We're here to help you keep count of the days to or since a date. Just click the button below and enter your chosen date to get started. Also choose the suggested days or search for a special day above #countingthedays
Orthodox Easter Day in Russia
Orthodox Easter, known as Paskha (Пасха), is one of the most important and widely celebrated holidays in Russia. It follows the Julian calendar, which often results in a different date from Western Easter, generally observed anywhere between April 4th and May 8th.
History and Significance: The celebration commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, a cornerstone event in Christian faith. The observance of Orthodox Easter has deep historical roots dating back to the early Christian Church and has evolved over centuries in Russian culture.
Traditions: Russian Orthodox Easter traditions are rich and varied:
Preparation: The observance begins with Lent, a 40-day period of fasting and reflection. The week before Easter, called Holy Week, is particularly focused on preparation and includes church services every day.
Easter Eve: People attend an Easter midnight service that is among the most attended church services of the year. The liturgy culminates with a procession outside the church symbolizing the search for Jesus's body and the joyful proclamation that Christ has risen.
Easter Foods: After returning home from church, families break their fast with a meal that includes specially prepared dishes such as kulich (a tall, sweet bread), paskha (a cheese dessert), and decorated hard-boiled eggs—most commonly dyed red to symbolize the blood of Christ.
Egg Games: One of the traditional games involves hitting each other's eggs; the owner of the unbroken egg is considered lucky.
Greeting: It is customary to greet one another with "Христос Воскресе!" (Christ has risen!), to which one replies "Воистину Воскресе!" (Truly He has risen!).
Home Blessing: Many Russians have their homes blessed by priests during this time, bringing holy water from church services.
Activities on Orthodox Easter Day: On Easter Day itself:
Families gather for festive meals.
People often visit cemeteries bringing painted eggs to leave on graves as offerings to departed loved ones.
Charitable acts are encouraged; many people share food with those less fortunate.
These traditions reflect both religious significance and cultural heritage intertwined in Russia's observance of Orthodox Easter.
