Easter this year is unusually early, you need to have time to prepare.

The Resurrection of Christ is the most important holiday for Orthodox Christians. It does not refer to a specific date, but is calculated every year. One thing is certain: the day of the week is Sunday. The difference in dates from the Catholic Resurrection is usually seven days, due to the calculation of different calendars (Julian and Gregorian). Easter in 2023, the Orthodox will be on April 16.



This is the first Sunday closest to the full moon, which follows immediately after the vernal equinox. Catholics celebrate the Resurrection of the Son of God a week earlier. What traditions this holiday is associated with, we tell later in the article.

Easter in 2023 Orthodox believers 50 days before the Resurrection of Christ begins fasting. He's also called the Great. In this way, the Orthodox purify the sinful body and soul in order to come to the all-night Easter service with pure thoughts.

Closer to 12 o'clock in the morning, the bell-bell Blagovest announced the beginning of the great holiday. The ministers of the church dressed on Easter in festive white robes, and the service was held very solemnly. The atmosphere in the temple is very elevated this night. And the words “Christ is risen!” are inspiring.



For Easter, baking cakes on Thursday or Saturday, because it is not recommended to do baking on Friday. Believers paint eggs in different colors, but originally they were made only red. The egg symbolizes the resurrection of Jesus. All products for consecration were put in the Easter basket and covered with a festive napkin, carried to the temple.

Composition of products for the Easter basket
  1. Good kulich (pasca). It is a symbol of the life of Jesus Christ in the world.



  2. Dairy products (oil, cottage cheese). A handful of cottage cheese and a piece of oil symbolize Calvary, where the Son of God was crucified.
  3. Painted eggs. The egg signifies the rebirth of life, symbolizes the resurrection.



  4. Meat products (lard, sausage, beef). They serve as a reminder of the lamb sacrificed in honor of the prodigal son who returned home.
  5. Fuck is a symbol of unshakable faith and strength of spirit.
  6. Salt. It symbolizes well-being and health. Previously, after the service, it was used as a talisman.


Before consecration in the basket put a lit candle. After going to the temple, it should not be thrown away. The candle is taken home and lit when you sit down to break. Hot drinks have not been consecrated before. Now the customs have changed a little, and the Orthodox put in the basket of kagoras, arguing that this drink is considered church.



The Easter service ended at dawn with a procession of the cross: the clergy walked around the church three times with banners in their hands. The priest proclaimed the farewell, blessed all parishioners and sprayed the brought products with holy water. It's the same now.

The consecrated basket was carried home, and all household members gathered at the table to break loose (try all the fast food). Traditionally, those present at the table christified themselves – they were struck with colored eggs. Each tried to keep his egg alive, which meant that he would be strong and healthy.



There are also several bans on Easter. For example, the remnants of consecrated products can not be thrown away, they are recommended to be given to animals. You can't argue and argue. It is also forbidden to engage in heavy physical labor, needlework and cleaning in the house. Orders need to be set before the holiday.

Don't dig in the garden. And if not even a year has passed since the death of one of the relatives, then until Easter it is generally forbidden to tinker in the earth. You cannot get married and have a wedding on Easter. It doesn’t matter if you go to church or bow. It is more important to have God in your heart and to follow God’s commandments. That is true faith!

May the bright holiday of Easter pass peacefully!