In Romania, Easter is not only a celebration confined to Sunday or even Monday—it extends into White Tuesday (Marțea Albă), the third day after the Resurrection, marked by unique customs and traditions, especially in rural areas. Although lesser-known, White Tuesday is part of the Bright Week (Săptămâna Luminată), a time of joy, renewal, and spiritual reflection in Orthodox Christianity.
What Is White Tuesday?
White Tuesday continues the spirit of the Resurrection, symbolizing purity, light, and rebirth. The word “white” in its name refers to the spiritual cleansing and the white garments traditionally worn by those baptized on Easter. It is considered a blessed day, free from fasting and laborious work, and it carries both religious and folkloric meanings.
Customs and Beliefs
In many Romanian villages, White Tuesday comes with a series of rituals passed down through generations:
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Memorial Feasts: It is customary in some areas to honor the dead on this day. Families prepare food and sweets and offer them in memory of those who have passed, believing that the souls of the departed are still close during Bright Week.
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Cleansing and Blessings: Some communities practice ritual cleansing of homes and households, reinforcing the idea of renewal and blessing brought by Easter.
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Social Gatherings: In the countryside, White Tuesday often brings communal celebrations, particularly in the form of extended Easter meals. Neighbors visit one another, and hospitality remains a central value.
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Egg Cracking and Games: Painted eggs, especially red ones, are still used on White Tuesday in games and friendly competitions, often among children. The tradition of “egg tapping” continues as a symbol of Jesus’s resurrection and victory over death.
In the Orthodox Calendar, White Tuesday is part of the Bright Week, a period of joy that follows the Resurrection of the Lord.
According to customs in various regions of Romania, on this day women do not work, and those who adhere to tradition refrain from household chores.
White Tuesday is also the day when alms and red wine left over from the Easter meal are offered. In some parts of the country, relatives and friends return their visits made on Easter Sunday. Popular tradition states that the leftover bread from the Easter meals, especially the crumbs, were not to be thrown away. They were carefully collected and buried in the ground on White Tuesday, as a sign of respect for the consecrated food and the abundance received. Also on this special day, during religious services, an important liturgical moment takes place: the drying and breaking of the Holy Lamb – the communion bread sanctified during the Liturgy.
In Some Regions…
In Transylvania, particularly in Hungarian and Saxon communities, White Tuesday holds specific meaning connected to sprinkling rituals (stropitul), in which boys lightly sprinkle girls with water or perfume to wish them beauty and good health throughout the year.
In Moldova, older generations used to believe that working the land on White Tuesday would bring misfortune, so it remained a day of rest and prayer.
While not an official public holiday, White Tuesday remains a cherished part of Romanian Easter traditions, especially in more traditional communities. It reflects the depth and richness of Romanian culture—where even the days following major celebrations carry symbolic meanings and bring people together in faith and tradition.