Today is the peak of the Orthodox Easter celebrations, the so-called Pascha

Prague – Today is the peak of the Orthodox Easter celebrations, called Pascha. It follows the Julian calendar, so it is celebrated at a different time than is customary for Roman Catholics, who celebrate according to the Gregorian calendar. In addition, the rule is that they can only be celebrated after the Jewish holiday of Passover. The inhabitants of South-Eastern and Eastern European countries, such as Ukraine, Russia, Serbia and Greece, profess Orthodoxy. Easter marks the end of the forty-day fast for the Orthodox.

The Orthodox Passover in Russia and Ukraine culminates on the night from White Saturday to Easter Sunday, when the faithful make their way to the temple. Since then, he greets the whole Sunday with the greeting Christ has risen from the dead (Christos voskrese). Candles are also lit at the patron icons. The eggs are colored red and, similar to the smear, are called kulich. People can bring food they want to sanctify.

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Orthodox Easter is preceded by a long period of strict fasting. According to church rules, believers abstain from all foods of animal origin, except for children and the sick. At the same time, this period is characterized by maximum spiritual concentration and prayer, so that it is a real preparation for one of the biggest holidays of the year.

The course of Christ’s suffering, crucifixion and burial is remembered by believers in the pre-Easter, so-called holy week. Divine services are thematically dedicated to certain biblical milestones of Jesus’ journey every day, for example the last supper or the crucifixion.

After Easter Sunday, the Orthodox celebrate the Bright Week, during which the wall with icons in the churches remains accessible to people even outside the services.

It is customary to celebrate the holidays with the family, so it is a tradition to invite loved ones to home visits. Pascha is the second biggest holiday for the Orthodox after Christmas.

In Prague, for example, there is the Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas or the Church of St. Ludmila in Bubenč, church of St. Cyril and Methodius in New Town. In Pilsen, the Orthodox Church uses the church of St. Anne, as well as, for example, the chapel of St. Ivan Český in Zlín, which, due to its location, serves the Orthodox from Slovakia as well.

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Author: ČTK Date: May 5, 2024 Photo: Wikimedia Commons – illustrative