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Easter is the great Christian celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, bringing spiritual renewal and symbolizing the beginning of the awakening of nature. In Lithuania, this celebration is steeped in rich folk customs and a rich culinary heritage, often bringing families together around a common table. In Lithuania, the musical heritage of Easter includes church liturgical hymns and folk songs.

 

In the Easter liturgy of Holy Saturday evening, when darkness gradually gives way to light, church music occupies a special place in helping to reveal the depth of the celebration, spiritual renewal and emotional uplift.  This liturgy has four parts in which music takes on different forms and functions. In the Liturgy of Light, which begins with the blessing of the fire and the lighting of the Resurrection candle, the hymn “Lumen Christi” (“The Light of Christ”) rings out hopefully in the darkness with the light of candles. This is followed by the singing of one of the oldest and most spectacular liturgical hymns, the Exsultet (Easter hymn of praise). This hymn is a poetic anthem sung as a solo in praise of Christ's redemption of the world.

In the Liturgy of the Word, seven readings from the Old Testament are read followed by the psalms. This is followed by the Gloria, an emotionally uplifting song accompanied by bells and choir. This musical moment seems to fill the space with joy, lifting the hearts of the faithful towards the realization of the message of Christ's resurrection. This is followed by the Liturgy of Baptism, during which the blessing of the water and the baptism of the catechumens are followed by baptismal hymns expressing the infinite joy of the new members of the Church.

The Litany of All Saints adds to the sacredness. In the liturgical part of the Eucharist, solemn music becomes a tool to help us reach fullness. The liturgy of St. John's Eucharist is a tool for the celebration of the liturgy. The Mass features the traditional music of St. John of God. At the end of the Liturgy, the faithful are accompanied by the word Alleluia, which rings out from the heart. In Lithuania, the hymn “A joyful day has dawned upon us” is often sung at Easter Mass.  During the Resurrection procession, music is played not only inside the church, but also outside around the churchyard. The hymns are a testimony that Christ is alive. He is risen!

 

Music, as the language of spiritual joy, occupies an important place not only in the church but also in Lithuanian folk music. Easter is rarely mentioned in Lithuanian folk songs, but they are dominated by the motifs of spring, the awakening of nature, light and fertility. There are usually rhymes and songs about the awakening of nature - spring. Easter customs of Easter caroling and swinging were popular in Lithuania.

In the rural community of ancient Lithuania, Easter carolers were young men who would go through the village greeting people with joyful songs, orations and Easter hymns. The young men wished good harvests, good luck and good health for the whole year. The Easter carolers were rewarded for their performances, and treated with cake, Easter eggs or money to make their good wishes come true.

Swinging on swings was a means of celebration during the Easter period. The village community, especially young people, used to gather around the swings and sing swinging songs. In Samogitia and Aukštaitija (parts of Lithuania), the custom of welcoming spring on Easter morning, waking up the earth and nature by blowing horns, whistles and bagpipes prevailed. In Dzūkija, Easter songs are more soothing and gentler, as if reflecting the forests and silence of the Dzūkija landscape. In Suvalkija, especially on the second day of Easter, village bands played joyful music, danced and performed songs about the awakening of nature and love. The villages of Lithuania were flooded with the cheerful sounds of canticles and armonicas.

Music is not only a ritual accompaniment, but also a source of communion, joy and faith.

                                               

Article written by Giedrė Gapšytė, a volunteer of the Marian Helpers Organization and a music teacher