Orthodox Easter

Tuesday, 21 September 2010 08:58 administrator
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The date of Easter, the major Orthodox religious holiday, is determined by the Church calendar and calculated according to the so-called "Paskhalias" (the special tables). It is usually celebrated in approximately two weeks after Catholic Easter and is devoted to Jesus Christ`s Resurrection upon his crucifiction on the cross. In the evening people go to churches, spending the entire night in Church services. Usually they bring Easter cakes, painted eggs and bottles of wine with them. In the morning (about 4 am) the service concludes with the clergyman sprinkling all food with sacred water which is believed to have strong healing power. At this time people return home to have a festive breakfast. The traditional greeting on this day is: "Khrystos Voskres!" (Christ is arisen) and the answer "Voyistynu Voskres!" (Truly arisen) followed with kisses and exchanging of gifts. On that day people visit relatives and friends with Easter baskets, filled with kulyches and pysankas.

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# JOHNNY 2010-12-07 11:36
People go to the wood to sit near the fire! It brings people together!
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