For Orthodox Christians, Easter is a holy day celebrated on the day after Pentecost. While the exact date of Easter varies depending on the region of the world, it is generally around the beginning of the spring season. The day marks the time of Christ’s descent into the underworld to free the dead of the ages before His Incarnation.
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Easter is the time when Christians celebrate the resurrection of Christ. This celebration is important to Eastern Orthodox Christians, who celebrate the resurrected Lord on April 21. The resurrected Lord’s victory over death is the central theme of the Christian faith.
Aside from the celebration of the Resurrection, Orthodox Christians also celebrate Holy Week. During Passion Week, Christians follow the New Testament’s description of the Resurrection. They also celebrate pre-lenten Sundays and the Great Lent.
While Western Christians use the Gregorian calendar, Eastern churches still use the Julian calendar. However, the Lenten fast draws worshipers closer to God and helps strengthen their inner life.
Paschal troparion
If you are an Orthodox Christian, then you have probably heard the Paschal troparion. It is a hymn that is sung during the liturgical services. It is the central Easter hymn of the Eastern Orthodox Church.
The Paschal Troparion is sung in several melodies. Most of the time, it is sung in a tone of five. There is also a slow version of the song, which is sung with verses when needed. This song is sung or read thrice at the beginning of most services on Thomas Sunday.
Pascha is an important event for the Orthodox Church. It is a celebration of the resurrection of Christ. However, it is more than just a historical reenactment. Through the celebration, the faithful are able to experience new creation.
Eosturmonath (Germanic term for month in which Christian feast usually fell)
The Germanic term Eosturmonath refers to a month in the Anglo-Saxon calendar. It was also used as a name for a Christian festival. However, there is little direct evidence that Eostre had any pagan origins. In the seventh century, a priest of Jarrow named Bede gave this term to a monastery abbot.
Despite the pagan roots of the name, Easter is a very important Christian holiday. It marks the beginning of the Easter season, and it is a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Although many of the Easter traditions are historical reenactments, they are not the only ones.
One of the most important religious holidays of the year, the Easter Triduum, is comprised of three days: Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Resurrection Sunday. Several Eastern Orthodox churches also celebrate Passover on the same day.
Julian and Gregorian calendars are now 13 days out of sync
A disputed debate in the church world has been the validity of the Julian calendar. In particular, there are those who argue that the Gregorian is accurate and that the Julian is a relic of the past. Some point to the scientific claims of the new calendar, while others cite concerns about the link between seasons and feasts.
The Gregorian and Julian calendars were created for two different purposes. For the Julian, it was an attempt to keep Easter close to the spring equinox, while the Gregorian was developed to provide more accurate dates for the liturgical year.
As the Gregorian system gained in popularity, many Eastern Orthodox countries switched to it. But in the early 20th century, the acrimony between the two calendars continued. This acrimony, which is still ongoing, has led to violence in Greece.
Christ descends into Hades to free the dead of the ages before His Incarnation
The Orthodox Church celebrates Easter on a different day from the Catholic and Protestant churches. However, the date varies from year to year. This is because the Orthodox calendar is based on an older Julian calendar.
Besides celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Orthodox also celebrate Holy Week, fasting and almsgiving. During the fast, the faithful must avoid eating meat, dairy and eggs. It is a time to draw nearer to God. During the feast, the faithful take part in the Procession. They imitate the actions of a thief on the Cross, kiss the Crucifix, and kneel.
In the Eastern Orthodox tradition, Easter falls between April 4 and May 8. Traditionally, the holiday is a celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Traditions
Orthodox Christians celebrate Easter, a feast celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The tradition dates back to ancient times. Today, Easter is celebrated on both mainland and islands. Typically, Greek Orthodox Christians celebrate their Easter with a big family meal, including roasted lamb and sweet Easter bread.
In order to prepare for the celebration, orthodox Christians abstain from meat during Lent, the 40 days prior to Easter. They also participate in church services. Aside from the Easter hymn, traditional Easter songs include “Christ is Risen”, which describes the resurrection.
As an important family feast, Easter also involves visiting friends and relatives. Many homes serve chick peas covered in sugar or almonds. Others make maamoul, a traditional Turkish cookie.
