Catholic believers around the world, including in Bosnia and Herzegovina, today celebrate the holiday of Easter – the central event of the Christian faith that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus.
In Sarajevo’s Cathedral of the Heart of Jesus, the solemn Easter Mass was led by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Vrhbosna and the Apostolic Administrator of the Military Ordinariate of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Msgr. Tomo Vukšić.
In his sermon, the archbishop recalled how the year 2025 in the Catholic Church is dedicated to Christian hope and emphasized the role of believers as witnesses of hope.
“We believe in the resurrection of the body and eternal life,” said, among other things, Vukšić to the gathered believers.
Although Easter always falls on a Sunday, the celebration extends over several days, starting on Thursday evening with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. Preparations for the holiday begin with Lent – a period of fasting, prayer and penance – which ends with Palm Sunday, or Holy Week. This last week includes Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday, also known as Holy Trinity.
In the days leading up to Easter, believers prepare themselves through numerous customs. One of the most recognizable is coloring Easter eggs. In the past, eggs were traditionally dyed in red onion skins to give them a characteristic dark red shade, while today various techniques and colors are used.
Easter is also rich in symbols – from Easter eggs, rabbits and chickens to sweets and various delicacies – which vary from country to country, but all share a spirit of togetherness, hope and renewal.
