Customs and traditions
Coming to the Maramureşului area, the Ukrainians brought along their habits and customs, but since the migration took place in different periods and different areas, Ukrainian villages developed independently one from another. This is reflected in the habits, outfits, spiritual and material culture, as well as in the language, all different from one locality to the next. Popular traditions were transmitted in the collective memory of the community, and habits have been strictly observed to this day.
Many communities were conditioned by outstanding events in the life of the people, such as birth, wedding, funeral, or religious events, such as Christmas, the Epiphany, the Palm Sunday, Easter and St. Elijah's Day.
Christmas is still celebrated old style (based on the Julian calendar, on January 6th - 7th). The inhabitants of the three communes, just like all Maramureş people, are very religious and strict at observing religious holidays.
The tradition of Christmas Caroling is observed by the elders, with carolers (children and adults) who announce the birth of Lord Jesus Christ in every home. The most noteworthy band of carolers is "Viflaimul", whose members interpret the birth of the Christ.
The Epiphany is the time when the home and the entire homestead is blessed by the village priest.
On Easter people go to church with matzos, traditional painted eggs, and traditional foods which are blessed by the priest. The foods take a real ritual in cooking.
St. Elijah's Day is an opportunity for the community to reunite. People come back to their native village every year, to enjoy the summer weather: this holiday is celebrated on August 2nd.
Celebrating the holy patron of the church is also a great holiday for the Ukrainian community. This is indeed a church holiday, which is celebrated with much prayer not only by the church priest but also by other priests from neighboring villages. This holiday is celebrated depending on the holy patron of the church.
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