptionally close-knit, after visiting the graves of their loved ones, they also take time to show respect for their neighbours’ and friends’ ancestors.
Celebrate Easter with Delicious Georgian Food
After sharing the joy of Easter with our deceased relatives, it is time to continue the celebration with the living. Families gather around a big table filled with delicious food, specially prepared to mark the end of 40 days of fasting and to celebrate the victory of life over death and the renewal of hope for all humanity.
After fasting for 40 days, the list of dishes is very generous. Of all the popular dishes prepared for the holiest of all holidays, Chakapuli is supposedly the most popular. Chakapuli is a meat stew made from lamb or mutton, cooked with fresh plums, tarragon, and various spices. It is a staple dish in Georgian cuisine, so if you have the chance, be sure to try it!
Play centuries old game “Lelo burti”
One of the oldest traditions associated with Easter in Georgia is the game “Lelo Burti.” This centuries-old sport is often considered a precursor to modern rugby.
“Lelo Burti” is not just a game; it is a unique sporting event and cultural festival that occurs once a year on Orthodox Easter Sunday. In the past, the winning team was believed to guarantee a better harvest for their village. Today, the game is played to honour those we have lost. After the match, the victors carry the ball to the local cemetery and place it on the grave of someone who passed away the previous year. It’s a beautiful tradition that connects communities and keeps memories alive!
