Orthodox Easter in North Macedonia is one of the most significant religious holidays. The festival is celebrated according to the Julian calendar, which differs from the Gregorian calendar that most of the world uses, which is why Orthodox Easter is typically celebrated on a different date. The event serves as a commemoration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, an integral aspect of Christian belief.
The celebrations of Orthodox Easter in North Macedonia are rich in traditions and rituals. On Good Friday, folks attend church services and many people maintain the tradition of fasting for the entire Holy Week leading up to Easter Sunday. Houses are thoroughly cleaned to symbolize purification, and on Saturday, people color Easter eggs, with the first one being dyed red to symbolize the blood of Christ.
On Easter Sunday, families gather to break their fast with a festive meal that often includes foods like lamb and Easter bread. A common tradition is the Easter egg cracking game or 'egg tapping', where participants tap their eggs against the eggs of others, and the owner of the last egg remaining uncracked is deemed the winner, earning a year's worth of good luck. Orthodox Easter is not only a significant religious event in North Macedonia, but also a time for families to come together, to celebrate and spend time with each other.