Saturday night, when all the cleaning and preparations in the house are Saturday night, when all the cleaning and preparations in the house are done, the steak, the pies and the cakes are put on the table, in the “clean done, the steak, the pies and the cakes are put on the table, in the “clean

room”.room”.After they clean and dress the new clothes, the people After they clean and dress the new clothes, the people

go to the church .go to the church .Only the ill old men and little children remain at home, as it is said that Only the ill old men and little children remain at home, as it is said that

who can go to the church on Easter night, but he doesn’t do it, will get ill.who can go to the church on Easter night, but he doesn’t do it, will get ill.

People hold lighted candles during the religious mass and only put them People hold lighted candles during the religious mass and only put them out when they return home, after they enter the house and make crosses. out when they return home, after they enter the house and make crosses. These Easter candles are kept for the times of danger, when they will have These Easter candles are kept for the times of danger, when they will have

a protective function.a protective function.

After midnight, all people says by way of greeting “Hristos a inviat ! After midnight, all people says by way of greeting “Hristos a inviat ! (Christ is risen!"), The recipient knows to respond "Adevarat c-a înviat!" (Christ is risen!"), The recipient knows to respond "Adevarat c-a înviat!" ("He is risen indeed!"). This turned out to be the usual exchange across ("He is risen indeed!"). This turned out to be the usual exchange across Transylvania in the week following Easter – and, in rural areas, for up to Transylvania in the week following Easter – and, in rural areas, for up to

40 days after Easter Sunday, to announce the Resurrection of Jesus.40 days after Easter Sunday, to announce the Resurrection of Jesus.At 3-4 o’clock in the morning, people return home and wash themselves At 3-4 o’clock in the morning, people return home and wash themselves in a bowl with water, where red painted eggs and silver coins were also in a bowl with water, where red painted eggs and silver coins were also put. They believe that this way they will be as glowing , healthy , with put. They believe that this way they will be as glowing , healthy , with

red cheeks, desired as the Easter eggs and silver and do like this three red cheeks, desired as the Easter eggs and silver and do like this three mornings.mornings.

They return to church in the morning for “Little Resurrection” ,with Easter They return to church in the morning for “Little Resurrection” ,with Easter basket with “pasca”, “cozonaci”, eggs and steak, where the aliments will basket with “pasca”, “cozonaci”, eggs and steak, where the aliments will

be sanctified.be sanctified.

After that, people first taste the anaphora and After that, people first taste the anaphora and then sit to the table. They first eat some of the then sit to the table. They first eat some of the sanctified aliments (made from lamb) and only sanctified aliments (made from lamb) and only

then the rest. In some regions, rabbit or fish then the rest. In some regions, rabbit or fish meat is first eaten, believing that these meat is first eaten, believing that these

animals will confer to the people some of their animals will confer to the people some of their agility , sweetness and gentleness too. agility , sweetness and gentleness too.

There’s the custom of knocking the eggs. It is believed that There’s the custom of knocking the eggs. It is believed that those who knock their eggs will see each other on the other those who knock their eggs will see each other on the other world, after death. In the first day of Easter, eggs are only world, after death. In the first day of Easter, eggs are only

knocked with the top. On Monday they can be knocked top to knocked with the top. On Monday they can be knocked top to the bottom and on the next days they can be knocked any the bottom and on the next days they can be knocked any

way. The first ones to knock their eggs are the parents, one to way. The first ones to knock their eggs are the parents, one to the other, then the children to the parents and then the other the other, then the children to the parents and then the other

relatives and friends. According to the tradition, the one relatives and friends. According to the tradition, the one whose egg cracks first must give his egg to the winner; whose egg cracks first must give his egg to the winner; otherwise he will eat its egg rotten on the other world.otherwise he will eat its egg rotten on the other world.

””Pasca”, a special Easter cake, is baked on Great Thursday, Pasca”, a special Easter cake, is baked on Great Thursday, but especially on Saturday, so it wouldn’t alter until Easter. It but especially on Saturday, so it wouldn’t alter until Easter. It

has a round shape (reminding little Jesus’ diapers) or a has a round shape (reminding little Jesus’ diapers) or a rectangular one (the shape of His grave). In some regions rectangular one (the shape of His grave). In some regions

“pasca” is also baked on St. George Day.“pasca” is also baked on St. George Day.Among the ingredients are pot cheese, egg yolk, raisins and Among the ingredients are pot cheese, egg yolk, raisins and

sometimes sugar and cinnamon. sometimes sugar and cinnamon. The “pasca” can be simple, with jagged margins, or it can have The “pasca” can be simple, with jagged margins, or it can have dough braids. The middle braid is cross-shaped, reminding of dough braids. The middle braid is cross-shaped, reminding of Jesus’ crucifixion. This is called a “cross pasca”. The simple Jesus’ crucifixion. This is called a “cross pasca”. The simple

“pasca” is for the family, while the “cross pasca” is taken to “pasca” is for the family, while the “cross pasca” is taken to the church, in order to be sanctified the church, in order to be sanctified

All Romanian religious celebrations have the cakes All Romanian religious celebrations have the cakes called “cozonaci” which have a rectangular long shape, called “cozonaci” which have a rectangular long shape,

symbolizing Jesus’ grave symbolizing Jesus’ grave

MADE BY MADE BY IOANA, DELIA, ANDREIIOANA, DELIA, ANDREI

General School No 2 Codlea-General School No 2 Codlea-RomaniaRomania