Greek Orthodox Easter
Customs
In Greece, the actual Easter festival begins several days before Easter.
Preparations begin on Holy Thursday, when the tsoreki, or Easter bread, is
baked, and the eggs are dyed red, symbolizing the blood of Christ.
Many Orthodox fast in the days leading up to Easter, restricting
themselves from meat, butter, milk and olive oil. Most also go to their
priest to make their confessions and partake in the Holy Communion.
On Good Friday, the church's priest or monk takes down the icon of Christ
from the cross and wraps it in linen, reenacting the ancient burial
rituals. The icon is then placed in a casket surrounded by white lilies,
and paraded through the town as worshipers lament the death of Christ.
On Holy Saturday, parishioners attend late night mass, bringing with them
unlit candles. As the clock strikes midnight, the priest announces
joyously, "Christos anesti" or "Christ Has Risen".
Worshipers light their unlit candles from the church's Holy Flame, which
is said to be have taken from Jesus' nativity cave in Jerusalem.
The pre-Easter fast ends with this lighting ceremony, so worshipers
quickly return home to enjoy a feast meal. The soot from the burning
candles is often used to make the sign of a cross upon a home's threshold.
A cross from the Holy Flame candles is thought to protect the home and its
inhabitants during the coming year.
Easter Sunday is considered a festive day of rejoicing with friends and
family. The traditional meal is roasted lamb-symbolizing Jesus, the Lamb
of God-and dyed eggs.
Greeks have an egg cracking tradition, known as tsougrisma, which is
somewhat akin to American's wishbone tradition on Thanksgiving. In Greece,
friends and neighbors crack their eggs against one another's to see who
ends up with the whole egg. |
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The one holding the last whole
egg is deemed the lucky one. Making the feast even more jovial is the free
flowing Greek wines and ouzo, which often help these meals last well into
the nig
Many of these colorful traditions are practiced today not only in Greece,
but in America and other countries around the world with growing Greek
immigrant communities. Whether new immigrant or third-generation, the
Greek community abroad is strong-and nothing brings out that Greek pride
more than the Easter celebrations.
Russian Orthodox Easter
Customs
Easter is the predominant springtime feast celebrated by the Russian
Orthodox. For religious Russians, the entire Lenten Season, referred to as
the Quadragesima, has a markedly different feel than normal, day-to-day
life. Historically, all theatre and music performances were banned during
Lent, as they were considered distraction from the Lenten proscription to
reflect and repent. Today, these public restrictions have lessened,
although many individuals still maintain a strict adherence to the
requirements of Lent, including not eating meat, eggs or other animal
products during the forty day "fast".
Holy week, beginning with Palm Sunday, is a time of great activity in
Russian homes, including spring cleaning and baking Easter bread. On Holy
Thursday, Russians paint their Easter eggs using their traditional method
of boiling onion peels and scraps of silk together with the eggs. Painted
eggs are a universal symbol of Easter, but in Russia they take on even
greater significance. Russian Easter eggs are believed to possess magical
powers-from protecting crops to warding off evil spirits. Many hide an
Easter egg in the foundation of their home, believing that it will bring
prosperity.
On Holy Saturday, a strict day fasting in which no food may be eaten at
all, families are nonetheless busy preparing for the Easter feast.
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The one holding the last whole
egg is deemed the lucky one. Making the feast even more jovial is the free
flowing Greek wines and ouzo, which often help these meals last well into
the nig
Like in Greece, Easter Mass in Russia is held on Saturday night.
Worshipers congregate in a totally darkened church, which symbolizes the
despair of a world without faith in Jesus Christ. Historically, the eve of
Holy Saturday was considered a haunted time, in which satanic creatures
tormented townsmen. People were afraid to go out after dark, but
persevered to attend Mass, since Church was considered a safe haven.
As midnight approaches, worshipers light candles and then, at the strike
of twelve o'clock, church bells announce the resurrection of Christ. An
intensely joyful Orthodox liturgical chant can be heard throughout the
streets of Russia until the conclusion of Easter Mass at dawn.
Worshipers return to their homes for a long family feast. Tables are
traditionally decorated with fresh flowers and painted eggs. In addition
to the Easter bread and Paskha cake, foods prohibited during the forty day
fast, such as sausage, bacon, cheese and milk, are also served.
After breakfast, people go out to visit friends and neighbors, bringing
with them baskets of painted eggs and Easter breads to exchange. An old
Russian fable tells that an Easter egg given from the heart will never
spoil. People also visit cemeteries, bringing eggs, bread and even beer to
their deceased relatives.
Like the egg cracking game in Greece, Russians also have a game they play
with eggs on Easter. Children line up at the top of a hill and roll their
eggs down, with the aim of keeping their egg intact while breaking their
opponents' eggs.
Many of these beautiful Orthodox customs are now practiced in America and
elsewhere around the world, as Orthodox churches have sprung up to meet
the needs of immigrant communities. Perhaps this spring, you can visit an
Orthodox Church or community to experience the magic of an Eastern Easter. |
