Ukrainian Easter Traditions and How to Celebrate Abroad

Easter in Ukraine is more than just a holiday—it’s a heartfelt celebration of faith, family, and cultural heritage. Marked by ancient customs, vibrant symbols, and warm gatherings, Ukrainian Easter brings light and hope after a long winter and carries deep spiritual meaning.

But what if you or your loved ones are far from home? Whether you’re part of the Ukrainian diaspora, have Ukrainian roots, or simply admire the culture, there are many ways to honor these beautiful traditions—even abroad.

Let us walk you through the most cherished Ukrainian Easter customs and how you can recreate them no matter where you live.

1. Pysanka – The Symbol of Life and Resurrection

One of the most iconic symbols of Ukrainian Easter is the pysanka—a beautifully hand-decorated egg using wax-resist dyeing. Each color and pattern tells a story, often rooted in faith, protection, or love.

How to celebrate abroad:

Even if you can’t make your own, you can still decorate your home with authentic pysankas or send them as meaningful gifts. At Gifts from Ukraine, we offer a collection of hand-painted pysankas created by Ukrainian artisans and shipped directly from Canada.

2. Easter Basket Blessing (Великодній кошик)

On Easter Saturday, families in Ukraine bring beautifully prepared baskets filled with food—paska bread, eggs, sausage, butter, and more—to be blessed at church. Each item in the basket has spiritual meaning.

How to celebrate abroad:

Prepare a basket at home, even if you can’t attend a blessing. Use traditional embroidered towels (рушники) to cover the basket, include symbolic foods, and gather your family for a quiet moment of gratitude.

You can find hand-embroidered towels and Easter-themed linens in our Easter Collection to bring authenticity to your celebration.

3. Paska – The Heart of the Easter Table

Paska is a traditional Ukrainian Easter bread, often decorated with crosses and braids made of dough. It represents Christ’s resurrection and is the centerpiece of the Easter feast.

How to celebrate abroad:

Bake your own using a traditional recipe (we’ve shared one here) or support a local Ukrainian bakery. Sharing this bread with family, friends, or neighbors is a touching way to keep tradition alive.

4. Greeting One Another: “Christ is Risen!”

After the midnight church service, Ukrainians greet each other with “Христос Воскрес!” (“Christ is Risen!”) and reply “Воістину Воскрес!” (“Indeed He is Risen!”). This greeting continues throughout the Easter season.

How to celebrate abroad:

Start your Easter morning with this sacred exchange among your loved ones—even over a video call. You can also include these words in handwritten Easter cards to Ukrainian family and friends.

5. Sharing the Joy Through Gifts

In Ukraine, Easter is a time of sharing joy, love, and hope—not just through food and greetings but through heartfelt gestures.

How to celebrate abroad:

Send traditional gifts like pysankas, hand-painted décor, and embroidered items to family, friends, or Ukrainian refugees abroad. Our store offers a carefully curated collection of Easter gifts that celebrate Ukrainian heritage while supporting local artists.

Browse our collection here: https://www.giftsfromukraine.com/collections/easter

Keeping Traditions Alive, No Matter the Distance

Celebrating Ukrainian Easter abroad is a beautiful way to stay connected to your roots and share your culture with others. Every pysanka painted, every slice of paska shared, and every heartfelt greeting keeps the spirit of Ukraine strong.

At Gifts from Ukraine, we are proud to help you honor these traditions with authentic, handcrafted gifts that carry the warmth of home.

From our hearts to yours—Христос Воскрес!