How to Celebrate Russian Easter
Easter, or Paskha, is the most important feast of the Russian Orthodox Church. Russian Easter is a joyous celebration of the resurrection of Christ and many religious and secular traditions surround this sacred holiday. Here's how to celebrate Russian Easter. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Fast during Lent, which begins eight weeks before Russian Easter. The Lenten fast serves to remind us of Christ's suffering through abstaining from earthly desires. Traditionally, Russians adhere to a vegan diet, eating no meat or dairy products, during Lent and many abstain from sexual activity as well.
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Go to church during holy week. Many members of the Russian Orthodox Church take time off from work to attend holy week services. If nothing else, try to attend Good Friday vespers.
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Prepare traditional food for the Easter feast. On Easter, the fast is lifted and consumption of meat and dairy products abounds. Paskha, the Russian word for Easter, is also the name of a popular Russian Easter dessert that resembles cheesecake.
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Assemble baskets of food to take to church or create a special table of food at home. Although many celebrate Easter from home, churchgoers often commence their Paskha celebration at the church directly after the Paskha liturgy.
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Decorate boiled eggs. Russian Easter eggs are predominantly red, a color achieved through boiling eggs with red onion skins. Some paint elaborate designs on Easter eggs similar to those seen on Faberge eggs. It is customary to take Easter eggs to church for consecration.
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Attend the Paskha service at a Russian Orthodox Church. The service will begin on the Saturday night before Easter and continue several hours past midnight.
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Greet others who celebrate Russian Easter properly. After the Easter service, Russians traditionally greet each other with three kisses and exchange the following words: Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! People often exchange Easter eggs after the greeting.
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Tips & Warnings
Russian Easter and western Easter usually fall on different dates. Authorities in the Russian Orthodox Church use special calucations to determine the date of Paskha each year.
The point of the Lenten fast is to be mindful of the sacrifices of Christ. If you have special dietary needs or health concerns, speak to a priest about modifying the fast to ensure your health and well-being.
If you want to participate in the sacrament of the Eucharist on Easter, you must be a baptized Orthodox Christian. If you have questions or concerns about whether you can take communion on Easter, call the parish priest where you will attend services.
