Pysanka is a symbol of life

At our parishes of the Archeparchy of Philadelphia, pysanky classes were held, where parishioners were able to write their own Easter eggs and recreate the beauty of the Ukrainian tradition. At the parish of St. Michael the Archangel in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, pysanky class was held for children. For most of the children, this was the first opportunity in their lives to write their own Easter egg. At the parish of Holy Myrrh Bearers Church in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, the parishioners had the opportunity to learn more about the Ukrainian traditions of pysanka, as well as to write their own pysanka for the Easter holiday. At the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Philadelphia, the doors of a master class were opened to parishioners and the community at large. Those present painted Easter eggs using traditional Ukrainian ornaments.

The egg was often a mystery to man: lifeless, it gave rise to new life. Therefore, the Easter egg is a symbol of the spring rebirth of nature, the birth of life, procreation, a symbol of the sun, warmth and eternity…

It is worth reminding that there are two types of dyed eggs in Ukraine - krashanka and pysanka. KRASHANKY - boiled eggs dyed in one color: yellow, red, green, blue, purple, they were used in dishes, in conversation on Easter, and used in Easter games. PYSANKY - raw eggs with a symbolic pattern painted on them and painted in three or four colors. Easter eggs are not just painted: they are written, i.e. painted using special techniques. Hence their very name - pysanky.

Today, Pysanky are a traditional symbol of Easter. And it is impossible to imagine Easter without fluffy, tasty paska and without traditional Ukrainian Easter eggs.

At our parishes of the Archeparchy Philadelphia, master classes on writing Easter cards were also held, where parishioners were able to write their own Easter cards and create the beauty of the Ukrainian tradition.

If you have photos of master classes from your parish or family photos of Easter eggs (Pysanky), we invite you to share your creativity with us.