Easter customs of Rusyns and Ukrainians in Vojvodina represent a synthesis of church and family celebrations of this holiday. The most prominent specific features are the special ritual of food blessing in the church on Easter, as well as the preparation of this food in the household. Thus eggs are dyed on Good Friday, while “sirec” (a ritual dish made of eggs and milk), homemade white cheese and “paska” (a ritual Easter cake) are prepared on Holy Saturday. This food is placed in a special wicker basket and brought to church for blessing together with boiled ham, boiled eggs (not dyed and already peeled), sausages, butter, salt etc. For this occasion, Ukrainians also place a lighted candle in the basket with the prepared food.
Easter customs are celebrated in all settlements in Vojvodina where Rusyns and Ukrainians live in large numbers and have their own churches, and also take place in ethnically mixed families.
