What's Orthodox Easter?
Orthodox Easter is the most
significant and sacred season of the Eastern Christian church's calendar. The
annual holiday consists of a series of celebrations or movable feasts
commemorating the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In 2020, Orthodox
Easter falls on Sunday, April 19, 2020. The date of Orthodox Easter changes
every year. Eastern Orthodox churches celebrate Easter on a different day than
Western churches, however, sometimes the dates coincide.
Orthodox Easter Observances: In Eastern Orthodox Christianity, the
spiritual preparations for Easter begin with Great Lent, 40 days of
self-examination and fasting (including Sundays), which starts on Clean Monday
and culminates on Lazarus Saturday. Clean Monday falls seven weeks before
Easter Sunday. The term "Clean Monday" refers to cleansing from
sinful attitudes through the Lenten fast. The early church fathers likened the
Lenten fast to a spiritual journey of the soul through the wilderness of the
world. The spiritual fast is designed to strengthen the inner life of the
worshipper by weakening the attractions of the flesh and drawing him or her
closer to God. In many Eastern churches, the Lenten fast is still observed with
considerable strictness, meaning no meat is consumed, nor any animal products
(eggs, milk, butter, cheese), and fish only on certain days. Lazarus Saturday
occurs eight days before Easter Sunday and signifies the end of Great Lent.
Next comes Palm Sunday, one week before Easter, commemorating the triumphal
entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, followed by Holy Week, which ends on
Easter Sunday, or Pascha. Fasting continues throughout Holy Week. Many Eastern
Orthodox churches observe a Paschal Vigil which ends just before midnight on
Holy Saturday (or Great Saturday), the last day of Holy Week on the evening
before Easter. During the Easter Vigil services, a series of 15 Old Testament
readings begin with these words, "In the beginning, God created the
heavens and the earth." Often Eastern Orthodox churches celebrate Saturday
evening with a candlelight procession outside the church. Immediately following
the Paschal Vigil, Easter festivities begin with Paschal Matins at midnight,
Paschal Hours, and the Paschal Divine Liturgy. Paschal Matins is an early morning
prayer service or, in some traditions, part of an all-night prayer vigil. It
usually beings with the tolling of bells. The whole congregation exchanges a
"Kiss of Peace" at the end of Paschal Mattins. The kissing custom is
based in the following Scriptures: Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:20; 2
Corinthians 13:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:26; and 1 Peter 5:14. Paschal Hours is a
brief, chanted prayer service, reflecting the joy of Easter. And Paschal Divine
Liturgy is a communion or Eucharist service. These are the first celebrations
of Christ's resurrection and are considered the most important services of the
ecclesiastical year. After the Eucharist service, the fast is broken, and the
feasting begins. Orthodox Easter day is celebrated with great joy.
Traditions and Greetings: It is customary among Orthodox Christians to
greet one another during the Easter season with the Paschal greeting. The
salutation begins with the phrase, "Christ is Risen!" The response
is "Truly; He is Risen!" The phrase "Christos Anesti"
(Greek for "Christ is Risen") is also the title of a traditional
Orthodox Easter hymn sung during Easter services in celebration of Jesus
Christ’s resurrection. In the Orthodox tradition, eggs are a symbol of new
life. Early Christians used eggs to symbolize the resurrection of Jesus Christ
and the regeneration of believers. At Easter, eggs are dyed red to represent
the blood of Jesus that was shed on the cross for the redemption of all men.
Orthodox Easter Foods: Greek Orthodox Christians traditionally
break the Lenten fast after the midnight Resurrection Service. Customary foods
are a lamb and Tsoureki Paschalino, a sweet Easter dessert bread. Serbian
Orthodox families traditionally begin the feasting after Easter Sunday
services. They enjoy appetizers of smoked meats and cheeses, boiled eggs and
red wine. The meal consists of chicken noodle or lamb vegetable soup followed
by spit-roasted lamb. Holy Saturday is a day of strict fasting for Russian
Orthodox Christians, while families stay busy making preparations for the
Easter meal. Usually, the Lenten fast is broken after the midnight mass with
traditional Paskha Easter bread cake.
https://www.learnreligions.com/orthodox-easter-overview-700616
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