Easter in Russia, as in other countries, -holiday of holidays, celebration of celebrations. But today the world is changing rapidly, and most importantly, what remains unchanged, goes into the background. Rarely today, young people, especially in metropolitan areas, understand the meaning of the Easter holiday, go to confession and sincerely support the age-old traditions. But Easter is the main Orthodox holiday, bringing light and joy to entire nations, into families and the soul of every believer.
Christians understand by the word "Easter" "the transition from death to life, from earth to heaven." For forty days, believers observe the strictest post and celebrate Easter in honor of the victory of Jesus by death.
Judaic Easter is pronounced “Pesach” (Hebrew word) and means “passed by, passed”. The roots of this word go back to the history of the liberation of the Jewish people from Egyptian slavery.
In the New Testament it is said that the destroyer who has accepted Jesus will pass.
In some languages, the word is pronounced like "Pisha." This Aramaic name that has spread in some European languages and has survived to this day.
No matter how the words are pronounced, the essence of Easter does not change, for all believers this is the most important triumph. Bright holiday, bringing joy and hope to the hearts of believers of the whole Earth.
The holiday was born long before the birth of Christ, but the significance of the Easter holiday at that time was very great for the Jewish people.
History has it that once Jews were in captivityfrom the Egyptians. A lot of bullying, misfortune and oppression suffered slaves from their masters. But faith in God, the hope of salvation and the mercy of God always lived in their hearts.
One day, a man named Moses came to them, who was sent to rescue him with his brother. The Lord chose Moses to enlighten the Egyptian Pharaoh and deliver the Jewish people from slavery.
But no matter how Moses tried to convince Pharaohto let people go, freedom was not granted to them. The Egyptian pharaoh and his people did not believe in God, worshiping only their deities and relying on the help of sorcerers. To prove the existence and power of the Lord, nine terrible executions were brought down on the Egyptian people. Neither the bloody rivers, nor the toads, nor the black flies, nor the flies, nor the darkness, nor the thunder - none of this could have happened if the ruler had let the people with his cattle go.
Last, tenth penalty, like previous onespunished Pharaoh and his people, but did not touch the Jews. Moses warned that every family should slaughter a male year-old immaculate lamb. Anoint the doors of their homes with the blood of an animal, bake the lamb and eat it with the whole family.
At night, all male firstborn were slainin homes among people and animals. Only the houses of the Jews, where there was a bloody mark, did not affect the misfortune. Since then "Easter" means - passed by, passed.
This penalty greatly frightened Pharaoh, and he let goslaves with all their flocks. The Jews went to the sea, where the water opened up, and they quietly set off along the bottom of it. Pharaoh wanted to break his promise again and rushed after them, but his water swallowed.
Jews began to celebrate the liberation from slavery and the passing of executions by their families, calling the holiday Easter. The history and significance of the Passover feast are sealed in the Bible in the book Exodus.
На израильской земле у девы Марии родился Иисус Christ, who was destined to save human souls from the slavery of hell. At thirty years old, Jesus began to preach, telling people about the laws of God. But three years later he was crucified along with other objectionable authorities on the cross, which was installed on Mount Calvary. It happened after the Jewish Passover, on Friday, which was later dubbed Passion. This event complements the meaning of the Easter holiday with new meaning, traditions and attributes.
Christ, like a lamb, was slain, but his bones remained intact, and this became His sacrifice for the sins of all mankind.
On the eve of the crucifixion, on Thursday, the SecretSupper, where Jesus presented bread as his body, and wine as blood. Since then, the meaning of Easter has not changed, but the Eucharist has become the new Easter meal.
At first, the holiday was weekly. Friday was the day of grief and the beginning of fasting, and Sunday was the day of joy.
В 325 году, на Первом Вселенском Соборе была The date of the celebration of Easter is determined - on the first Sunday after the spring full moon. The Russian Orthodox Church uses the Julian calendar. To calculate which day Easter falls in a certain year, you need to make a rather complicated calculation. But for ordinary lay people, a calendar of holiday dates has been compiled for decades to come.
For a long time of the existence of the holiday, it has become overgrown with traditions, which are still held in families to this day, and signs.
Пасха в России - один из главных праздников даже for those people who are very rare in church. Today, in the era of high technologies and urbanization, among generations who prefer computers to live communication, the church is slowly losing its power over the hearts and souls of people. But almost everyone, regardless of the age and strength of faith, knows what Lent is.
Older generations in families passed on traditions. Adhere to the whole post is rarely solved, most often only in the last week, people somehow follow the rules.
40 days believers should eat without takingfood of animal products (and on some days fasting is stricter), do not drink alcohol, pray, confess, receive communion, do good, do not slander.
Great Lent Passion Week ends.Easter service has a special meaning and scope. In modern Russia, services are broadcast live on central channels. In every church, even the smallest village, candles are lit all night and chants are sung. Millions of parishioners throughout the country do not sleep all night, pray, attend services, put candles, sanctify food and water. A fast ends on Sunday, after the commission of all church rituals. Fasting sit at the table and celebrate Easter.
Since childhood, we teach children that, welcomingof a person on this holiday, you need to say: “Christ is Risen!” And answer these words: “Truly Risen!” To learn more about what this is connected with, you need to refer to the Bible.
The essence of Easter is to move Jesus toto his father. The story says that Jesus was crucified on Friday (Passion). The body was removed from the cross and buried. The coffin is a cave hollowed out in a rock, covered with a huge stone. The bodies of the dead (there were still victims) were wrapped with cloth and rubbed with incense. But they didn’t manage to perform the ceremony with the body of Jesus, since according to Jewish law it was strictly forbidden to work on the Sabbath.
Women - followers of Christ - in the morningSunday went to his coffin to perform the rite themselves. An angel came down to them, informing them that Christ had risen. Easter from now on will be the third day - the day of the resurrection of Christ.
Upon entering the tomb, women were convinced of the wordsthe angel and brought the message to the apostles. And they reported this good news to everyone. All believers and unbelievers should have known that the impossible happened, what Jesus said, Christ resurrected.
In many countries of the world, believers paint eggs andbake cakes. There are a lot of recipes for Easter cakes, and in different countries they also differ in form. Of course, this is not the essence of Easter, but these are traditions that have been accompanying the holiday for many centuries.
In Russia, Bulgaria and Ukraine, they “beat” with painted eggs.
In Greece on the Friday preceding Easter,working with a hammer and nails is considered a great sin. At midnight from Saturday to Sunday, after the solemn service, when the priest proclaims “Christ is Risen!”, The night sky illuminates a grand firework display.
In the Czech Republic on Monday, following Easter Sunday, girls are lashed as a compliment. And they can pour water over a young man.
Australians make chocolate Easter eggs and figurines of various animals.
Украинские пасхальные яйца называются "писанки".Children are given clean white eggs as a symbol of their long and bright life journey. And the elderly - dark eggs with a complex pattern, as a sign that in their life there were many difficulties.
Easter in Russia brings light and wonder to the houses of believers.Sanctified Easter eggs are often credited with miraculous power. On Sunday morning, when washing, the consecrated egg is placed in a basin of water, and each family member should wash them, rubbing their cheeks and forehead.
Red Easter egg has a special symbolism. In Greece, red is the color of grief. The red eggs symbolize the tomb of Jesus, and the broken ones - open tombs and the Resurrection.
Every nation has its own unique signs associated with this day. Modern man does not always believe in them, but to know about it is interesting.
Some peoples consider it a good sign to take a dip in the spring on Easter night and bring this water to the house.
On the eve of Easter, homes are cleaned up, cooked,baked, but in many countries it is considered a sin to work on the Sabbath. In Poland, omens at Easter forbid mistresses to work on Friday, otherwise the entire village will be left without a harvest.
