A glimpse of Russian Easter festivities!
A glimpse of Russian Easter festivities!
As everybody knows, Russian Easter never coincides with the Catholic Easter. It is always some weeks later and this year will fall on the next Sunday, the 1st of May. It is the most important festivity in the Orthodox world (even more then Christmas) and, for this reason, the streets of the cities are adorned with many decorations.
Easter is a religious festivity that celebrates the resurrection of Christ. The day before Easter all churches hold night services and organize religious processions around churches. On the Saturday night people put on their best clothes and come together in dark churches that symbolize a gloomy world without the light of faith. At midnight, the bells begin ringing, announcing the resurrection of Jesus Christ. All churches fill up of singing voices and candle lights and the celebration goes on till dawn. At the end the priests tell everybody to forgive each other and everyone says the traditional Easter greeting: “Христос воскрес!” (Christ is risen!) with the answer “Воистину воскрес!” (He is truly risen!).
On the Easter day, the family all together has a long breakfast, then they visit friends and neighbours to exchange eggs and Easter breads. It is also common to visit cemeteries and to bring some eggs and breads to the deceased loved in order that they can enjoy Easter too.
Another tradition of the russian world is to paint eggs. Eggs symbolize Jesus’ resurrection and, for this reason, are very important for russian Easter. Usually they are cooked and then painted with natural and happy colors.
Easter in Russia means also typical russian food such as easter bread, kulich and Paskha . The last one is the most traditional and loved Easter sweet. It is composed by food that is forbidden during the period before Easter and it is made during the Holy week. Usually russian people bring paskha to Church on Saturday to be blessed. This cake is usually molded into the form of a truncated pyramid which symbolize the tomb of Christ.
As you can see, the russian culture is rich of Easter practices and traditions and if you are in an orthodox country this weekend, you’ll be so lucky to live them on your skin!
So, have a good weekend and Happy russian Easter!
С праздником Светлой Пасхи!
Elena
This blog was brought to you by Elena, student at Liden and Denz
