Origin & history
Easter Monday, known as Vaskrsni Ponedeljak or Uskrsni Ponedeljak, follows Orthodox Easter Sunday. Serbia adopted Christianity in the 9th century under Saints Cyril and Methodius, and later adhered to Eastern Orthodox traditions. The Julian calendar is used for fixing the date of Easter, which often differs from the Western celebration. Easter Monday has been observed since the early Christian period as a continuation of the Paschal feast, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In Serbia, it became an official public holiday after World War II, reflecting the country's deep Orthodox Christian heritage.
Customs & traditions
On Easter Monday, Serbians attend a special liturgy at church, continuing the joyful atmosphere of Easter Sunday. Families and friends gather for festive meals featuring roasted lamb, eggs, and traditional pastries like pogaฤa (a type of bread). A popular tradition is the 'tucanje jajima' or egg tapping contest, where hard-boiled eggs painted in red (symbolizing Christ's blood) are tapped against each other; the person with the unbroken egg is considered lucky. Children often visit godparents and neighbors, exchanging greetings of 'Hristos Vaskrse' (Christ is Risen) and receiving gifts or colored eggs. In some regions, people visit cemeteries to remember departed loved ones, sharing food and eggs as a symbol of life and resurrection.
Why it is celebrated
Easter Monday prolongs the celebration of the Resurrection, which is the most important event in Orthodox Christianity. It symbolizes new life, hope, and the victory over death. For Serbians, it is a time of spiritual renewal, family unity, and reaffirmation of cultural and religious identity, particularly as it often falls on a different date than Western Easter, underscoring Serbia's adherence to Orthodox traditions.