Armed guard of honour holds rare Easter ritual in Hungarian church

A rare Easter tradition endures in the Hungarian town of Hajdúdorog, where young armed men known as Christ’s Soldiers stand honour guard at a symbolic tomb inside the local church. Once common across the region, this custom now survives only here, cherished by the local Greek Catholic community.

Historical roots: Christ’s Soldiers

Christ’s Soldiers begin their watch on Good Friday during the Great Vespers and continue through the Easter Sunday liturgy. The tradition originates in the Bible: according to the Gospels, Jewish leaders feared Jesus’ disciples would steal his body after the crucifixion, so they posted guards at the tomb, Lelépő reports.

The tradition has been present in Hajdúdorog since the time of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Late 19th-century sources refer to participants as “sword-bearing lads” and “guard soldiers”. This local folk custom fused with the Gospel story, as placing armed guards at noble funerals was a longstanding practice among the Hajdú people.

A position of honour

Guarding the symbolic tomb is considered a prestigious role. Until the mid-20th century, only unmarried men who had completed military service were eligible to serve as Christ’s Soldiers. Today, the primary requirement is that candidates have to be local, unmarried young men.

The guards serve in groups of ten to twelve, led by a corporal who oversees their participation in all liturgical events. They wear traditional attire: black trousers, jackets, high boots, Bocskai-style hats, and carry swords. During the vigil, their uniforms are decorated with green thuja sprigs, replaced by white handkerchiefs after Jesus’ resurrection.