Russian Easter Paskha

Of all of the holidays religious and secular, my favorite has always been Easter or Paskha. Why? Because it heralds the rebirth of the earth and arrival of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. It is the holiday of holidays and the feast of feasts. Even the sun plays in joy on Easter, a day meant for rejoicing and reminding us of everlasting life.

Orthodox Easter doesn’t always fall on the same day as Catholic Easter, but it always follows Passover and the first full moon after the Spring Equinox. The joyous service is a long one, starting at 11:30 on Saturday night and lasting until 3:30 on Easter Sunday. It is comprised of three segments: matins, hours, and the main liturgy.

As I arrive in church, it is shrouded it darkness, the only light emanating from the candles that surround the icons. I’m dressed up, with a necklace of miniature eggs that I add to yearly around my neck. For now, there is soft reading before the tomb of Jesus, but just before midnight, the priest, deacon, and altar boys will lead the procession outside and around the church. From the priest’s candle alight the candles of the choir and congregation which is symbolic of the flame that descends upon the grave of Jesus in Jerusalem on Easter.

The miracle of the holy flame occurs yearly in the Church of the Resurrection, built on the ground where Jesus was buried. The Patriarch, who is akin to the Pope, enters the holy chamber of the sepulcher and prays. A blue flame appears from the stone where Jesus lay and from this light the Patriarch lights his candle which in turn is shared with the faithful gathered for Easter. For a period of time, the flame does not burn a person and candles lit by this flame have been flown all over the world.

All of us will follow with our lighted candles in anticipation of the first pronouncement: “Christ is risen!” which is accompanied by the ringing of the church bells.

The answer, “Truly He is Risen” is heard throughout the night. Of course, children of all ages love to yell as loud as they possibly can. How often can you literally scream in church, anyway?!

All sing the hymn of the resurrection:
“Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death
And upon those in the tombs, bestowing life.”

The liturgy is alive and energetic, starting in darkness/death and ending in light/life. The priest and deacon walk around the church throughout the night with a censor, proclaiming “Christ is risen.” There are no instruments in the church and only the voices of the choir are heard singing the Easter hymns. Smiles abound and most of the churchgoers partake in Holy Communion.

After the service, the priest greets every person individually as they kiss the cross, and gives them a bright red egg, symbolic of everlasting life. It is the custom to kiss three times on the cheek when saying “Christ is risen” or replying “truly He is risen.”

The Easter service finishes with the blessing of the Easter baskets filled with kulich, cheese pascha, kielbasa, ham, eggs, and other goodies. The blessed food is eaten first and after the long Lenten fast, the meat always tastes especially delicious. The letters “XB” on the food means "Christ is risen!”

The egg fights follow and the winner is determined by holding the egg whose shell does not crack when tapped by the other person's egg. Supposedly, there is a technique to finding the strongest egg by tapping it on one’s front teeth!

Happy memories are made on Easter while visiting open houses and gathering with friends and loved ones. It’s celebrated for forty days until Ascension Day and is indeed the holiday of holidays. Be sure to look at the sun during Easter sunrise and throughout the day -- you’ll see it playing in joy!