Orthodox Easter in the United Kingdom

Orthodox Easter, also known as Pascha, is celebrated by the UK's Orthodox Christian minority, primarily consisting of communities with Greek, Russian, Serbian, and Middle Eastern heritage. The date of Orthodox Easter often differs from Western Easter due to the use of the Julian calendar by Orthodox Churches instead of the Gregorian calendar.

History and Traditions

The celebration of Easter in Orthodox Christianity has roots in the earliest traditions of the Christian faith. It commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ as described in the New Testament. The period leading up to Easter includes several significant events:

• Great Lent: A period of fasting and preparation lasting 40 days.
• Holy Week: The final week before Easter with specific daily services.
• Good Friday: Marking Christ's crucifixion and death.
• Holy Saturday: A day of anticipation before celebrating the Resurrection.

Practices on Orthodox Easter Day

On Easter Sunday, practices typically include:

• Midnight Service: Known as the Paschal Vigil, starting late on Holy Saturday and culminating in a joyous midnight service celebrating Christ's resurrection.

• Paschal Greeting: Exchanging greetings with "Christ is Risen!" and the response "He is Risen Indeed!"

• Feasting: After a long period of fasting, a feast is held with traditional foods such as lamb, tsoureki (sweet bread), and red-dyed eggs symbolizing Christ's blood and new life.

Community Celebrations

In communities across the UK:

• Families gather for festive meals.

• Parades or community gatherings may be organized by local churches or cultural associations.

While not a public holiday in the UK like Western Easter, Orthodox Christians observe it with religious fervor and cultural pride.