In Romania, the week before Easter, known as Săptămâna Mare (Holy Week) is a time of deep reflection, quiet rituals, and hopeful anticipation. It begins on Palm Sunday (Duminica Floriilor), commemorating Jesus’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem, and culminates in the most crucial celebration in the Orthodox Christian calendar: Paștele, the Resurrection of Christ. This week is not merely a countdown to a holiday but a sacred journey through suffering, sacrifice, and, ultimately, redemption.
Throughout the week, churches across Romania hold evening services called Denii, in which passages from the Gospels are read to recount the final days of Christ’s life. These services are attended with reverence, particularly on Wednesday, when the betrayal of Jesus by Judas is remembered, and on Thursday, when the Last Supper is commemorated and the 12 Gospel Readings occur. The faithful often stand for hours, holding candles, immersed in both the somberness and the sacredness of the story unfolding.
Then comes Vinerea Mare, or Great Friday. It is a day of mourning: the crucifixion of Christ. In Romanian villages and cities alike, the atmosphere shifts palpably. The bells remain silent, and the faithful fast more strictly, some abstaining from both food and water. In churches, the epitaf (a richly embroidered cloth icon depicting Christ in the tomb) is placed in the center, and worshippers pass beneath it in a symbolic gesture of humility, repentance, and the hope of rebirth. There is no liturgy on this day, only the deep silence of grief.
But the stillness of Friday is not the end. It is the threshold to joy.
Paștele (Easter) is ushered in with radiant light and shared celebration. On Saturday night, just before midnight, people gather at churches, often bundled in coats against the spring chill, each holding an unlit candle. At midnight, the priest emerges with the flame of the Resurrection and proclaims: “Hristos a înviat!” (Christ is risen!). The crowd answers: “Adevărat a înviat!” (Truly, He is risen!). This simple yet powerful exchange echoes in every corner of the country.
The candlelight procession home symbolizes carrying Christ’s light into people’s lives. And on Easter day, the fasting ends. Tables overflow with traditional foods, drob, cozonac, lamb stew, and red-painted eggs. The egg-cracking ritual, where family and friends tap eggs while repeating the resurrection greeting, reinforces the central theme: life over death, light over darkness.
Therefore, this week is not only a sacred chapter of the liturgical year but a cultural cornerstone. It brings Romanians together in shared memory, resilience, and hope. In a world that still wrestles with uncertainty and loss, the Romanian Holy Week offers a reminder that renewal is not only possible but promised.
As a Fulbright scholar living in Romania, experiencing Săptămâna Mare firsthand deepens my understanding of the Romanian spirit, rooted in tradition, nourished by faith, and sustained by a profound sense of community. Being here during this sacred time is humbling and inspiring, reminding me that some of the most powerful lessons in resilience and hope are found not in textbooks but in the quiet strength of people coming together to carry the light.