Christians spend the Holy Saturday celebrating the start of Easter holidays. Easter dishes are prepared during the day and taken to church for a blessing. In the evening the Easter Vigil takes place, symbolizing the wait for the resurrection of Jesus Christ. During this event bishops and priests also perform rites of Christian initiation such as christening, communion and confirmation for adult catechumens. The symbolism and rituals are a reflection of the fundamental message of Christianity – that Jesus Christ has risen from among the dead.

The Archbishop of Ljubljana, Stanislav Zore, led the Easter Vigil at the St Nicholas cathedral in Ljubljana, the apostolic administrator of the Maribor archdiocese Stanislav Lipovšek held the vigil at the main cathedral in Maribor, whereas the Vatican Easter Vigil was led by Pope Francis.

On Easter day, which is the celebration of joy and hope, Christians go to morning mass. After that the family gathers at breakfast which consists of the blessed Easter dishes – Easter eggs, ham, horseradish and potica, a traditional Slovenian nut roll. The Pope traditionally gives his blessing to the city of Vatican and the world (Urbi et orbi), too.

MMC; translated by K. Z.