Orthodox Easter in Russia

Orthodox Easter in Russia

Составила: Кабриль Оксана Ивановна,

Christmas and Easter are two great orthodox feasts. Orthodox Easter (Paskha) symbolizes the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of our God .

Before Easter all the orthodox Christians observe the Great Lent which lasts 40 days.

Easter was celebrated thousands of years ago as the victory of the Light over the Dark, Day over Night, Spring over Winter.

The last Sunday before Easter is called Willow Sunday. On this day pussy-willow branches are blessed in the church.

The week before Easter, the Great Week, is called the White or Pure Week. During this time an effort is made to finish all field work before Thursday.

Pure Thursday is connected with ritual of clarification by water. On Passion Friday — Good Friday — no work is done.

On Saturday before Easter women cook kulichi (easter cakes) and paint eggs

On Saturday evening people go to their local church for the Easter vigil and bless the food.

After that they go home to celebrate Easter with their families.

Easter cakes and painted eggs are the symbols of Easter and obligatory food on the table this day.

Easter Sunday is a day of singing and eating.

Many people visit their friends and relatives and exchange Easter eggs.

People greet each other with words “Christ is risen!” and reply “He is truly risen!”

WE should respect the traditions of our ancestors because Easter Day is the day of love, harmony and unity with the loved people .