Is it not necessary to bless the Easter basket? Explanation by Metropolitan Drabynko.

The Metropolitan of Pereiaslav and Vyshneve Oleksandr Drabynko noted that although there is no urgent need to bless the Easter basket, it is an important Ukrainian tradition. On Easter, people bring parts of dishes to the church that will later be on the celebration table. The Metropolitan recalled his childhood when their family could not go to church and his grandfather would read a prayer and sprinkle the festive table with blessed water. Discussions about this can only be held after the church service and the blessing of the Easter cakes. The consumption of products from the festive basket can only begin on the festive Sunday, when the Great Fast ends.

It was also reported that there will be changes in the curfew in the Khmelnytskyi and Kirovohrad regions on Easter night.

Holy Week is the most important period of the Great Fast. During this time, believers prepare especially diligently for Easter, spending much time in prayer and abstinence, including food restrictions.

Moreover, the cost of the Easter basket in Ukraine has increased by 64.5% since the beginning of the war. In 2022, its price was 1135 UAH, and this year it is 1867 UAH.