Orthodox believers celebrate Easter today

(Patria) - Orthodox believers celebrate the most joyous Christian holiday, Easter, today.

Special customs are associated with Easter. One should wake up early, and one should not go to bed early before midnight.

It is believed that whoever falls asleep before midnight will be drowsy and sleepy throughout the year. When one wakes up, one should wash with water in which the following have been placed: cornel, geranium, basil, and a red Easter egg.

The first colored egg is set aside until the next Easter and is called "čuvarkuća" (guardian egg).

It is customary to touch children's cheeks with a red egg so that they are healthy and rosy throughout the year.

On Easter morning, people go to church for liturgy. The first thing to eat after communion and upon returning home, and thus to break the fast, is an egg. Special cakes and breads are made for Easter.

Many also practice the custom of hiding eggs and sweets in flowers, in yards if they have them, and then children, as soon as they open their eyes, go to look for the gifts that the Easter bunny left them last night.

On Easter day, knocking or tapping eggs is also indispensable. Eggs are first tapped tip to tip, and then bottom to bottom. Whoever breaks another's egg takes it for themselves.

On the second day of Easter, a broken egg should be left in the field so that the field is fertile throughout the year, and an egg should also be given to livestock so that they are healthy throughout the year.

Metropolitan Hrizostom of Dabar-Bosna will officiate the Holy Hierarchical Liturgy in the Cathedral Church in Sarajevo.